Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 5, 2011 16:15:45 GMT -6
Two black furry tails twitched like mad in the grass, one tail smaller than the other. Suddenly, a little black squirrel lept out of the grass, pouncing on the larger tail with a wild cry. His big sister, the owner of the larger tail, cried out in mock terror as the dibbun landed on her back.
"Ach!" she shouted. "Ah've been attacked! Tell th' general ah went doown a braw, bonneh soldier!" Her little brother giggled.
"Ah got yew, sissy!" he said, tightening his grip around her waist. Alne Nikta laughed, rolling over onto her back. Her brother Fenn squealed in protest, scrambling out from under her and tackling her again. "Sisseeee! Yew almos' squished meeeeee!"
"Aye, and t'was th' only way ye'd get off mah back, ye ken?" she joked, ruffling his head fur. Fenn poured for a moment, but then he giggled again, snuggling deeper into her fur.
At length, Alne heard a noise. Flicking an ear in the direction of the sound, she braced herself on her elbows. Fenn heard it, too, and noticed some beast approaching them. He waved energetically as Alne tried to figure out who it was.
"Hey!" Fenn called. "Come play wif us!"
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Post by greek101 on Jul 5, 2011 17:55:33 GMT -6
Today was a nice day.
The sky wasn't too cloudy, the sun wasn't too hot, and the breeze wasn't too cold. The blooming flowers and the green trees made Redwall Abbey look absolutely stunning today.
Keith Splinterclaw took advantage of the nice weather and actually tried going outside for once.
It was hard for Keith to go outside most of the time due to his chair. He couldn't go out in the rain, his wheels would get stuck in the mud. Nor could he go out when it was too humid and hot. His wheels would get stuck in their joints and he would kick up too much dust.
But today wasn't like those days. Today was the perfect wheelchair weather.
Pushing at his wheels with his black paws, Keith twitched his ears at the little breeze that rushed through his tan fur. Lovely breeze, hopefully it wouldn't disturb his work.
Keith had an important job to do! Okay, so maybe it wasn't that important, but it was important to Keith. Keith was asked if he could carve some special book ends for the Abbey Recorder. Keith was very excited and agreed right away to the task. Not only would it give Keith a chance to show everybeast his woodworking skills, but it also might make some of the creatures who didn't appreciate 'vermin types' think better of him.
Keith was determined not to let the Recorder down.
So with his tools and blocks of wood in the pack on his chair, Keith wheeled himself outdoors to find a nice quite spot with good light to do his work. He wanted to do the best job he could. Keith's plan was to take two nearly identical blocks of chestnut wood and carve scrolls and quills in ink jars, with the Recorder's name personalized on the scroll.
Pushing himself down the little path toward the far side of the pond, just next to the wood, Keith was so totally focused on his thoughts of the bookends that he nearly jumped out of his fur when someone shouted loudly in his direction.
"Hey!" Fenn called. "Come play wif us!"
Keith applied his breaks and came to a quick stop. Looking over, Keith saw two black furred squirrels in the tall grass. It appeared that the smaller one of the two had yelled at him. Keith was sure he had seen them around the Abbey before, but was horrible at trying to remember their names. He had no idea what the younger one's name was. The older one, Keith was sure he had seen her in the kitchen, but her name wasn't coming to him. It started with an A..or something...
"Um..uh...uh..." Keith looked from the little squirrel, to down at his chair to over his shoulder at the work he had brought. Play? Keith wasn't very good at playing. He couldn't run, jump, or swim. He couldn't climb trees, or anything like that. He could play his violin, but he had a job to do!
Unsure of what to say or do, Keith just sat there, stammering. "Uh...well...um...but..uh....."
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 5, 2011 18:11:51 GMT -6
"Uh...well...um...but..uh....."
Fenn eagerly awaited the ferret's response, excited at the chance for a new playmate. Alne, on the other paw, could tell the poor ferret seemed a bit flustered. And it didn't look like he would do much "playing" even if he wanted to. The female squirrel immediately noted the wheelchair and sat up, taking Fenn off her chest.
