Walking Down the Slippery Slopes (Open)

[pie4me]

Small eyes peered from a hole in the ground. Lucky thing too that this otter had found the hole, he thought to himself. The River Otter could have sworn that he had seen some sort of large cat... large rat... well, he couldn't quite put his finger on what he'd seen but Jekker HAD seen something.

"Stupid dangflabbit of land. Always playin' tricks on me!" he grumped tiredly. Jekker climbed from the hole and began to make camp for the night. Well... it wasn't exactly a camp. He put a log on the fire, stoked it. But other than that... well no matter! It was camp to Jekker.

Every rustle of leaves made him jump. Every time one did, stoked the fire harder.

"Looky here! If anyones out there, you best come and get yerself something to eat. No sense in waiting about scarin' me like that." Jekker called.

[shadow]

*Hope I do okay. Here goes. =3*

Zeron laughed heartily from behind the otter. "Who yah talking to mate? Yerself or is there someone over there hidin in the bushes?" He swaggered over till he was about 5 feet away then took off his hat and did an elegant bow. "Zeron Firetail at yer service mate." He put his hat back on and smiled, the sharp tooth that sticks out of his mouth shining in the firelight. "And who might you be?"

[Rakko]

**Hey pie I don't think we've met, I'm Rakko. I hope you don't mind, I figured that since our characters are both otters perhas they could be old friends And that gives us something more to RP over. And Shadow, it was very nice. In the future, we like to see a bit more thength but I understand you are just starting out.**

In the trees, a pair of eyes watched the otter set up camp. They glinted as he listened to the creature speaking to himself until he finally spoke up to the seemingly empty forest.

"Looky here! If anyones out there, you best come and get yerself something to eat. No sense in waiting about scarin' me like that."

The creature was about to light down from the tree when he stoped. There was movement. Some creature stepped forward to answer the otter's call.

"Who yah talking to mate? Yerself or is there someone over there hidin in the bushes? - Zeron Firetail at yer service mate. - And who might you be?"

With an almost vicious grin, the creature silently decended from his perch. Lying low to the ground, he drew his small blade and held it close to his chest. With the skill of a many seasoned assasin, the creature slinked forward until he was only a few feet fromt he otter's back. In one quick, fluid moment, the beast sprung and grabbed hold of the otter's back, holding the blade close to his throat.

His eyes where red as he stared down the ferret before him. Desquizing his voice, the creature spoke; the hood over his face and cloke down his back masked what kind of creature he was. "Ye've messed with ze wron behst todai mateh. Ah'll kill this un in wun quick svipe!" He stood there for a second longer, to see what reaction the beast would have.

But he couldn't stand it much longer. Unable to keep his voice or face strait, the creature dropped his blade. Violently, he flicked his neck so the hood fell from his face revealing a middle-aged sea otter. He turned to the river otter, his face grinning like a mad beast. He laughed heartily. "Ah'm sorrey, Jekks. Ah just couldn't help it! You where actin' all crazy from down here and I had to mess with yeh. Will ye forgive an ole mate?" He dipped his head in friendly appology and bowed lightly. His face was the picture of dibbun innocence as he pleaded for repraise.

He turned to the ferret behind him and smiled. "Ah'm sorrey if Ah frightened you, sir. I'm only playin'. The names Rakko Streamwater."

[shadow]

*Okie doke. And wow. You even talk like in the books when your rp'ing. Now thats dedication. =3*

Zeron looked at the newcomer strangly and whistled. "Well wha' do ye know. Guess there was someone in the bushes after all." He'd taken one of his daggers out the moment he saw the otter and now slipped it into his belt where it would be okay but easy to reach and throw if needed. "Mmmmm. Rakko streamwater huh? Seem's like i've heard that name before. If I had to guess your either a seasoned warrior or a mercenary for hire like me. Now before I continue I want to check something. "

He went around the clearing and used his scythe to poke all the bushes and trees. Once he'd done it all around he turned back and said "Good. I wanted to know if I should leave now before any more surprise visitors popped out." He walked over to the newcomer and held out his hand to shake "Names Zeron. Zeron Firetail. Mercenary for hire, allusive traveler, and lover of pies." He smiled slyly and said "I dun suppose you have any jobs you might want done do ye?"

