|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:36 am
Lorenna forced herself to give Xelloss a small, and slightly irritated, smile. He wouldn't be so cheerful when she gave him the smallest bag they had. Trying to make the smug expression less obvious she focused on Carmine. "Now that that matter is settled, Carmine would you kindly explain the route so we can get moving? I'll give out the bags while you're talking."
Without wasting anymore time the flutter marched over the small collection of bags they had amassed. Considering how long they had been taking things she was a little surprised at just how few of these they'd managed to pick up.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:52 am
Carmine didn't waste a second before she darted into the center of the group to inform them all of the daring trip their feathered comrades had taken to gather information. "Right, well as you all know for the last couple of weeks Khaa and Raven have been missing! Well...everyone but Xelloss, but that's okay we forgive you for not being around! As Wolf mentioned they were out scoutin' for us! Based on what they've told me I have carefully plotted a course to take us out into the unexplored!" She grinned. "From here we're going to head out around the edge of the two-legger village, through the forest, across a big river, over the A-ta-lv-yi pass, that's what the humans call it." Carmine stopped and took a breath. This had all been a lot easier to say in her head. "Then we walk through another forest that kinda follows the coast, cross some more plains, cross another major river, go through a swamp and then we're at the jungle!"
The way she had said it made it sound like a blissfully short trip. Unfortunately there was a reason the birds had been gone for weeks and the could fly. "Because not all of us can fly or swim we're going to be walking there. We can take lots of breaks though so that's not a problem!" The problem was that they were leaving their headquarters largely unguarded for a long period of time. Carmine had asked Wolf's dad, her daughter and her daughter's friends to keep an eye on things but there was no telling how effective they would be as guards.
"Once everyone's ready we can head off!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:57 am
As Carmine spoke Lorenna poked through the pile of bags making specific choices over who would get each bag. Wolf, Carmine and Beryl would get the largest bags, they were the least likely to swap bags with anyone and the most capable of bearing the load one way or another. Then she worked out the last few by size she, Slipsand and Othelia would take medium sized bags with Othelia getting the ones on the smaller end. Kalona would stick together Lorenna was sure of it. That left a small collection of bags with the smallest looking like it wouldn't even fit a human hand. Xelloss could pick from those.
Satisfied with her work she went about dropping off bags at the owners' feet. She ended in front Xelloss and nodded her head towards the pile of little bags. "You can have one of those." She said politely with smile before walking off with a slight spring in her step to stand by Carmine.
"What you have in front of your are your bags. Take care not to lose them. We will not be bringing replacements." After she finished her announcement she bowed her head and worked on looping the straps over her head to set them around her neck. Whoever had made these bags had evidently made them with soquili kind in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:11 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:35 pm
 ((These parts were done over AIM between Nisshou H and Roniel Targaryen. Characters are identifiable by color.)) Third night since departure. The crew managed to find their way out of the main lands without much difficult and have taken their first steps into A-ta-lv-yi Pass. Night has fallen and the temperature has dropped. In the chilly mountain air the UnderGround and their temporary traveling companion/nuisance have started seeking out a place to rest.
*helpful* You know, I've been through this area before on... errands! I know a cave we could stay for the night!
Do I ever want to know what "errands" these were? *tired and not feeling very humorous, as if that's anything new*
Don't be like that Renna! *somehow still has energy to spare* He's helping!
And...where is this cave? *hungry and wants a break*
*innocent* Not far, not far at all! Follow me and we'll be there in a flash!
*excited* Caves have ponds, right? There could be cave fish!
*leans on Lorenna* See~? Not far. Lead on!
Fish? *ponders over the value* Fish are...odd...but food. *decides she's content with the arrangement*
*shakes her head* Only some caves, not all.
*mutters something under her breath about Xelloss not being trustworthy but goes along with it anyway*
*grumpy and tired* I don't care where we go! I just want a break from walking.
I thiiiiink there were fish in this one, but we'll see! *innocently leads on*
*slinks up to Xelloss and whispers* Do you know...if there are rabbit dens nearby?
