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 Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:42 am
((This is an rp for anyone to join in on. It is the initial reaction to the "hlessi" arriving at Watership Down. They are spotted, but they are not required to approach. This RP is to confirm that they have found the warren of Watership and to initiate the reactions from rabbits. Everyone is free to respond as naturally as their rabbit might wish, but be aware there are consequences to actions.
Warning - It is possible to injure or kill your rabbit.
If you engage in the hlessi in an aggressive manner expect the like in kind.
Also expect an Owsla might chew your ears off for any reason in particular. ))
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:09 am
 The sunlight glinted off the white, frozen ground; Cocao had to squint to see much of anything really. The buck nosed about the top of the Down in a vain hope that maybe if he searched long enough or dug through enough snow he might find something to chew on. Frith, it didn't even have to be real flay, just so long as he could give his hungry belly something to do. Sitting up as he looked out to the woods wistfully, he thought about the other rabbits he'd heard of sneaking off to try and find anything at all in the forest. Anything.
He himself hadn't dared to try yet, but gnawing on bark and the roots of the tree was getting old and he was feeling weaker with every passing day. If something didn't change he'd be seeing Inle' himself soon whether he took the chance of venturing to the woods or not.
...In fact, that dark spot in the snow shimmer looked an awful lot like...
His eyes went wide as he fought the tharn. No, no it couldn't be. He wasn't, no not yet. Hopping in a tight, nervous circle Cacao stared in horror as the speck grew in size. It was coming closer, leaving the trees behind and heading to the Down and towards him and oh Frith no he wasn't ready-
Wait, more than one spot? Several spots. Rabbit-shaped. Inle' and his Owsla coming to take them all? Squeaking as he kicked up snow, the buck started crying out as loud as he could, only stopping from time to time to smack the soft ground as hard as he could. Pounding the snow crust with a warning thump yet again, the startled rabbit yelled out again towards the warren itself.
"THEY'RE COMING! FRITH, IT'S OVER, THEY'RE COMING AND INLE' IS CALLING AND-" "HRAKA! You fool! Keep it down!"
The Owsla doe charged at the tharn buck, knocking him over and pinning him with her mass to the blindingly white snow drift.
"What is all of this nonsense about? You want to scare everyone into going tharn?!"
And that's when she saw them, out across the field and below the down, suddenly there and then not as ripples of light from the snow blinked them out of existence. Rabbits, she was fairly sure. Not many, but more than she cared to count, and headed this way. It... no. Shaking her head to clear the silly superstition that it could possibly be Inle', after all he would be calling their names and she would know wouldn't she? Not just guess? No, these were just rabbits; and the last time this happened they'd been diseased and had caused a great deal of trouble for her warren.
Getting off the struggling buck and letting him bolt back into the safety of the warren proper, Althea ignored the stares and questions from the others. There was only rabbit she could think of, and she had to get to him fast. Bracken had to know, before the whole warren was in a panic. Running for the warren herself, she kept herself from calling out for him, but just barely. How would she reach him? She couldn't even fit through most of the runs. No matter, she had to try, she had to. Oh Frith, what else could go wrong.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:38 am
 The journey to Watership seemed to be a short one, especially when compared to the long travel from their old home to their new one. Of course that didn't really make it any less stressful, but at least none of them had been picked off by elil and no one had gone tharn yet. It was still miserable goings though - the snow was thick, their paws were cold, and he was sure the lot were ready for a rest of sorts. He was certain that they were near to their destination, though. There was a hill ahead, a large one, with a skeleton of an old tree perched atop it. It seemed about right.
"We're almost there. Remember everything we've discussed and Frith watch over us. We'll get through this."
He was doing his best to be optimistic, but he wasn't completely sure they all would. He couldn't guess Frith's will, but he hoped dearly that it was in their favor.
 Ginkgo was finally back on his own four paws, albeit still taking it a wee bit easy when the pain flared up. No longer were Dragon and Alderberry taking his watches, for which he was grateful. He felt guilty, them having to work harder so he could mend. He was thankful for their kindness, though. Frith bless the pair of them and, from what he had heard from his sister's excited babble, Cocklebur had spoken with her. Well, and wooed her, apparently. It wasn't exactly what he had asked the Captain for, but as long as she was safe, that was all that truly mattered.