Her brother took that as a cue to drag the newcomer over to play. He darted out of his sister's reach and skidded to a stop before the ferret, offering his biggest smile.
"I'm Fenn," he announced, holding out a small paw. "What's your name?" Alne stood and hurried up to her brother, smiling politely to the ferret. She had seen him on occasion, of course, and she had only heard his name mentioned once or twice. But keeping her brother from bothering the poor creature was a more pressing matter at the moment.
"Ach, the noo, Fenn," she scolded. "Can ye nae see he's busy?"
((Yeesh, short post.))
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Post by greek101 on Jul 5, 2011 18:43:03 GMT -6
Keith had no idea what to do or say. The little squirrel who was sitting on the bigger one looked very eager and appeared to be waiting for a response. But Keith had no idea what to say. He didn't want to hurt the little one's feelings and say no, but he had work, and he wasn't one much for playing...but the little one was so eager. It almost scared Keith.
The older squirrel sat up and the little one rushed out and ran over to Keith. He stuck out his little paw and introduced himself.
"I'm Fenn," he announced, holding out a small paw. "What's your name?"
"Umm...Uh..Keith." Keith replied hesitantly. But he didn't take the little one's paw for a shake because the older squirrel had stood up and was coming over.
"Ach, the noo, Fenn," she scolded. "Can ye nae see he's busy?"
Fenn. So the little one's name was Fenn. Keith kept that in mind as he tried a little smile. "Uh..no that's okay...uh..yeah...Hi.." Keith felt so stupid stammering like this. But he had no idea what else to say and he was so flustered that his mouth just kept running.
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 5, 2011 20:12:51 GMT -6
"Umm...Uh..Keith."
"'At's a nice name," Fenn giggled, oblivious to his sister's scolding. Alne remembered the name. She'd seen the ferret a few times, but had never spoken with him.
"Uh..no that's okay...uh..yeah...Hi.."
"Aye, an' 'tis a pleasure tae meet ye," Alne added. "Alne's meh name. Are we botherin' ye, sir?" She picked up Fenn and hoisted him onto her shoulders, hoping to keep the little squirrel away from Keith. He seemed reluctant to talk, even though he continued to stammer nervously.
((Sorry for shortness, Odie))
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Post by greek101 on Jul 6, 2011 15:44:29 GMT -6
"'At's a nice name," Fenn giggled, oblivious to his sister's scolding.Keith grinned nervously. A nice name? Keith had never really thought about how nice his name sounded or been complemented on it. But of course, he was talking to a little one, so he was trying not to be scary. But that wasn't hard. Keith never really looked, threatening... "Aye, an' 'tis a pleasure tae meet ye," Alne added. "Alne's meh name. Are we botherin' ye, sir?" "Uh..yes..pleasure is all mine...Alne.." So that was her name! Keith made a mental note. Fenn and Alne. He would have to remember that. "..No bother..I was just..startled...um..yeah..just really focused. Sorry. I was asked to carve bookends for the Recorder...I was just...trying to find a nice place to work..." Keith shut his mouth. He really needed to stop stammering. It wasn't helping the conversation any. Nor was it going to help him calm down. ((Ugh...a shortie as well... ))
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 6, 2011 18:23:26 GMT -6
"..No bother..I was just..startled...um..yeah..just really focused. Sorry. I was asked to carve bookends for the Recorder...I was just...trying to find a nice place to work..."
Fenn cocked his head curiously, clasping his paws behind his back and rocking back and forth. "Wot's a bookend?" he asked. "Issit tha enduva book?"
Alne resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Fenn knew very well what bookends were. He just wanted to bother poor Mr. Keith. But the ferret was the only one her brother would accept an explanation from, even if she tried to tell him what they were.
