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((B - It's not my hole, so I certainly don't trust it, I'd rather keep moving. *goes on ahead* ))

Catnip had heard the struggle of the other rabbits, and was glad she had chosen to stay in the underbrush. If only it didn't smell so bad. She glanced around, noticing a hole, half covered in brambles. Maybe it'd be a good idea to hide for a bit, to see if the smell would clear out.

Or, that might be where the creature was. There was no arguing that it was smellier here than it had been at the beginning, so that was a logical conclusion. Moving on.

She supposed that she could cross, now that the trap was sprung, but there was no guarantee that that was the only one. No, she was safer staying in the underbrush, moving, and if she was lucky, she'd get past the smell.

Catnip, Thicket, and Cicely

Pulling yourselves free of the underbrush and past the hole, you can see clearly through the trees now. There's a thin stream off to the right, winding a slow and bumpy path through the forest. To the left is a large clearing, looks like a huge oak fell some time ago and left a gap in the canopy. Interesting.

Though now that you're looking around, you could swear that you hear something. A scratching, you think. It might be coming from... behind you? You're not sure, but whatever it is, it's close!

A - Out. Of. Here! So out of here! I'm heading to the clearing with the fallen tree, at least then I can see what's behind me.

B - Gone! Not sticking around to find out what's making that noise. Heading for the stream, might be safer that way.

C - We didn't pass anything harmful along the way, whatever that noise is, it's not dangerous I'm sure. I'll n** back into the brush and take a look, see if I can figure out what's making the racket.
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Lamb's Ear and Rainfall

The stream is a small one, but it's clean and you can see a deer drinking from it's depths further up. On the bright side, the water is helping wash away the smell, including your own. Doubt that fox could find you now. There also seems to be something growing besides the water... it's where that sweet smell was coming from...



1 Lamb
2 Rainfall

Refreshed, you look around and try to decide where to go.

A - Downstream, it has to go somewhere, after all. The forest is thicker that way, and provides more cover.

B - Upstream, don't want to get too far away from the Down, and it's easier to head that way.

C - Across seems best, it can't be that deep, right? Plus then the fox really will have a hard time following us.
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Feverfew

Well hidden, you head a little further downstream and into thick cover. You can still hear the water alongside, and it sounds like it's getting rougher. The branches snagging on your fur, you continue to scrape along, but now it's getting hard to hear anything at all over that blasted churning sound.

A - Maybe this wasn't the right way after all, I think I'll turn around. Not being able to hear is making me nervous.

B - If I can't hear well, neither can any of the Thousand. I'll stick by the stream and keep heading down, seems safest for sure.

Lamb's Ear chooses B.

Lamb's Ear was as happy for the stream as she was for the company. She lapped at the water, thankful for small comforts. It soothed her and eased her panic. "Upstream sounds good. It'll probably be easier for your friend to catch up if we stay close by."

Thicket and Cicely choose C.

The only thing that can make a scratching noise is a thing with claws, but neither of the rabbits were willing to get out into the open clearing or to head towards the path. If whatever was making the noise was a predator, they'd just attempt to run past it. If not... well, better to face whatever it was head on than to let it sneak up behind them.

Rainfall, Feverfew, and Lamb's Ear

Feverfew was able to rejoin the others in the time it took them to refresh themselves, and together the three head upstream; unintentionally startling the deer.

They watch as she leaps over the water in easy grace and heads on her way. Maybe the noise will cover your own. In fact, you could even follow her, it's easy to see which way she's gone. Otherwise you can keep to the stream, at least you know where that's going.

A - Actually, I like the idea of following the deer. She should know where to go, it's her home after all.

B - Nah, stick to the stream, it can cover our scent and we know we won't get lost.
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Catnip

Taking off without turning back to see what the fuss was about, you head straight for the stream.

Only.
There seems to be a deer.
And she's running right for you.

Scrambling to get out from underfoot, she just misses you with one of her hooves before hurrying along. Frith and Inle', that was close!

