FREEZE! ☆ [open]

[».kalani☀]

Mossflower was a strange country.

Light was falling rapidly away, shadows lengthening and spreading across the Earth, whilst trees took on a twisted appearance in the dim light; gnarled roots crept about her footpaws as distorted silhouettes reached for her. Uneasy, the young rat couldn't repress a tremble that ran down her entire length, pulsing through her like a shockwave. A frown creased sweet features, but somehow dark eyes managed to stay proudly forward even though she stumbled along, without direction; her camp had been ruined, fire swept out with a powerful breath of wind. The location had not been sheltered enough, and in her search for a better site had been torn from the path she had been following for the past three days. At this thought, her lips formed a cry of frustration, and she huddled down; crouching, she drew her cloak about her, tucking the fabric into unsheilded contours, before cupping tiny hands about her face to catch falling tears. Her grief was silent, but inconsolable.

"W-what am I doing?" She raised her head, cheeks streaked with damp trails; the rim of her eyes had begun flushing a pink, invisible as night finally swallowed her little form. Alone, lost, and without food, it was now evidently clear that the verdant Mossflower Woods was not as peaceable as it had appeared from afar.

In attempt to regain composure she stood and took an uncertain step forward. Eyes still blurred by her own tears that continued to well, she quickly lost her balance as her long scarf wove its way around her footpaws, sending her forward with a lurch. Tumbling down, the world was a spinning mass of lacklustre colour that spiralled in front of her wide lenses, cloak clinging to her body as it went down a gentle slope, picking up speed. With muffles grunts, and a thud! she came to a halt, her battered figure aching all over. She layed there for several minutes, spirit seemingly punished to a point of defeat; however, she eventually arose to a kneel, loosening her scarf about her neck - it was too important for her to feel any bitterness over it causing her fall. Looking about at the quarry that she had fallen in to, rocks jutting out at perculiar angles were scattered across the ground, and she quietly thanked Lady Fortune for her smile - perhaps too soon.

Hiiiiiiiss....

The sound grated against her sensitive ears; soft but sizzling, it was a sound that struck fear into her heart instantaneously - snakes! Alarmed, she swung her head to the left, only to greet the golden lenses of an adder, eyes savagely slitted. It regarded her with an intelligent, condescending expression, as if it was deciding what to do with the little creature that had tumbled into its abode. At once, the warning that her mother had told her - "freeze, freeze!" - split her conscious, and taking the advice Kalani froze. She stopped her breath and dared not blink as her soul was penetrated by the snake's vicious golden points. It wavered in its thought, as if confused by her lack of movement, before it rose, preparing to strike at her defenceless form. Unbidden, a cry of terror rose from her throat, fearing it to be her end.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!"

[ferretface]

(This is a slightly younger Furetchen, by the way, just after he killed the rat tracker)
'Retchen was walking through Mossflower, trying to seek something to test his skills. He hadn't found any kind of test, and was almost regretting the day he'd left his Juska clan. Almost.

Suddenly, he heard a scream. He darted in its direction, and saw an adder bearing down on a rat.
She didn't look like a warrior, but she might be one regardless, or at least lead her to a place where there WERE warriors. This would be as good a test of his skills as any.

Somewhat burdened by the tracker's heavy quiver, he grabbed an arrow and fired at the snake, sticking into it. Sadly, this didn't do much but focus the snake's attention on him.
"Hells!" yelled 'Retchen grabbing another arrow.

[».kalani☀]

An agonised hiss rolled from the snakes forked tongue as its golden eyes ran over the arrow protruding from its smooth hide. Simultaneously as the snake swept its eyes over to its attacker, Kalani's orbs sought out her defender, bewilderment running across her features. A lanky ferret, poised with bow and arrow, struck a heroic image as night framed his outline, yet the maid was not impressed; 'shocked' would be a far better term. Using this dstraction wisely, she stumbled to her feet and glanced wildly about, sable eyes probing the landscape for an easy way out, but it was dark and she was unfamilar with the territory. Stumbling out of striking distance, tears of fright rolling down her jawline, she hid behind a large rock, peering shyly from behind it at the ferret.