"Ach, but ah dinnae know ye were a carpenter, Keith," she remarked politely. It was true. She knew very little about this ferret whom she probably served meals to every day. And here she was, the first time ever in a conversation with him, and she and her brother were ruining his quiet work spot. Oh, well. Once her brother got an answer from Keith, she'd take Fenn to another part of the grounds.
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Post by greek101 on Jul 7, 2011 21:03:56 GMT -6
Fenn cocked his head curiously, clasping his paws behind his back and rocking back and forth. "Wot's a bookend?" he asked. "Issit tha enduva book?"
"Uh..no." Keith, put a paw behind his head and scratched nervously. But putting hie paw back down, he coughed and continued, trying his best not to stammer. He at least knew the answer to this question. "You see...A bookend is something that holds books up straight on a shelf...It is at the end of a line of books..."
"Ach, but ah dinnae know ye were a carpenter, Keith," she remarked politely.
Keith, smiled a bit."Well...yes..Mostly. I like to do the little projects better then the smaller ones.. I can handle them better...Like.." Keith reached behind his chair into his sack and pulled out a wooden spinning top. It was finely carved and stained with squirrels chasing each other around in trees. The spinning top fit perfectly in his paw.
Reaching down, Keith set the top on the path and pulled the long string letting it spin with vigor. He hoped the little one would be amused. "It's not much.." Keith shrugged. "Just a little play toy."
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 7, 2011 21:22:41 GMT -6
"You see...A bookend is something that holds books up straight on a shelf...It is at the end of a line of books..."
Fenn stopped rocking, nodding in understanding. "Ohhhh . . ." he murmured. Alne ruffled her brother's head fur soundly, and he giggled. Both squirrels' attention was immediately drawn to the spinning top Keith pulled out of his bag. Fenn was instantly mesmerized. He knelt down to watch the toy more closely, eyes wide with delight. Alne smiled and looked back up at Keith.
"It's not much.." Keith shrugged. "Just a little play toy."
"Ach, it dinnae take much tae bring joy tae a wee one," she remarked with a wink. As the top swerved on the pathway, Fenn followed, bouncing on his little toes as he laughed with glee. The top ceased spinning after a few moments, and Fenn looked back up at Keith in disappointment.
"It stop spinnin'," he stated. "Can ya fix it, Mr. Keith?"
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Post by greek101 on Jul 9, 2011 13:58:26 GMT -6
Fenn stopped rocking, nodding in understanding. "Ohhhh . . ." he murmured.
Keith smiled and relaxed a bit more. Fenn seemed pleased with the answer and so was Alne. But what made Keith relax the most was when Fenn chased off after the spinning top. He seemed to be delighted at the little toy.
"Ach, it dinnae take much tae bring joy tae a wee one," she remarked with a wink.
"Yeah.." He shrugged. "I guess...Oh!" Keith figured while he was giving out things, he wouldn't want to forget Alne. Reaching back into his pack once more, Keith pulled out an oaken spoon. It was a long-handled spoon with a wide 'dish'. It was carved like a tree, with grooves up to the top and branches and leaves in the 'dish'. "You can have this...if you want Alne...."
"It stop spinnin'," he stated. "Can ya fix it, Mr. Keith?"
Nodding, Keith gently took the spinning top."You see...Uh Fenn...It's not really broken. You just need to wind the string up...Like this.." Keith put the sting in a little niche that was carved into the top. Once it was all wound up Keith handed it back to Fenn. "Now just set the top on the ground and yank the string real hard!"
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 9, 2011 20:23:01 GMT -6
"You can have this...if you want Alne...."
Alne took the ladling spoon reverently, marveling at the craftsmanship. The gift was absolutely beautiful. A wide grin spread across her features. She wanted to hug Keith, but instead, she exclaimed, "Ach, thank ye, Keith! Tis a thin' a' beauty!"
"Now just set the top on the ground and yank the string real hard!"
Fenn did as instructed, and laughed in surprised delight as the top spun crazily upon the ground again. Eyes wide, the little squirrel followed the toy again, glee written on his face. Clutching her new spoon to her chest, Alne laughed with Fenn. Keith had really brightened their day! And to think she had hardly known him before this.
