Esmeralda:
Esme had been lounging on their newly pilfered pillow watching Clopin as he slept and imagining how different things might have been...might be now if his mate hadn't died. The thought of him never having had a mate had crossed her mind as well but really...she had made Clopin so happy it was wrong to wish he had been alone. She blinked and looked down as she found a slight rip in the pillow, had they done that? No...this rip looks too perfect, almost deliberate...she poked her paw in and wiggled it a bit until she felt the edge of a paper. She blinked and gave a tug pulling out a folded aged piece of parchment. She smoothed the pillow again trying to hide the tear and then opened the paper curiously. What was this?
Her eyes roamed over what appeared to be a map of the reserve, a picture of a chest with an X on it was marked out near one of the largest rivers on the reserve. It was close to pirate territory, the pacific territory, had this map been theirs? She slid off the pillow and walked over to Clopin. She leaned down and gave him a little shake smiling as she felt the muscles of his shoulders under her paws.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin lay on his back on a 'bed' made from the smaller two pillows, his hat tipped down over his eyes, paws crossed on his chest. He had finally managed to fall into a dreamless sleep. But it was soon interrupted by a gentle shaking of his shoulders brought him back to the waking world with a shake and a half-sit-up.
"Turtles and blue hedgehogs," he gasped, still half asleep and blind due to his hat. He looked around in his perceived darkness for a few moments before pushing his hat back up to be able to blink sleepily at Esmeralda. He rubbed the back of one paw across his eyes and laid back on the pillows.
"I thought you wanted me to get some sleep, chère..." he mumbled behind a yawn.
Esmeralda:
She giggled and shot him a curious look her head tilting a bit to one side. "Tutles and Hedgehogs? Shouldn't you be dreaming of more noble things?" She curled closer to him and waved the map teasingly infront of his nose.
"You do need sleep, but if I let you sleep you'd be terribly cross with me when you woke up and I was gone...on a treasure hunt." She dropped the paper into his paws and smirked leaning back to let him look for himself.
Clopin Troulifou:
"Mmm, what's this about hedgehogs?" Clopin mumbled, having no idea about the comment he had made more or less in his sleep. He lapsed back into silence when she spoke again and tossed a piece of paper onto his paws. He carefully took it and blinked at it a few times.
"A treasure hunt? Hmmm, I know this territory, this could be as bad as the trip to the ranger's office," he thought aloud before glancing up at his companion, his face thoughtful. He didn't want to get her hurt, but if she really wanted to do this, he was along for the ride.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" he asked, eyebrows rising a bit.
Esmeralda:
She grinned a bit as he easily forgot his sleepy ramblings and left it at that. Then she watched as he examined the map and proclaimed the danger that might lay ahead. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and she smiled at him.
"The rangers office wasn't THAT bad, come on Clopin you're not afraid of a few pirates are you?" She grinned and teased his paw with the edge of her scarf. "Just think what treasures we might find!" She stood and gave a little twirl towards the den entrance.
"Of course I want to go..." She paused and looked at him holding her paw out. "but not without you."
Clopin Troulifou:
He certainly was afraid of the pirates. He knew for a fact that there were more than several of them and just two between the pair of them. But it was dark out, so the odds that no one would be about were substantially higher and she did have a point. Treasure was a tempting thought. And she was so excited about it, he couldn't say no. With a stretch until his back made a soft popping sound, Clopin rolled off of his 'bed' and stood, straightening his hat.
"Okay, Esme, okay," he said with a good-natured smile, handing the map back over to her when he reached her side.
"Lead the way."
Esmeralda:
She grinned and took the map back from him tossing her hair back and smirking. Ah the thrill of adventure, it hummed in her veins and she was sure that despite Clopin's mild apprehension he would enjoy this excursion as well. She gave the map another quick glance before rolling up back up and tucking it away.
Smiling she slipped out of the den and proceeded towards the pacific territory humming a little tune. Nothing was quite as uplifting to the spirits as freedom and fresh air. She glanced over her shoulder at Clopin.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin followed her out of the den into the cool night air, waiting a moment for his eyes to properly adjust to the level of light before following. He walked after her, amused at her enthusiastic mood and the cheerful tune of her humming. He moved to walk at her side as they headed towards pirate territory. He even joined her humming for a bit, picking up a harmony.
He realized as they walked the change that had come over his life when Esmeralda came back into his life. He gave her a small smile.
