|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 1:43 pm
 As chief, he wasn't a rabbit that was easily rattled by things, especially when concerning other members of his warren. Usually cool, calm, and level headed, Bracken had little trouble keeping his wits about himself. However, now was a bit different. He was actually... nervous. The grizzled red buck sat in the middle of the run near Althea's burrow for some time. A bit of an odd and uncharacteristic sight considering he was even fidgeting. He was uncomfortable, and looked it. This wasn't an easy thing for him to do. However, after a few odd glances from other rabbits, he decided he needed to get on with it. Quietly and carefully he approached the burrow of the large Owsla doe. He breathed out a silent sigh, cleared his throat, before speaking up and peering every so slightly into the burrow. "Althea? Are you there?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:07 pm
 Althea turned around in her burrow, stretching a leg in her restlessness. Her thoughts were troubled lately, something of an oddity, but there it was. Age seemed to have a way of causing the mind to worry, even when there wasn't a thing she could do about it. Disquieted at the notion, she shifted her weight again in the search for comfort. It wasn't long after that the familiar voice of the Chief caused her to stir again, raising her ears first before her massive head followed.
"Bracken-rah, sir?"
She wasn't supposed to be out on a patrol or anything that she knew of, but Bracken didn't come calling for nothing. Nosing out of the warmth of her burrow, she lowered her head respectfully as he came into view. Althea wasn't quite sure to be worried, confused, or perhaps something else altogether. In any case, it didn't look like rest was an option anymore.
"Something amiss, I take it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:16 pm
A part of him had hoped she wasn't there, or was sleeping and wouldn't hear him, but no such luck. For there she was, as dutiful as always. He merely shook his head at her question.
"No, nothing is amiss."
He started, knowing that this would quickly seem odd to her. It wasn't often that he went out seeking members of the Owsla. And he usually only did so with good reason.
"I would like to speak with you if that's all right." He inclined his head slightly, tilting blue eyes down the run as a curious rabbit peeked their way.
"Alone."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:29 pm
Confusion was definitely winning now as she glanced first at him then down the tunnel to try and see what he was looking- oh. Ah.
So they had nosy busybodies did they? Even in a warren as large as Watership, what happened in one's burrow was a private matter and most respected that. 'Alone' was still a very relative term, however, and 'most' didn't include the rabbits that lived for gossip. Even still, there was no help for it and the best she could do was offer him her burrow. Nodding once in affirmation, she took a step back to allow him room.
"Of course, sir. Though now you've got me rightly worried."
Moving to the back of her nest to allow as much space for her visitor as possible, she felt odd not being able to salute him proper in such limiting quarters, but he would just have to forgive the transgression.
"Well then, who stopped running? You seem quite at odds, if I am free to say so."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:57 pm
It amazed him every time Bracken saw her, how big Althea really was. The doe was truly a giant amongst the other rabbits in the warren. But she was also a noble and intelligent rabbit. He had liked her from the time they met, and the doe had proved to be a valuable member of the Owsla.
Slipping into her burrow, he looked at her nest for a moment, before being caught a little off guard by her next question and observation.
"Am I that obvious? No one has stopped running, but... I admit that coming to you was no easy matter for me."
The chief paused for a moment. How exactly was he supposed to approach this? And in a polite manner so that she wasn't tempted to toss him out of her burrow, chief or not.
"Perhaps I should explain. Before I was chief, when I was still an Owsla, a single doe had caught my eye. I had always been shy when regarding them, and somehow she became mine. However, it was just before she was ready to kitten that an elil had attacked. Both she and our unborn young met the black rabbit that day. I was unable to protect her, and it is a day I've hardly forgotten all this time. Distraught and overcome with guilt, I blamed myself, and had never looked at another doe the same way since."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
An ear flicked at his confession about the difficulty he found in seeking her out as Althea's confusion grew. She was Owsla, and at his beck and call as always, so why the anxiety? Not sure what to say, she settled on nothing and just blinked at him, crouching down to make herself comfortable.
Nodding once in encouragement as Bracken started to explain, she found the tale quickly grew dark and turned her head away from him briefly. A few seasons ago she wouldn't have been able to relate to his story, but kindling and raising a litter teaches you a few things and her scope of understanding had grown. Closing her eyes briefly as she lowered her head yet again in a show of sympathy, she waited for a long moment before voicing the only thing that would come to mind.
"Rah... why are you telling me this?"
She kept her voice soft and quiet out of respect for both his rank and the nature of what he shared, but it didn't explain much. If anything, now she was wondering why he would choose to share with her something so personal. Eying him curiously, she didn't think he was old enough to worry about the Black Rabbit just yet. She knew some of the ancient ones had a tendency to wander about in their stories, but that didn't seem like Bracken's way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:13 pm
A valid question, and Bracken knew that Althea would rather jump off the side of the down before showing any intentional disrespect. He shifted a bit uncomfortably. It was silly really, for him to be so nervous, but the tale he told played a large role in it.
"I am not getting any younger, Althea. If I am to ever sire a litter, it would need to be soon. I've never found another mate, and that's why I've come to you."
He heaved a shuddering sigh.
"You are free to refuse, do not feel obligated because of my rank. But I am here to humbly ask if you would consider carrying my kittens."
There, he said it. The chief grimaced slightly. Why was this so hard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