*nods in agreement with Beryl*
*keeping a close and suspicious eye on Xelloss*
*winks at Othie* There will be, unless I ate them all last time.
*mutters to self tiredly*
*snorts* They are rabbits. There will be more. There are always more.
*Khaa nervously swoops down to circle around Beryl* You could...ride on someone...if...you shrank...probably. *hoping someone listens to him for once*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:35 pm
No need for that! We're heeeeere! *gestures with a wing to the cave mouth*
*surprised and pleased blink* Wow, that really wasn't far.
*just stares slightly slack-jawed for a moment* Wait...you mean to tell me that there was actually a cave?
*steps to the side quickly to avoid getting caught by Xelloss's wing* Great. Rabbits? *far more excited to fill her belly*
*smiles at Slipsand* Fish for you inside. *stretches*
Woohooooo! I get to relax~ *trots in the direction of the cave's mouth* Who's with me?
*grins* Do you really think I'd lie to you like that? Go on in!
*excited bounce* Yay! Fish! I wonder what cave fish are like! *runs inside*
*appreciative* I call dibs on the nicest spot. *plots on in*
*deadpan* Yes. *decides to stay back to keep an eye on Xelloss and to make sure he's not planning some sort of sneak attack*
*darts in with Beryl and Slipsand*
Come Khaa, Raven. *trots in after them*
*nips at Xelloss's mane impatiently* Rabbits? *not about to let it go*
This is a nice caaaaa- *trips over a ledge in the dark* Huh...why is this ground squishy?
*innocent at Lorenna and Othelia* Rabbits can wait for later, can't they? Why don't you go explore the cave first instead?
*staggers around blindly* Hey! It's too dark in here! There's something wrong with the ground!
Uuuuuuuh... guys?
*glares at Xelloss hearing Carmine, Beryl and Slipsand from inside* And what exactly is inside that you want us to explore Xelloss?
*makes a low rumbling sound before going to investigate the distressed cries*
The ground's moving....*making distressed faces* Why is the ground moving?
*lowers her head to sniff at the squishy ground* It's...*licks it* ...*blinks having no idea what it is*
*voice getting high-pitched* ... Guys??
*innooooocent* There are some lovely rock formations, things like that. Why don't you go check it out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:38 pm
.... SOMETHING BIT ME!
Rocks do not bite! What kind of insane trap did you lead us into this time?
*finds her way to the squishy ground and sniffs it like Wolf did* They're not fish...they're snakes. *snaps at one finding this to be good enough food*
SNAKES?!!!! Ew ew ewew ew! *running in frantic circles* Get them away!
*panics, flails, and falls over* HELP! HELP! THEY'VE GOT ME!!
Snakes?!!! Get them off me! *flaps wings, lifts off, and hits head on roof of cave* %$*@!!
*gives Xelloss a dirty look* You're completely deranged. You do know that, right?
*charges like a mad horse towards the exit and trips over the edge of the pit* Son of a- *catches a mouthful of snakes* AAAAUGH!
*picks her way over towards Slipsand and tries to nudge her onto her feet* They're little ones.
*not quite innocent* Snakes? Really? I had no idea!
*clambers up and shakes a snake off her back* Wolf! Wolf! They're going to poison us all!!
Poison? What?? I'm outta here! *runs in the wrong direction* Argh! The exit is closed!
*has absolutely nothing reassuring to say to this having no idea if they're poisonous or not*
I hate you. *trots over to the cave's opening* If you would all stop panicking for one minute and come outside that would be ever so helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:39 pm
Reeenna! Saaaave us!!! *hobbles up out of the snake hole and runs towards Lorenna not noticing the few snakes hitching a ride on her back*
*has no idea what everyone is freaking out about*
*bolts out of snake hole and sees snakes on Carmine's back* Ack ack ACK!!! *springs into the air and rolls away from Carmine* Snakes! Snakes!!