"I don't think I realized how boring I had gotten until now," he said with a bit of a sigh, bumping his shoulder lightly against hers.
Esmeralda:
It was infectious the shared mood between them, the way he picked up her tune and soon her paws were barely skimming the ground. This was it, was life was all about, living and enjoying it. She glanced at him and have a soft laugh.
"Boring you? Never!" She blinked and then lowered her tone a bit realizing they were crossing over into the pacific territory. "So...these pirates...how well do they guard this area..." She pulled out the map to consult it again before leading them deeper into the territory.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin smiled again at her reply, shaking his head a bit. She was wrong, of course, his life had been... empty when he left their old home. But she had filled it again, with life and color and laughter.
He looked around and shook his head.
"They guard and patrol, but I think we can sneak by. How much deeper do we have to go?" he asked, keeping his attention on their surroundings rather that on his companion. His voice was low, eyes and ears alert.
Esmeralda:
"It looks like theres some sort of underwater cavern...but we have to actually go...under water." She showed him the map briefly while leading them on until soon they were about to wade into the water. If only Esme had known how Clopin felt, if only she knew how much she had come to mean. Maybe then she would have found the courage to tell him how long she had felt more then mere admiration for him.
She looked down into the inky deep waters and then back at Clopin uncertainly. "It's probably quite a ways down..." True that otters could hold their breath for great periods of time, but they still had limits. If there was no cave and they went too far down...well it might be a painful swim back up.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin stopped at the water's edge, listening to Esme explain their next course of action. He slipped his hat off his head, his boots off his feet.
"Here, let me have the map, chère," he said and gently took it from her. He scanned it quickly and then hid it within his hat, placing all of his things into a nearby bush.
"Don't want those getting wet, now," he mumbled, more to himself than to her. That done, he returned to Esme's side and gave her a reassuring smile.
"We can do it," he added, giving her cheek a stroke before diving into the water with held breath and not even a splash.
Esmeralda:
Esme likewise removed her crown, her bracelets, and her scarf and placed them with Clopins belongings and followed him in. If he was certain they could manage then she trusted him. Gracefully she swam after him her body barely creating a ripple in the water. Her breath was held and she sparingly released a few tiny bubbles of air as they went down. Deeper and deeper, her ears felt a slight pressure and then each she saw a slightly darker outline.
She motioned with her paw hoping Clopin could see it as well. It was the only thing around that looked like a cavern entrance. She sure hoped it was because her lungs were starting to burn a bit.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin felt the burn, too, as they dove deeper and deeper into the dark waters, letting air slowly out of his lungs. It was times like these that he felt he was getting old, though he could still keep up with La Esmeralda. He wouldn't lag behind, not if he could help it.
He noticed the darker shape with a small nod and bent in the water, heading towards and then into it. A few more moments and his head broke the water with a gasp. Almost immediately, the former king turned to see if Esme was still behind him.
Esmeralda:
Esme picked up the speed to follow Clopin into the cavern but whirled around her mouth opening to let out a cry, which only let water in. Her flowing tail had been cut on some sharp red reef, it burned like fire but she forced herself into the cavern and burst out of the water gasping and coughing. She winced and dragged herself onto the rocky bank and turned to examine her tail. There was a long thin gash and the black of her tail was darkened with blood. It wasn't the cut that hurt though instead it stung terribly. She gave it a flick and tried to ignore the pain.
She looked up at Clopin and gave a weak cough before forcing a smile. "I...I think between...drowning or burning, I'd rather burn." She gave another soft cough a little more water coming up. Well now she just felt silly.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin heaved himself out of the water and rushed to her side. He sat back and picked up her tail, inspecting the gash. With a pained frown, he removed the sash at his waist and wrapped it around her tail.
"Don't talk like that, Esme, it isn't funny," he said softly as he worked. She would have to take it off again when she went back into the water, would need her tail to navigate. But for now at least he could stop some of the bleeding.
He didn't want to rain on her attempt at humor, but it really wasn't funny. He hated the thought of losing her in any fashion.
Esmeralda:
She softly touched his paw as he bandaged her tail and leaned to look in his eyes. "I'm alright...there's just some sharp reef down there..." She relaxed and leaned back letting him finish wrapping her tail. The binding helped ease some of the sting and she turned to peer down around curiously.
