Atypical Greeting ((Fawn, Open))

[T-Bone]

Paw, elbow, shoulder, chest, shoulder, elbow, dang it! Shad angrily splashed the pondwater with his rudder. It was a simple movement! Why couldn't he get it right? He'd done it a million times before. He took a deep breath. Paw, elbow, shoulder... shoulder? Gahh! No, that wasn't it!

The otter dejectedly sat down on the grass, twiddling his footpaws in the shallows. The sun silhouetted his back against the autumn leaves that shuffled about in the breeze. He always chose to practice during this time of day, for his shadow cast itself perfectly, allowing him to watch his movements more accurately. It was his makeshift substitute for a mirror.

Of course, he would normally never be caught dead dancing in a place a public as the pond. But today was different. Most of the abbeybeasts were out helping the needier farming families of Mossflower or preparing for the upcoming Autumn Nameday Feast. And Skipper had taken the entire Crew to meet with the Guosim shrews, except Shad, who was tasked with staying at the abbey and not inadvertently setting entire watchtowers ablaze. . . What was Skip's problem? It was old and creaky anyway!

There were footsteps.

Shad's thoughts went as follows: Footsteps! Turn around! No! That'll take too long! I know! Headstand!

Shad performed half of a backwards somersault, stopping with his head on the ground, his footpaws a good six feet above his head, his thick arms folded, and his gaze directed at a mole's face.

Heheh, moles look funny upside-down. . .

[Stryker]

Duncan Sternclaw, wannabe-warrior-mole, looked at Shad Streamdog with a somewhat startled expression. Headstand? That was...new. The kind, burly young mole leaned to the left, turning his head as though to better see the acrobatic otter in front of him. "Pardon oi, Shad Zurr, 'ave you'm seen likkle Koa? ee babe's runned off again." On 'dibbun watch' for the fourth time that week, Duncan's patience and nerves were really wearing themselves thin -- especially with Koa making another daring escape the second his back was turned.

"Since oi'm obviously a mole and yon babe's a ottercub, oi figured oi shud ask 'nuther otter whur ee little scamp 'as got to. Any ideas?"

Oh that little cub! When he got his diggin' claws on him Koa would definitely start behaving himself more! Sure, Duncan was a bit miffed, but anybeast who knew Duncan knew he wouldn't lay a paw on the little otterbabe -- despite all of his empty threats and threatening gestures when overcome with frustration.Ee's lucky he's cute fur an h'otter choild. Thought Duncan grumpily. Hopefully Shad, who was practically an overgrown dibbun himself, could help him locate the little bugger's whereabouts.

[T-Bone]

Shad snorted. "Well, o' course, 'e's 'idin' inna pond!" Shad chortled like it was the most obvious thing in the whole world. "Where d'ye think liddle otters go to 'ide from a mole wot can't swim?"

This was that mole who couldn't swim, wasn't it? Actually, that seemed to be the case with most moles. They really weren't built for water. They were built for other things, like construction, and....dirt!

Shad uprighted himself, began to take a step toward the pond, stopped, held his head for a moment, regained his composure, and resumed taking steps. "Aye," continued the otter, glancing back at Duck...Doughnut...D'th....the mole. "That's where I would 'ide, if'n I was a dibbun. Right over..." He pointed at a rock that protruded from the water, near the edge of the pond, but far enough away that one would have to swim to reach it. "...there." Still pointing, he turned his head to look back at He-Whose-Named-Escaped-Shad's-Limited-Albeit-Functioning-Memory and grin proudly.

The next course of action, however, had yet to dawn on the otter. So, he simply stood there. Grinning. Like an idiot.

[Stryker]

"That's where I would 'ide, if'n I was a dibbun. Right over..." He pointed at a rock that protruded from the water, near the edge of the pond, but far enough away that one would have to swim to reach it. "...there."

Duncan looked past Shad to the rock sticking up out of the Abbey Pond's surface, close enough for the otterbabe to swim to, but too far for a mole who couldn't. Looking perplexed, Duncan would readily admit that Shad's theory made sense. "Burr aye, you'm cud be roight, Zurr Shad -- mayhaps yew cud go take a quick look-see?" Duncan, who's swimming abilities were technically nonexistent, obviously couldn't go and check it out for himself. The agile young otter was going to have to do it -- but Shad Streamdog didn't seem to put two and two together quite as easily as other beasts.

"excuse oi, Shadd, perhaps you cudd swim out by yon rock? Oi'm a mole, and us molers aren't too fond of water." Added Duncan hopefully, assuming Shad would get the hint this time.

[T-Bone]

"Burr aye, you'm cud be roight, Zurr Shad -- mayhaps yew cud go take a quick look-see?"

. . . Shad blinked. . .

"excuse oi, Shadd, perhaps you cudd swim out by yon rock? Oi'm a mole, and us molers aren't too fond of water."

". . . Oh, right!" Reality dawned on Shad. "Uh. . . aye, I'll just, uh. . ." He glanced back at the rock and promptly disappeared into the water.