*still running around lost* Don't leave me in here!!! Someone get Sio! Siooooooooooo!
*Sio snorts and backs away from the cave*
*straight face*
*getting impatient* Would you please stop acting like a bunch of buffoons?!
Snakes? *looks at her back* HWAAAAAAH!!! *starts beating her wings like mad* GET THEM OFF!!!!
*wanders over to Beryl and pokes her with her tail* The exit is over there.
*jumps a mile when Othie touches her* Why didn't you say so earlier??!! *runs like mad for the exit and bursts out*
*almost in tears* There are snakes everywhere!! Make them go away, Wolf!
*left standing alone in the snake pit* ...I was eating...*looks down at the half dead snakes* They are hard to chew...*well aware that she's talking to herself*
*kicks a few that have landed on the ground off back towards the cave* Raven...help.
*cackles* Suresuresure. Hungry anyway. *flies down off of his perch and grabs a half dead snake before eating it*
*also munches on a loose snake* They're not half bad, really.
I got bit! *holds her leg out in front of her* Is it swelling up? Am I dead?
*comes out of the cave running her tongue over her teeth* There are more inside if you want them, Xelloss.
*takes a look at Beryl's leg* It looks the same as it ever did and since no one is foaming at the mouth I can assume they aren't particularly dangerous.
*leaning on a tree* I hate this plaaaace.
Don't mind if I do! *cheerfully heads into cave and starts crunching*
*stares suspiciously at her leg* It looks a little different to me!
Why would Xelloss doooooo that to us? *upset*
*rolls her eyes at Beryl* That's because you want it to. *looks at Slipsand* Because he's a kalona! When are you going to get that through your head?
*hisses at Lorenna before yawning to pointedly show off her hunter's maw*
*from inside the cave* They really weren't here the last time I was around! *crunch crunch crunch*
*miserable huddle* That was so mean...
Can we vote him out of the group?
*pokes her head inside the cave* We can have those rabbits in the morning right? *refusing to let that go, it's okay if he lies to Lorenna and the others about a snake pit but one simply doesn't lie about food*
*glances to the cave* Ummm...well...I don't think he'd leave...even if...we told him to...
*rolls her eyes* Do you think? I told you that from the start.
*wanders out of the cave with a tail hanging out of his mouth* We can find some new furry friends in the morning. Sounds like fun *cheerful*
*glares daggers at Xelloss* Stupid kalonas. Except for Othie.
*smiles her approval* Good. Rabbits are delicious.
I'm beginning to think that none of you ever listen to me. *sighs* At any rate...we still need to find shelter. I don't imagine anyone is comfortable sleeping near the snakes.
Somewhere really far away from here! *still upset*
But not too far! I'm still tired! *even more grumpy*
I'm afraid I have no other suggestions. Sorry!
*snaps* No one was asking you for suggestions anyway you lunatic!
Let's just find some trees or somethin Renna. *whining* No one wants to move anymoooore.
*amused* Fine fine, I'll be quiet.
*exhausted and grumpy* This time you can lead, Renna. I'm sick of all this.
*huffs* Very well then. Come this way and let's try to put this event from our minds...for now. *gives Xelloss a very pinted look before leading the group down the path to find a decent place to spend the night*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:14 am
 ((Interestingly enough these were supposed to be short little IM things...but neither of us seem capable of shutting up. XD)) Day seven since departure. The gang managed to make their way through the mountain pass without any more unexpected snake pits or other perils. Now well into unfamiliar territory their path has become noticeably more erratic.
That tears it. *comes to a sudden stop and glowers at Carmine* Do you even have the slightest clue where we're going? I swear we've passed that tree at least three times in the last hour.
Well...to be fair all trees look alike. *avoiding the question*
*annoyed* You mean we weren't following a trail? I thought there was a trail!
*dubious look around* You really can't blame me for this one. I didn't suggest this way.
*looks at her aunt with a tilted head* Does this look like a trail?
