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 Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:07 pm
Ginkgo was fairly used to this sort of work. Not every day in an owsla's life was full of danger and adventure. Some days were nice and quiet, a wonderful chance to regain strength between fending off elil and doing the best possible job at keeping the warren's rabbits alive. There was always the nice ability to throw one's weight around, something the tawny buck was particularly fond of, even if that hadn't been his goal as a kitten.
The restless buck at his side was starting to grow rather still. There was a change to his breathing. He tilted his head and looked the buck over, before a wicked smile slid across his face. Silently, he stood. He backed up slightly and darted forward, pouncing on the nodding buck.
"LOOKOUT HAWK!" He yelled directly into Dogbane's ear, loud and close enough to the buck to startle him, yet not loud enough to disturb the grazing rabbits far below.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:23 pm
Dogsbane slid straight down the hill. He had screamed again, his ears ringing and his back hurt. He bolted, eyes up to the sky as he bolted through the small crowd of outskirters and marli. "HAWK! HAWK!" He screamed. He thumped his hind foot wildly on the ground, trying to find a place to hide amid the sudden scramble of rabbits.
He almost went tharn, having been at the threshold of sleep and then being jolted awake. And still he saw no hawk! All he saw were bunnies trying to cram into the same warren hole.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:30 pm
Ginkgo watched as the young upstart shot off... Okay, so maybe a false alarm was a bad idea. If anyone asked, it was just a drill to see if the others would respond quickly. Instead of heading after the buck, he merely sat and waited. He looked very much at ease and he waited for the other rabbit to return to him, a very small grin playing across his lips.
Hopefully, that would teach him a lesson.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:35 pm
The other bunnies were beginning to realize there was no hawk. They glared at him in angry mobs, some of the bucks trying to comfort their pegnant mates. "I'm embarbassed for you." One of the kittens hissed as they all went back to grazing.
Defeatedly, Dogs went back up the hill. He could have run, but he didn't want to inconvenience Ginkgo. He sat back down and frowned. "That wasn't very nice, Ginkgo. I could have really hurt some unborn kittens. I don't think when I panic."
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:42 pm
"Nice or not, maybe you've learned your lesson." The older buck snorted, not looking at the gray buck that chided him, frowning.
"In the time that you were napping, a hawk swooped in and carried off one of those fat, soon-to-be marli. You, in your negligence, killed an entire line of rabbits in a few short seconds. Think about that. That is how quickly it could happen and why, when you are on alert, you pay attention. Something to keep in mind regardless of what task you have been assigned, runner, owsla, or civilian caught up in keeping the warren safe." He kept his voice even. He didn't sound angry, but neither was he gentle. He was being honest.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:46 pm
"I pay attention!" He snapped, a bit hurt. "I pay attention at high speeds. I am supposed to be able to lure the prey to me and outrun it. That gives everyone a chance to get in the warren." He looked away. "But..this is boring. I can't stop and watch everything. It makes me sleepy." He pouted up to the owlsa and nuzzled his head under the other's chin. "So can't I go run yet?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:53 pm
"You aren't paying attention now. It's key to survival, Dogsbane. What happens when you go on a run and are the scout? What if you are so busy moving that you don't see the pfeffa or the hawk circling overhead. It's bad. And I told you you could run again when I said you could run again. Every time you ask, you will have to sit still even longer." The owsla officer groaned inwardly and stiffened slightly as the other rabbit nuzzled him.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:57 pm
Dogs pouted and stomped his feet like a spoiled child, cheeks puffing out. He didn't wantttt to sit here!! He flopped down and angrily watched the down passing him by.
"Then I guess...I'd die." He said softly, putting his chin on his paws. He stayed like that, only changing position a few times and fighting to stay awake as the hours dragged on.
Finally, another owsla approached the pair. Dogs almost threw himself at the other's feet, but didn't move until Ginkgo said so.
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Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:02 pm
"Ah, good. Time for change." The tawny buck stood and stretched, thankful for the peace and quiet. It hadn't truly been that long, but the sun had definitely been shifting positions. No elil. It had been a nice day, regardless of Dogsbane's obnoxious behavior.
"You are dismissed, Dogsbane. Stay out of trouble." He warned as he led the buck away from the watch point and down the slopes. He was ready for something to eat. Something tastier than plain, old, slightly trampled grass.
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