[Rakko]

**Irayo, tsmukan. Yea, I read them too much. I've even accedently written 'yer' on a formal paper for English and I have no idea why but when I read your dialogue, I get this like...southern accent in my head hrh I'm gonna post again but then i'm gonna wait for pie to reply**

"Well wha' do ye know. Guess there was someone in the bushes after all."

Rakko winked to the younger creature.

Mmmmm. Rakko Streamwater huh? Seem's like i've heard that name before. If I had to guess your either a seasoned warrior or a mercenary for hire like me. Now before I continue I want to check something. "

He smiled slyly. "No doubt ye 'ave 'eard o' me, young'un. Mah names bin around the woods a few times. Ahn who's to say Ah can't be both, eh?" He watched silently as the ferret went about his buisiness, checking the bushes and treas for more to pop out.

"Yeh ain't gonna find nothin. Believe me, if'n Ah hadd warriors hidin' back there, they would have been gone at my signal."

"Names Zeron. Zeron Firetail. Mercenary for hire, allusive traveler, and lover of pies. Dun suppose you have any jobs you might want done do ye?"

The otter grinned. "Mmm! Who don't like a good pie?" He rummaged through his napsack. "I think Ah may 'ave the pickens for a good bark pie. Meh own special recepie." At the mention of a job, the otter turned. "Beleive me, I've slayn more beast that you could e'er dream o' doin, kid. If'n there's any jobs 'round 'ere, Ah'll be doin the slayin'."

Rakko turned to Jekker and sat on a log, propping his feetpaws up on his own nasack. "Now Jekks, ole pal, I don't 'pose yeh mind us spending the night 'ere with yeh? I'll cook!"

[pie4me]

*Okay sounds great Rakko! And good job Shadow! Sorry it took me so long to post*

Who yah talking to mate? Yerself or is there someone over there hidin in the bushes?"

Jekker jumped back when the ferret emerged and began to talk. He quickly blinked and smiled. "Vwell alrit then. Ifin there was another soul in them there bushes, I wouldn't no bout it." he said. He threw another stick on the fire.

When the ferret asked who he was, Jekker bowed slightly. "Me name is Jekker. Call me Jek ifin you wantin to."

Quick as lightning another creature sprang from the bushes, and Jek had no time to react before it had him pinned.

"Ye've messed with ze wron behst todai mateh. Ah'll kill this un in wun quick svipe!" He stood there for a second longer, to see what reaction the beast would have.

The small otters shoulders sank with relief. With a sigh, he waited for the next happening that he knew was coming.

"Ah'm sorrey, Jekks. Ah just couldn't help it! You where actin' all crazy from down here and I had to mess with yeh. Will ye forgive an ole mate?"

The other otter let Jekker go, and with a sigh Jek stepped away.

"I swear ifin yer gonna be scarin me like that Rakko..." he shivered. "Anyways, ifin yer hungry then stay awhile. No need sending away a crazy beast likin yerself."

While Zeron and Rakko talked, Jekker finished laying the fire and he seated himself on a log. Sticking some insects on a stick, he began to roast them while humming a little tune to inspire him. Suddenly the two asked Jekker if they could stay.

"I best let both of yah stay. Lest I want me insides to be turned inside 'n out." he shook his head. "I tell ye Rakko... ye be scarin me like that again..."

Sighing, he motioned to the other logs. "Seat yerselfs and be respectable fer once."

[Rakko]

Rakko grinned at the otter's reaction.

"I swear ifin yer gonna be scarin me like that Rakko... Anyways, ifin yer hungry then stay awhile. No need sending away a crazy beast likin yerself."

Shaking his head, the otter smiled. "Ah truley am sorry mate...sortah." He winked and plopped himself onto a log.