Trail for goats maybe...*snorts* It's not traveled on though.
This one time I will refrain from casting the blame your way demon. *keeps her eyes looked on Carmine* I believe we're all waiting for an answer.
...well...we're in the right area at least? *sheepish grin*
*smiles* I don't mind being lost! I'm lost all the time. *pouts* It's because I'm so short.
*annoyed snap at Slipsand* I'm short too and I've got a great sense of direction, thank you!
*skeptical* It's a pity all of us aren't able to fly. We wouldn't have this problem in the air.
Direction...has nothing to do with height...just...sense.
*Raven cackles from Wolf's shoulder* An the little fishy 'un got none of that!
*snarls at Xelloss* You're not leaving me.
*laughs nervously* Well...uh...we could always...send some scouts...
*sighs*
*huffily glares up at Raven* Hey! I do too. I'm really sneaky and good at stealing stuff, I just get lost.
*amused snerk at Othie* Maybe you'd be able to fly too if you tried hard enough!
I volunteer Carmine to scout since she got us lost.
So're micey-mice~
*growls and stalks away from Xelloss angrily* It doesn't work...*mutters*
An excellent suggestion, Beryl. Carmine, you will take Khaa or Raven or both of them and find out where we are and where we are meant to be. Is everyone in agreement?
Agreed.
Agreed!
I'd go if I could. *still huffy*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:29 am
I don't agree!
Over ruled.
*nods her head* Quite right. Now, since you lost our way go and find it. *shoves at Carmine* The rest of us will enjoy ourselves a nice break until you return.
But! *grumbles* You guys are so cruel. *spreads her wings and races off before taking to the sky* Get a move on birds!
*Raven and Khaa squawk and fly after her*
Time for food! Anyone see any flowers around here? *looks around hopefully*
*sniffs at air* Not a bad idea.
*shakes her head* I see none. Maybe over there? *nods to one side*
*takes in a deep breath and goes to find some shade to stand in* If anyone finds a stream or something nearby please inform me.
*already stalking off in search of small animal marks or sounds* Something fuzzy and fat...
*grumpily wanders off in the direction wolf pointed* Don't worry, I have a sense of direction, unlike some people. I won't get lost.
*prowls off after Othie*
*looks at Lorenna hopefully* Could I lead sometime?
I did not think you would. ...*bows her head to nibble at some grass*
*looks Slipsand over carefully* Perhaps when you have more experience. Now, aren't you feeling a bit dry?
*glances back at Xelloss and grumbles before picking up her pace still mad at him*
*flaps her tail around experimentally* A bit. I guess I should go find a pool.
*cheerily ignores Othie's looks and follows at a distance*
*nods her head in agreement* Yes I do think you should. *fully intends to follow her once Slipsand finds water*
*comes to a stop and looks over her shoulder* Find your own food today, Xelloss.
*perks up* Ok! I can learn to navigate! I think I can smell water this way! *charges off*
*amiable shrug* Fine. Have it your way. *wanders off*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:52 am
*had not expected her to move so fast* ...my memory must be growing dull. *shakes her head* I'd almost forgotten how we found her. *stretches and wanders off after her calling to the other two* I do believe Slipsand has located water. Beryl, it's more likely that flowers will grow near water if you haven't already found some.
*sticks her tongue out a Xelloss, a move learned from Carmine, before resuming her search for food*
*calls from where she is* Huh, wha? I'm coming! *flaps over*
*dashes through bushes* I think I fooooooound... *stops and glares at rocky ground* Wrong way! This way! *runs in another direction*
*watches as Slipsand suddenly changes direction and races off another way* Perhaps I should have waited before assuming that all fish can find water... *looks to Beryl* My apologies. She's useless.
*grumpy* I coulda told you that.
*splashing noises* Found some water for real this time!
Second time is the charm? Shall we? *follows the sound of Slipsand's splashing*
*circles about in the sky* So...we were there...and we're going...that way...then...we need to go...ummm...*points as best as she can with a hoof without falling out of the sky* That way! Remember it birds! We're going back!