A - Now that that's over, to the stream! I definitely need a drink...

B - Stay here for just a moment, I'm confused enough as it is, and now I'm not sure if this was a good idea.

C - Follow the doe, she might've been running from danger, and she'd know how to get away!
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Thicket and Cicely

Turning around, you see a pair of eyes glittering dangerously at you.

You realize that the smell, that stink, was an embleer. That hole? The fox's den. And now he's staring right at you, but in the blink of an eye he's lunging; the brambles mercifully slowing him down enough that you might be able to dart away...

A - OH FRITH! *Tears off for the clearing with the fallen oak*

B - Hraka!! *Dashes the other way, towards the stream*

((C - Follow the doe, she might've been running from danger, and she'd know how to get away! ))

Eep! That was a close one! She had almost gotten squished by a deer.

Catnip looked around widely, and then took after after the deer. She didn't know what was going on, but what the young rabbit knew was that she didn't want to stay there, and she wasn't sure if it was safe to go to the stream. Not if there was a running deer.

There might be some sort of animal coming this way. A dangerous one, and if anyone knew how to avoid it, it'd be the deer.

Scara, did you mean choice A? The rp reads like it means A, choice B is to head towards the stream

1 - Cicely
2 - Thicket

Edit:
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In the clearing of the dead old, oak tree, a hawk spied what she'd been waiting for all day; a decent meal. This clearing was perfect pasture for hunting grounds, and was her favorite spot. Many came to seek the shelter of the fallen tree, but it was easy to for her to see here, to swoop down with her terrible claws...

A shadow falling over her was the only warning Cicely had before terrible pain ran through her. The talons of the hawk sank into her back, scoring along flesh before grabbing hold.

But a full-grown rabbit is a very heavy burden, even for a large hawk.

Thicket

You might be able to knock the bird loose, adding your weight to the doe's, so that the hawk can't lift off the ground. The risk to yourself, however, could be deadly...

A - ...It's been nice knowing you, Cicely, but I'd rather save my own tail! Especially with a fox just back that way! *beats it out of the clearing and away from the fox*

B - We entered the forest together, we'll leave together! Frith and Inle', have mercy... *Goes to attack the hawk's talons*

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Feverfew, Catnip, Lamb's Ear

You turn to follow the deer as she runs along.
In fact, you're not that far behind her when you see two rabbits taking off ahead, and... is that a fox?!

The doe, already committed to her path, had little choice but to keep up her gallop, her legs flailing out at the fox as she bounded right on him, hurrying to get away from this crazy afternoon. Rabbits and foxes and all this hubbub. Turning into the trees, she leaps over bramble and then is gone in a flash.

Leaving you three with a very stunned fox and two rabbits who- oh no.
Past the fox, you can see light pouring down through the trees where a proud oak once stood. And if you're not mistaken, there seems to be a hawk latched on to one of the does!

Hurry! You might be able to save her! ...If you're brave enough to run right past a fox, that is.

A - Chaaaaaaaaaaaarge! *Runs as swiftly as El-ahrairah himself, right in front of the downed fox and on to attack a hawk with her talons sunk into that poor doe!*

B - Uhm, I think I'll take the opportunity to get the heck out of here now that the fox can't see straight for a bit. He might be injured, or he might be angry, and I don't want to stay to find out!

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Rainfall

Further upstream, by your lonesome now, you've come to a place where the trees clear out. Here you can see that the little stream winding through the forest starts at a small river. In fact, you're pretty sure this is the same river from those stories about the 'boat' and Efrafa, at least you know how to get back to the Down now, at any rate.

You head on home, your journey has ended.

(A)

Feverfew was no coward. Well, okay, maybe she was. It was in a rabbit's nature to flee danger, after all. That was how rabbits survived, how they had done so for so many years. The sight of the hawk taking off with the doe, however. She didn't think much and perhaps that was for the best, as she charged past the dazed fox and made an attempt to throw her weight into the hawk that was trying to drag Cicely away.