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 Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:59 am
 Shire was bereft, to say the very very least. His sister had been taken from him, all too quickly, and there had been nothing he could do. Nothing he could do. That hurt the worst. Things went on in abstract shapes for him now, vague occurrences, and he had little will to actually focus on them for long. Too fresh.
When the chief of the foster warren descended into the scrapes, the grieving buck hardly took much notice. However, he was nearby, seeing as he didn't stray too far from Bramblebur these days. Never spoke to him, of course, though there had been a time he may have liked to. It was just like the buck was a light in the fog, and he absently followed if it was feasible. He chewed mildly on some food that he had taken up earlier. He couldn't remember what it was now, the taste having melted away long ago. It seemed he had forgotten to swallow, shifting it around his cheeks dimly.
He listened as the two leaders began to converse. Fine, he said, fine! The first sign of emotion began to bloom with the raising of Shire's fur. He was just bitter, he realized, but it didn't stop anything. Even though only two had died, there were still plenty more casualties. Fine. He laid his ears limply against his skull and swallowed thickly.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:52 pm
"I agree wholly," Bramblebur said with a nod. "That is all we can do for the time being."
The striped buck smiled. "I think they'd like that. Youngsters shouldn't feel cut off and isolated from their home. I bet they'd be thrilled and honored about a visit from their chief. Shall I send word, if they don't know already, or would you like it to be a surprise?"
Bramblebur's warm smile quickly faded into a solemn frown. "I'm afraid so." He glanced around him to see that Dewberry and Ninebark had moved closer and Shire still remained nearby. The captain made a note to take some time to speak with him about things. Sometimes it benefited some to be able to vent their emotions. Bram wouldn't take offense if there was some bitterness directed at him. He knew how close Shire was to his sister, so it made sense that he would be hurting.
He returned his attention to Bracken-rah. "We're handling our grieving and our wounded. Taking things one day at a time. That's all we hope to do for the time being. The burrows you offered are offering some means of comfort." The buck smiled again, one ear lazily angled off to the side.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:52 pm
Bracken shook his head, his ripped ear flopping about as he did so. "No need to trouble yourself. It can be a surprise," he said with his own small smile. But as Bramblebur confirmed that the deaths had been from the disease, the chief nodded solemnly. "I see. I do hope they will be the last of the casualties."
It was then that he caught sight of Ninebark and Dewberry, Bracken's blue eyes widening slightly. "Great Frith above..." he murmured as he saw how badly wounded the young doe was. The poor thing. It was likely only be Frith's mercy that she was still alive. But was she unable to see? It appeared so with the way she moved and the cloudiness of her eyes. How long would she last?
Looking back to Bramblebur, Bracken sighed. "I only wish I could do more.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:46 pm
Luckily for the blind doe, Ninebark had settled himself down in front of her path, causing the golden doe to push her nose into his larger body as she tried to continue hopping, repelling her lightly. She shook her head lightly, to clear herself of the shock of running into something, before sitting down herself. There didn't appear to be a panic, so she assumed it was one of the other hlessi she had hopped into, not the chief himself. She also wasn't aware of the owsla doe that stood beside him, protecting him should the need arise.
Dewberry's tattered ears rose a little, to listen to what was being said. It seemed that sympathy was being shed upon them and their losses, though she could almost be certain there was a tone of concern hidden away in that solemn demeanor. She couldn't be sure, however, and certainly wouldn't bring it up. She refused to let a small amount of paranoia drag her into being torn apart by speaking her true mind about this.
Though suddenly shock was met in her ears, and she crouched down a little. She could tell the great buck was referring to her. It seemed to be the common words that were first spoken when she came across one who hadn't yet seen her injuries. Though she was slowly growing used to it, each time those words spoke, it felt like another part of her ego and self esteem became more and more torn. She really must look horrific for even the chief to sound so shocked.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:00 pm
Dewberry's bumping into him, though surprising, was not all together unexpected. The crimson hued buck had been bracing for it since he came to a stop. He half wanted to turn about and apologize or say something to possibly cheer her, but he wasn't one know for being cheerful. In fact, he was known for quite the opposite and quickly opted to keep his trap shut. He had no idea what he would of said, anyways.
Instead, he offered comfort the only way he knew how, as he had discovered only recently, in standing close to the blind doe. Support, with no words of doom and gloom.
He swiveled his long, heavy ears slightly as he listened to each word that passed between the Chief of the new warren and the Captain of their former one and they did little to quell the ill feeling he felt washing over the outskirts and the Down, in general. Things were not well y et and it would take time before they were. There were still more lives on the lind and the Black Rabbit had yet to remove his paws from their lives.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:43 am
Shire watched the others approach in silence, merely tilting his head to take them in. They were, he realized, all here now save for the black doe. This was all that was left. He considered going to meet the two newcomers, both of who he hardly knew, but the thought passed very quickly. He wasn't feeling very sociable at all.
He heard mention of going to visit Ivy and the kittens where she kept them, and the most he registered was that he was going to be on the move again. He pulled himself slowly up from his position, stretching his hindlegs out first.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:07 pm
At hearing the chief's choice, Bramblebur laughed warmly. "I'll have to ask Ivy afterward about their reactions. I'm sure it'll be priceless."