"I best let both of yah stay. Lest I want me insides to be turned inside 'n out... I tell ye Rakko... ye be scarin me like that again..."

Rakko saluted the other otter with a crookid smile. "Won' 'apen again, ole pal. Ah promise. Ah'll even take the first watch tonigh' if'n ya'll'll permit meh." He rummaged through his bag until he pulled out a flask. He placed it down by the fire to start heating it. Again he reached into the bag and released a wad of dough. A third time produced a metal tin and a fourth found a few old and chipped but very usable lates. He layed all down, far enough away from the flames.

After dropping the seemingly bottumless bag, he stood and found a few trees that had bark already stripping itself. Autumn was the best and easiest time to find good bark for his pie. He had also found a vine of berries. He brought a few pawfuls of each back and placed the bark in the flask of now boiling water.

He found himself a flat rock and began rolling the dough out with his paws. When it was thin enough, he cut it in twos and lay one down in the pan. He found the now soggy and chewy bark and layed it down in a layers, placing a mashed bery jelly in between each layer. When he had finished, he put the final piece of dough over the top.

He set the pie tin near the fire and sat back periodically rotating the tin with his footpaw so it would evenly bake. "Now we jus' sit'n'wate maties!"

[shadow]

*Lol thats awsome. Hehe. I like you already. And wow your good. Actually I live in south carolina so you were dead on with the whole southern accent thing. And no problems pie. If I may call you that.*

Zeron got a glint in his eye when the otter said he'd be doing any jobs around here. "Yah think so eh? Mmmm. Mayhaps we could have a friendly duel sometime. See whose really duh best." He chuckled again. When he saw him peeling bark for a pie he paled. "Your not seriously eating bark are you?" Walking over to the one called Jekker he gave him a pat on the back and said "Just because im a vermin and a mercenary doesn't mean i'd turn ye inside out. If you were an enemy or I was hired to kill ye then i'd turn yah inside out. And as a show of good faith lemme present you and your odd but amusing friend with a gift." He went back into the bushes and came out with a satchel on his waist. Reaching into it he pulled out 3 different bottles. "Got these for my last job from a kindly ole hedgehog lady. She wanted some rocks moved and gave me these. So what'll it be, dandelion and burdock cordial, October ale, or my personal favorite, strawberry cordial?" He smiled softly and set them all out by the fire along with a plate with about 10 pear flans. "Im tellin you that ole granny could cook. Best meal i'd had in months."

[pie4me]

"Ah truley am sorry mate...sortah."

Jekker shook his head and began to open his small bag producing quill pen and a lump of clay. "Aye well I'm sure yer sorry. Sorry enough to come in here and take advantage of my softie 'eart".

But Jekker knew Rakko would keep his word about making the supper, and true enough, Rakko did. The pie was soon cooking on the fire, and Jek licked his lips when he thought of the good bark inside and jelly as well.

"Your not seriously eating bark are you?"

The disgusted voice of Zeron snapped Jekker out of his dreamy state, and looked at the ferret in amazement.

"Ye can't be telling meself that yer not likin a good bit 'o bark!" he said. "Why, me own mother used to tell me that bark was good for the spirit! No doubt you wouln't be wantin to lose that!"

"Got these for my last job from a kindly ole hedgehog lady. She wanted some rocks moved and gave me these. So what'll it be, dandelion and burdock cordial, October ale, or my personal favorite, strawberry cordial?" He smiled softly and set them all out by the fire along with a plate with about 10 pear flans. "Im tellin you that ole granny could cook. Best meal i'd had in months."

Jek's eyes became huge once again and he quickly smoothed his clay and began to write furiously. This sounded like a good story to him. A mighty good one indeed.

"This 'old granny' as you say, what was she? A ferret like yerself? Or maybe even a rabbit! I be hearin they can make mighty fine things to eat indeed! Mighty fine things!" he said happily.

