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It was early morning and Frith had just started to come up over the horizon. However, there was quite a bit of activity on the down, more than usual this time of day. When most early risers were out at silflay, pretty much the whole warren was situated on the lush grass. Few were eating, though.

The warren had gathered to see off the party that was to be off to the farm. Bracken stood at the center of the gathering with Cocklebur dutifully sitting nearby. The other warren rabbits formed at crude circle about them and those brave enough to venture on this dangerous but thrilling mission.

"Come now, then. Everyone that's going gather around!" Cocklebur's gruff voice was clear on the chilly morning. The frost had yet to come but the dew still sparkled on the grass about them.

Bracken merely heaved a quiet sigh, and looked around a bit as various warren members murmured to themselves and each other. He had spoken little of the raid, although was quite aware of the confusion. However, nobody had actually asked him about the ordeal, so he said nothing.

(( As a reminder, please no OOCing! Keep that to the shop thread. Only staff members are allowed to make OOC comments in this RP plot. Thank you. :3 Also, only those that signed up can RP! Spectators are welcome so long as there are no comments. ))

Taxus proudly lifted his head and bounded forward. He was a big buck and his red eyes shone in the fresh morning light. He wore a smirk upon his lips, teeth shining momentarily. This was it. His big chance. His big shot to show the Owsla what he was made of. He was determined to become an elite member one day, maybe even a captain! He nudged several other rabbits out of his way as he approached, ears straight up.












Sandbur watched from the ring. Her stomach hurt and she shivered. This would end badly...She could see it now. The parties returning with flay-rah, only it was a trap, like the stuff that had killed her former warren. Poison, every last bit of it! She had decided she wouldn't partake in eating anything that came back to the Down. She looked over the rabbits who bustled, ready to be off. She gulped, nibbling on some cropped flay, shaking her head. This would be a sad day. She was only glad her only friend here, Ninebark, was staying behind.

















Dogsbane watched from behind his Da at the huge owsla rabbits, their chief, and all the bustle on the Down. He was excited, the buzz in the air almost loud enough to be heard. He wiggled his nose. He wanted to be an Owsla one day, but he was too little to go just yet. "Da! Is that the chief!?" he asked in a loud whisper, looking at Cocklebur, who seemed to be running the operation. "Is that him?"

She was not looking forward to this.
The large doe sat on the other side of Bracken-rah, mindful of his personal space. She watched wearily at the crowd around them. Too many for a raid, even if just the Owsla sitting with them now attended. She understood many testing themselves to earn rank and respect, but in the form of a farm raid? This would not do at all, what was Cocklebur thinking? Her ears flickered in the Captain's direction as he spoke, nodding after his words; supporting him in action if not in belief.

Three of her own kits were present today, now Outskirters. She looked over them and smiled ever so slightly. Would they be among those to go? As a marli she was rather worried at that prospect, but was it not to make Owsla out of them? She mentally prayed to Frith for their safety and to the good luck of all before turning back to her duties of looking over the rabbits approaching.

Falcon peeked his head out of the warren and looked out at the group that was assembling. He wasn't really sure what they were doing but he was going to help. Show that he was strong and fast even at his young age. He zipped out over towards Blackthorn and the others with his ears up swiveling back and forth listening.

When he reached the group he stopped and stood up straight like he wasn't worried at all. He kept his eyes on Cocklebur's and Ginkgo's ears. If theirs moved at all he moved his in order to see if he could hear or sense danger. He figured if he stuck with the Owsla he would be ok, just had to keep up with them and the others. He would show his metal during this raid, he would show that he was fast and strong. Maybe he would even become an Owsla when he got old enough.

White paws tapped at the ground quickly to join the group, coming to a stop just within the outer ring, before picking back up again, weaving between some of the individuals looking in on the excitement. Finally settling down, the red eyes of the energetic rabbit swiveled up to those in charge, moving from Bracken-rah to the commander at his side, and then the Owsla just adjacent to him. A small smile spread across his thin maw. Today was the day he'd make something of himself. And first impressions were everything. Sitting erect, his ears pulled forward and attentive while the rest of his body grew rigid, but not frozen. Fledgestone hadn't participated much in the warren throughout his young life, something he had always been ashamed of, but now he was forcing himself to take part, to be something more than just a spectator.




What was she doing here? In reality she had no true reason for following these rabbits to what could possibly be a suicidal mission with a fruitless consequence, and yet here she sat, appearing disgruntled but otherwise ready to head out. Indeed, what was Inle'arn's reason for being here? She didn't have all that much interest in gaining power within the warren; becoming an Owsla wasn't on the top of her list, anyway. Nor did she truly hold some inward obsession with those in charge -not that she didn't feel grateful toward them- , having not been born of Watership Down, and having migrated here due to circumstance. Maybe it was boredom?
Or maybe she simply didn't have a reason.
Whatever the case, she was now situated in front of the group, her eyes swiveling backward on occasion to peer about those beside her or give a curious flick over the higher ranked rabbits just before her. Inle'arn was patient enough when it suited her so waiting for further instruction didn't faze her in the least. But distraction came quick when the patter of tiny paws forced her good eye to glance back, locking on the spotted brown form of the kit. A snort was muffled, and was swallowed down even harder as she took notice to yet another young one in the group. Did they intend to join the adults this morning? Even the presence of the Outskirters was unnerving to the female, though she silenced her opinion and quickly averted her attention back onto her superiors, finding far more interest in what they had to say than the company surrounding her.

