Life Again ((Freya))

[Cross]

"Don't walk too far. No swimming, whatsoever."

A nod.

"And don't even think about running!"

Another nod.

"Or jumping! Or jogging, or anything even remotely faster than an easy walk. Is that understood?"

The infirmary keeper received four more wordless nods from his patient, a massive, silvery sea otter, who sat on the edge of the bed, clearly eager to leave. Fixing his tiny spectacles, Brother Halifax hmph'd once and offered the young creature a stout wooden cane. Sending the old mouse a friendly and grateful smile, Cross hoisted himself gingerly to his feet and headed for the door.

He went slowly to please Halifax, but as soon as the infirmary door closed, the big otter was moving as fast as his sore middle would let him. Down the stairs, through the hallways, and finally outside to freedom. The fall afternoon was gorgeous. The trees in the orchards were already changing color to a fiery display of reds, oranges, and yellows. Inhaling the cool air deeply, the big otter tucked the cane beneath one arm and proceeded easily down the worn path.

It had been weeks since he'd first been admitted to the infirmary, and now he was finally free. Well, free-ish. Halifax would still monitor him daily, checking those ugly scars on his middle and tending to them as he saw fit. But Cross would be getting his own bed in one of the dormitories. He'd be sharing it with one or two of the other young males at the abbey. Halifax had already introduced them. Rook, a mute hare, and Broden, a hedgehog nearly as brawny as himself.

Today, however, Cross wanted to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. His previous attempt had been ruined by a rather irate young ottermaid who was . . . somewhere in the abbey, he thought. Well, hopefully she wouldn't spoil it this time. Speaking of ottermaids . . . his thoughts crooned gently. No, he hadn't forgotten about Freya. Unfortunately, he hadn't seen her in awhile, and a different creature had brought him his meals for the last week or more. He vaguely wondered if she remembered that promise to show him around the grounds.

[.:Fawn:.]

This week was certainly not one of her favorites.

Not only had what felt like an increase in chores weigh her down for most of the day, the little otterbabe Koa had gotten a wooden bead stuck up his nose, and took to wailing pitifully until somebeast finally held him down long enough to pull it out. Then, as though nothing had happened, Koa sniffed, wiped his eyes and went off to find Cross of some beast to talk to, happier than a clam once more. Freya wiped her paws on her apron, the heat of the kitchen quite an unpleasant thing after 2 hours helping the friars whip up tonight's meal – and Freya had no intention of ever seeing another blackberry or pie crust for the rest of her life. ”I'll be headin' off now, Friar, call me if'n you need anything,” with a polite smile and a backward wave of her paw, Freya removed her apron and headed straight for the peace and quiet of the Abbey Lawns, eager to cool off.

It had been a while since she'd seen Cross, and it was with dismay that Freya had to relinquish her job of bringing him his meals, instead stuck on kitchen duty, sewing torn garments, and making sure everyone could find their autumn coats (especially the dibbuns, who couldn't help but lose one or two every autumn) before the chill set in. I wonder how he's doing? Perhaps he's up and walking about now? As if to answer her own question, Freya looked instinctively toward the main path, delight shooting into her heart like a well-aimed firework upon sighting the silvery sea otter. Cross stood off to the side, a cane tucked under his arm and what Freya assumed was a serious expression on his face. Smiling foolishly, Freya set off to meet up with him, remembering her promise to show him around the Redwall grounds, hoping someone else hadn't beaten her to the job. It was self-consciousness that stopped her from getting too far, a twinge of anxiousness sinking into her stomach as she worried over her present state. She was wearing her usual attire, but the lily behind her ear was looking a little worse for wear thanks to the friar's ovens, and she suspected she smelled rather strongly of blackberry tarts.

Maybe I should just run up to the dormitories and change? I don't want him to think I'm some sort of sloppybeast. Contemplating this, Freya came to the conclusion that by the time she got herself to a presentable state, Cross would've moved on into the Great Hall for dinner or back up to the infirmary for some rest. Oh fine, I'll just talk to him as I am. Pressing forward, Freya crossed the Abbey grounds with youthful ease, smiling from ear to ear as she gave the brawny otter's shoulder a soft tap.
”Glad to see you're up and about, Cross. I was worried you'd be stuck in bed for another week.”

