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| Zandy paws, boi garsh!; digging sandy holes, what else? | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 25 2009, 01:26 PM (212 Views) | |
| Duran Swiftpike | Aug 31 2009, 11:16 AM Post #11 |
High Commander
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The blind otter listened intently as Jelal both worked and talked. She appreciated how he spoke of helping others, and chuckled good naturedly as he made the comment that she could quote him. She just might. As he quickly shared his story she continued to wrestle with the shrimp. It did not escape her notice when he smiled, however. It was something she was always listening for. She could always tell. It intrigued and often surprised Avirly, especially when the young vole was trying to cheer her up lately yet was struggling with her own dilemma with her mother. Jade always knew when the vole wasn’t really smiling. Sometimes though, Jade could be the one who was surprised. When the other otter gently tapped her paw she nearly tumbled out of her seat in alarm. She hadn’t been expecting that! “Ooh dear, sorry! I mean, yes, please. This little shrimp is an odd shape and I just can’t quite figure him out.” Gratefully she handed over the last of her work. She felt a little flustered for some reason, and the fact that she couldn’t pinpoint it bothered her even more. For a moment she ran her fingers over the paw Jelal had touched, her face showing she was in deep thought. “I think I’ll go fetch the basket of food I brought,” she stated abruptly and stood up. “It’s mostly fruit and nuts and some apple fizz, but I did manage to sneak in a blackberry pie that we could have for dessert.” With her normal grace Jade made her way back to the blanket she had laid out and went straight to the basket. After carefully checking to make sure everything was still in its place, she picked it up and gave herself time to take a deep breath. The smell of the salt and the water mixed with the smells of Jelal’s cooking. Behind her Lorna and Avirly sounded like they were just finishing up their work of art. Despite the knot of worry that was now ever present in the pit of her stomach, Jade felt better. Jelal was right: Black Arch Fort was her home. And it was for more than just Riptide that she had come to love it. She had friends here. She needed to remember that. Taking a deep breath and putting a smile on her face she returned to the table. Setting the basket down she began to withdraw its many treasures and lay them out for Jelal to take care of, saving, of course, the desirable blackberry pie for last. |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 1 2009, 02:26 PM Post #12 |
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Level Two Poster
  ![]](http://209.85.117.197/static/1/pip_r.png)
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Jelal's eyebrows rose up when Jade nearly toppled over. Well, he hadn't thought his touch was that shocking! His bemused smile remained while she regained her composure and handed over the shrimp, which in his deft paws was opened up and split for cooking in the space of a few seconds. It was good to be an otter. All one had to do was take a dive and easily prepared food was all around! He glanced at her several times while he worked, wondering what she could have been pondering. She looked quite intriguing with that thoughtful expression, he believed. "Fruits an' nuts are all part of a balanced menu an' a full stomach," he said as Jade made her way back to her picnic basket, inconspicuously noting her sure, graceful gait in spite of her blindness. His distraction made him drop a load of vegetables he'd been about to throw into the pot (he nearly tossed it in the fire), which he scrambled to get back and dust off before anybeast noticed. Evidently he would not retain very much elegance if he was struck blind as well! "Hmm... acorns," Jelal noted as Jade brought out the panoply of food. "Mind if I roast one or two or a dozen o' these? Once the soup's done, o' course... speakin' o' which..." He picked up the rest of the meal and began dunking it into the broth, stirring constantly. "Nut oils for flavor an' fullness, green vegetables for a satisfyin' crunch... ohh, if only we 'ad dumplings. Bah, I'll make those next time. An' o' course, the shrimp now, 'long with the mussels..." And so Jelal talked mostly to himself as he went about the very, very serious business of cooking good food. His chatty nature had developed from his life on the road, when talk was cheap and learning information (like good recipes) was vital. What was the use of eating if the food wasn't prepared just right? As Lorna and Avirly went about the duty of collecting small beach creatures (some of which looked appetizing to Jelal even now) he continued to fix them up quite a meal with his limited array of cooking materials. "I'm tellin' you Jade, 'tis a shame ta' be a beast who can't cook. Now me... I 'ad ta' learn the hard way. Out on the road you either suffer through raw roughage, or you learn ta' please your own stomach. I've got a fair few stories of excitement an' danger that all wheeled around a pot full o' food! Such as one time when I 'ad ta' face a bunch o' thievin' reptiles. Wanted the fish I 'ad just caught, you see. Well... reptiles are a mite less picky about what they eat, you know, an' I was quite a dish to 'em as well. Long story short, I was trussed up an' scared out o' my wits! But fortunately I'd been cookin' the fish, an' the smell appealed to 'em. I managed ta' convince 'em ta' let me add a special ingredient... poisonous nightshade. Didn't kill the blackguards, unfortunately, but they weren't goin' nowhere while I high-tailed it out!" Edited by Jelal Waveskimmer, Sep 1 2009, 02:28 PM.