Slowly she stood and gave a quick shake off her dress still dripping, but the fabric was light it would dry despite it's many layers. She traced what looked like the outline of a door in the stone. She pushed against it and frowned when it refused to yield. There was nothing, no knob, no way to open it. She frowned and glanced over her shoulder at Clopin only then noticing notches in the stone behind him.
Clopin Troulifou:
A sigh escaped the older otter's mouth with a shake of his head when she moved away to inspect what looked to be a door.
"I'm sorry if I'm being over-" Clopin paused when she looked at him and matched her frown.
"What, is there something on me?" he asked, glancing to his shoulders, unaware that her gaze was actually focused on the wall behind him.
Esmeralda:
"Don't be sorry...I know you just don't even like to think about what happened...but...can you help me out and pull that lever looking thing behind you?" She pointed at it with her paw and then turned to the door. She took a deep breath and touched the door waiting for it to hopefully open.
"but I can't help but think about it...all the time...how lucky I am to be alive. I was so close to...I'll never forget that feeling, and I don't really want to forget it. It makes living all the more important now that I know how easily that can be taken away." She looked up expectantly but...the door still wasn't open.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin turned around and his eyebrows rose when he saw the lever. He tried it while she spoke, but upon looking over his shoulder, he saw it did nothing. He saw a second one, then and pulled that. Still, nothing happened. And when he tried pulling one right after the other, pulling the second one just reset the first.
She was lucky to be alive, and he was lucky to have her with him. But it didn't change the fact that while it might remind her that life was so much more important and precious, it only reminded him of the time he'd almost lost her, and the mate he had lost.
"Esme, I think I might need you to pull this one while I pull the second. Let's see what that does."
Esmeralda:
She blinked when she saw that there was another lever, but that one didn't do the trick either. She walked over and nodded at Clopin's suggestion it was a good enough idea. Hopefully it worked otherwise they were out of options and their treasure hunt was at an end. She moved over to the lever and pulled it down her eye on the door. She didn't care to look at Clopin right after explaining how she had felt, it was as if she had spilled a secret. Of course...her near death and survival would only be a blow to him...his mate hadn't been so lucky. Her ears fell back a bit feeling oddly guilty to be alive, shouldn't he be with the one he loved? Life was oddly unfair it seemed, she had survived when she had no mate no pups to care for...nothing but a few friends and a broken home. Clopin's mate meanwhile had died leaving behind her home, and a mate who loved her so much...she didn't know if he would ever recover.
Clopin Troulifou:
The door rose with the creak of stone and wood after they both pushed down the levers.
"There were go," he said, giving her a small smile before walking into the other room. There was a small hole in the roof of the cave, allowing them to see the chest that was in the center of the room. He walked to it and inspected it. It looked ordinary enough, not terribly heavy or decorated. He glanced back over at Esmeralda and tilted his head at it.
"Do you want the honors?" he asked, knowing she probably would. And she deserved it. It was her treasure after all.
Esmeralda:
She was distracted from her thoughts as the stone door slid open to reveal a chest. She walked over and smiled looking at Clopin and resting a paw on the heavy lid. "We should both open it together...it's OUR treasure..." Ours, she liked the sound of that, but would Clopin?
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin smile grew and he placed one of his paws on the lid.
"Sometimes, I think you're too sweet, Esme," he replied and helped her push it open. He should have remembered, everything was shared in their culture. Everything but others, but that went without saying. That didn't mean he could horde those that he cared for. When he would otherwise just prefer to keep them to himself and away from cool eyes and untrustworthy paws, he had to let them go out and interact, he couldn't leave them sheltered.
Chantal he hadn't had much of a problem with, but Esme... Every male that looked at her made his hackles want to rise, especially the old judge and his captain of the guard. He had heard about the interlude following the attack on the miller's den. His second in command had told him of it. Now, while he greatly disliked the younger male, he had stepped back (Though he did take some glee in making him sweat when he invaded the Court) and let La Esmeralda direct her destiny. That she left the knight to rejoin her king... It made his broken and lonely heart swell ever so slightly.
Esmeralda:
She smiled at Clopin glad that they were sharing this moment, feeling again like she was 'home'. Then again for them home was wherever their families and friends were, no matter what the location. She peered into the heavy chest and blinked reaching in and pulling up a bolt of fabric. She riffled through a bit more, but all it was was fabric. Lace, stain, cotton, wool, colorful, plain, patterned...fabric.