[Cross]

"Glad to see you're up and about, Cross. I was worried you'd be stuck in bed for another week."

Cross turned at the sound of a familiar voice, smiling with recognition. His heart leapt at the sight of the pretty river/sea otter Freya Shellpaw. He felt that hot redness creep into his cheeks as she flashed her gorgeous smile. He could tell she had been working this morning, but she still looked beautiful.

"You have not been doing all the worrying," he replied with a light chuckle. I was afraid you had forgotten about me . . . "I did not know if I would ever be permitted to leave the sick bay." But here he was, walking for real, without it hurting so much, for the first time since arriving at Redwall. The Fates had smiled upon him it seemed.

Glancing at her again, he suddenly felt shy, and it deepened the blush on his cheeks. "Uh, Freya, I was wondering," he began. Gods, quit being so flustered! "You--would you care to show me around the abbey? I, ah, remember you offered to last time we spoke." He gently rubbed the dense fur around his neck, feeling for the gold chain that always hung there and grasping it with one paw. He always felt sure when holding his father's chain.

[.:Fawn:.]

"You have not been doing all the worrying," he replied with a light chuckle. [...] "I did not know if I would ever be permitted to leave the sick bay."

Glancing at her again, he suddenly felt shy, and it deepened the blush on his cheeks. "Uh, Freya, I was wondering," he began. "You--would you care to show me around the abbey? I, ah, remember you offered to last time we spoke."

By the Gods, was he blushing? Now that they were out in the sunlight, it was a lot easier to notice the bright red hue beneath the fur along Cross's cheeks -- the paw rubbing at the back of his neck a further indication that he was nervous. Freya bit back a surprised giggle -- was he being like this because of her? Or was he like this with every acquaintance he made? Trying not to let this go straight to her head, Freya faced the handsome sea otter with clear, sparkling eyes, forgetting all about her less than perfect state in light of Cross's request.
"It'd be my pleasure! Frankly, I'm surprised someone else hasn't already shown you around this beautiful Abbey when I wasn't looking." Freya soft, warm words rolled with the breeze that swept past, the sea otter able to see she hadn't forgotten her promise at all. "If you're up for it, I'll show you around the orchards first -- but I warn you, they're fairly large, so if you ever get tired, don't you dare lie and say you aren't." Her tone was one of mock sternness, the ottermaid casting firm eyes upon the light-furred sea-otter, but her smile broke the rouse. Obviously she was concerned for his health, but she still had the suspicion that Cross was the type of sea otter who never complained about things, no matter how much pain he was in.

[Cross]

"It'd be my pleasure! Frankly, I'm surprised someone else hasn't already shown you around this beautiful Abbey when I wasn't looking."

"I only came outside a minute ago," Cross murmured, fiddling with the gold chain again.

Freya soft, warm words rolled with the breeze that swept past, the sea otter able to see she hadn't forgotten her promise at all. "If you're up for it, I'll show you around the orchards first -- but I warn you, they're fairly large, so if you ever get tired, don't you dare lie and say you aren't."

Cross nodded with another chuckle. "Yes, ma'am," he replied, taking the cane out from under his arm. He had a crazy thought then, and he was about to let it go, but he thought twice. Should he . . . should they . . . ? He stopped rubbing his neck and offered his free arm to link with hers. If nothing else, to prove to himself that he could make contact with this otter without falling over himself.

((Short, but one step at a time!))

[.:Fawn:.]

He had a crazy thought then, and he was about to let it go, but he thought twice. Should he . . . should they . . . ? He stopped rubbing his neck and offered his free arm to link with hers.

It was Freya's turn to accrue a pinkish hue to her cheeks, the ottermaid quite flattered by his chivalrous gesture, and hooked her arm around his without hesitation. "The orchards are really quite lovely this time of year, Cross -- the leaves have all begun to change color, see?" Trying to ignore the heat creeping into her soft, feminine face, the ottermaid gestured with arm opposite the one linked with Cross's to gesture towards the rows upon rows of fruit-bearing trees. Intending to admire the view as they kept walking, Freya was slightly unprepared for the herd of dibbuns making a dash for them from the front door of the Abbey.

