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 Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:59 pm
Moss is amblin about, grouchy as ever with the cold nippin at his nose n ears and other general unprotected soft spots. Not that he has many of those, but the ones he does feel it terrible! And oh the ache he gets in the mornings, bones creakin like frozen logs..Still even the most bitter cold could keep himdown for long. As much as he'd have liked to kept himself snuggled up warm in his den, he was powerful thirsty..and that meant getting up, and findin' water, all that business.
His long fluffy neck bent, eyes low n' narrowed, he hardly saw the other tall
green figure standing at the edge of the lake as he approached the half thawed water's of the lake. Only catching sight o' his dear brother Essex when he nearly plowed right into the poor hart! "O-Oi, ya bedragled stump, whatcha doin standin about? Frozen in place to the ground are ya!" Moss snarled at first, a bit snarky with his path being obstructed. Face and demeanor softening subtly with recognition. "Ah, Essex? Tsk, ya big fluff, its just you. Why you out here in the cold?"
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Essex continued to stare off into the depths of the lake, his attention
momentarily captivated by the living creatures that made their way to the
surface ever so often. Not a normal hart by any standard, Essex was hungry albeit a little thirsty on top of that. He barely heard the grouch slithering next to him when a fish skipped to the top of the water's surface as if to tease the captain. "Oh?" He breathed licking his lips just as he stomped a hoof to the ground in anticipation of a delicious meal. Ears flickered at the sound of his brother's voice, so much like gravel and age.
He smiled just enough for anyone to notice that he was well aware of his kin but he couldn't let his older brother distract him. Stare he did, licking his lips ever so often with only his ears twitch with the taunts of the fish below. Was he ignoring Moss? Probably but not to be mean, he just needed to focus. Though on the outside he simply looked like he'd lost his marbles and was doing nothing more than staring blankly at the lake. The fish surfaced again, this time Essex was ready. In a quick motion he moved forward green bits an all spilling into the freezing lake until nothing was there.
Falling down under the surface there was a moment of silence above. With the sun being blocked by the gloomy clouds it was hard to see under the water or even understand what would make any Herla bold enough to take a dip in the drink.
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"Oh? What kinda scatter brained answer is Oh..not a Hi, or how's the weather..an its crappy by the way..Just an Oh?" Moss rolled his eyes, giving his matted head a slow sorry shake. Ah his poor brother dear, he'd lost himself again, maybe this slowness of his was the reason the little gottling stayed by his side so much, that nasty little pickle. Or maybe his brother was to busy starin at his own reflection to be bothered for the moment. Normally Moss would prickle at being ignored, would certainly find a few nasty things to say. This was his brother after all, and so whatever thin patience Moss
had stored away for such occasions would be put to its full thin use.
"Ya know Essex, I'm sure your beautiful an' all, but do you really need to stare at yerself so long? How can ya even see properly with all that mane in your face!" Moss teased gruffly, hoping to snap his brother out of his odd little trance with a good jab or two. The shock stretching all old lines and scars away into a twisted mess as he watched his brother stand there one minute, and dive into the (what had to be freezing water) the next. Maybe his darlin' baby brother Essex wasn't slow at all! Nope, maybe he was just stark raving mad!! "Essex! Essex you cotton headed beast, you'd best know how to swim, cause I swear by on my hide I'd rather letcha freeze down there then get myself soggy over your stupidity!" Of course it was a bit of a bluff, if need arose Moss would gladly dive on into the lake. Heck he'd dive into a hundred freezing, ugly, wet lakes for the sake of Essex..He just wanted to make sure the other was drowning properly before he went to such troubles.
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For a moment the lake was as still as the ice around them. Nothing made a sound, the fact that Essex was gone under for so long would put any Herla at worry but because they were kin, it was certain to make a certain moss colored Herla downright frantic. He needn't worry however, as it seemed, bubbles began to surface and a familiar yet soggy lot of hair surfaced with a lively fish trying as it might to fight the jaws that clamped down on its scales. "Ha!" Was the only reply as Essex hurried to swim closer to the water banks. He managed fair enough smiling from one ear to the next as he spat the flopping, slimy mess of a fish to the icy floor. "Didn't think there'd be any fish this late in the season but I reckon there be." Happy with his catch, the ole Capt began shaking the icy waters from his thick mane feeling the sudden freeze now that he wasn't preoccupied with dinner. "We best be heading back and getting
a fire started." Yep he'd learned quite a few things from Papa Joe, like how fish were quite delicious and how to cook them on an open fire. Other methods of hunting were learned by the old Herla's clan and how they managed to survive harsh weather like this.
