Sunrise (Prank and Bethy)

[Elizabeth]

(I know, I know... I can't start threads to save my life!)

It was 6:15 in the morning on a cool spring day. It was beginning to get lighter outside and some of the chill night air was dissipating into a soft breeze. There was the sound of chirping birds and some crickets.

On the ramparts sat a skinny, dark, figure illuminated by the rising sun. Kailani Lanaya Wavedog was sitting slightly hunched over on the edge of the wall. Her chin was cupped in her black furred paws as she stared out at the distant sunrise. A cold breeze gently blew at her fur.

She loved this kind of weather. In the quiet and peacefulness of the morning, much of her roughish, wild, nature was calmed, and a much more docile mood shone through.

At 6:30 she stood up and looked back at the stairs, entertaining thoughts of raiding the kitchens before the friar was up. She shook her head and smiled... Maybe something light... won't spoil my breakfast... and a drink, aye, a small drink. With that Kailani turned to start to go down off of the ramparts. The sunlight cast colorful patterns on the wall top. She paused to give a last lingering look at the amazing sunset...

(Yeah... funny way to end a thread. :3)

[Prankster101]

((Ooc: You did just fine! ))

"We'll give ye time ta t'ink about w'at ye done. Bla' bla' bla'..." Travioso Trueflight muttered to himself as he picked at the lock of the Gatehouse. He had been locked in there for supposedly a full week as a punishment for his latest fiasco.

Apparently the elders had not liked the dining table seats coated in glue. Practically everybeast had their rears stuck to their seats. It was hilarious to watch, but Travi was soon caught and punished.

His punishment was to be confined to the Gatehouse for one week with his meals being brought to him. During his time in the gatehouse he was also expected to clean the entire room, organize the books and scrolls, and keep up with his daily Abbey School work. Travi, however, had other ideas.

After Travi found a letter opener while he was "cleaning", he waited until he was sure everybeast would be caught off guard and starting picking away. And now, he was almost free.

"Come on.." Travioso muttered as he felt the letter opener latch against the inner workings of the lock. From with in the lock a series of clicks and clacks could be heard as Travi twisted the letter opener and the door flew open.

*huh* Travi smirked as he put the letter opener in his belt and quietly shut the door. "Ye can't keep dis ol' sea otta' locked up."

Looking around Travi scoped out the grounds for anyone who may have noticed his escape. Travi nodded as he looked around it seemed like there was no one in his way, but wait! No!

Travioso slipped into the Abbey Orchard silently as he watched the dark furred otter descend the steps of the ramparts.

Crouching between some apple trees in the long grass, Travi hoped that his green jerkin and brown fur would give him just enough camouflage to remain hidden.

As he crouched, Travioso watched the other otter. She wore pink! Of all the colors to wear in Mossflower, Pink?!? Travi rolled his eyes. What was her name again? Kallie? Kaily? No, it was something like Kailani. But whatever, lots of beasts called her Rouge.

And apparently she was making a record of herself being a Prankster like him. Travi rolled his eyes again. No beast was ever going to top him! Competition just made it more fun!

Still watching the ottermiad, Travi dearly hoped that she would just continue walking and not notice him, but as luck so often decreed with him, Travioso was sure that would not be the case....

[Elizabeth]

"Hey Trueflight!" called Kailani, noticing him immediately. "I've seen you around a lot lately. Apparently you're the one that glued all the Redwaller's to their chairs! A good trick but I bet you can't top me!"

She smiled and jumped down standing right in front of him. She wore an amused look on her face. "ohhh by the way Trueflight! What do you think you are doing at 6:30 in the morning? Hiding behind the trees?"

She put her paws on her hips. "You know... I think you're up to something Prankster. Why don't you come back inside? I was just going in. Unless of course you would rather stay in the trees Mr. Trueflight?"

[Prankster101]

"Hey Trueflight!"

