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 Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:10 am
Bracken was a bit surprised as Rosewood was suddenly very close. When her nose touched his, blue eyes widened and his ears pinned back. He turned his head, shying away just a little but obviously trying to suck up whatever bothered him.
"My scars?" he asked. It was funny. He often caught members of the warren, usually the younger, staring at those marks. However, this was the first time someone had actually dared to ask him about it. He supposed it was because they were just too timid to ask about a possibly sensitive subject. "That was a long time ago. You see, Cocklebur and I were together in the Owsla ranks once. It so happened that our captain had died in a farm raid and the chief met the black rabbit as well not long after."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:51 am
Noticing his unease, Rosewood shifted away from him a bit, hoping it hadn't put him off. She'd gambled on the move, and knew very well there could be consequences. "So Cocklebur did these?" She asked, shocked, but not so shocked, knowing his temper.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:48 am
As she backed away, Bracken turned to look back and gave her a kindly smile to let Rosewood know that there was no hard feelings. She was a nice and well meaning doe. There was no way that she could have known.
"He did," the chief confirmed with a nod before giving a little smirk. "And I gave him his. We fought over the position of chief. I had been... quite ambitious back then." It was no secret that Cocklebur was the largest and strongest between the two. "Cocklebur almost won, and everyone had thought he would. But I had something he didn't." Bracken's eyes sparkled with mischief as he grinned. "I had... called him a rather unflattering name which angered him. He came at me and I fled. He could have won then and there, but I knew his ego was too big. He had to make a point. So I ran, and he followed, but I was faster."
Bracken then turned and lifted his paw to point down the hill a ways. "I ran down that bank toward that tree. There was a root and I ducked under it. Cocklebur followed, but being bigger he got stuck. Despite his flailing and screaming he couldn't free himself. I had him right where I wanted him, and he had no choice but to concede defeat."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:03 am
Disappointed her move hadn't worked, Rose kept it well hidden as she listened to the chief's story. Giggling at the end, so found herself in a fit, unable to stop. "I.... I can almost see him there, tail end up" She laughed. Would she ever be able to look at Cocklebur with a straight face again? Calming a bit, she returned her breathing to normal, still smiling from ear to ear. " I'd say that the price was worth it, if you enjoy what you do. "
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:15 am
Bracken certainly was not your typical buck, although he had probably been at one time. His life experiences had changed him greatly and made him a rather atypical chief as well. After all, who ever heard of a chief with no doe?
The chief laughed as Rosewood did, his good ear flicking in amusement. "It had been quite a sight. Many of those who witnessed it were rolling around the the grass while I chewed the root to get him out. It had been very humiliating for him." Thus the reason why Cocklebur had to settle for second place. "I don't think he ever forgave me for it. He's a rather vengeful sort." Bracken shook his head, knowing full well that Cocklebur had always harbored hard feelings for him since that day. Despite that, the captain had lived up to his duties.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:29 am
Laughing again, Rosewood nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, i quite think he's had it out for you, but knows he'd be outwitted again." Shivering, she thought of the other day with the diseased. "He's certainly not one to listen unerringly that's for sure. I couldn't breathe the other day when you two stared each other down." Her and Birchwood had been at the top of the hill watching the whole story unfold. It still gave her nightmares thinking of danger being so close... she wondered if she'd even live to have kittens.
" They may be the reason for my mood." They being the ones now inhabiting the old scrapes on the other side of the warren. "Live each day to the fullest, and have no regrets. Our time here may be short." She playfully swatted at a bumblebee as it flew by, disturbing it's hunt, but not bothering it enough to worry.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:40 am
"He was frightened. Just like the rest of us." Bracken said with a sigh. A deeply mournful look passing across his face at mention of the diseased. The fact that he had to send away two kittens still weighed heavy on the chief. "Cocklebur will be angry and resentful for some time, as will some of the others I'm certain. But... I feel that this is for the best, despite what others may think."