"Cross! Cross!"

"iz it troo 'ee slay'd a gurt big 'eegle, zurr Cross?" asked one molebabe in the quaint speech moles were most known for.

"Wiff a sword twice as big as Martin's?" chimed another dibbun, eyes gleaming.

"Can ya tell likkle Biggle how ter slay h'eagles too, Cross?"

"worra yew 'n mizz Frehha doin' outside? h'ain't ya hinjured still?"

"burr aye, 'ow'd ye get that thar gurt big mark on yore back, zurr?"

The ottermaid quickly tried to gain control of the unruly dibbuns, having to raise her voice a bit to be heard above their seemingly endless questions. "Don't everyone rush him at once, he's still recovering, you little tyrants -- give the poor beast some space!" Freya couldn't help but snort a little, amused by their obvious interest in Cross's heroic rescue of Koa Shorehound.
She murmured out of the side of her mouth to her sea otter companion,
"I wonder what little Koa's been telling all these dibbuns...slaying eagles, for Martin's sake."

[Cross]

Cross was admiring the flora of Redwall, and the sweet red color creeping into Freya's face, when the herd of little ones rushed up to them. He smiled as they bombarded him with questions. He didn't have time to answer each one, as another would be hurled at him directly after the first was spoken. Freya tried to get them under control, obviously just as amused by them as Cross was.

"I wonder what little Koa's been telling all these dibbuns...slaying eagles, for Martin's sake."

"Falcon, actually," Cross murmured back, rubbing his neck again. He wondered if she actually knew the story. "I slew a falcon." That set the little ones off once more.

"Were et a big'un, mizzer Cross?"

"Wurr et goen t' eet ee, zurr?"

Cross laughed at their wide-eyed reactions. Were all children as curious as Koa? And did they all have big imaginations? The big otter glanced at Freya. "I am not proud of the fact, but," he turned back to the Dibbuns, "Yes, I did slay a big falcon. But I did not use a sword. My weapon is . . . more like a long, sharp staff. And, yes, the falcon injured me, but Brother Halifax says I am healed now."

"Yew gorra big ol' scars now?" a mousebabe asked. Cross paused. He actually didn't know what his middle looked like after having it swathed in bandages for so long. And a few of the sisters had washed his waist sash and breeches for him to wear once the wrappings were removed. He hadn't bothered to look before getting redressed.

Well, he wasn't about to disrobe here. But if he had to guess, he would say there was definitely some kind of mark where the falcon had raked him. He simply nodded to the little one's question. "Yes, I think so," he said.

"'ow'd ye get that gurt big mark on yore back, agin?" the little mole repeated. Cross smiled.

"I was born with it," he replied. "It is how I got my name, too." He glanced at Freya again, holding back from telling the whole story unless she thought it was alright. He didn't want to upset the little ones. He had at least that much tact.

[.:Fawn:.]

"I am not proud of the fact, but," he turned back to the Dibbuns, "Yes, I did slay a big falcon. But I did not use a sword. My weapon is . . . more like a long, sharp staff. And, yes, the falcon injured me, but Brother Halifax says I am healed now."

The flower-wearing ottermaid regarded Cross quietly, noting that rather than boast about his heroic act, Cross had chosen to answer them honestly and humbly. This made her smile. He was almost the exact opposite of her brother Bruno, who would've taken the opportunity to paint glorified images of himself in the minds of the dibbuns, exalting himself upon a pedestal as high as Martin the Warrior's.

"Koa sed yew kilt it wiff a stick as big as uh tree!"

Freya chuckled. Oh yes, a javelin twice Koa's height would seem rather tall to the otterbabe, wouldn't it? Though Freya had a feeling that Koa was prone to exaggerating for the fun of it, combined with his overactive imagination...

"'ow'd ye get that gurt big mark on yore back, agin?" repeated a little mole.

[...]"I was born with it," he replied. "It is how I got my name, too." He glanced at Freya again, holding back from telling the whole story unless she thought it was alright.