Travi cursed to himself some very foul mouth curses as Kailani called out to him. Of course she had to see him...

"I've seen you around a lot lately. Apparently you're the one that glued all the Redwaller's to their chairs! A good trick but I bet you can't top me!"
[...]
"ohhh by the way Trueflight! What do you think you are doing at 6:30 in the morning? Hiding behind the trees?"
[...]
"You know... I think you're up to something Prankster. Why don't you come back inside? I was just going in. Unless of course you would rather stay in the trees Mr. Trueflight?"

Travi couldn't take it anymore! With a harsh growl of annoyance, Travi did his best to gently grab Kailani and pull her down behind the trees with him.

Now thoroughly miffed, Travi glared deep into the ottermaid's eyes as he berated her in his harsh sea worn voice.

"Will ye e'er stop talkin'! Naw yer gonna listen close and pay attenchion ta w'at Ah be a sayin'. Number 1, STOP BABBLIN' LIKE A STINKIN' LOUD MOUTH BROOK!!! Number 2, dan't ye e'er call mea Mr. Trueflight ye hear! Number 3, nae beast e'er tops mea at Pranks, nae ifs an's er buts. Number 4, ah can ga w'ere e'er Ah want an' if Ah dan't want ta ga back in ta da Abbey cause da first beast dat see mea is gonna get mea locked back up in da Gate'ouse an' Ah ain't gonna let dat 'appen Ah can do dat. Naw.."

Travi backed up out of the ottermaid's face a bit. " Ye gots all dat ore da ye wants mea ta repeats it?.."

[Elizabeth]

" Ye gots all dat ore da ye wants mea ta repeats it?.."

Kailani sulked a bit at what she took as a challange. She gave Travi a piercing glare with her bright blue eyes. "I s'pose I got it all," she grumbled. "...I don't think you're being very fair here... You shouldn't be running away 'cause you don't want ta be locked up!"

She paused trying to think of something else to say.

Then, "What am I supposed to call you anyhow?"

Another pause... "Oh yeah... I guess you want me to stop yapping. Sorry."

[Prankster101]

"I s'pose I got it all, [...]...I don't think you're being very fair here... You shouldn't be running away 'cause you don't want ta be locked up!"

Travi locked glares with Kailani, his paws crossed in front of his chest. "An' just w'y not missy? Ye gonna make mea ga back?" He said, his voice harsh with a challenge.

"What am I supposed to call you anyhow?"

Travi raised and eyebrow at Kailani. "Maybe mye name? Travi preferably."

"Oh yeah... I guess you want me to stop yapping. Sorry."

Travi sighed and looked around to see if any other beast was up this early. Not seeing anybeast, Travi decided that to stay in one spot to long with an otter that had a mouth like a waterfall, that he should keep moving. With a grunt, Travi signaled to Kailani that if she wanted to keep talking, she had to move.

Snaking his way quietly though the Orchard,Travi stopped under a russet tree and waited again, listening. This was going better than he thought it would. he hadn't officially been caught yet....emphisis on yet.....

[Elizabeth]

"Okay Travi."

Kailani took the hint and followed him through the orchard. At first she wished she were off inside the abbey on one of her escapades instead of sneaking through the orchard at the crack of dawn with an otter she didn't know very well. After a while though she started to enjoy the morning a bit more.

She was actually quiet for a while, then she asked, "Travi. Where exactly are you headed? Are you just planing on staying out of sight of all redwallers, or are you going somewhere?"

[Prankster101]

Travi sat very still listening for any sound of movement. Besides the occasional bird, it sounded like most of the Abbey was asleep. But soon the bellringer would be up to ring the morning bell and Travi really didn't want to get caught.

For his position, it seemed that he was safe. The one thing that left him with an uneasy feeling was the fact Kailani's color choices. Blue and pink ?!!?! Plus she never stopped talking!

"Travi. Where exactly are you headed? Are you just planing on staying out of sight of all redwallers, or are you going somewhere?"