"Wh-who are you? Is there a way out?"

[ferretface]

'Retchen glanced back at the rat, who looked terrified and shocked, probably because another vermin had come to her aid, not any goodbeast. He answered, "I'm Furetchen, 'Retchen fer short. I'm a former Juska. I don't know these woods, just came in seeking a test...an' this seems as good as any." 'Retchen grunted, pulling back the longbow and letting loose another arrow which went into one of it's golden eyes, quivering slightly. It was now even more determined to kill 'Retchen then ever. "'Course, some tests," the ferret continued, awed and frightened, "is that theys can kill yer if ye ain't prepared. An' I ain't sure I'm prepared!"

[».kalani☀]

As the archer cast his gaze her way, Kalani was absolutely appalled; bright lenses were fixed intently on her, and at once the maid wished him to look away. His left eye was a breathless hue of jade, exquisite in its savagery, yet the other was hued a cerise, causing an instinctive repulsion within the rat. Resisting the urge to wither beneath his stare, so abhorrently foreign, she attempted to turn her thoughts over to his words.

"I'm Furetchen, 'Retchen 'fer short. I'm a former Juska."

The tone in which he addressed her suggested an arrogance that had permitted him to so boldly come to her rescue, hungering after a challenge. He spoke as to being a former Juska as though she would know of them, yet she found herself unwitting; she was unaware of what little diplomacy vermin tribes and armies held and usually broke. It had never been her role to keep track of allies and enemies.

"I don't know these woods, 'just came in seeking a test... an' this seems as good as any.

Inwardly, the maid gave a groan of despair; her rescuer was turning out to be just a cocky traveller, as lost as she was! It was fortunate that he had stumbled along to the quarry, for his timely entrance had allowed her to scramble away from the snake, yet she couldn't help but resent his ignorance. This was quickly replaced by unbridled admiration as the ferret loosed a shaft, movements smooth and accuracy seamless; the arrowhead pierced directly through the snake's eye, causing the reptile to thrash about in agony. Kalani could feel her cheeks grow hot in their excitement as she drank in the creature's pain - her whole head was abuzz with pleasure. The enraged serpent was now far angrier than it had been, and despite the blood that spilled from his eye lashed out in its rage, confused but burning for the ferret's flesh. Kalani blinked as she watched Furetchen's bravado shatter, revealing the most mortal side of the creature, capable of being overwhelmed.

" 'Course some tests is that theys can kill yer' if ye ain't prepared. An' I ain't sure I'm prepared!"

With arrows doing nothing but maddening the adder, it actually looked as though she would have to do something. Strikingly dark eyes widened, and anxiously the little rat withdrew her pouch from her cloak and ruffled about; grasping the biggest of her tattooing neddles, she drew the pouch close with its string and stuffed it back into her worn folds. The snake seemed solely focused on Furetchen, completely forgetting about its original meal in its outrage; half-blinded, it was fairly easy for the maid to creep up behind the reptile. She hesitated a moment, before abandoning her usual cowardence and leaping upon the snake's cruel head. With two paws, she clasped her needle and drove it down into the snake's head; the monster gave a a violent hiss, wrapping its body around the tiny maid as it lashed about for one last time, before stilling. However, its heavy body was still twisted about Kalani, and even in death refused to let go. Entwined around her neck and torso, she kicked feebly with her legs, suffocating in the dead adder's scaly grip.

[Sliteye]

(Welcome to the site both of you . I hope you have fun here.)