Truthfully, Freya had not heard the entire story of Cross's heroic rescue of the otterbabe Koa, and had only managed to glean bits and pieces of the tale from various Redwallers. There had been something about the River Moss, a weasel with a nose as red as an apple, and a couple of eggs, but Freya wasn't entirely sure on the part about the weasel. "I'm getting the feeling that Koa's been telling a few tall tales about you, Cross." Her eyes twinkled as she glanced away from him to see the wide-eyed dibbuns staring up at him admiringly. "I haven't actually heard the entire story, if you wouldn't mind repeating it for me? I'd let Koa tell me...but..." her whiskers twitched with mirth. "He'd try and convince me you wrestled a hundred winged rats single-pawed."

Of course, mention of 'winged rats' had set off another barrage of questions, and Freya found them both swamped with even more silly questions.

"Wot a wingded ratter look loik, Mizz Frehha?" inquired one curious little molebabe. Freya shook her head, throwing Cross a grin. You couldn't say anything around dibbuns, now could you? Not unless you wanted to be asked a hundred questions.

[Cross]

"I haven't actually heard the entire story, if you wouldn't mind repeating it for me? I'd let Koa tell me...but..." her whiskers twitched with mirth. "He'd try and convince me you wrestled a hundred winged rats single-pawed."

Cross laughed again as the Dibbuns once more bombarded them with questions. "Alright, I will tell it again," he agreed.

A little later, Cross was sitting against the base of a tree trunk, Freya by his side, and the Dibbuns draped over every free space on his limbs and torso (one little mouse even found a spot on his big rudder). He figured if he wasn't standing, he could at least tell the story without getting winded.

Now, how to begin? "I was walking in Mossflower woods by myself," he started. "When I found Koa exploring the forest by himself. He wanted to see the River Moss, and, well," he glanced sideways at Freya, wondering how she would react to his lack of knowledge about little ones. "I agreed to take him there for a little while. But then I was going to bring him back to Redwall." He let out a deep exhale, and the mole who rested on his shoulders had to situate himself again.

"We were on our way to the river when a falcon dove at us out of the sky," the big otter went on. "I tried to scare it off by throwing my javelin, but I missed. I took Koa to shelter under an overhang of rocks, and that was where we met the weasel. . ." As he related the rest of the story, the Dibbuns became more and more riveted, leaning in close with their eyes wide as saucers. Cross told them the story as he remembered it. He didn't add any extra details, or glorified descriptions (really, the falcon hadn't been that big . . . okay, maybe a little).

When he finally finished, the Dibbuns were clearly disappointed that the story was over. The molebabe on his shoulders wrinkled his snout. "Burr, when did ee wake oop arter ee fainted, zurr?" he asked.

"I do not know," Cross replied. "I think it was a few weeks after Koa and I came to Redwall."

"Dassa long time!" a small squirrel exclaimed. "Didja 'ave nightmares 'bout tha falcon?" Cross remained silent for a moment.

"No, no nightmares about the falcon," he said finally. Nightmares of a different kind had plagued him during his stay in the sick bay.

[.:Fawn:.]

Freya listened just as intently as the dibbuns had, her own honey-brown eyes widening as he relayed the story about the falcon diving after Koa and Cross bravely rushing out to rescue the otterbabe. She didn't have to be there to realize just how terrifying that situation had been. It was no wonder Koa had come home with the injured Cross in such a state of distress -- Cross too, had endured far more than she thought herself to be capable of, having his chest ripped open and having to walk all the way back to the Abbey with only Koa and a weasel to guide him there. Freya's heart went out for Cross just then, her expression one of soft sympathy to what the young sea otter had endured. "I'm glad you made it back to Redwall in one piece, Cross," she murmured quietly, truly meaning that. If he'd died saving Koa from that falcon...
Freya shuddered.

"Koa, yew big fibba! Yew sed Cross foght a great big h'eagle!"

"I'm notta fibber, sillyface, it was an h'eagle!"

Without either Cross or Freya realizing it, Cross's living shadow, the otterbabe Koa had made it down by the orchards to meet them, a cheerful grin hanging from his ears as he laid down next to a mousebabe to listen to Cross's tale too. Unfortunately, he'd arrived at the end of it, and some of the dibbuns had better memories than the others -- a particularly headstrong young mousebabe called Brog, for instance.