His head appeared by the rock. He peered around the other side of the rock, but there were no Koas there. He swam around it to check any hidden sides. No Koas here either. He continued swimming around the periphery of the rock, and he managed to orbit the thing four times before coming to the realization that there would be no Koas on any side of this rock.

And it took another thirty seconds for him to consider the possibility that perhaps there could have been more than one hiding place for a mischievous Koa, and that those other hiding places did not require a beast soak himself to investigate them. It never occurred to him, however, that this was very likely the last place he should have looked. But his clothes were wet now; what difference would it make?

[.:Fawn:.]

". . . Oh, right!" Reality dawned on Shad. "Uh. . . aye, I'll just, uh. . ." He glanced back at the rock and promptly disappeared into the water.

Duncan resisted the urge to chuckle, watching Shad dash off into the water like a bullet shot from a gun. Waiting with some impatience, Duncan tried to stand on his tip-toes to see what the older otter was up to, velvety face set in a frown as he watched Shad circle the big rock a few times.

"Wot's 'e looking at, Duncan?"

A loud sipping sound followed by a little burp announced the arrival of Koa, the youngster obviously having spent his time in the kitchens obtaining a drink of some sort -- was that strawberry fizz Duncan smelled? Oh that little rascal!
"Thar you are, 'e varmint, oi wus lookin' fur 'e all over the h'abbey! SHAD, 'E'S OVER HERE! YOU'M CAN COIME OUT NAOW!" The last bit directed towards the sopping wet male otter swimming in the Abbey Pond.
Koa, on the other hand, seemingly had no intention of making that easy for them. Trying to drain the last of his strawberry fizz, the little rascal looked ready to bolt -- Duncan immediately lurching forward to grab him.
Koa dodged with surprising speed, giggling as he let out another burp.
"Can't catch me!"

"Burr aye, you'm likkle beastie, coime 'ere roight naow!"

Koa grinned.
But where was the fun in that?

[T-Bone]

"SHAD, 'E'S OVER HERE! YOU'M CAN COIME OUT NAOW!"

Shad tilted his head. Yup. There was a Koa. Right there. Had Duncan said "coime"? What a funny word. It's like "coin," only it's spelled with an extra "m" and-- Oxygen. Shad swam back up to the surface.

Note to self: Breathe air.

Shad took a deep breath and submerged. Speeding across the pond, he found land and decided it would be wise to stop swimming. He rose to his footpaws in time to catch Duncan reuse the word "coime." Looked like it was time for an overgrown dibbun's contribution.

Shad, shirt plastered to his frame, winked at Duncan. He then turned to the pint-sized bundle of apocalyptic energy and opened his arms out wide. "Koaaa," he called teasingly, "I think ye need a 'ug." The dripping wet otter began to approach the dibbun. With any luck, he would be able to chase the little devil right into Duncan's waiting claws. . . Good heavens, that sounded horrible out loud.

[.:Fawn:.]

"Koaaa," he called teasingly, "I think ye need a 'ug."

The little otter made as though to approach Shad -- after all, who didn't like hugs? -- when the ottercub suddenly caught wind of what Shad was probably up to. He wasn't gonna let go, was he? Grinning cheekily, Koa scampered around Duncan and gave the heavy mole a little push towards Shad. "Hug him instead! He's so grumpy all the time, he needs a hug more!"

"Likkle rascal! Oi'm not grumpy!" He scolded, and Koa giggled as though Duncan had just proved his point. Not grumpy? Right, just like Shad was totally dry right now. Koa began edging his way towards the pond when Duncan managed to grab him by the arm -- then it was like holding onto a very determined fish! The ottercub twisted and contorted in more ways than Duncan thought was possible until it was impossible to keep a strong hold on him, Koa dropping down onto the grass where he crawled through Duncan's legs and took off for safety of the Abbey.

[T-Bone]

Shad laughed at Duncan's attempt to hold onto little Koa; that dibbun would make a good dancer one day.

Then, the little otter slipped from Duncan's grasp and took off like a bullet. A naughty, giggling bullet. Shad immediately sprinted after Koa, who probably delighted at the prospect of a chase. Fortunately, Shad managed to put his high energy to use and caught up with the little rascal, scooping him up in one arm whilst tripping over his own footpaw.

Now, in this instant, Shad realized two things. One, he was speeding toward the door leading directly into the Great Hall, and there was probably no way he could come to a stop before reaching it. And two, somebeast was presently making his way out of said door, carrying a tray of food. Well, thought Shad, if he were going to crash into an unsuspecting pedestrian, he might as well enjoy it.

Twisting around just in time to take the brunt of the impact with his shoulder and back, Shad ran straight into Cross with a big, stupid grin on his face. The next instant, Shad was sliding across the floor with Koa resting safely on his chest. That's six points.

[Cross]

No, Cross's day was not allowed to go uninterrupted.

The big, silvery otter had been feeling quite peaceful all morning, keeping mostly to himself--partially out of habit--and quietly enjoying the loss of soreness in the new scars on his torso. Even his night had gone well. No nightmares for the first time in a while. He'd missed seeing Freya today, but it was alright. He figured he needed a break from all this . . . emotional turmoil. And fortunately, that was just what he was getting today.

