Quiet Time (Open)

[Silas]

The river below meandered on its way to the Western sea, gleaming in the light of day like a river of shining metal always in motion. As the water flowed by peacefully, a breeze blew through all of the nearby trees, stirring their leaves. Aside from these sounds, nothing else was to be heard, which made it a perfect spot to be, perched upon a low branch and watching the river flow by and the trees move with the wind.

This is exactly what one squirrel found upon arriving at the river, seating himself on a branch overlooking everything with his back to the trunk, reading a book he had brought along. Though he was thin and tired-looking, his features appeared relaxed, hazel eyes glimpsing every once in awhile around him before continuing to read his book. However near at paw lay a bow and quiver of arrows, an item his parents insisted he bring on trips like this. He was a fair ways away from home, which suited him just fine. Usually when he was back at home it was 'Silas, do this', 'Silas, do that'...

The squirrel thought how nice it was to escape from all that, at least for a time, and read his book in peace...

[lorki]

The river brought up a cool breeze, although the sky was clear of storm clouds finally and the first sunny suggestion of the end of winter was showing itself. Still, sharp and bitter wind blew off the water, causing the young beast walking along the rocky bank to draw his black and gray coat tighter around him. The dark sable ferret drew his dark blue eyes across the river, fast flowing with what must be newly melted snow.

Kutenai exhaled heavily, shifting his satchel bag from one shoulder to the other. He'd been carving a soapstone chess set, the half-finished pieces clinked together int he bottom of the bag while he walked. The day was calm and slow paced, he had no real job at the time, and not much need for anything. The young ferret always counted on having some type of encounter, rarely a day went by when he didn't run into somebeast on the main trails of the forest. However, thus far he'd managed to enjoy his 'alone time.' His slow steps continued along the riverside rocky trail, his eyes falling only on the ground ahead of him, unaware of the nearby tree-perched squirrel.

[Silas]

The squirrel took notice of a clinking sound, quite unnatural in the forest. It was getting closer, coming towards him as he listened. He looked up and saw a ferret, wandering down the path below. He closed his book as quietly as he could, scrutinizing this beast.

In his limited experience with ferrets, Silas thought of them as being ruthless, cunning beasts, who were quick to anger if they didn't have their way. But even so, this particular individual seemed calm and peaceable as he approached. If he had any weapons or any malicious intent, it was well-hidden from his eyes. Under different circumstances he might even want to talk to this ferret, being a curious squirrel. Still, today he would take no chances, reaching across to where his bow and arrows hung. They were almost within his reach when his book, which was rather heavy, slid off of his lap to smack the dirt of the path below with a muffled whump!

Silas froze for a second, wincing at the noise of the book hitting the ground only a few paces away from the advancing ferret.

Well, hopefully he'll be friendly enough to hand my book back... He thought dryly to himself.

[lorki]

Absent minded thoughts drifted through the young ferrets mind. He was thinking about what path to turn on that may provide him with some interaction with another traveler. Kutenai often glomed on to other traveling partied for a few hours or so, mooching food or just for company. He ought to turn onto the main- Whoomp

The ferret spun instantly, the sound had been to his left, his blind side. Fear sparked in his chest releasing an instant heat. He swept a paw back, brushing aside his long coat so he could reach back for the sword at his hip. It all happened very fast and once he's turned to stare with his seeing eye at the area all he found was... a book?

Taking a quick step back, Kutenai raised his head to stare into the branches of the tree above him, and sure enough there was a squirrel... reaching back towards a bow. Lovely. "Ey mate," he said quickly, "yah dun need tha'." He tried to relax to show the squirrel that he was in fact, not threatening (not yet, at least) and hopefully he wouldn't get shot for the attempt. He even let his grip come off the hilt of his sword, though he didn't move his paw far from it. "Scared the livin' 'ell outta me," he muttered, half to the squirrel and half to himself.

[Silas]

Confronted with the ferret's full attention, Silas nervously grasped his bow, pondering what to do about the situation thrust upon him. He observed with his hazel eyes that the ferret had a sword on his belt, sending thoughts of peaceful confrontation flying rapidly from his thoughts. If anything he looked as he felt, nervous and undecided in the tree. After a few moments passed and it was readily apparent that the ferret didn't have anything in the way of aggression, he responded hesitantly.

"Uh, sorry about that. Didn't expect anyone to be traveling over here today."

He still kept hold of his bow, if only to stop it from falling out of the tree. It was practically his only weapon, aside from his paws, which were a ponderous venture at best. His gaze was heavy with suspicion as he actually troubled himself for a better look at this wandering ferret, scrutinizing him and wondering if his words speak for his disposition, or if deep down inside he's like the unflinching, murderous masses of vermin his settlement repels from time to time.

[lorki]

"Uh, sorry about that. Didn't expect anyone to be traveling over here today."


Kutenai, keeping eye on the squirrels uneasiness, lost his own. Naturally a bit weary when meeting new company, Kutenai could see the nervousness in this particular beast, and it calmed him down quite a bit. A scared beast wasn't necessarily a great fighter, an aggressive one, an angry one-Yes. But, the smug young ferret didn't particularly see the squirrel as threatening.

Rather, he raised his brow in a quizzical expression towards Silas. Part of him always felt a bit urged to act as his sister would- tell the beast off for being so suspicious for no good reason. He's seen that look that Silas held before- searching for any evil they could hope to see marked on him. Beasts did it all the time, as if hoping to notice a huge sign hung odd his chest that read "Murderer of the Innocent" in big red letters. After all, Kutenai still stood with empty paws while that squirrel clutched a bow. He couldn't help but be a bit offended.

Still, Kute was much more forgiving and as long as the uneasy little treerat didn't shoot him he'd try to be civil at least. "I know I might be a bit'o a surprise, bu' I'm not gunna eat yah, Mate." He paused, and then added ruefully, "I only knaw on lil' dibbuns an' wha' not- y'know?" He snickered at his joke, but quickly remembered how seriously some woodlanders took the sarcasm and added, "Jokin'..."

[Silas]

Silas stood up on the branch and leaned against the trunk of the tree, folding his arms across his chest. He smirked back haphazardly at the ferret as a breeze threatened to blow him off balance. Despite this, he responded to the little joke. "I suppose you must be starving, then." He said as he hopped skillfully down off of the low branch to the ground, still a few paces away from the ferret.

"But, if I may ask... What brings you to these parts?" He asked, regarding Kutenai carefully, his hazel eyes finding more of a cautious curiosity rather than outright nervousness. Initially as a dibbun he was taught to flee if he ever ran into such a beast outside of his village. But the squirrel knew that something was staying the ferret's paw, if but a moment. Even so, he kept just out of sword-reach, wondering why he was standing there asking questions.