"Ye be a good auld beastie, Keith," she commented, still smiling.
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Post by greek101 on Jul 10, 2011 16:26:40 GMT -6
"Ach, thank ye, Keith! Tis a thin' a' beauty!"
Keith flushed behind his tan cheek fur, smiling a bit. Putting his black furred paw behind his head, he scratched his neck fur. "Yeah well...just doing what I do...."
Alne was happy, in fact there was a big smile upon her face. Keith was just trying to be nice, but it made him happy to see her smile. She didn't think of him as vermin, that was obvious. Keith knew he had found a new friend.
"Ye be a good auld beastie, Keith," she commented, still smiling.
Keith hoped Alne couldn't see though his fur. If she did, she could see his flushing cheeks. "I was just trying to be friendly..." He said with a shrug, his slightly bent tail swishing lightly thought the space provided in his chair.
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 10, 2011 20:28:03 GMT -6
Alne turned back to Keith and noticed the slight flush in his cheeks. She giggled, nudging the ferret gently. She hadn't known ferrets could be this, well, good! "Tis a grand auld thing we ran inta ye, mah friend," she chuckled. "An' ah thought yon day were good on its oon."
"Mr. Keith," Fenn called, picking up his spinning top and turning to face the ferret. "I wanna play somethin' else now." His eyes lit up as he got an idea. "I wanna race ya!" Alne placed a paw on her brother's shoulder.
"Fenn, Keith has work tae finish, ye ken?" she said gently, suddenly remembering the bookends the ferret had wanted to carve. "Mayhaps he can race later."
((Darn. Short again.))
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Post by greek101 on Jul 11, 2011 19:15:46 GMT -6
Alne nudged Keith smiling and Keith smiled back. He had defiantly made a new friend. Elwood would be so proud of him...
"Tis a grand auld thing we ran inta ye, mah friend," she chuckled. "An' ah thought yon day were good on its oon."
"Aww...Well.." Keith fumbled about with his words again. Keith normally didn't like to accept compliments. He was a proud ferret, but when they just keep coming, he didn't know what to say...
"Mr. Keith," Fenn called, picking up his spinning top and turning to face the ferret. "I wanna play somethin' else now." His eyes lit up as he got an idea. "I wanna race ya!"
Keith looked down at his wheels, then back to Fenn. "Uh..Race? Not sure that's the best idea..On the ground at least. I can go pretty fast! But only on the path..."
Alne placed a paw on her brother's shoulder. "Fenn, Keith has work tae finish, ye ken?" she said gently, suddenly remembering the bookends the ferret had wanted to carve. "Mayhaps he can race later."
He shrugged. "Well..I haven't really started them...And they aren't due for a while..I mean if he wants to...Or maybe he could have a ride..I mean..."
Keith started mumbling again to himself. Although he wasn't sure he could admit it out right, but he was enjoying this! Even though it was rather awkward at first, Fenn and Alne were brightening his day. His day had been going well with the task of the bookends, but getting out of his bubble and playing a bit was helping too! He was having fun! Sort of an awkward fun, but fun none the less!
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Django
Hordebeast
...the mouse
Posts: 131
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Post by Django on Jul 11, 2011 22:18:39 GMT -6
He shrugged. "Well..I haven't really started them...And they aren't due for a while..I mean if he wants to...Or maybe he could have a ride..I mean..."
Fenn's expression grew increasingly more hopeful as Keith mumbled uncertainly. Alne chuckled, tucking her new ladle into the waist sash of her apron. She held up a paw, stopping the ferret mid-mumble.
"Ach, tae ease yer mind, good Keith," she said with a wink. "Ah believe yon Fenn dinnae wish tae wait longer fer a bonneh ride." Fenn squeaked with glee, bouncing on his toes in excitement. He bounced up to Keith and held up his little arms, waiting for the ferret to lift him onto the wheelchair.
((Man, I need to work on my post lengths.))
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