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 Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:22 pm
 The rain was metaphorical. It wasn't really there, even if he thought it was. The air felt oppressive, heavy, thick, as though a storm was rolling in. He had trouble breathing. It started as a small feeling, a sense of dread that gnawed at his heart as he moved towards the down proper with Marsh.
Her burrow was quaint and roomy enough to take both herself and his own heavy set frame. It was warm, comfortable, and perfect to pass the winter in. They had gathered enough materials to be comfortable, enough bedding to split between them, and enough dried flay to keep their bellies from growling - at least for a while. Food was scarce and they would have to forage, but it wasn't only the scarcity of food that had him anxious. It was part of it, but that was certainly not the brunt of it. He was actually happy there, bar the uncomfortable feeling. Marsh was pleasant company and she was pleasant to speak with. The burrow felt moderately safe, usually, but today he felt overwhelmed. It was close to evening, the sun was still in the sky above, yet it was beginning to sink and he, he felt the need to get out. He felt trapped. Couldn't breathe. He pushed out of the burrow's entrance and hurried along the tunnel, heading instinctively towards the surface. Whether or not Marsh was after him, he wasn't sure. He was trembling, his teeth chattering. He couldn't shake the dread feeling, even as he surfaced and inhaled sharply, trying to fill his lungs with fresh air. He gasped.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:05 pm
 Marsh had hoped it was just nerves about being at the main warren, about being near all the other rabbits when he'd been off by himself for so long. Nine's anxious behavior hadn't slipped past her, but she had hoped there were more mundane reasons for it. But as he slipped out of the burrow without a word and obviously terrified Marsh found herself with her own dark, hollow feeling... because she had a feeling there was more to it this time, just like there had been the day they first met. If only she had known then that there really was something to Ninebark's episodes...
Still, she hoped it wasn't that, and hurried out behind him as quickly as she could. Once he reached the outside, gasping and afraid, she did what any doe with maternal instincts would and cuddled against him comfortingly and began grooming his ears to help him calm. Just as she had that first time... "What is it, Ninebark? A nightmare? Or... is it like last time?"
Her tone was utterly serious, and perhaps for the first time Ninebark would know he truly had someone at his side on this. She believed his premonitions. Though she wished she didn't, because there was enough darkness on the horizon. Still... best to make sure. And if it was, she would find someone they could tell about it. She wasn't going to let this slip by because of uncertainty, not after what had happened the last time.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:29 pm
Marsh was there and while he could hear her, he couldn't seem to make out what she was saying. Her tone and warmth were comforting, but his body continued to tremble on it's own accord and his pale pink eyes seemed to be staring off into nothingness as he looked along the down's slope. The evening seemed to be filled with thick, ominous clouds. They weren't really there. That was what he reminded himself, regardless of how real they seemed. Thunder deafened his ears and the land below the down seemed to be blanketed in dark shadows that blotted out any sense of scenery or landscape. It came nearer, like a flood, consuming and twisting everything in it's path.
"S-s-so cold."
As the wave of darkness came closer to the down, it slowed. It seemed to take form. Rabbits made of shadow split from it, leading the darkness towards himself and towards the warren as a whole. Finally, the nightmare was over. Either it had run it's course or Marsh's soothing actions brought some sense and calmness. Regardless, the russet buck was more than thankful. He leaned into her warmth, trying his best to stop shaking, yet he could not shake the dreaded cold that tickled his spine.
"I-i-it's strangers."
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:47 pm
Marsh continued her soothing actions for a few minutes after he finally seemed to start calming, and attempted to express what he'd seen. Strangers... Like he had once been a stranger? She felt there was something darker to it, and was now quite worried, but she forced it out of the forefront of her mind. She had to help Nine right now. She hummed gently, softly, some nonsense lullaby her mother had once sung to her when she was a little kitten. It had always helped to chase her nightmares away. Fortunately she had a voice that could carry a tune, as well! A discordant melody was probably the last thing he needed.
"Strangers... are coming? That's what you saw?" She put her paws around his shoulders, resting her head against him and hoping her presence would still help to comfort him as he thought it over. "We... we should tell someone. Your friend, or... one of the other Owsla? They should know strangers are about to come, for both the warren's sake... and theirs." She groomed his ears again gently. "Can you think of anyone you'd feel comfortable talking to? Otherwise I can... I can go the Owsla burrow, maybe, and see if there's anyone there I can fetch for you."
Going to Owsla warren was to invite a good cuffing, at the least, depending on who was there. But it had to be done, and she wasn't about to make Ninebark go. She... she could handle it. For Ninebark's sake she was sure she could, he'd been through enough already.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:06 pm
The trembling finally subsided, but his eyes were dilated and his breathing somewhat labored. It was only when he was certain that he could actually speak without being a complete stuttering mess that he made an effort to do so. Whether or not Marsh knew it, he was extremely grateful. Her suggestions worried him, not because he thought she was wrong, but because owsla in general intimidated him. He knew what he had to do, but he didn't want to do it.
"Yes, s-strangers. Like a big, black mass, swallowing everything up. Coming up the down." Another shudder as he recalled the memory. Had this been back at his former warren, he'd be the laughing stock... But Marsh wasn't laughing, which encouraged him onward. "There was thunder. Danger. I've got to tell the owsla, or there will be trouble. More trouble than there would be, otherwise. Uh-uh, Pepper. Pepper." He recalled the youngster he had met in the outskirts so long ago. Of all the rabbits who had been promoted to the rank of owsla, that was the only he had any true prior experience with. Maybe Pepper would recall those days in the scrapes and be kinder than the other officers. Maybe he would take him seriously.