Two rock solid pools of blue had been watching the snake for awhile from the dense woods, his paws tightening on his bow and running his fingers along the blue fletching he continued to watch. The pools darted to the side as a small form tumbled and bounced down the path next to the still snake. But he didn't move yet. He watched as the black creature turned around as the adder rose up. Shaking his head he took aim at the adder and pulled his bow back.
But before he could loose a shaft another arrow thudded into the side of the adders head. Letting his bow string slowly go slack he followed the adders angered eyes to another shape, bow held high as it shouted. Looking back to the adder as it moved toward the attacker and the much smaller shape running to the bow beast. Bringing his eyes back to the adder he raised his bow, just as the other bow beast hit the adders eye. Taking carefully aim he let his arrow fly, his blue fletched arrow thudding into the adders other eye. Not taking his eyes off the snake he could see the small shape run behind the snake. Raising an eyebrow at it he just watched as she jumped on the snakes head and stabbed down with something. breaking from cover he ran forward as the snake fell, taking the smaller shape down with it.

Finally getting close enough he could see that the archer was a ferret, with the tell tale signs of a Juska tribe on him. Lowering his hood the weasel showed his own as he ran to the snake, he could only hope that his old tattoo's weren't part of a rival tribe. Now he could see the small rat struggling in the grip of the snakes coils. Taking out his sword he began to saw away at the coils. Not looking at the rat, just working as fast as he could, doing his best not to cut the small rat.....

[».kalani☀]

Gasping and struggling against the heavy coil pressing against her neck, Kalani clung to life with a desperate pawhold, refusing to relinquish her grasp on this world despite being completely out of breath. Eyes wide with fright, somehow it seemed to be a fitting end - she had always feared being suffocated, although the irony that bit into her was that she had expected drowning; being asphyxiated through crushing coils had never occurred to her before. In one last defiant effort, sorely regretting her brave attempt, she bit into hide that was wrapped about her neck, cold blood filling her mouth.

A shadow drew up beside her, length consumed by the dark folds of a cloak; the guest pulled back his hood with an obvious casualness, revealing the sharp, intelligent features of a weasel. Cerulean lenses were pointedly averted from her as he withdrew his sword and lashed its blade skillfully against scaled flesh, sawing away with delicacy.

By this time Kalani was light-headed, and weakened, could do nothing but release her teeth hold on the dead adder. Two deep puncture marks ran through the reptile, where her powerful front teeth had sunken in and pierced muscle. Dizzy, she watched with hooded eyes as the weasel sliced through the snake, resisting the urge to slip into unconsciousness; an offer so tempting, yet she knew if she closed her eyes, it would be for good. Adrenaline surged through the maid as the newcomer's blade freed her torso, allowing her to access the strength of her limbs. Ignoring the potential danger of squirming whilst the weasel went about slicing through the coil that choked her neck, she struggled afresh, managing to roll onto her stomach and force the weight of the adder onto her back and shoulders. With this, she gasped for air, spluttering as she spat out blood - some was the snake's, some was her's.

She couldn't get up, deprived of energy and oxygen, and instead laid her head sideways and sucked in air; what a grip on life she had! Blood mingled with tears as droplets rolled down her race, the young rat shocked and terrified. Gasping, greedy for more breath, she allowed her gaze to shift to her second rescuer; beneath his cloak, Kalani could make out the faint outline of the typical weasel build. Long and slender, elegant despite short limbs, the blackness of his pelt succeeded that of her own, the rat's fur comparitively a more tender hue of midnight. Weakly, she dried her eyes with a paw damp with sweat of exhaustion; she blinked as she caught a glimpse of the tattoos on the back of his head, but turned her nose up at the designs. She could do far better than that.

"Th... th..." Words seemed to be too much of an effort for the little maid, but persistent in her gratitude, she managed to slur out a word that, although incoherent, was marked with her thankfulness. She tried to push off the heavy coil that pinned her down, but when success eluded her she flopped against the ground, depleted.

OOC:// Thank you Sliteye! I'm sure I'll enjoy myself, and I hope we become friends! ♥

[ferretface]

'Retchen looked helplessly on at the ratmaid, who had rashly tried to kill the snake. It seemed as if they were now even for life-saving. She succeeded, but before 'Retchen could say or do anything, the dying snake had enwrapped her and nearly killed her even in its own death. 'Retchen had grabbed his hunting knife, but before he could anything, a tall, slender cloaked weasel had rushed in. As the newcomer threw off his hood, the young archer noticed that he, too seemed to be a Juska. Of which tribe, he neither knew nor cared. In any case, with brutal efficiency he carved up the snake and let the ratmaid free in a remarkably short time.
'Retchen walked over to the two and sat on a rock beside them. "Good work," he said approvingly. "Wot's yore name, an' wot brings yew 'ere?" he asked the weasel, who seemed to be an archer like himself.