Essex was quite thankful for the lot. If it wasn't for that strange bunch he
probably would have been gone long ago. But now he was stronger, a bit on the slow side, but wise in some areas were others he may lack. Snatching up his reward he trotted away from the lake while looking around for any logs or larger sticks. "Yo should pick some sticks up on our way back. Be needin' those later..." He was so happy to have Moss returned to him that he couldn't help showing off. "Gonna school ya on some new things, big bro!" Even though he didn't know what school was he'd heard his guardian ramble about that stuff a lot.
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Moss watched with a floundering expression as his soggier then seaweed brother pulled himself up from the frigid water, fish in his maw, and looking quite pleased for all his efforts. Mosses gaze showing awe for a few brief moments before drifting right back into 'grumpy and confused. The addle brained nit, nearly turning himself into a hindsicle all for the sake of a fish! Albeit a very tasty looking fish.. "I didn't think you'd come outta there still
breathing!" Of course, Moss hadn't known Essex could fish either, the day was just full of surprises.
Taking a few steps back as Essex shook his shaggy self in an attempt to ridhis thick mountain fur of the water, Moss found himself listening with quiet intrigue. Maybe Essex was secretly a genius knowing all these tricks and skills, had he learned em himself though? "A fire huh, you clever little pup you, secretly smart beneath that fluffy facade. You can color me impressed Essex!" Moss chirrped gruffly, picking up right behind moss and nodding at his instructions. "School? Pfft, this old dog can still learn a few new tricks I suppose, so school away lil bro." Moss found himself grinning craggily, snapping up sticks here n there as they went. He was proud of his brother, too proud to feel silly at not knowing such things! How could he not have been, seeing the witty thing that his little brother was beneath all those lost looks and strange way of speaking.
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Essex couldn't help a familiar fawnish chuckle, one missed from so long ago. He hadn't meant to worry his brother but he had to keep his wits about him if he were going to catch their lunch. Happy with his reward he watched to make sure Moss was collecting twigs along the way. The fire would come in handy for warming up and cooking their meal. As they walked along he thought back to another Herla who he hadn't seen in a while. Maybe he should go visit her
sometime...
Once they made it to camp he spat the fish to the ground, the poor thing tried in futility to breath its last breath before it killed over. "Well at least it
won't put up a fight. It's kinda sad listening to a live fish cry." Truth be
told all living things cried at some point in their lives. Essex was just too
sentimental about these things not to worry. Bowing his head he gave a little prayer, something his guardian had instructed he do before eating his meals. Whatever or to whom he was praying, Essex never really asked. He just accepted the idea as a means of respect to the Earth for supplying him with a meal in exchange for a life. That's how he looked at it.
Turning to Moss he bumped the other along his shoulders, "Thanks for worrying and sorry for making you do so. Put those twigs in a pile over there." He instructed, and hurried to look for any rocks that were void of ice. Once he collected the rocks he hurried to the pile of twigs, clamping one in his mouth while the other lay nestled between his hooves. Dropping the rock from his mouth it clicked against the other making a small spark but nothing happened."This usually takes a bit of time." Taking the rock again he continued to drop the rock, waiting for that one spark that would catch the twigs. After about ten tries the final drop provided the spark he needed. "Now you blow gently to keep the spark alive." Teaching his brother these things would be useful should they separate. He laughed to himself thinking the only way that'd happen was if he got lost again, something he was skilled in doing. With a final puff from his mouth the fire flared to life, the twigs crackling from the new element. "Now we just put use bigger twigs, dry shrubs or whatever is good at burning." For now he just pushed a small log closer to the fire to add fuel. It quickly supplied them with a means to stay warm. The fish was next to be placed on the log, keeping a twig nearby to push the fish off once it was
good and cooked.