"Pepper was with us in the scrapes, back then. Maybe - maybe him."
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:31 pm
Marsh felt a cold chill down her spine as Ninebark spoke of strangers coming and swallowing everything. If there were many, that would more than do them all in... even if it were only a few, the warren couldn't support many more without pushing things even further into the danger zone than they were with the food supplies. If strangers were coming... even if they didn't mean them ill... it would be a problem, and a big one.
"Don't worry Ninebark... I... I believe you." Perhaps no one had ever said that to him. It was a sad thought for Marsh. And she did remember vaguely the buck named Pepper... she had seen him when the lot had returned from both raids, and heard some of the Owsla congratulating him. Had he been promoted then? Not that it mattered... he was the one Ninebark asked for, he was the one she was going to find. "All right... I'm going.. I'm going to the Owsla burrow to see if I can find him, unless I get lucky and meet someone along the way. I'll fetch him for you. Unless... unless you want to go with me, but if you'd rather wait on your own I would certainly understand. I don't think I'd want to be around too many people, feeling the way you seem to be right now."
She paused, then broke down and nuzzled him gently. "Just... try to be somewhere I can find you, all right? I'd... I'd worry a lot more if you disappeared, and I'd miss you." Marsh put her brave face back on and patted him gently on the shoulder. "I'll be right back, as fast as I can, all right?" She forced a smile for him and headed off toward the Owsla burrow, hoping someone would be there, or that luck would be with her and she'd just bump into Pepper on the way. Not that she was going to count on that, but still... it would be nice.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:21 pm
The look he gave her was nothing short of incredulous. She... Believed him? Of course, she had been awful nice to him thus far. Maybe that was why? Either way, it was a strange feeling and quite possibly a hopeful one. A very faint smile tugged at his lips, despite the fear that he felt. This doe had helped him so much and continued to help him, despite the strange episode and his spouting off of things to come. For the first time since his arrival to Watership Down, the russet furred buck felt like he could call this warren home. He had another rabbit he felt he could trust and count on and he was certain he would have at least some sort of a friend in Pepper.
"Be careful, Marsh. I would really appreciate it if you could bring Pepper back. Please don't get hurt, though." He didn't feel anything particularly wrong with her leaving, but his previous vision had him feeling so muddled that he really could not trust himself. "I'll stay right here. Promise."
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:33 pm
The rabbit in question was indeed out and about on the warren. Enjoying the cool night air and discreetly making sure all was well in the warren that night. For Pepper took his newly appointed role of owlsa very seriously.
As the night dragged ever onward, Pepper found himself leaving the warren for the outskirts. Oh how it brought back memories of his kit-hood, those few happy memories before the great sickness. Of the nights spent with Ivy and Mud and those days he spent with Ninebark. Pepper often found himself wondering what had happened to the remainder of his family. He knew Ivy had joined the black rabbit and for that Pepper was saddened. Turning his gaze to the sky Pepper let out a soft whisper to the wind "Are you proud of me mother?" It was at times like this he missed his mother most
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:48 pm
Marsh was met by one of the more friendly Owsla just a bit outside the burrow and told that Pepper was out on rounds. That would make tracking him down more difficult but... oh well. Her course was set and she hopped back out, further and further round the edges of the down until she thought she spotted a white form out a bit further in the scrapes. Was that?...
She hopped closer, until she thought the form in question was indeed one she recognized as Pepper's from her brief sights of him after the raids recently. Hopefully... hopefully it was him. "Pepper? You are the Owsla, Pepper, aren't you? If so I... well, no, Ninebark needs to speak with you. Please." Marsh was trying to remain calm, but by this point even her anxiety was showing through. Please let this be Pepper, and please let him be willing to hear Ninebark out... She was fearful of what might happen if he didn't.
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:46 pm
As he was approached, Pepper turned. His muscles tensing in the fight or flight before he relaxed. It was just another member of the down. Studying the rabbit for a moment, Pepper gave a slight nod. "Yes I'm he. And Nine wishes to speak with me? Lead the way" Pepper could see the anxious worry in the other rabbit. He just hoped Ninebark was not in trouble.
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:39 pm
Marsh was visibly relieved. "All right, he should be right back this way..." She headed back for the place she had last seen Nine, hoping he was indeed right where she left him as he had promised. As long as nothing else had happened while she was gone...
"He said you were with them out in the scrapes... back then. Did he ever tell you about... the things he sees? The... visions?" She bit her lip for a moment before continuing on determinedly. "I should... I should really let him explain, but, I've seen enough to think his... premonitions... really have something to them. I wouldn't have come to find you otherwise." She paused and turned to Pepper for a moment. "It will probably sound strange, but please, hear him out. I'm afraid... something bad will happen if you don't."
She turned then and finished leading him back to where Ninebark was, glad to see he was indeed where she left him. "Ninebark, I found Pepper."
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 8:03 pm
"Pepper, Pepper, good to see you."
Ninebark was indeed where Marsh had left him. He'd been too bothered to move, trembling quietly as he tried to regulate his own breathing. He was far from hungry and wouldn't bother siflaying in this state, nor did he know his way around the warren well enough to randomly visit other rabbits he hardly knew. No, he was best staying where he was, waiting for Marsh to return with Pepper. He groomed his face and long, floppy ears anxiously as he awaited their return and there they were, in the flesh. Marsh hadn't failed him, just as he knew she wouldn't. He hadn't actually spoken to Pepper in a very long, long time. The rabbit, who had bene a kitten when they had lived in the outskirts together, had grown in to a large, strong rabbit.
"Thank you, Marsh. Pepper, I need to speak with you. About.... About... About...." He shuddered.
"I've seen things."
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