[Sliteye]

(No problem . I'm sure we can become friends.)

Working as quickly as he could the weasel soon had enough coils cut so that the rat could roll over and get some air. Working more carefully as he cut the one around her neck until the rat flopped limply to the ground. Quickly making sure she wasn't cut he just nodded as she thanked him.

Turning his attention to the ferret he looking behind him at the quarry, no more snakes were out yet. But soon enough more would come, attracted to the smell of the death. "Tori, and I came to help, come on, we need to get out of here before more snakes come." Cleaning his sword off on a small cloth he sheathed it smoothly as he moved over to the rat. She was bleeding slightly, but it wouldn't kill her if it wasn't healed immediately.

Looking over to the ferret he motioned to the rat. "Were going to have to carry her, hurry, it wont take long for the smell to draw more snakes to us." Grabbing the small rat under her arms he lifted her off the ground, waiting for the ferret to help him.

[ferretface]

'Retchen obliged, grunting as he helped the weasel, Tori, carry the ratmaid. She wasn't heavy, and with another strong warrior helping 'Retchen was barely hampered in movement at all. "Where to from 'ere?" he asked. "I don't know this place, or anywhere to go. Or will some do-gooder woodlander," he snorted derisively, "come to the aid of vermin like us?"

[Sliteye]

Rolling his eyes he shook his head he he lifted the rat and began to walk. "Probably not, but if they see that were trying to help someone they shouldn't bother us. But you can never tell with them, so just be ready. But where to go, just now, just as far away from here as we can get." With that he walked with the ferret as they carried the rat, heading into the woods as quickly as they could carrying the rat.

After a few minutes Tori nodded as slowly placed the rat down. Taking out flint of a small pouch on his belt he set about gather a small fire for their camp for the night. Striking his flint against a rock a few times he soon had a small blaze sputtering to life in the clearing. Sighing he smiled at the ferret and sat against a tree next to the fire, idly sharpening his sword as he waited for either of them to speak....

(Sorry for the small power play, I'll change it if you want.)

[ferretface]

(Nah, 'tis fine. Oh, and I'm going overseas for 2-3 weeks v.soon, so will probably not be able to post, sadly. 'Retchen is probably going to recognise the weasel's experience and follow his orders anyway, so yeh've got permission to have some control over him. As long as I don't come back to see my ferret the new Foremole or anything...)

'Retchen lounged against a nearby log, warming his paws by the small fire, and sighed. Now, this was the life. He realised somewhat awkwardly that the two archers were each waiting for the other to speak.
"So, why did yew leave the Juska? I left fer trainin', an' cos the Juskathan bastards took over the tribe. Didn't 'elp that high'n'mighty Warchief Urvan Dar was fat and past it, an' the tribe hadn't had a proper warrior since the ole ferret Arkarg, an' most said 'e were a story. Prolly was, but I wanted ter be like 'im, an 'ero of the vermin, an actual warrior, not a glorified hunter wid a bigger axe." The ferret leaned in closer. "Did yew ever 'ear of the archer, Vallug Bowbeast? Rumor 'ad it tha' he killed a stripedog wid one arrer. Got killed by an otter or sumfink, though, bu' the legends say 'e could 'it a butterfly in flight! That's wot I wanna be like, some day." 'Retchen leaned back, reflecting on his past.

[».kalani☀]

Sable eyes watched Furetchen as the ferret sat down opposite of the reptile's carcass, observing the weasel's efforts nonchalantly. He made no further bid to help, perhaps feeling that their guest had everything under control, yet the maid found his casuality offensively cavalier and frowned. His bizarre gaze supervised the weasel's work, striking up cordial conversation with him as he hacked through the muscle and flesh pinning her down, completely disregarding the threat of the situation.

