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 Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:27 pm
Participants: Aurrie Beaues and Ryuukishin
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Kalei shook her ears furiously, scattering drops of water all around her, as she smoothed out her fur with her paws. She lowered her ears, glancing about her fearfully.
She and the rest of her family had gone exploring, now that they were old enough to leave their den. However, a slight drizzle had picked up and she sought shelter on the edge of a nearby forest. Her familiy, failing to notice this, had gone on.
The forest was so strange and new to her that she couldn't help but explore and she tripped and fell into puddles, made by the rain that fell through the leaves, more than once. Luck seemed to be with her, though, for she found no obstacles or predators in her way. By the time the drizzle left, she had reached the field on the outer edges of the trees again, but it was new and she was lost.
She tried to find her way, but everywhere she looked, all she saw was grass and she washed her nose nervously. "Mama?" she called, for her parents always came when she called for them. "Papa?"
After a long moment had passed, there were still no signs from her parents and she was getting worried. Having been with her parents her whole life, she had no idea that because of the distance between them, they wouldn't be able to hear her words. Hopping forward, she nibbled on the wet grass, trying to calm herself. She hoped her parents would come soon....
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:52 pm
 THe light drizzle did little to stop the hefty buck from venturing out into the evening to siflay. He left the dry and warm confines of the warren with an aim for munching on a clover or two.
Or four.
And whatever else delicious that he might find growing in the field that surrounded Watership Down. It didn't seem that many were out, now, what with the looming rains and mildly annoying drizzle. The white and black spotted buck paused to sit back on his haunches and groomed his ears as he surveyed his surroundings, then fell to all fours again and snuffled around, searching.
It didn't take him long to find a delightful little patch of clovers and just as he was about to chow down, his sensitive ears picked up something. It sounded like calling, but the voice seemed soft and young.
"Mama?"
"Papa?"
Curious, and slightly worried, the buck lifted his head and sat on his haunches again, searching for the tiny voice. It didn't take long for him to spot her, though the light rain muffled his ability to hear and smell her. The white patches on her dark fur stood out and he was immediately drawn towards her.
"You're a wee bit far from the warren, aren't you, little one?" The large buck greeted as he hopped up beside the young rabbit.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:08 pm
When Kalei spotted the buck, her ears stood on end and she hopped forward excitedly, mistaking the male's black and white coat as her father's. When she realized it was someone else, though, she paused, uncertain and her eyes widened with fear. Her long ears flicked when he spoke.
"The warren?" she asked, looking up at him curiously, the fear gone. "Do you know where it is?" She knew it was where she lived but she never spent much time away from her family and knew little about the other rabbits that lived there. She simply thought the warren was the den she shared with her family.
She covered her nose with her paws as she stared up at the large figure and her face was thoughtful. Finally deciding the large buck wasn't a threat to her and already missing the company of a protective figure, she hopped closer and took one of his large paws, holding on to it as if it was all she needed to get back home.
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:09 pm
"Of course I know of the warren, silly." His tone was light and cheerful, despite the dower weather, in an attempt to help the kitten feel more secure. Of course there was danger for a small one out here. One of the Thousand could sneak up or swoop down, that would be all it would of taken for the cute little kitten to be gone forever.
He shook those negative thoughts and worry for her away quickly and remained steadfast and calm as he peered down at the tiny paw she held to his. Sometimes it was easy to forget truly just how small a young one was.
"I live in yon warren, too, don'cha know. I'll have you back to your parents in no time, little one." He told her in what might of been a determined tone and gave another brisk nod. "You must stay close, though. You've wandered a good way away. Your parents must be worried about you, little one!"
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:14 pm
Kalei's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of going home and the cold, wet, and dull day didn't seem as bad. Her nose twitched and she was preparing for what she thought was a small trip when he spoke again. Her ears stood straight up with surprise and she reached up with her free paw to tug at the fur on his stomach, since she was too short to reach for his ears, and in an accusing voice, she said, "But I've never seen you before." She wondered if was lying or, if he was speaking the truth, if he was a ghost or perhaps her fairy godmother. But weren't fairy godmothers usually females? Or did fairy godfathers exist, as well? She loosened her paw from his fur, still keeping her other paw firmly around his, and nibbled on some grass thoughfully, looking up at him in wonder.
By then, she had figured him to be some sort of magical being. If not the fairy godmother, then surely someone similar, for he had come to guide her way back home.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:34 pm
"There are lots of us there, more than me. Maybe when you are older you will meet us all." He chuckled softly at the antics of the tiny little black and white kitten. Given his solid state, he certainly wasn't a ghost, and he was definitely male, so that marked out fairy godmother, and his words were true, even though the small Kalei had not met him before.
He watched her nibble the sweet grass that they were settled in and gave yet another brisk nod, unaware of the fact that he was now considered to be one of magic in the mind of the youngster, though he could clearly see the curiosity and wonder in her small, brown eyes.
"Now, what say you to making the trip back, eh?" He sat up on his haunches, removing his paw from the smaller rabbit, and peered around to examin their surroundings. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and he could not scent any of the Thousand.