Travi shrugged, his voice ringing with a sarcastic truth. "May ta da Kitchen's fur a bite, but pretty muc' yea'! If ye want ta go da somet'in' yerself, fine, but nay a word about mea, understood!"

[Elizabeth]

"May ta da Kitchen's fur a bite, but pretty muc' yea'! If ye want ta go da somet'in' yerself, fine, but nay a word about mea, understood!"

Kailani nodded and replied in a lower voice, "Ok. If you won't yell at me or force me away I'm gonna stay with you. There's nothing else more interesting than this that I can do so early in the morning anyhow..." He gave a sort of quiet sigh, then she noticed him looking at her clothes. "Whaat now??" She asked, "Okay so they're kinda bright pink... chill out. I won't get you caught."

(Shortie post...blah)

[Prankster101]

"Ok. If you won't yell at me or force me away I'm gonna stay with you. There's nothing else more interesting than this that I can do so early in the morning anyhow..."

Travi rolled his eyes as he turned back toward Kailani his voice quieter, but none the less sarcastic. "Fine. Ah wont yell. 'appy?"

"Whaat now?? [...] Okay so they're kinda bright pink... chill out. I won't get you caught."

Travi nodded. "O' Yes. Ye can camouflage just as gad as da next tree, oh yes!"Rolling his eyes again. They were going to get caught.

Just then, he sniffed the air. Oooo! Maybe not... they just might have a chance. If Travi and Kailani could quietly snitch some of the cooling off pastries fro breakfast, the might just be able to make it to the Belltower and hide out there. The only creature they should have to worry about is the Bellringer, and there were many crevices to hide in at the Belltower (Travi knew from experience) that they shouldn't be seen.

Travi sighed and spoke to Kailani again, this time in a whisper. "If ye want ta 'ang wit' mea fur now, fine by mae. But We gots ta be a careful naw. we're gonna ga snag som' breakfast form da Kitc'en winders den make our way ta da Belltower. we s'ould be safe dere. If yer wit' me, dan't let yerself be seen."

And with that Travi turned and snuck through the Orchard and Gardens. It was a slow process, but with Travi's knowledge about stealth movement from his time his spent in Salmandastron, he wasn't seen. He would almost slither to a tree, pause, run to a bush, pause, tuck and roll to another tree and pause again. It probably looked rather silly, but it did the trick.

Just underneath the Kitchen window, Travi pressed himself tightly against the wall. From within voices could heard. Various names and commands, but sure enough two trays of fresh cooked baskets sat on the sill. Travi, grinning mischievously, pulled two handkerchiefs out of his belt and wrapped them around his paws.

With one swiftly timed jerk, Travi held the warm pan in his paws and nodded to Kailani to either try and grab one or hurry up. Then in the same way he traveled to the Kitchen, Travi snuck over to the Belltower, but this time a little more cautious about rolling due to the warm tray in his paws.

Just was the pair reached the shadow of the Belltower, the beautiful song of the twin bells rang over the Abbey. Travi cursed a bit to himself as he hid in the shadows. He really wanted to be earlier.

After waiting in silence for the Bellringer to leave the tower and head back to the Great Hall, Travi snuck into the Belltower. Leaping up flights of stairs, Travi would skip a few every now and then, for he memorized the pattern of squeaky steps.

Stopping about halfway up on one of the landings, Travi hurried over to a pile of what seemed to be lumber waiting to replace a broken stair or something. But really, the wood had been cleverly stacked in a way that made it into a little hovel of sorts.

Slipping between a whole in the wood, Travi entered the little hiding spot. It was small, but it had enough room to fit two creatures comfortably. Setting his tray down, Travi seated himself in the sunlight that filtered in from the little window crack that the little plank hovel was contently built around.

From the corner, Travi pulled out two small traveling jugs of strawberry fizz that he had stolen a while back and hid here just in case. Passing one to Kailani, Travi settled down in his corner, taking the handkerchiefs off his paws while munching on a still warm basket.