"Not quite the gold and jewels I was expecting..." She sat back feeling bad now for making him come all this way. She ran her paw along the velvet bolt of cloth before putting it back with a sigh. Slowly she looked up at Clopin and gave him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry..."
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin gave her a shocked look at her dejected tone.
"Sorry? Whyever would you be sorry?" he asked resisting the urge to jump into the chest and snuggle into all of the wonderful cloths.
"chère, if I wasn't soaked, I would jump in right now and snuggle down. We can use all of this! Curtains from the lace, clothes from the satin, pillows from the cotton and thick blankets from the wool! And this velvet, it would make a nice trim for more dresses for you, or fancier clothing for special occasions," he exclaimed before running a paw over her cheek.
"This is just what we need right now."
Esmeralda:
Esme blinked and then looked back at the cloth, he was right...he was certainly right. These were all things they could use, even the chest itself would be incredibly useful for storing all manner of things in. She smiled and then felt her heart give a contented leap when his paw touched her cheek.
"Your right...a new dress would be lovely..." She smiled and then eyed the chest and moved to close the lid. "Think it's watertight?" She looked at the cavern exist where water lapped at the rocks. It was a long way up, hopefully the chest would float a bit and not drag them down.
Clopin Troulifou:
"I hope so, otherwise we'll have to carefully dry some of this," Clopin replied before trying to lift it up. It wasn't heavy, not at all, but there was no way he could lift it, just because it was so big.
"It's not heavy, but too cumbersome for just one of us to carry. It'll have to be another team effort," he added with a small smile to her. At least when they got above-ground, they could put their belongings inside.
Esmeralda:
"Alright then...let's get it back up, and hopefully home before any pirates ever realize it was here." She smiled and moved to help him push it towards the water. "Deep breaths..." She turned to unfasten his belt from her tail wincing at the slight sting, but at least it wasn't freely bleeding anymore. She tied his belt around her waist to give back to him once she had washed it off.
"Ready?" She took a deeper breath then she had the first time knowing now how far the swim was and that it might be harder with the chest to manuever.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin helped her push it, nodding a bit at her hopeful remarks. Once they were at the edge, he slipped into the water, watching her tie his sash around her waist. He would let her use that until her tail had healed, he didn't really need it much anyways.
"Ready as always," he replied, taking a hold of a handle on one side and pulling it into the water.
Esmeralda:
And down the went, at first having to push the chest a bit to get it under the water and then pulling it along as they swam for the surface. Esme was more careful conserving her breath this time her paws holding her side of the chest firm and pulling it up. Towards the surface was easier they surfaced with the chest in a quick burst. Quickly she paddled towards the shore trying to drag the chest with all her strength, though it didn't need too much extra help along. She grinned as they got it back onto dry land and shook herself off. She wrung out her hair and then flicked it back.
"Think it's dry inside?" She glanced around and then smiled. "Well maybe we'd better wait until we're home to check..." Who knew when the Pirates would be making their patrols?
Clopin Troulifou:
Once they were back on dry land, Clopin shook once and moved to the bush where they had hidden their things.
"Well, we have to open it up anyways," he said quietly. He wiped his paws dry on the grass beside the bush and picked their belongings out of the bush.
"I don't know about you, but I don't want to put my boots or hat back on while I'm still soaked," he replied and walked back carrying their things. He set them down to open the lid, finding everything thankfully dry.
He placed the things into the trunk and closed the lid.
"Want me to wrap that back around your tail?"
Esmeralda:
She watched as he retrieved their things and smiled when they found everything in the chest dry. Lovely, now they had cloth to spare and a nice place to store their belongings. She glanced back at her tail and then handed him back the belt.
"Yes that might be for the best, it's not bleeding anymore but it still stings and it could get infected..." She sighed and picked up her tail examining it a bit closer before Clopin re-bandaged it.
Clopin Troulifou:
Clopin nodded and looked her tail over for a moment before wrapping it up.
"I think it will be fine. We should just take it easy for a few days. We can stock up on food and then lie low. We can work with this cloth in the meantime," he replied with a nod as he went about tying the sash to her tail fin. After that was done, he went back to the chest and lifted one end up.
"Let's go home, Esme."
Esmeralda:
"As you wish" She smiled and moved to lift the other end of the chest and helped him carry it towards home, their home.
:: The Otter Oasis Guild ::