"Don't call me ah sillyface, puddenhead, Cross sed it was a falcon! Go'n ask 'im!"

Koa scowled darkly at the mouse that challenged him, the fur along the back of his neck bristling with agitation. "Shuddup, a falcon'n' a h'eagle are the same thing!"

This, of course, spawned an entire debate between the group of dibbuns about who was right -- Brog or Koa -- all the while the mousebabe and the ottercub glaring daggers at each other from either side of Cross.

[Cross]

"I'm glad you made it back to Redwall in one piece, Cross," she murmured quietly, truly meaning that.

One piece? Yeah, right. Cross nodded in reply, smiling. "You and I both," he agreed. When Koa showed up, the big otter's smile widened. He laughed at the debate and insult war that sprung about from his story. Clearly, every detail must be right for the little ones to be satisfied with the tale.

The little mousebabe Brog finally turned to him. "Mizzer Cross, a h'eagle 'n'a falcon's not a' same thing, right?" he asked, brow furrowed. Cross shook his head, amused by their antics.

"A falcon is smaller than an eagle," the sea otter replied. "Koa, it was a falcon, not an eagle." He wasn't even sure if he would have made it out alive if it had been an eagle. They were massive, powerful, and fierce. Forcing down a shudder at what might have happened, Cross picked up Koa and placed him on his lap next to a little red squirrelbabe.

"And what mischief are you getting into today, little brother?" he asked, ruffling the fur on Koa's head playfully.

[.:Fawn:.]

"A falcon is smaller than an eagle," the sea otter replied. "Koa, it was a falcon, not an eagle."

Koa scowled, annoyed that his adversary had been right all along -- the smug little mousebabe Brog flashing him a 'I was right andd you were wrong' kind of grin a mile wide -- his agitation soon fading with Cross's affectionate gesture and kind words.

"And what mischief are you getting into today, little brother?" he asked, ruffling the fur on Koa's head playfully.

Brightening instantly, Koa shot one last dirty look at Brog before returning to his chipper self, grinning at Cross in his usual happy way. "I gotta bead stuck up mi nose dis mornin'!" He announced, as if this were more a sign of his valor than a mark of his insatiable curiosity. Freya, on the other hand, gave her eyes a roll, laughing as she gave Koa's arm a playful nudge. "Oh don't sound so proud, you naughty thing! I had to help the Friar hold you down before Brother Halifax could remove it!" Freya gave his nose an affectionate tweak, before planting a kiss on it soon after, Koa instantly flushing with embarrassment. This sudden rush of humiliation came not from the kiss Freya gave him -- he was hardly old enough for the beauty of ottermaids to charm him in the slightest -- but her joking retelling of his 'less than heroic' struggle with the wooden bead.
"It was really big," he mumbled, attempting to save his dignity -- Freya's soft laughter wafting over the dibbuns, the ottermaid amused by his suddenly sensitive nature. "Yes it was, Koa, you were very brave -- why, Brother Harribel once got a glass bead stuck up his nose, and he wailed for days and days before somebeast finally helped him."

[Cross]

"I gotta bead stuck up mi nose dis mornin'!" He announced, as if this were more a sign of his valor than a mark of his insatiable curiosity.

Cross laughed again, remembering how no beast could make his day brighter than Koa. Well, that wasn't true. Freya lit up the room with her presence, as well. But Cross knew Koa. Freya, and female otters in general, were harder to understand. Cross needed to learn more about Freya. He wanted to learn more.

"Oh don't sound so proud, you naughty thing! I had to help the Friar hold you down before Brother Halifax could remove it!" Freya gave his nose an affectionate tweak, before planting a kiss on it soon after, Koa instantly flushing with embarrassment.

Cross felt a sudden tug in his heart. A twinge of sorts, as Freya gently pecked Koa's nose. What was this? He had the urge to . . . to do what?! He leaned back against the tree trunk with a jolt, slightly upsetting the Dibbuns draped over his body. They quickly settled themselves again, and most of them began asking what was wrong.