[Elizabeth]

"Fine. Ah wont yell. 'appy?"

"Sarcastic..." She whispered.

"O' Yes. Ye can camouflage just as gad as da next tree, oh yes!"

"Sooo Sarcastic..." She maintained an aggravated expression, even though she wasn't nearly as bothered as she looked.

"If ye want ta 'ang wit' mea fur now, fine by mae. But We gots ta be a careful naw. we're gonna ga snag som' breakfast form da Kitc'en winders den make our way ta da Belltower. we s'ould be safe dere. If yer wit' me, dan't let yerself be seen."

Kailani nodded eagerly, trying to stay as quiet as she could. "Yeah, I'm an expert food smuggler. Trust me. You're not the only one who has done it before!"

Kailani hid a smile at the way Travi kept hidden while making their way to the kitchen. His method was probably better for concealing himself, but Kailani preferred ducking low to the ground and staying hidden behind trees and bushes.

As Travi yanked down the hot pan Kailani nodded in approval of his methods.

She remembered one time a while back... she had tried to smuggle hot food without thinking about what the pan would feel like. In the first place, she was caught. In the second place, she was sent to the infirmary to have her burns treated. Silly hot pans...

She smiled at the little gloves she pulled out of a pocket in her outfit. She slipped them onto her paws then grabbed the other pan quickly. She followed the other otter to the bell tower. Kailani watched to make sure of what stairs he skipped. She immediately knew why he skipped certain ones. She caught on quickly to this kind of thing. She followed where he stepped.

He led her to an odd little hiding place. She looked with surprise as he slipped between the wood. She followed him in.

"Travi?" she said taking one of the little mugs. "Thanks... this place is awesome! I'm surprised you found it before me..."

She took a bite from a biscuit which she held in her gloved paw. "Ooh..." A though had obviously just occurred to her. "I suppose I haven't even told you my name yet." She smiled. "I'm Kailani. My best friends always call me Kai. I dunno... you can call me whatever." She shrugged.

[Prankster101]

"Sarcastic... [...] Sooo Sarcastic..."

Travi rolled his eyes again, which he happened to be doing alot around this otter. Turning to her with a light smirk "Glad your catc'in' on!"

___________________________________________________

"Yeah, I'm an expert food smuggler. Trust me. You're not the only one who has done it before!"

"Oh ah dan't doubt dat ah'm not da only un," Travi said as he began shifting through the grass. "Ah'm just nat sure if ye've reac'ed ma level yet." This otter was almost getting funny...

____________________________________________________

"Travi?" she said taking one of the little mugs. "Thanks... this place is awesome! I'm surprised you found it before me..."

Travi shrugged looking around the little hovel as he swigged the fizz. Swallowing and running a paw across his face to clear it of dribbles, he spoke in a stage whisper. "Eg'. Ain't dat best o' may 'indin' spots. An' ye s'ouldn't a be surprised mate. Ah t'ink ah'd knaw a bit more abouts 'idin' spots dan ye. Just sayin'."

"Ooh... [..] I suppose I haven't even told you my name yet. [...] I'm Kailani. My best friends always call me Kai. I dunno... you can call me whatever."

Travi grinned. "Ah already knew dat from just listenin' round da Abbey. But, w'ate'er. Kai den?"

Looking out the little window Travi looked around the Abbey. Looked like the beasts were just coming down to breakfast. Soon every one would be out enjoying the cool day. Travi Sighed and slouched back down. He was going to be stuck in here for a while. For the creatures delivering his breakfast would report him missing then the Abbey would go on an all out search and then they would realize Kai is missing too and the search would be intensified then sigh......

[Elizabeth]

"Eg'. Ain't dat best o' may 'indin' spots. An' ye s'ouldn't a be surprised mate. Ah t'ink ah'd knaw a bit more abouts 'idin' spots dan ye. Just sayin'."