She gasped as Tori rolled the last coil from off her beaten form, feeling the joy of unrestricted breathing; greedy, she gasped until she felt dizzy, world spinning. She ceased her rapid breaths, bringing the world back into focus in time for her to be seized by a pair of firm paws and lifted clear off the ground. Dangling a considerable distance from the ground, relatively limp, she felt like some pretty little ragdoll; effortlessly the two handled her, the rat rueful as she felt their rough paws grip her. She didn't like being touched by males. Despite the discomfort, she was soon seduced by the gentle rocking the two's unmatched gait produced, allowing her eyes to hover, half-shut, and flicker close occassionally. The feeling of safety, exquisitely unexplainable, dared to tempt the maid and she did not resist.

She could not tell how long it had been, for the swaying of her brittle body had consumed most of her attention, but after a stretch of time he set her down carefully; Kalani clung to his neck, not wanting to fall, but as he eased her weight down she let her arms slip down. Wordlessly, she watched the two settling themselves down, kindling a campfire. Bright flames threw illumination over her head, defining the beauty in her features. She glanced up as Furetchen spoke, listening but no attentive. Blinking softly, she realised that these creatures were both 'Juska', which appeared to be some sort of vermin tribe; she had never heard of such a clan, but judging that she had met two in a single night, perhaps it would be wise to steer clear of such a group. In close-knit tribes, governed by heirachies, traitors were not welcomed, and she feared for her safety should she ever meet a Juska Chieftan.

"Did yew ever 'ear of the archer, Vallug Bowbeast? Rumor 'ad it tha' he killed a stripedog wid one arrer. Got killed by an otter or sumfink, though, bu' the legends say 'e could 'it a butterfly in flight! That's wot I wanna be like, some day."

Kalani, for the first time since been rescued, found that she was able to think clearly, and laughed at Retchen's ambition. Her eyes reviewed the ferret scornfully. "Hah, ye takin' out a stripeydog? Ye couldn't e'en take out a stupid lizzid' an' I had to save your sorry tail!" Her gaze fell, her next words revealing the source of her displeasure with the ferret. "I lost me best tattooin' needle 'cause o' ye..."

[ferretface]

(Last post till I find an Internet cafe or something...)

'Retchen glared at the ratmaid. "Oh, yeah, yer stupid needle got lost, huh? Serves ye righ' fer tryin' ter figh' off a snake. Huh, 'e woulda kilt yew easy if I 'adn't been there to save yore sorry 'ide. Yew owes yer life to us two, like it or not! Yew coulda died an' yore complainin' about a needle." The ferret snorted and returned his attention to the fire and the weasel behind it.

[Sliteye]

Tori simply sat behind the fire as the 'Retchen spoke. His expression stayed the same as he asked why he had left. Luckily the fire obscured his eyes as the smallest watery look came to them. Then was just as quickly gone in an instant. His mind was painfully dragged back to the day that he ran for his life cradling his fathers sword. The pounding of the otters paw right on his heels as they trampled over his fathers body. He still wasn't sure why they stopped running after him, but back then and now he still didn't care, only glad that they had, if they hadn't he knew that he would be captured or worse...

Bringing his mind back to the present as best he could he smiled slightly when the ferret mentioned Vallug. What creature that called himself a Juska, well former for Tori, could not know about one of the greatest archers that ever lived?

But before he could reply the rat stirred, and Tori just had time to look at her before she spoke to the ferret. His smile widened slightly as they started to argue back and fourth. Finally standing up he walked over to the rat and knelt next to her, holding out his canteen as he did. "Here, drink this, It'll help wash away the taste of the blood. Also it might not be best to anger the beast that helped save your life, or make fun of the history of our tribe." He said, his voice neither a raised nor angry, just the same as if he had been discussing the weather.