"Name is Cowslip, by the way. What do your parents call you, little one?" He inquired in an attempt to get to know the little kitten, the future of their warren.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:16 pm
Kalei's ears flickered curiously and she wondered how many magical friends the large buck had. Her eyes shined and she twitched her nose excitedly at the prospect of meeting them all and she pressed closer to the large male. The thought of it seemed just as great as going home.
"I'm ready." Kalei said, trying to imitate his nod, her ears flopping. Now that she had her second paw free, she plucked some more grass and stood on her haunches, one of her paws leaning on the male's soft fur, the other waving the grass around his nose.
"Cowslip?" she asked, smiling when she felt the strands of food brush against the white nose. She waved her paw furiously now and the grass waved like seaweed. "My name's Kalei."
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:16 pm
"Kalei? Well, now, Kalei, it is absolutely wonderful to meet you. Now, since you are ready, little one, let's be off! Wouldn't want your ma' and pa' to worry too much about you."
He wiggled his white nose, then quickly scratched at an itch behind his spotted ears. He gave her a smile, then quickly stood on his hind legs and took stock of their surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place. No smells or sounds of the Thousand were reaching his sensitive nose or ears, so he deemed the situation to be a safe one. Certainly he could lead this little one to safety.
"Right, then." He fell to all fours and nudged the much smaller creature gingerly. Then, he picked his way slowly from the forest edge. His silver eyes and long ears were ever on alert for any dangers that could possibly befall them.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:29 pm
"All right." Kalei replied, nodding. She watched what he was doing, trying to copy his movements. First the nose twitch, the ear flop, and then the lookout position. Having no idea what he was looking for, she simply stared at his ever twitching nose, waiting for something to happen.
When she felt him nudging her, she followed obediently, constantly looking up as she hopped about to make sure she was beside him and she marveled at his spotted coat and seemingly colorless eyes. "Cowslip?" she asked soon after. "What's the warren like?" By then, she had assumed he was talking of a different warren but one close to her own.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:57 pm
He couldn't help but to be amused by the antics of the little creature, as she mimicked motions that would become vital for her survival in the near future. It was adorable, but inspiring at the same time. She was an observant little creature and hopefully would thrive and contribute to the warren's future.
"The warren? Well... It's actually ver large, all inside of the Down. There are many runs and many smells, but they all mingle as one. We, for there are many of us, thrive as one." He replied and wiggled his nose as he moved in lighthearted hops further up the slopes of the Down.
"There are burrows, too, where we sleep and stay when we need rest, and they are quite comfortable. I bet yours is, too, what with having your little family." He paused long enough to glance back at the little, black and white kitten.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:08 pm
Kalei, starting to lag behind, flicked her ears, first to the side, then forward when Cowslip spoke, and she tried to catch up to his long strides so that she was next to him once more. Her small paws has to press against the ground multiple times for Cowslip's single bound and she found she was more concentrated on keeping up with him than their conversation. However, that didn't mean all words escaped her delicate ears.
"The burrows?" she asked, panting but trying not to let it show. Her father was a runner, after all, and she was determined to prove she could be as swift as he. "That's what my Warren's li--" Her words were cut off when, too busy trying to speak and catch up the the large male at the same time, she crashed into him when he paused.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:37 pm
He hadn't really taken into account how much more slowly a small kitten would follow.
He knew now, but he still felt bad that the little one was so tuckered out all ready, thanks to his carelessness. He sat back on his haunches to observe their surroundings again, then fell to all fours and nudged her forehead. A small rest would be in order before they continued on their way, so the little black and white rabbit could catch her breath and prepare for the next stretch.
"You alright, Kalei?" He inquired with concern, though it was almost completely masked with a cheerful tint.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:56 pm
Kalei, flopping down after her crash, flicked her ears and looked up Cowslip when he nudged her forehead. They had stopped and her nose twitched with gratitude for the rest, although she tried not to show it. Here she was, panting hard and tired, and Cowslip didn't look even a bit tired. Her eyes glinted with both admiration and jealousy at the male.
Rolling on her back and clasping the large male's nose with her paws, she panted, "I'm all right." ...She definetly didn't sound tired. Yep.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:17 am
The buck couldn't help but to grin sheepishly att he tired, young doe.
"Sorry... If I move too fast, let me know. That way we don't wear you out! If the Thousand come, we need to be quick, but if you are tired, you might not be able to run fast enough." He wriggled his nose as the kitten clasped it with her paw, and batted her paw away playfully and gently with his own.
"Look, see? There are a few bushes over that way... Think you can reach them and we can rest, there? It will help keep away the prying eyes of the winged Thousand, so they don't fly overhead and see us." He explained as he gave the dwarfed rabbit a small nudge of his white nose.
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:23 pm
Kalei nodded at Cowslip's words, a competitive smile forming when he batted her paw. She was about to cling to his nose again, firmly this time, when he spoke.
She had never seen a Thousand close up before but there were stories of them and she couldn't help but feel a small bit of fear leaking in at the mention of them finding her and Cowslip. But he's magical. she thought. He'll protect me.
Rising to her paws, she took small, tentative hops towards the bushes, looking back to make sure Cowslip would come before bounding for cover.
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