"oh... I'm not so sure about that. Maybe. But I'll have to check out some of your other hiding places first."

---

"Ah already knew dat from just listenin' round da Abbey. But, w'ate'er. Kai den?"

"Oh yeah... I should have know you would have heard about me somewhere. It's not like we live on the other side of mossflower from eachother."

She grinned. "Right, Kai then."

She wriggled around a bit in the small place till she got into a more comfortable position. She laid back against the wall. "I assume we have to hide from search parties now? Do ya' think we should stay here all day, or do you have other plans. Like I told you Travi, whatever we do, we won't get caught!"

(Kinda short...)

[Prankster101]

"oh... I'm not so sure about that. Maybe. But I'll have to check out some of your other hiding places first."

Travi looked comically shocked. "An' give a way all mae sacred 'idin' spots passed down furm Prankster ta Prankster all da way furm Prince Gnoff 'imself ye must be a jestin'!" He said with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh yeah... I should have know you would have heard about me somewhere. It's not like we live on the other side of mossflower from eachother. [...] Right, Kai then."

Travi chuckled a bit then look another long gulp from his fizz.

She wriggled around a bit in the small place till she got into a more comfortable position. She laid back against the wall. "I assume we have to hide from search parties now? Do ya' think we should stay here all day, or do you have other plans. Like I told you Travi, whatever we do, we won't get caught!"

Sighing, and leaning back with his hat pushed down his face so that it covered his eyes like he was sleeping as he put his paws behind his head." Ye assume rig't matey. Ah didn't 'ave muc' plans fur a two beasts opperation. An' ah wouldn't get ta over confident about nat gettin' caug't mate! It be '.'arder 'iden taw beasts then just un..."

[Elizabeth]

"Ye assume rig't matey. Ah didn't 'ave muc' plans fur a two beasts opperation. An' ah wouldn't get ta over confident about nat gettin' caug't mate! It be '.'arder 'iden taw beasts then just un..."

Kailani smiled and nodded, she sat there silently for a bit as she watched the weather outside. The clouds begin to grow darker. "Oh great..." She muttered. As if in response she heard the low rumble of thunder.

"ehh... Travi?" she said as the rain begun to pour. "Do ya think they'll call off the search parties now? They'll probably be more upset once they realize we're out in this storm..."

She grew quiet and closed her eyes listening to the rain pounding down around them. She loved rain and storms but she didn't necessarily need the redwallers worried sick. At least this would throw them off the trail for a bit.

[Prankster101]

Travi let his eye lids droop a bit as he lay in the sun. Now would he a nice time for a nap. But as he began to mildly doze, Travi felt his sunbeam weaken and it get colder out. O' naw...Travi thought to himself. But Kai got to it before him.

"Oh great..."

Travi's eyes from beneath his hat his flashed open as he heard thunder in the distance. His entire body immediately tensed as well. As he tried to relax, Travi sat up and looked out the little window crack, his hat pushed back up on his head.

"ehh... Travi?" she said as the rain begun to pour. "Do ya think they'll call off the search parties now? They'll probably be more upset once they realize we're out in this storm..."

Sitting back against the wall. Travi kept his face as hard as stone. "Probably not...Dey'd searc' in da storm." Reaching over, Travi grabbed one of the last bisects and munched on it. He only was eating to make his body do something. For the bisect seemed like nothing. It had no taste anymore and turned to lead in his stomach.

He wasn't afraid of being caught. He wasn't afraid of the rain. He wasn't afraid of the storm. He was afraid of the memories brought by the storm. The memories were worse than anything. Now Travi almost wanted to be caught. As long as he didn't have to think or sleep......

[Elizabeth]

"Probably not...Dey'd searc' in da storm."

"O'okay," She murmured not opening her eyes. "Oh well..."