[».kalani☀]

Outrage lit a fierce light in Kalani's sable eyes. She had met very few creatures who dared to talk back to her - not through evidence of respect, but because of the influence she had had over her horde's Captain. Having abadoned the life where she was treated as royalty, she had unwittingly become just another vermin; she did not realise this. The gaze that regarded Furetchen suggested an utter distaste despite his charitable act, as though she thought him not fit to lick her footpaws.

"Just a needle? Tha' needle is worth ten times more'n you an' ye moth'r! I -" she was cut off as the weasel, who had been observing their conflict with amusing, slid his lean frame next to hers and offered her a canteen.

"Here, drink this, It'll help wash away the taste of the blood. Also it might not be best to anger the beast that helped save your life, or make fun of the history of our tribe."

Peering over the top of the canteen, dark lenses staring levelly back at the archer, she smiled. "I doubt I could dishonour ye clan more'n two traitors." Her voice was soft, yet sharpened subtly at the last word; the trademark of her biting criticism. In truth it was uncalled for, to lick at him with her barbed wit, and there was no doubt that it would one day get her in trouble. Tori had merely offered her a wise suggestion, but ever the vermin - no matter how mouse-like her looks - she brushed off counsel obstinately. Pursing black lips, she pushed them to the canteen and took a swig; the rat spluttered as water swirled the drying blood through her mouth, body rejecting both matters.

OOC:// Sorry it took me so long to post! As of late my house has had 8-9 people in it, and my mama's wedding just happened! So I've been busy! ♥

[Sliteye]

(Awwwww, thats nice . Dont worry about it, I'm pretty busy right now myself.)

His eyes narrowing slightly as the rat spoke Tori was tempted to pull his canteen away and let her get up and get it herself. She had not only offended 'Retchen with her statement, but also the memory of his father, the beast that had raised him from just a pup. But he didn't, letting her get a drink before taking his canteen back and slipping it back into his belt. Looking back at 'Retchen then to the rat he took his place on the other side of the fire. He decided not to chide the rat on what she had said, just ignore it for now. But if she let any more words like that slip Tori wouldn't let it slide again. "So, what brings you two all the way this deep into mossflower?" Turning his attention to 'Retchen he smiled slightly. "Found any good training yet?"

(Sorry if its bad >.<, I didn't have much time.)

[».kalani☀]

OOC:// Oh, noes!! It's fine! ♥ Also, I'm assuming that since Furetchen's owner is away and has granted us - well, more specifically you, but shush xD - some leniancy to roleplay with him, and that Tori's question is left hanging... you want me to play 'Retch for this bit? If not, I'll edit his stuff out. :D

-----

Kalani let a smile split her features, endearing despite the shadow of cruelty that crept over her lips. From over the edge of the canteen she could see the weasel's unruffled expression falter, taut with unspoken anger; but he said nothing, accepting his canteen back with rough paws and settling down opposite her. She clung to her small victory; had he decided to punish her for her words, she would of been forced to reveal the most cowardly side of her demeanor. She was like a spoilt child, used to getting what she wanted but ultimately vulnerable.

"So, what brings you two all the way this deep into Mossflower?"

The ratmaid hesitated, wondering how to phrase her past without drawing out weak points. Unconsciously, her claws moved up to her scarf and gripped the hem, palms warming as they meshed with blue fabric. At a loss for words, she raised her black lenses and fixed them on Furetchen, pointedly avoiding his gaze; the lack in symmetrical colour unnerved the maid too much. It was too unnatural for her tastes, and she thought him but a freak.

"Found any good training yet?"

The ferret's keen features swivelled to peer at Tori through a curtain of flame; he felt the maid's indirect stare upon him, fur prickling under her scrutiny, and gave her a warning glare before answering the weasel. His tone held a respect for the fellow Juska, which was buried beneath his own confidence. "Oh, here an' 'dere, ye know."