The buck moved along the runs, coming near to the surface as he heard Althea's cries. The small, tawny buck poked his head out of the warren proper to catch sight of the massive black, tan, and white doe owsla approaching.
"What's wrong, Althea? Want I should fetch the rah?" He didn't wait for an answer and slipped back into the warren.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:52 pm
 Bracken was actually asleep in his burrow during all of this. Even though he wouldn't admit or show it, he had been uneasy since speaking with Ninebark and Badassi. Thus his sleep was not as peaceful as of late. Since his burrow was deep within the warren, the chief didn't hear that commotion that was going on. However, if one of the Owsla sought him out, they would easily find him.  However, a certain Owsla Captain was up and about, and doing a patrol of the warren when he thought he heard something peculiar. Pausing, he flicked an ear with a frown, then started moving towards the main run to see what was going on.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:24 pm
 Feather Ear was shivering slightly, shaking the snow from his fur. It kept clinging to his fur and making him terribly cold and uncomfortable, though he supposed that helped with their ragged look. He was almost invisible in the snow, seeing as it was so high and hard to walk through. His ear flicked as he looked up the great hill towards the top. This seemed like the right place, the distance between the two warrens wasn't terrible and honestly only felt like a quick run. He had been moving for so long, running for so many months that the few days it had taken to get here meant little to him.
He twisted to look at Lark and then at Ginger Paw. "Be strong my friends." He whispered before sinking further into the snow to slip up the slope slightly till he looked like a shark in the water, with only his ears and the top part of his head showing from the snow.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:29 pm
 Yona was cold, tired, and hungry. He no longer cared how well his fur blended into the snow - it was cold, wet, and slowed him down. All he wanted was to go home. He wanted to laze in the den, his mate curled around him during the long, winter nights -
No, she was dead. Best not to think about that. It didn't matter. Only survival mattered.
However long Lark and Feather Ear kept running, he would run too. He would not complain. He looked at the warren on the hill, feeling a surge of relief. The hardest part of their mission remained, but at least there would be no more running.
 Thistledown was out on the down searching for flay when she heard Cocoa's call. What a fool! If Althea hadn't gotten to him first, she might have been tempted to go over there herself and box his ears. But what had startled him so? She stood on her haunches and looked in the direction he had come from. No elil, only rabbits. Strangers. She stiffened, remembering the last time strangers had come to visit.
 Parsnip had gone tharn at Cocoa's call, convinced that the black rabbit had come. Elil! Danger! The farmer! He was going to die just like his father, it was -
Thistledown nudged Parsnip to shake him out of his state. There were strangers coming, but she had to remain calm for her son's sake. "Parsnip," she said, her voice steady. "Go find your brothers."
"Mom?"
"Now Parsnip."
Parsnip didn't need to be told again. He sprinted across the down, headed for the nearest burrow. He had all of his parent's talent for running and felt a lighthearted joy as he ran. Too bad that this time the joy was mixed with fear. His mother had given him a task - find his brothers!
Thistledown watched Parsnip run, feeling a small surge of pride. Parsnip would make a good runner some day, once he conquered his fear. No matter, there were more important things at hand. She scanned the down, quickly assessing everything. Althea was running for the burrows. Ginkgo had popped out of a run before returning. They would find the chief. In the mean time...
She sprinted over to Cocklebur and saluted. "Captain! Strangers approach the Down. What are your orders?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:23 pm
 Mudslide pressed his body down as close to the snow as possible. Not good, not good! He'd been out with a friend, learning how to run without hitting trees, but then he HAD hit the tree. Needless to say he was covered head to toe in bruises, scraps, and muck. His mother...Mudslide hit his head on a rock. He was far enough away to have been out of ear shot, but just in the right spot to spot Parsnip.
He wasted no time he was bumbling over his own feet on the way to his brother.. "Where are you going?"
 Sweetspire was a naturally bitter soul, but on an empty stomach she was down right volatile. The young doe had been picking at dirt and roots all day, without any luck at filling her belly.
Then she heard it. She sprinted to the scene, taking little care for how much noise she made on the way. As she ran, she took in the sights. Strangers were coming, but what were they coming for?