She opened her eyes and glanced over as Travi grabbed more food and begun to eat again. "Still hungry?..." she began. "oh..." she said seeing the look on his face.

She could tell by looking at Travi's face that something was definitely not right. Concern filled her features now. "Travi? What's wrong matey?" She asked quietly.

The rain pound down hard, thunder crashed and lightning roared. There was a gloomy uncertain atmosphere to the outside now.

[Prankster101]

"O'okay, [...] Oh well..."
[...]
"Still hungry?...[...]oh..."
[...]
"Travi? What's wrong matey?"

Travi swallowed the last bit of bisect forcefully, as he felt the lead weight hit his stomach, or so it felt.

How could he ever answer her question? He thought to himself.
Everything was wrong, but yet it had no cure. So there for everything must be made right, but it never will be.

As the lighting flashed, and Travi's back of the neck fur flashed up wards for a quick moment, the little hovel was lit for a brief second with an eerie light. Then a loud boom of thunder quickly after wards.

With sad and stony cold face, Travi sat up and turned to look out the little window crack. Even through the pouring rain, Travi could see the little flickering of light from lanterns. Search parties were out now. In no time at all, a group would take refuge in the Belltower and they would be caught.

As he continued to look out the window, Travi just stared at the rain, his mind flooding with memories. Such accursed memories. Of Love. Of Hate. Of Life. Of Death. Of Blood. So much Blood. Innocent Blood and guilty blood. So much blood. Slouching back down, Travi sat on his knees in the dim light that streamed through the windows, looking at his paws. His paws. His blood, blood,blood stained paws.

Not looking at Kai, Travi barely found a voice to respond to her. His voice, stony and hard, just like his face.

"Life. Deat'. Take yer pic'."

[Elizabeth]

"Life. Deat'. Take yer pic'."

Travi's tone, his face... So different from the Travi, Kai, knew only a moment before. "Life..." Muttered Kai.

Kai paused. She tried to tell what was going on by reading Travi's expression. She usually didn't have a hard time telling what most beasts were feeling, but Travi's stone hard expression was certainly different. Kai gave up and let out a long sigh. "Really Travi..." She said. "I don't want to annoy you, I honestly don't. But I wish I knew what was wrong. I won't be nosy though."

A thought occurred to her. "Travi. We have to find a better place to hide." She voiced his earlier thought. "Searchers will come here to get out of the rain. If we don't move we're done for. Or would you rather get caught?" She said this in all due seriousness. Not a hint of sarcasm of roughness in her voice. In fact, she sounded quite upset and worried at the moment.

[Prankster101]

"Life..."

Travi continues to stare at his paws. Life. What life? He thought to himself. Looking up into Kai's eyes, with his cold emerald ones, he responded coldly with sorrow.

"Wrong c'oice. May life is deat'. It 'aunts mea, e'erw'ere Ah go."

Looking back at his paws Travi remembers the feeling of the Bloodwrath as it coursed through his veins, filmed his eyes, and consumed his heart.

"Really Travi...[...] I don't want to annoy you, I honestly don't. But I wish I knew what was wrong. I won't be nosy though."

"Well, Ah'll tell ye now dat ye'll ne'er know w'at be worn wit' mea. Sa ye dan't 'ave ta be nosy."

Travi's head slowly turned and looked out into the rain as Kai continued to talk.

"Travi. We have to find a better place to hide. [...] Searchers will come here to get out of the rain. If we don't move we're done for. Or would you rather get caught?"

Staring out into the rain, Travi contemplated this question. Did he want to get caught? He could shut down if they did. Just block out everything and let them punish him again. Or he could stay hidden and let go of everything bottled up inside with Kai. But how would she understand? How would she understand the pain he suffered with each and everyday? The pain and the anger.

Closing his eyes slowly, Travi spoke. "If ye want ta stay 'idden we can. If ye want ta go ta da warm Cavern 'Ole out o' da storm wit' warm food, we can get caug't. Ah dan't care now..."