He then turned his blue gaze back towards Rosewood after having stared down the hill for a few moments. His gentle smile returned to his face. "Yes, that is true. Sometimes it is hard to remember that." He especially had issue with the idea of having no regrets. He was responsible for this entire warren after all. One mistake on his part could cost the lives of many. He could only hope that El'ahrairah would guide him.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:49 am
Trying to lighten the mood that had seemed to turned somber, she nudged him with her shoulder. "Perk up! It's a beautiful day out, and you're with a lovely looking Doe if i must say so myself, and i must." She laughed, "None of those warren worries. Around me, only fun times to be had." Playfully swatting at him, she took off a few paces at full speed and spun around, waiting to see if he would follow. He wasn't too old that he couldn't give a good chase! She laughed and it carried on the wind, gleam in her eye.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:04 am
Again Bracken laughed, for it was true. It was a lovely day and well... he did have the company of a lovely doe. "If you insist," Bracken returned teasingly. He blinked at the playful swat, then at the clear gesture of play as she ran off a bit and seemed to beckon him to chase her. His ear flicked again as if considering, and with an amused smirk he finally gave in.
His legs sprang to life and Bracken bounded after her. It wasn't often these days that the chief actually showed such youthful vigor. That was probably why most saw him as a feeble old rabbit. How little they knew! But he didn't mind it so much.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:12 am
Watching his hesitation for a moment, Rosewood's muscles relaxed a bit in disappointment. When the smirk crossed his face, she squeeled with delight and took off running. Darting in and around the bushes in front of her, she went as fast as her little legs could carry her. "Catch me if you can old one! "She cried over her shoulder, laughing the whole way.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:00 am
"I'll show you old!" he called back, weaving around the bushes in pursuit of the wily doe. He kept up with her and didn't lose his footing once as he ran. He was an Owsla after all. He didn't make it to chief for nothing. Despite being older than many of the rabbits in the warren, that hadn't really slowed him down that much.
Bracken almost felt like a kitten again, playing among the hedgerows. It had been so long since he had let himself loose like this. It... felt good in a way.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:39 pm
Hearing the thumping behind her of running, she quickened her pace, leaping over a large rock and startling a bunny back into their hole. She'd forgotten how much fun it was to just run! Dashing to the tree, she made a loop around it and faced off against Bracken again, breathing heavily and grinning from ear to ear. He was right there with her. He was so fast! Much faster than she'd expected out of him, though she had thought she'd get a good chase. Throwing up laughter into the air, she crouched there as if ready to pounce.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:02 pm
Bracken too, had nearly forgotten how invigorating it was to run with the wind on his back. Being a chief didn't call for adventure all that often. That was the Owsla's job after all. He mostly stayed behind and looked after things, gave orders, etc. Cocklebur saw much more action than he did. Life had been peaceful on the down for some time and Bracken hadn't had much reason to run unless he wanted to.
Coming to a sudden stop, Bracken found himself face to face with Rosewood yet again. "Oh, you don't want to do that," he teased, seeing her crouch. He did so as well, muscles tensing and waiting.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:22 pm
"Oh i don't do i?" Rosewood cooed in an amused tone. Before she said anything else, she lept. Two bodies intertwined, twirling down the little hill. She playfully nipped here and there as she wrestled with the much larger rabbit. She knew she'd be defeated, but there was no point in missing out on the fun of the journey.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:51 pm
Bracken found himself tumbling down the hillside with Rosewood as they play wrestled. Obviously, his strength won out and he managed to stop their tumble by pinning her in the grass. "I warned you," he said near her ear. However, Bracken suddenly blinked and realized the precariousness of the situation.
Coughing a bit, he got himself off of Rosewood and backed up a few paces to seat himself. "My apologies, that was a bit uncalled for." Bracken looked away, seemingly embarassed, yet something else gleamed in his eyes, a somewhat forlorn expression.
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