Cowslip slipped slowly through the crowd, having to nudge a few rabbits out of the way as he moved forward. His bright white and black pelt caused him to stick out like a sore thumb, but he was confident in his own abilities.

The buck slowed as he sidled up next to Taxus, waiting before their captain. Hopefully this would be his chance to prove himself.

His thoughts did drift to his mate, though. What would happen to her if anything happened to him? She was heavy with kittens and he was extremely excited about that fact. He wanted to bring flay to her. That would be helpful, wouldn't it?

He hoped so.

Badassi's bulky frame nudged past several rabbits gingerly. He came to rest near Blackthorn, making his presence known quietly with his position. His tattered ears flicked back and his sharp, emerald eyes shifted over the crowd, taking count and remembering the faces of each rabbit that would be accompanying them. Many were and several were inexperienced. He wasn't exactly pleased about that.

"G'morn. This will prove to be interesting, I suppose. Hopefully it will go well." He spoke in low tones, trying to keep his voice from being overheard by too many.

Rainfall was practically twitching with excitement. How she longed to go! The eager, adventurous doe was beginning to settle down, but how she craved for the thrill these lucky rabbits were going to experience. Surely their words would make good tales. She'd have to make a point of speaking with those that returned, to find out what she can.

She groomed an ear briefly and tilted her head to one side, glancing towards Heather and then nuzzling in return. "So exciting! Can' wait t'ear the stories they bring back."

"That ain'!" He motioned towards their true chief, smiling. "Ain't he th' spittin' image o' a good leader, kiddo?" The scarred buck sat on his haunches near one of his sons, his good ear perked, while his tagged one drooped slightly.

He was smiling, though he could feel some tension in the air. Hopefully things would go well. It made him almost miss his days in the Owsla, in his former warren, but that was no longer the life for him.

"Th' fella yer lookin' at b'fore is Cocklebur, 'e's the Captain."

Faili sat rather quietly amongst the group gathering, close to her siblings and marli. She had been up from the moment te large doe had stirred awake, and was buzzing with excitement herself, an emotion she refused to let show now. She was honored to be amongst the owsla, amongst many other hopefulls for the position. But most of all, she was with both of her parents, joining in on their duties.
Her other siblings were mostly there, aside from one. Maize. You'd think of all things he'd at least wish to see his namesake, but alas. Although she herself could not fathom the reason, He most likely had them.
He of course wasn't her main concern this morning. Instead, she chose to behave herself, waiting patiently for orders from her authorities, standing still and proud like an owsla should, challenging many of the adults themselves in size and weight.
She wasn't about to be shown up on her first day, oh no no no.


Harebell also found herself sitting quite calmly, dispite the buzz and excitement of those around her. Though she was more than giddy inside at the thought of piles of delicious flay-rah. She didn't wish to be rash. There was a time and a place for acting like a kitten who'd had his first taste of sweet silflay, and now wasn't it. Celebrating would come after everyone was back safe and sound.
Her reasons for joining the raiding party wasn't quite clear yet, and it was a secret she'd keep to herself, for the moment. But for the time being, she was just more than glade to be away from Oakvale and his rather eccentric friend.

on the opposite side of his cheif from ginkgo and Cocklebur, Blueflax sat somewhat at a distance on his hinds, he had elected to go simply for the fact he wanted to see the hopefuls throwing themselves into the raid. the thought not as many going would come back weighed heavy on his mind.
a swift rub of his face to his back to smooth out a patch of fur took his eyes off the crowd for only a moment or two and already rabbits where stepping forward. a smirk spread across his face at the few to step out first, though he was worried he was also hopeful and the determination he saw was inspiring at least.
he spied a small crack of worry on Althea's features she was on the same side as him but just a bit closer to the chief. the unease of the warren was thick and he felt it settle in his gut. he frowned at all the youngsters that where showing up and he couldn't help but sigh. he kept looking for his Doe, that lovely Woodlilly, he was confident in himself but worried should he not return what would happen to her. he felt this was a bad idea, too late in the year and too soon for the out of practice rabbits attending





pushing through the crowd a simply colored doe made her way to Ginkgo who had invited her to the raid. "quite a turn out I must say" she said, slightly surprised,though more to herself then anyone in particular. she was honored to have been asked and she was on fire to show them her worth and prove she was good enough to be in their ranks. the dirt colored doe shifted to her hinds, watching for more rabbits to join in. she tossed a confident smile to her best friend, Yew, who was watching nervously from the crowd between Silver weed and Swift. Silver weed stuck his tongue out at her with a goofy smile, showing his yellow tinted teeth, this made Sequoia roll her bright blue eyes in disapproval.




as the doe pushed through she knocked a light colored buck to the ground. he was much smaller then her but not too small for his age, he narrowed his green eyes with a determined growl. he was always pushed aside, always overlooked, but now in public dismissed by a doe and with opportunity standing right in front of him he hoped out of the crowd and made his way right up to Blueflax "I'm coming with you!" he announced to the elder Buck who was twice his size same as the Doe who had pushed him over. wile the Officer would not stop him nor question him Blueflax simply nodded at him and looked to his cheif with an unreadable expression.
Zelkova shot a glare in the direction of the crowd, he was a very temperamental rabbit with more bite then bark this was likely to get him into trouble one day and so it was hoped by all that knew him it was not this day.