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 2:42 am
 Potato didn't know how much commotion their arrival had caused yet. Of the five rabbits he was the one that was easiest to mistake for the black rabbit, especially against a backdrop of white snow. His fur looked even darker since it was wet from snow. He must be a sorry sight, but that was what they were aiming for. To Potato it seemed that their journey had been a long and difficult one. He hadn't complained, and he hadn't lagged behind, but his paws had started to feel numb by now. He kept moving, trying to stick to the tracks made by the other rabbits. They were starting to see other tracks too, proof that a large amount of rabbits lived nearby.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:11 am
 Pepper did not like the commotion that had broken out on the warren this cold winter morning. Turning his head towards the rabbits gathered Pepper made his way from his burrow entrance. Ready to find out just what had caused the problem. Spotting Althea, Pepper made his way towards the older owlsa. His old friend would clearly know the cause of the commotion. "Althea, what in frith's will is going on?" His ears twitched as he waited.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:18 am
On his way down the runs, Ginkgo passed Cocklebur and saluted. He didn't quite know what to make of Althea's calling out - he didn't stick around long enough to get the lowdown, but instead dashed off to alert Cocklebur and Bracken that something was amiss.
"Something's wrong, sir. Althea's up there calling for Bracken and she sounds worried." He reported quickly, before moving on. Cocklebur would find out more when he made it up there. He didn't linger, instead making his way toward's the current chief's burrow. He didn't quite fancy the idea of fetching Bracken, but if it was that urgent, it might be best to have both leaders up there.
"Bracken-rah!" He stopped at the burrow's entrance and called out.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:32 am
When he encountered Ginkgo, Cocklebur frowned at his words before nodding and quickly passing the officer by to get to the surface. When he got up there, he looked around, seeing a number of rabbits in a state of near panic. "What is going on here?" he bellowed, just before a doe came running up to him and filled him in. He turned his gaze towards the distant figures and his eyes narrowed. "Calm down, the lot of you! I'll handle this." A light growl in his voice as he spoke. The captain passed the other rabbits and proceeded part way down the hill before standing up on his haunches. The big buck waiting for the outsiders to approach. Bracken started awake as Ginkgo's calls reached his ears. The chief immediately got up, turning his blue eyes on the buck. "Ginkgo, what's wrong?" he could hear the urgency in the Owsla's voice.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:52 am
"There is trouble topside, sir. Althea is looking for you, but given her size - I thought it would be best if I ran ahead. I didn't overhear what the issue is, but Cocklebur is already on his way out there." He informed Bracken hastily, saluting out of respect and habit.
"It might be best if you hurry, Althea doesn't start easily." The massive doe, who he envied for her solidness, in both size and personality, was levelheaded. If she thought it urgent enough to seek out Bracken-rah, it must truly be urgent.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:58 am
Bracken nodded solemnly, "I'm well aware of that, Ginkgo." The chief said in regards to Althea. He knew the large doe rather well, and that she wasn't one to make a fuss unless necessary. Despite his limp, Bracken hurriedly moved past the Owsla and out towards the runs. Hurrying as fast as he could until he was topside.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 11:02 am
"Aye, sir." Was all the tawny buck had to say. He pressed against the run's wall as Bracken pushed past him and quickly followed the darker, larger buck. As soon as they had surfaced, he quickly made his way to Cocklebur, as to back him up if need be. He wasn't large, but he could scrap. How many rabbits could say they took on a farmer and lived? As far as he was aware, only two. Maybe, if he lived to see old age, it'd make for a great story.
He sat on his haunches, paws up to his chest, which was puffed out in an effort to make himself look larger as he waited for the hlessi to approach with his rightful chief.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:15 pm
Still no sign of Bracken-rah. Thistledown followed Cocklebur down the hill, trying to suppress any feeling of unease. She cared little for the tension and power play between Cocklebur and Bracken-rah; her loyalty was to the warren, not its leaders. Nevertheless the hierarchy of the warren was clear. She glanced back up the hill just as Bracken-rah emerged. Ah, too late. No matter; Cocklebur was Captain of the owsla and that meant he was in charge of defense. She sat on her haunches besides Cocklebur, awaiting orders.
Parsnip skidded to a quick halt as he caught side of Mudslide. There was something oddly soothing about seeing his bruised and scraped brother. Feeling slightly calmer, he took a moment to gather his breath before speaking. "Have you seen Kite or Merlin? Mom told me to find everyone. I don't know what's happening! A buck ran by yelling and Althea pinned him before running off and do you think we're under attack?" he finished in a rush.
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