*happily bubbles in the small pool* It feels so nice here!
Who'd have guessed that?
Not me. Slipsand kindly stop moving around so much, I do not want a mouthful of dirt when I drink.
*super perky* It's ok, I'm downstream!
Perspective. *rolls her eyes and moves a good distance away from the nixie before drinking*
*spots Lorenna, Beryl and Slipsand by the water and swoops down* I know where to go guys!
The kalona have all wandered off...
*happy* Can't we stay here longer?
*straightens up* We could always leave them behind.
Noooo we can't. We can wait until they get here I guess...where's Wolf?
Here...*wanders over* I saw you land.
*cackles and takes his perch on Wolf's shoulder*
*hopeful* I could try to find them! I'm good at finding things!
*cheerily emerges from around a tree* Not necessary! Here I am!
*coughs slightly* No, you soak up more water...we don't want you drying on the trip.
*jumps about a foot* One day you're gonna have to teach me how ya do that!
*looks around* Where's Othelia?
Good question. *clicks his beak* You beasties normally stick right close don'tcha?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:08 pm
She's refused my company today, unfortunately *fake pout*
*ducks underwater and bubbles*
*stares at Xelloss suspiciously*
Whaaat? But you two are practically made for each other! *gets really close to Xelloss* What did you do? *stares hard*
*long sigh*
*sweatdrops* I think... you have the wrong idea.
*sneakily eavesdrops*
*shakes her head* Of course I don't! Look, if there's one thing I know it's attraction!
*exasperated* Well, she's not here.
Then go find her! She's your match or something like that! *nudges at Xelloss*
*makes her way to the rest of the group with a rabbit in her mouth* Mrrr...? *drops the rabbit* Who's a match?
*tries to sneak his way over to the food*
*snaps at the bird*
*exasperated* There is no one to match your ferocity, my dear. *sarcastic look at Carmine*
Maybe we should just ask Othie directly.
...that is really not the descriptor I would have picked...ask Othie how? *blinks at Beryl before finally noticing Othelia's presence* Othie! You're back! We were about to send Xelloss after you!
*slightly grumpy* I think we should just get going again.
*innocent* I could stay.
*has no idea what's going on* We're leaving now? *eyes her food*
Still tired? *looks at Beryl*
Why look, *talking to no one* This is the way to go so we aren't lost? Why, we should start going this way, then. *starts walking off*
*blinks out of pond* Wait... where's he going?
*snerks* I think that means you're onto something, Carmine.
I told you so...*looks from Xelloss to Othelia* How did he know which way to go?
Let him go. *puts on hoof on the neck of the rabbit and starts eating quickly*
*scowls at Xelloss* If you knew that the whole time why didn't you say so?
*ignores them and keeps walking*
*uncertain* Should we follow him?
He's fine on his own.
But Renna...what if he gets there first and grabs all the really valuable stuff?
...A surprisingly good point...Othelia pack up the rabbit and whatever grudge you have and let's go.
*hisses*
I'm not letting him get all the treasure! *chases after*
Time to go! *hops out of water and shakes off*
Agreed! *races after the others* C'mon Othie!
*follows closely behind Carmine*
*trots after them* Follow us or stay here, I really couldn't care.
*grumbles, takes another couple bites and then follows behind making sure to stay away from Xelloss*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:40 pm
 Day fifteen since departure. Somehow the members of the UG and Xelloss had made it to the jungle. The swamp had provided everyone with new reasons to desire wings and no one was looking forward to the return trip. As the sun began to set Wolf began to notice something odd about the terrain.
*confused* Huh? What are you talking about? *paws at ground experimentally*
*aggravated* Please don't tell me we're lost again...
It smells...*takes one more deep breath filling her nostrils with the scent of the place* ...like the swamp...
Swamp? *stops dead in her tracks and faces Wolf* Are you sure you aren't just...imagining things?
That's odd...I thought we had been going straight. We would have noticed if we'd turned about.