"I . . ." Cross didn't know what this was. Was he . . . jealous? Of Koa? For getting a kiss from Freya? Oh, dear gods!! Biting back a curse of embarrassment, the big sea otter grasped his father's ring. He cleared his throat. "I'm fine." As soon as I get over this intense feeling of . . . envy. What in the name of seasons was this? He'd only seen Freya twice, and he was attracted to her this much?

((Eeee! Flustered Cross! So cute!))

[.:Fawn:.]

"I . . ."

Freya glanced up, noticing Cross's sudden shifting, the smile momentarily vanishing from his handsome face in favor of a more uncomfortable expression, the sea otter abuptly clearing his throat.

"I'm fine."

Didn't sound like he was. Worried that all of the dibbuns sitting on him might cause Cross an unnecessary amount of pain, Freya clapped her paws together, getting their attention with a bright and cheery smile. "You'll never guess what I made today," she trilled, winking at them as a chorus of responses flooded in.

"I made about a dozen blackberry treacle tarts, Oooh they smelled delicious!" A look of extacy crossed the ottermaid's face just then, comically roping the dibbuns in with her play-acting. "The only problem is," she added, suddenly crestfallen. "The Friar and I don't have anybeast to share it with - and we couldn't possibly eat it all ourselves. Now if only I could find some youngster to help us out of this pickle..."

The response was as deafening as she'd thought it would be, the dibbuns mobbing her with delighted cries and desperate shouts for her to pick them, may babes spouting their own reasons for why they should so kindly help her with her treacle tart problem. Freya chuckled. "Well...since you've all asked me so nicely," she teased, "I can't say no to any of you, so off to the kitchens you go -- and remember to ask the Friar very politely, no pushing and shoving. You'll mind your manners, won't you?"

A few dibbuns managed to call back to her as the cloud of youngsters swarmed straight for the kitchens -- all but little Koa thundering towards the Abbey front doors, no amount of treacle tart able to lure the otterbabe away from two of his favorite people in the whole world. Freya, pleased with herself, sat down next to Cross, absentmindedly brushing a leaf from Koa's head in an almost maternal fashion. "There, that ought to keep them busy -- but I think the Friar might be a bit miffed with me for sending twenty hungry babes to him with the promise of treacle tart." The ottermaid chuckled, leaning back against the tree. "Anyway...How are you feeling?"

(( I know right? Cutest thing ever! <3 ))

[Cross]

"There, that ought to keep them busy -- but I think the Friar might be a bit miffed with me for sending twenty hungry babes to him with the promise of treacle tart." The ottermaid chuckled, leaning back against the tree. "Anyway...How are you feeling?"

"Nothing--I mean--!" Cross uttered a curse under his breath. "I am feeling fine." He stopped before he said something stupid. Why did he even have the worry that he might say something stupid? The worry itself was stupid. And why was he so hung up on this girl? Yes, she was sweet and beautiful and kind, but he barely knew her.

Ruffling Koa's headfur again, the big otter realized he was letting himself get attached to others too easily. What had brought this about? He had only ever felt this kind of affection for his family. . . Maybe that was it. He hadn't seen his family in so long that he was trying to find them again, in other creatures.

Sighing quietly, he settled back against the tree, fully aware of Freya just beside him. He couldn't get attached to her, nor to Koa. They would hate him if they knew. But he still wanted to be around them, stay at Redwall. Maybe here, he'd be able to face up to his past, someday. Have some kind of life again.

"I think the tour will have to wait, Freya," he said. "If you do not mind, I am actually feeling a little tired. I would like to sit here and talk awhile, if it is all the same to you."

[.:Fawn:.]

"I think the tour will have to wait, Freya," he said. "If you do not mind, I am actually feeling a little tired. I would like to sit here and talk awhile, if it is all the same to you."