Until lunch, anyway. He'd offered to help in the kitchens today, bringing food out to the creatures who were going to have lunch out on the grounds. The nice black squirrel--Cross remembered her name was Alné--had patiently explained where everything was in the kitchens. Cross was feeling content, actually helping the creatures of the abbey who'd helped him so much, and then . . .

Cross grunted as something brown, furry, and quite solid collided with his middle. The sea otter grunted again as his back collided painfully with the stone floors. He heard the tray of food clatter on the ground and got himself into a sitting position, rubbing his ribcage. For the love of--he shut his eyes tight, lip curling back in a grimace. He looked up, wondering what or who had--

Oh, seasons take it . . . "Shad, Koa," the silvery otter said, pushing himself to his knees. The only thing that surprised Cross was the fact that he was not surprised. His good eye studied the younger otters for a moment, his expression unreadable. "What happened?"

[Stryker]

"What happened?"

Koa, who was dizzy enough that Cross now had a twin, rolled over onto his stomach with a giggle. "Duncan was chasin' me 'round the Abbey, then Shad started chasin' me, and then we crashed right inta--"

"Thurr -- pant -- You'm be, you noighty choild! -- pant pant -- Runnin' into poor Zurr Cross Loike that!"
The arrival of the winded mole confirmed Koa's story, Duncan doubling over to rest his digging claws on his knees. Oh Great Seasons! Why did otters have to be so fast? Koa slid off of Shad, looking at the big, silly otter with an equally silly grin. "Can we do it again? Please? Faster this time!" Sure, Koa didn't really have a name for what happened...but it was FUN! That's all that mattered, right?
Duncan shook his dark, velvety head immediately. "Absolutedly not, young Koa -- you'm be causin' us gennelbeasts enoiugh trouble -- doin't go draggin' poor Shad into your games." Scolding Koa was quite possibly the only punishment he could give to the dibbun, but it seemed to be effective -- the ottercubs ears pressing to his skull in dismay. D'awwwww. Why did Duncan always ruin everything? He'n'Shad had been having loads of fun! Minus the crashing part! Disciplinary words aside, Duncan turned to the muscular light-furred sea otter to offer him a digging claw. "Oi dearly hopes you wuzzn't hurted boi Koa and Shad, let oi help ye up." Said Duncan kindly, shooting the pair of otters a look.
Where on earth did they get all that energy?
It was a good thing they hadn't crashed into Brother Halifax, the stern old mouse probably would've needed some time in his own infirmary after that!

[T-Bone]

"Thurr -- pant -- You'm be, you noighty choild! -- pant pant -- Runnin' into poor Zurr Cross Loike that!"

At first, Shad thought Duncan was referring to him, but then it struck him. He probably wasn't the "noighty choild."

Koa slid off of Shad, looking at the big, silly otter with an equally silly grin. "Can we do it again? Please? Faster this time!"

Shad returned the grin and was about to answer with a hearty "Absolutely!" when Duncan spoke up.

Duncan shook his dark, velvety head immediately. "Absolutedly not, young Koa -- you'm be causin' us gennelbeasts enoiugh trouble -- doin't go draggin' poor Shad into your games... Oi dearly hopes you wuzzn't hurted boi Koa and Shad, let oi help ye up." Said Duncan kindly, shooting the pair of otters a look.

"Wot?" Shad demanded. There was absolutely nothing wrong in Shad's mind about having a little fun. Accidents happened, but who was this mole to dictate when fun could be had? Keeping his eyes on Adolf Duncan to make a point, he patted Koa on the back. "Don't worry, Koa. He's just a dream killer."

[Cross]

Cross's blank face hid his amusement perfectly. In fact, he would have broken out into a wide smile, were his ribs not still smarting. Being the landing pad for a rocket otter like Shad wasn't the best thing for his newly-recovered body. At the arrival of Duncan, Cross's good eye twinkled with hidden mirth. Ah, so Duncan was in charge.

"Oi dearly hopes you wuzzn't hurted boi Koa and Shad, let oi help ye up."

"No harm done," the silvery otter replied. He ignored the proffered paw and stood on his own, wondering exactly the same thing as the mole. Where did all this energy come from? Still, Cross himself was feeling rather upbeat today. Maybe it was an otter thing.

"Dream killer, eh?" the big sea otter repeated, good eye glancing down at Shad. Let's phrase it more delicately. "I would say he is simply watching out for your safety. More specifically Koa's." Cross scooped up the fallen tray, which surprisingly still held much of the food (though most of it had spilled over the plates and such).

"And I would have to agree with him about the running-into-others part," the sea otter went on, holding up the tray as if checking it for dents. "Great Hall is no place for launching yourselves at full speed. Not to mention the fact that you cannot always count on me or some other beast to be there as your landing pad."

He shook his head, lowering the tray. "No, a much better place would be that large boulder that sticks out over the pond," he said. "If you get a running start, you should be able to jump off for quite a distance, but the pond is deep enough for that sort of thing." His pale blue eye flashed with concealed mischief. He'd noticed his once playful side had begun to reemerge while here at Redwall. And he liked it.

((Sorry, that was . . . kinda scattered.))