[shadow]

*Do I need to write down what your charries say like you've been doing?*

Zeron started talking "I told ye she was a hedgehog. And yup they can. They can put down a mouthfull to. Have you seen one of them hares eat? Now im telling you....wait a minute....are you writing this down!?" He looked at him strangely. And of course I don't eat bark! And I haven't exactly been happy go lucky spirited in a long time. I suppose I have been happy but not like I used to be." He spoke that last part with a sad wistful tone then brightened up and said "Now how about a challenge? I'll betcha I can eat more than both of ye. If'n you win i'll give yah 6 pieces of gold each. And if'n I win you gotta give me something." He smiled slyly. "So wa do ye say? Do we got a wager?" He spit on his paw and held it out to both of them, grinning and getting a mischievious glint in his eye.

[Rakko]

"Aye well I'm sure yer sorry. Sorry enough to come in here and take advantage of my softie 'eart".

Rakko just smiled, nodding slowly as he rotated the pie tin again. He looked up when Zeron spoke.

"Yah think so eh? Mmmm. Mayhaps we could have a friendly duel sometime. See whose really duh best."

"Shor thing mate. I've taken part in many a good sport duel. Blunt arrers and wooden daggers in the woods. First to be slayn looses"

"Your not seriously eating bark are you?"

Rakko gasped over dramatically. "Of course! Who don eat bark? Tis the vury best stuff pois are made out o'!" Jekker backed him up ont he scrumtiosness of the food he was most known for.

Rakko's eyes widened at the sight of the three beakers. The licked his lips loudly as he stated. "Ah do believe Ah'll have me self a spot o' October Ale, wot! Oh, sorry. Sometimes Ah get a bit o' hare in meh when the food comes near!"

[shadow]

Zeron put on a face of mock horror and said "Oh gosh I take my eating challenge back. If'n you even eat a fraction of what i've saw hares gulp down you'd win." He smiled and tossed the bottle of ale to Rakko. "Now if'n ye don't mind me askin yers, where might ye be headin? I would tell ye mine but i've been hired for a little somethin and don't want to arrive and find that somebodies done my job before I could get there." He looked at Rakko when he said the last part.

[Rakko]

**Oh... you mut've posted that right before I did Shadow cuz I wasn't replyin' tot hat post hrh... oh well. And no, you don't have to put our dialogue in. We do becayse it hels lengthen the post * * and so others know what exactly you are replying to.**

[pie4me]

Now im telling you....wait a minute....are you writing this down!?"

Jekker snapped up his head from the piece of clay. "Well course I'm writin' it down laddie!" he said indignantly. "No sense in wastin' a good story is there?"

He shook his head as if in answer to his own question and continued writing until the next question came.

"Now if'n ye don't mind me askin yers, where might ye be headin? I would tell ye mine but i've been hired for a little somethin and don't want to arrive and find that somebodies done my job before I could get there."

Jekker looked up more slowly this time, and he seemed to be still writing even as he talked. Things like that were a sort of weird gift to him some would say. "I be headin' a ways from here. Not sure exactly where I s'pose. But ye see... it's a funny thing, travel. You get to goin' somewhere's and then you suddenly think of somewhere else to go." he said. "Besides, we'll probably be seein' some danger tomorrow I'm supposing. Good thing I have yer two to hand me over to it."

He stretched and yawned. "Do ferrets swim? Seems like every darned creature should know how to swim."

[shadow]

Zeron looked at Jekker for a minute then sighed. "You don't focus on one thing for very long do ye? I'd imagion you think a hundred thoughts a minute." He sat down opposite of him on the ground and crossed his legs. "By the way what do you mean we'll see danger tommorow? I might not even be here tommorow and ye don't even know where yer going." He layed down on his side and propped his head up with one paw. His eyes widened. "Do ferrets swim!? Hundreds of 'em are corsairs and pirates? I've been able to swim sinced I was a wee dibbun. Ah those were the days. I saw a river off that way. If your up for it i'll go race yah right now. That is unless your scared to get your paws wet. If so I understand." He laughed.