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Moss's attention wandered for a moment, admiring the camp Essex was calling home for a time. It was a nice place, well protected and deep enough in to hold more n a few herla. Dropping his small bundle of twigs to the side for a moment while he watched their meal flop. Even cold and dead the fish looked good, he couldn't imagine how nice it'd taste once it was hot and crispy!
Moss cocked his head and gave Essex a curious glance, his brother had some interesting notions, he'd heard of fish frying before, but crying? "Fish can cry? Interestin, I thought all that water down there'd make that a bit hard" Moss listened to his little brothers laugh, something in his chest swelling warmly with the sound, with the knowing that his fluffy younger sibling still cared greatly about his feelings. The many he had and few he showed "Tsk, me worry about you? Maybe I did a bit, but I was sure you'd float back up eventually." Essex really didn't have to apologize but it made Moss smile all the same, his brother really was a gentle beast.
"Where did you learn all this from anyways Essex, I know I never taught you any of this. M'not sure father did either.." Moss mused, watching the sparks catch and leaning down to puff at them gently. The little twigs glowing like embers before being swallowed up by the growing flames. Stuffing the larger twigs into the pile as it grew and warmed them nicely, the sound and sight of sizzling fish making Moss's stomach growl hungrily. He hadn't hardly noticed it before, but he was famished! Breakfast was the most important meal right? "I mean really, these here are some strong skills to be knowing, you musta met someone brilliant out there in your travels eh? Maybe a great master o the arts. Oh, or a mage!" Mosses bushy tail flicked and his eyes held a spark of intrigue. He was oh so curious right about now.
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:49 pm
"Twas my second pop, Papa Joe. He taught me things... " Gesturing to all this, "Stuff that would ensure I survive out there case I get lost 'gain." Not that it was needed until much later, Essex was grateful. Even more so at learning about how tasty fish was when cooked, it had such an interesting flavor but he didn't mind it either way. Raw or not.
"Not much else ta tell." And truly there wasn't, Papa Joe was a simple herla, the kind that just came and went as he pleased. He happened upon Essex by chance, took the yearling in and raised him as his own. When the old herla reached old age he had to go and leave Essex to fend for himself. "I still haven't found that crew I wanted but I got a few followers..." If Mr. Pickles were anyone, though he wondered where his first mate went. She'd been by his side so often back then but now she just wasn't around... he really did miss her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:44 am
Mosses good ear perked a bit at hearing this, obviously interested in tale of this 'second pop' creature. "Issat so? Well there's a buck with brains if nothing else, havin the foresight to know your the type that wanders." Moss could only wonder, what if they'd paid more attention, taught Essex more, maybe he'd never gotten lost in the first place. Though maybe, in hindsight it was all for the best. Despite his absent years Essex had grown up to be everything his parents could have hoped he'd be.
"Hnn, if I could meet this Papa Joe, I'd surely thank him. Heap treasures on him even for passin those brains of his onto you." Moss gave a strong nod and a snaggled grin. "Ah, a crew...Maybe the best way to go about one of those is to start your own. Yanno, a family n such, yer mate could be yer first mate, n your little ones yer swabbies!" Moss laughed heartily giving Essex a gentle nudge. "No worries little brother, you'll find yer crew, I'll even help ya search em out if you'd like."
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:46 am
Kids? He never really thought about that, Mirielle was someone he'd met by chance but she'd stayed with him through a lot. More than he could have asked for. He wondered if she were into maybe starting a family of sorts; it wasn't like it would hurt? Right?
"Ya know brother o'mine. I'm thinkin' ya got an idea thar. A family might be the best way to go for a crew." Course it was a matter of bringing up the subject with his mate. It wasn't like they... wait a minute! "Uh... I never really asked the wench if'n she were mine or not. It just kinda happened. Ya think she would be apposed to havin' my little scamps?" That was when worry set in. To top that off he really only wanted a crew of wenches. Having too much testosterone just made things complicated. "What if'n she says yah? How I'm suppose to get a crew a wenches?"
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