Kalani looked stricken as Furetchen's strange eyes sought out her own for one brief moment, and disgust overwhelmed the little maid, repulsed by his single red lense. He had furrowed his brow and swept a glare in her direction, catching her directly in the eye. Shaking off the affect that the ferret's stare seemed to be having, the rat regained her composure, pulling back her ears and loosening the coil of scarf about her neck. "So this is call'd Mossflower?" She glanced about at the surrounding woodland, as if noticing it for the first time. Awe lit up her eyes, and a giggle escaped her lips, a genuine happiness that marked her sweeter side. "I like 'dat name!" She blinked softly, before struggling over Tori's question.

"Well uh.. I'm not from' 'round 'ere... I use ta' be par' o' a big horde," she used her paws expressively, spreading them wide to indicate the strength of her previous horde. "An' I was engaged ta' the sec'nd-in-command -" she stopped at this, eyes flitting between the two Juska archers before her. It had only just occured to her that they were a few seasons older than her, yet in all likelihood did not have a wife; it was suddenly strange to think that she was going to be married befor either. She cocked her head to the side, pausing to consider the weasel for a moment, before taking up her abridged tale.

"Bu' I didn't likes him, ye see? Still, 'e gave me everythin' I wanted, so I was all fines wit' it, yeah?" She stopped once more, feeling the need to defend her selfishness by putting down her listeners. "It's not like ya' two would'n't 'ave dun' the same! It's ev'rybeast for 'hisself! Anyways, but then... well... I foun' someone I likes..." No name, or no other mention; she had loved Lain so much, and would have gratefully agreed to be his mate. But he had been a mouse. It was a humilation that she did not want to be made public to fellow vermin - particularly those who would probably degrade her mercilessly. Her cheeks flushed brightly at this embarrassment.

"Bu' when me fiancee foun' out 'bout it, 'e rain me lover thru' in fron' 'o me." The flatness of her voice was brutally honest, lacking emotion. Now, the memory of the event made her simply feel dead inside, so it was easy and instinctual for her to relate it in an unconcerned manner; cold. She paused for a few moments, before her tone warped into something abruptly and inappropriately chipper. "So I clubb'd me moth'r, ran 'way an' ended up 'ere!" She grinned brightly and extended her paws over the fire, seeking wamth. The unpertubed expression that she wore was shocking considering the tale she had told, but she seemed pleasantly oblivious to grief - at least, that was how she displayed it to the Juska.

Furetchen said nothing, garnering little sympathy towards the ungrateful rat; he had listened loosely, yet her fate was not any of his concern. Why should he feel pity when the maid clearly felt no sorrow herself? It sounded more like she fed off other's affections. He watched the doe rub her stomach, hearing the ravenous grumbles it omitted.

Kalani felt the need to complain. "I'm hungry! Do we 'ave anythin' to eat?"

[ferretface]

OOC Bleh, speaking from San Cesareo in rome, cant get my head around the keyboard... anyways...punctuation might be nonexistent in places so bear with me...will be back in 3 dayas.

IC "Theres always yew if yer dont make yerself useful!" snapped Retchen angrily. The ungrateful ratmaid had seemed to expect to be treated like rnoyalty, and apparantly, she was once. "Yew can cook the meat yerself after we get it, thouhg one of us warriors shuold probly stay ere, an guard the place."

[Sliteye]

(Its fine 'Retchen)

Tori watched as the rat inwardly congratulated, seemingly able to see what she was thinking. But soon she launched into a tale about her old life. Resting his paws under his chin he just nodded at 'Retchen as she spoke.

It was strange that she was telling them all these personal facts, some even sad, without even a hint of remorse. This rat was indeed a strange one. But she kept speaking, seeming to talk just to hear herself talk.

But he blinked when she mentioned her love. The only creature he had ever loved had left this place for the world beyond. It was then when he decided to never love again, all those who he cared for always got hurt...

Rousing from his recollection he smiled slightly as he realized she was still speaking. She seemed to live off attention, always wanting more and more. But being near the top of a horde would probably do that to you. Letting his paws fall back to his lap he looked from the rat back to 'Retchen as her stomach growled and he responded to her plea. Looking back at Kalani he nodded slightly.

"I doubt 'Retchun would mind if he went out for the food, since it seems that you two could use a break from each other...already."