Send a bird to check.
*unenthused* Have I mentioned before that swamps are my least favorite of habitats?
*grumpy and huffy* Only an idiot would like the swamp. *sarcastic* This is just great.
*rolls her eyes* Only the entire time we were in the swamp...leech.
*turns around and marches over to the tree Khaa has landed in before glaring up at him* Fly up and see where we are.
*also starting to get grumpy* Well, it's still true now.
*quiet* I liked the swamp...
*ignores slipsand and looks at Khaa* Yeah! We're trying to get away from the swamp! Away! Not towards!
*Khaa flinches* I'm sorry! I-I'll find out! *hops off the branch and soars up out of the trees dodging vines and branches*
And be fast...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:42 pm
You would be the only one, Slipsand. *waits for Khaa to return while eying her mane mornfully* This humidity is murderous...
*grits teeth and glares at nothing in particular* Forget the humidity. I'm going to be murderous if I have to trudge through the mud again.
*curious peer at Beryl* Why are you always so grumpy?
*serious face* She's sensitive.
*blinks at Wolf* And...where'd you get that?
*also stares at Wolf before noticing a black shape coming back* Well that was indeed quick.
There's a second swamp. *flies in a large circle around the group* We should go this way. *veers off to fly down a wider makeshift trail*
*flicks her tail and follows the bird quickly*
*perks up when she sees Khaa again* Now that's efficiency! It's not that I hate travel, I just hate when we're wasting time. *follows after Othie*
Second swamp? I wouldn't have guessed. *joins the others*
With our luck...I'm not entirely surprised. *follows after with Wolf at her heels*
*cheers* I didn't get us lost!
*rolls her eyes at Carmine and continues following Khaa before coming to a sudden stop* ...the ground feels odd...*turns to get off it when it collapses*
*horrified stare* Quicksand!! Someone pull her out!
*flaps up to see what's going on* It's not quicksand, it's a hole! She fell in!
Holy! *races over and skids to a stop at the edge of the hole* Othie, are you alright?! *panicking*
*holding on to a root with her mouth and staring down at the rotten log that she had been standing on*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:44 pm
*bounds to the edge and experimentally stomps at the earth* The ground is strong enough that there won't be more cave-ins, but make sure not to fall in. *peers down at Othie, thinking*
Does anyone have a rope? Sio could pull her if we had a rope! *agitated flap overhead*
Cave ins?! *hadn't even thought of that* Ummmm...*flaps wings anxiously* Rope...no...Wolf...go find something okay?!
Lots of vines around. *nods her head and darts off with Raven flying behind her*
*looks back up and meets Xelloss's eyes before trying to dig her hind hooves into the side of the hole without much luck*
Well...we have an obvious solution that everyone seems to be overlooking. Four of us are capable of flight.
*watches Othelia with a serious expression* And how many of us do you think can fit down there to fly her on out, hm?
*lands again and runs to the side of the hole* Well, I can shrink and get down there with her if I need to!
*joins Wolf in looking for vines*
Probably only one at a time but it's worth a shot. *scowls* That root won't hold forever.
I'll do it! *moves to the other side of the hole and opens her wings before freezing* Uh...Renna...it's...the hole...*folds her wings back up and takes on an unusually serious face* It's big enough for a horse...but...not for my full wing span...
*worried* Maybe if Renna and I both go down there? But I can't hold very much when I'm flying...
... *starts shuffling around and searching in the leaves behind them*
I can't either...flutter's curse. *takes a deep breath* It's worth a try though. *approaches the edge and jumps into the hole catching herself on her wings once underneath Othelia*
Good luck you two... *glances over at Xelloss* What are you doing?
.... Guess that means I have to follow! *shrinks to small size and flutters down after Renna, landing on her back* What do we do now that we're here? Push her up?
Ah ha! *grabs the end of a long and thick fallen branch with his tail and starts dragging it to the hole. glances at Carmine* I was looking for this!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