The buck's gaze briefly followed Bracken's to Ninebark and Dewberry. He nodded to Ninebark, appreciative that he was helping Dewberry so much. Bramblebur shifted his attention back. "She's being taken care of. We’re doing the best we can.”
He then shook his head. "We all do, but things hopefully can only get better from where we are presently. I have faith." Bramblebur offered a bit of a smile.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:22 pm
The sight of Dewberry was indeed disturbing, but Bracken just nodded to the fact that Bramblebur was making sure she was taken care of. "As do I. Lets just hope that it's enough."
However, a shadow suddenly passed over them which caused Bracken to quickly turn his gaze upwards. A look of terror passed through the chief's eyes and he instinctively began drumming his foot against the ground in a warning sounds. "Hawk! Run for it!" he called before turning and making a dash some nearby bushes.
Indeed there was a hawk circling above them, eyeing the group of rabbits below. Just as Bracken gave the alarm the bird shrieked and began a rapid dive right towards the group of rabbits.
(( ELIL WARNING! Depending on the actions of your rabbit BP has the right to kill one if she decides to.))
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:38 pm
Swift-claw had been silent for the majority of the time that Bracken had been down to see them. For once, he minded what was going on. However at the shout from the warren leader. Swift-claw tensed for a split moment before lunging off to the right. His path aimed upon a nearby shrub which would provide shelter from the predator above. As he moved, Sift-claw allowed his gaze to peek upward, his ears pressed against his head. Hoping to gain just another fraction of speed.
His mind was blank as he moved, except for the furious beating of his heart. Dodging to the left slightly, he moved back towards the right. Hoping to make himself a harder target.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:56 pm
Ninebark stiffened momentarily as the dim shadow drifted across Bracken-rah's frame. His pale pink eyes widened and fear coursed through him and stirred him into movement.
"Dewberry, quickly! Follow me!" He hissed between his teeth as he darted swiftly to the right, past her face, towards another nearby grouping of shrubs. They were thick and he hoped they would provide adequate shelter for he and the doe, possibly others where they to follow.
Otherwise the Elil may very well win itself dinner this particular afternoon.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:15 pm
Vreka froze, relatively certain her position in the mouth of the burrow would keep her safe. But she had to stare, her fellows were out in harm's way. And oh, for poor Dewberry and her shepherd Ninebark. Ninebark she had faith in, but Dewberry was a sitting duck. Would his caretaking of her be the end of them both?
She ducked back down into the scrape she'd claimed as hers. She couldn't watch, she'd had no stomach for more death.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:03 pm
She too, had noticed the shadow pass over them. Gnashing her teeth angrily, she glanced up quickly at the figure before diving after her chief. It's not that she didn't care for the others, but her duty lay in keeping the head of their warren safe from any harm at all costs. Her bulk perhaps hindering her in the bushes, she dwarfed the chief by her side. Hovering over Bracken-rah as much as possible, Althea held as still, waiting for the threat to pass.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:15 pm
Any sign of mirth left Bramblebur's face as a shadow passed over them. His brown eyes shot skywards as the call of 'Hawk!' was made. Sure enough and it was heading for them! His training spurned him into action. "Everyone, hide!" He hoped everyone would be safe and that Ivy and the kittens were in their burrow. The buck turned and leapt at Dewberry, making his feet hit the ground hard as he ran to her side.
"Dewberry, follow my feet and Ninebark's calling!" He was heading for the thick patch of shubbery that were nearby. Bramblebur prayed that she would make it, prayed that she'd make haste, and follow in her blindness after their prompting. He easily reached the brush but darted to her and back again. Alert eyes kept glancing heavenward. His heart was hammering with adrenaline causing his blood to roar like thunder in his ears.
After another pace between Dewberry and the bush, he stayed under the cover of the thick, well leaved branches, urgently drumming a foot against the earth. He was no match for a hawk and the needs of the many...
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:12 am
He had been listening to the exchange, and the sudden sharp cry alerted him. When he hear 'hawk!' he didn't even look, already on the move. It was a good thing he was already up, for he didn't know what he would have done if he was still moping on the ground. His feet carried him swiftly toward the nearest shelter, the same bush the other chief and his owsla had ducked into. Frith, he hoped he wouldn't be kicked out, but he needed that place! He weaved a little as he ran, trying to look as unappealing a target as possible to the elil before throwing himself headlong into the brambles.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:54 am
A hawk? A HAWK?! Dewberry was confused, yet somewhat frightened as the rabbits around her all began to panic, so many pounding of feet blurring her sense of hearing. She didn't quite understand the meaning of the fear to a full extent, being sheltered, though she could understand with ease that if the others were running, there was a reason for this, and followed suit.
She went for the one thing she could understand best through all the pounding of feet around her, and went for Ninebark's voice. She could only hope the direction he intended was in fact in a straight line, as she simply bolted in the direction she had felt him move towards, following the general sound of heavy panicked feet.
Yet something felt wrong, though she was running as fast as she could, she didn't seem to be getting any closer to the others. Had she overshot the bushes that were made for her? It was too late to stop and listen to see where she had ran. If she stopped now surely she'd be taken.
Then, through either some form of blessing or hinderence, she found no ground beneath her numb, running paws as she plummented head first into a small, shallow scrape not too far from the others. Unless caught as she fell, the hole may just provide enough cover to hide her painfully bright markings and make her too much trouble for the flying Elil.
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