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 Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:09 am
Though afternoons were still warm and sunny, there was a distinct chill to the air in the mornings and evenings. Winter would soon be on the Down and Cowslip was ever busy trying to ready himself for the colder months. He grazed quietly and calmly, much like the giant creatures he shared his name with, while his silver eyes rested on the sky above him.
He had heard reports of winged elil near, but he had seen feather nor talon of them, thankfully. Perhaps the creature had just been passing by...
His ears swiveled and his attention was drawn towards several other rabbits that were out to siflay this warm, pleasant, and drowsy afternoon. He was half tempted to find a safe place to curl up and nap in the sunshine, but he couldn't let himself. This was not like his hutch days. His coat caused him to stick out like a wounded hlessi and he could not afford to drop his guard at all.
He swallowed his current maw-full of grass and dipped his head to snatch up another bite, but his attention was pulled yet again...
Towards a small, brown hued buck that he had seen about the warren once or twice before. Though he did not know him well, he knew the officer had a temper. His heart sank with dread, as he just knew he must of done something to warrant the rage of the smaller creature.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:16 am
"Oi!"
The significantly smaller rabbit called out to the hefty, former hutch rabbit as he came within a respectable distance. He did not exactly want to alert the whole warren to just what he was doing here, now. He had an idea, though. A fiendishly clever idea. Cowslip would fit the bill nicely. They would need Owsla in training and this particular rabbit, though obviously not wild born, was rather large.
Perhaps he could be intimidating? Or useful in the coming raid.
He grinned broadly, a far cry from his usual dour expression, and settled himself near the larger buck. He busied himself with a quick munch of grass, but his eyes never strayed from the monochrome rabbit. He was taking in all there was, judging him for what he was worth.
"You're a big fellah, bet it'll take seasons of munching to prepare you for winter, eh?" He jibed playfully at the rabbit's size, though inwardly he was horribly jealous.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:58 am
Cowslip lowered his head to his splotched paws almost sheepishly as the officer spoke with him. His words, they weren't kind ones though there was a blatant smile on his maw, but at least he wasn't berating him for some reason or another. That would of been infinitely worse.
"Well, yes, I do have some while before I'd be prepared for the cold months... But one does what one can, eh?"
He made a point of keeping low. It seemed the respectable thing to do at the time and he didn't wish to anger the little Owsla. The last thing he wanted to do would be to spoil his chances at joining their ranks or to have them on his case due to Ginkgo having a bruised ego.
"Is there something I can assist you with, sir?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:08 am
"Straight to the point, I like that in a buck."
The shrewd Owsla puffed himself up, spurred on by the obvious hutch rabbit's submissive nature towards him. He was smart... Ginkgo had to give him that. Smart enough to know his place at the time, anyhow. Just how gullible he was remained to be proven.
"You can relax, I'm not going to chew your ears off, not now anyways. I've been watching you for a while now. You seem to be top notch stuff, if you know what I mean. You've got size and you seem fast enough." He came closer to the other buck, pressing his nose to the spotted fellow's side, taking in his scent as he felt him.
"Sturdy. I think there might be some use for you."
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:12 am
A small shudder traced down the spotted buck's spine as Ginkgo pressed against him. It was a tingle of excitement. The words leaving the officer's maw were inspiring and were already creeping into Cowslip's mind hastily. This was the moment he had been waiting for for a while. Did Cocklebur want him to join the Owsla? Why else would Ginkgo be paying so much attention to him.
It was difficult for him to keep his voice neutral as he felt like a hopeful kitten for the first time in ages.
"Use for me? I will do whatever is needed for the warren, sir. Not to brag, but I do have a pretty good bite." His flattened ears perked slightly as he relaxed.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:17 am
"You look like you do."
Ginkgo pulled away and sat back on his haunches, cleaning an ear as he debated on just what to say to the eager buck, next. He seemed to be falling for it well enough, but what buck wouldn't be honored to have an Owsla request his help? What sane buck, anyways?
"You see, the Owsla ranks need to be beefed up a bit, and Bracken-rah has decided a raid would be the best way to straighten things out. We're taking some Owsla hopefuls, promising bucks and outskirters, to see if they've got the stuff needed. Those who prove they are worthy will become officers. Think you are up to the task?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:24 am
"Most certainly!" In the back of his mind was a nagging voice, one that told him repeatedly that a raid would be a bad idea. After all, he just spent a great deal of time with the tan doe talking about how dumb raids were and how they often caused the death of many a good rabbit, just for flayrah.
But this was his chance. He did not want to blow it.
"I'll do my best and you all won't be sorry." He vowed, his whiskers twitching.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:29 am
"Good."
He fell to all fours again and, from the way he tensed and positioned himself, it was quite obvious he was about to take his leave.
"Keep your ears open, we will tell you when Bracken-rah is ready for us to go. This will give us plenty of chances to get enough food for the growing warren. We definitely need it, that is for sure. Take care of yourself til then, errr, Cowslip." He cursed himself, for it had taken him a moment to remember the spotted buck's name.
He didn't give the fellow a chance to speak again, though, for he was already on the move.
"Must get back to doing my duties, but if you have any questions for me, let me know." And with that, he was gone nearly as fast as he had come.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:36 am
The monochrome rabbit leaned back on his haunches and watched the officer as he headed towards the larger congregation of rabbits, then let out a sigh. But it was a happy and slightly confused sigh. This would be interesting...
He suddenly wished to share the news with U'tuhlroo. She would probably be angry with him, but it was his shot to join and he just couldn't bring himself to pass it up.
He dropped to all fours, after a quick scan of his surroundings to make sure the way was safe, and went back to eating his fill of the remaining grasses.
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