Freya nodded understandingly, watching Koa stretch out over Cross's legs to try and make a duck-call from two blades of grass he'd picked up. "Alright, we'll rest here awhile -- let me know if you need anything, or better yet, let Koa know --" the otter babe glanced up from his grass blades at the sound of his name, but quickly resumed blowing -- "he's quicker than the both of us put together, he'll be at the Abbey and back before we can say 'feast' ". Enjoying the warmth of one of the last warm days before autumn set in, Freya let out a happy sigh, the side of her cheek meeting Cross's shoulder in a gentle lean.
It was an affectionate gesture wrapped in friendliness, Freya not stopping to think about the overwhelming fondness she'd developed for Cross since first meeting him in the infirmary -- knowing perfectly well that she hardly knew him.
"Do you miss them?" Freya asked quietly, gazing out over the orchard. Thinking she was talking to him, Koa looked up from his attempts at making a duck-call (the end result being two soggy blades of grass), his large brown eyes looking into her soft face. Koa nodded, "all tha time."

Freya blinked, glancing over at Koa with raised eyebrows. Whoops -- hadn't meant to draw Koa into the conversation, especially one as potentially saddening as this one. Oh Hell'steeth! Why did she even bring it up at all? Cursing her insensitivity, Freya reached over to rub soft fur on the otterbabe's back soothingly, momentarily lost for words.

[Cross]

Cross was sure his entire face was bright crimson as Freya gently leaned against his shoulder. She's touching me! Oh, my gods, she's touching me!! Trying to get himself under control, the big otter was at least glad Freya couldn't actually see his face from this angle. He nodded, a little stiffly, at her suggestion to tell Koa if he needed something.

"Do you miss them?"

"All tha time."

Cross looked oddly from Freya to Koa. Freya looked as though she hadn't meant to say that to Koa in particular. Koa obviously didn't even notice. Cross moved to rub Koa's back as well, wondering who it was he missed, but Freya's paw got there first. His big silvery one completely dwarfed hers for a moment, and he pulled it away, rubbing his neck instead.

"Is . . . is everything alright, Koa?" he asked quietly. Clearly he was missing something, since Koa was missing someone.

[.:Fawn:.]

"Is . . . is everything alright, Koa?"

The otterbabe shrugged, attempting to still make the duck-call with a different set of grass blades, but in a noticeably less enthusiastic manner than before. "Skip sed dey're wiff Martin, so it's okay," he added simply, glancing over at Cross and Freya before as they each gave his back a warm pat -- a smile drawn out in response. Freya, when Koa had turned back to his leaves, murmured out of the side of her mouth, the ottermaid all the while trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that had been unleashed when Cross's big ol' paw had brushed past hers.
"He misses his parents...they...died when he was younger. They were members of Skipper's crew like my father and Bruno."

((Sooo short! D: sorry! ))

[Cross]

"Skip sed dey're wiff Martin, so it's okay,"

"With Martin . . . ?" Cross murmured. His mind went back to the pictures the little otter had drawn him. Wait, his parents--and standing next to Martin--?

"He misses his parents...they...died when he was younger. They were members of Skipper's crew like my father and Bruno."

"I see," Cross replied simply. It seemed being part of Skipper's crew was a dangerous job. But Koa was an orphan? Why didn't Cross know about this? He felt more of a connection with the little one, now. They had both lost their parents in some way. They were both orphans. They both needed a family. Koa had found family in the creatures at Redwall. Perhaps Cross would, as well.

He then turned to look at Freya. He had a connection with her, as well. She had lost a sibling, and he had left his behind. Cross couldn't resist a small smile. Had fate really brought him here? To find two beasts who couldn't relate to him any better? "Freya," he began quietly, his attention returning to the color-changing trees around them. "Do you believe in fate?"

((Cross! You're so random!))

[.:Fawn:.]

"Freya," he began quietly, his attention returning to the color-changing trees around them. "Do you believe in fate?"

Koa set about making a little house of sticks and leaves, apparently not too bothered by the subject of his parents as Freya had previously assumed, the brave little otterbabe humming offkey (as usual) while he worked. The ottermaid was left to sigh softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth from Cross's question.
"Yes I do," she answered honestly, a bright gold leaf landing in her lap . "Perhaps more than anybeasat should, but it helps keep me strong when times are tough, and let me lift my head up high whenever I think of what a brave beast my brother was." She smiled wider, fondly thinking of her obnoxious older brother and his bold, brash nature -- charging ahead with a yell on his lips and a grin across his face.
By the Gods, she missed him.

Even if little Koa had found plenty of beasts to heal the holes in his heart, Freya had not been quite so lucky.