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| Duran Swiftpike | Sep 1 2009, 11:10 PM Post #13 |
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High Commander
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“Help yourself to the acorns and anything else you find useful for cooking here,” was Jade’s ready response to the fellow otter’s question. She was more than willing to do what she could when it came to helping prepare the food. When she was younger and still had her sight, she had been a decent enough cook, but such things were more difficult for her in her sightless world. As she again took a seat near the activity, she listened to the sounds of castle building and cooking, content to just soak in the moment. The smells of soup and sea air tickled her nose, and she breathed them in eagerly. Being born an otter meant a natural draw to water, and Jade was no different from the rest of her kin in this likeness. She had always had a particular love for the sea, however, and this was partially due to the mystery it held to her. She had never seen the sea, not with her eyes at least, and could only imagine what it might look like—an expanse of water that stretched into the endless horizon and continued ‘til none knew how far. Many things Jade could mentally picture when she felt, heard, or smelled them, but not the sea. Of it she could only imagine. As the other otter prepared the food and chatted, Jade was happy to listen to him. She was a practiced listener and was sure to agree with him about how important a certain degree of cooking skill was, and she gasped at all the right times in the tale of his encounter with the reptiles. “Nightshade! Marvelous! Never thought I would be saying that about such a thing, but that is something that you were able to use it in that way. Did you manage to salvage your fish during your escape, or were you simply happy to get out of there with your fur still attached?” Despite her blindness Jade’s pale green eyes danced with merriment as she enjoyed the otter’s good company. Jelal was proving to be a skilled conversationalist—hopefully he was as skilled in preparing the food! But she was soon to find out. She could tell by the smell and the sounds that their meal was nearly ready. Her stomach was certainly ready for something to eat besides a pawful of candied chestnuts. “Is there anything else I might do to help, Jelal? Please don’t let me just sit here like a toad with a cold; give me a job to do.” She smiled at him, being careful to look where she was near certain his face would be, judging by where his voice had come from just moments before. “I might need a bit more instruction, but I can manage.” |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Lorna Thumbleburr | Sep 2 2009, 08:18 AM Post #14 |
Level One Poster
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Lorna listened with a knowing smile as Avirly designated the shrew-crabs, mole-crab, and vole-crab. This young one really was quite sharp. She also possessed the valuable talent of understanding mole speech at a young age. Lorna approved. “I’m, um, Avirly, by the way. I’m sorry it took me so long to introduce myself. I know you’ve been at the fort a while now, but I’ve never really said much to you.” "Hurr, naow don't 'ee bees a worryin' an' a-frettin'. Oi allus was stayin' at 'ee Compurse h'Inner. 'Till 'ee gurt foir gobbled et oop, aye." She shook the volemaid's paw with gusto. "Oi'm Lorna. Lorna Thumbleburr, o' middle Moss!" Her nose twitched, and she gestured toward the two otters. Unless she was sadly mistaken, the smell of soup was wafting through the air. Oh how she loved soup! The castle was complete.... a few of its inhabitants had scurried off to attend to seashore business elsewhere, but that was fine. "Hurr, lil' Av'lers, let's go o'er an'see 'ee toisty lil' supper yon otterdawg's bee a-cookin' oop! If'n they'm don't care t'be a-sharin' vittles, oi dare say yore a roight deadly wurrior-beastie 'oo bees able t'convince 'em." |
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"We all urr wurms, but oi do burlieve oi'm a glow wurm." (amended from Winston Churchill.) :-:Biography:-: | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 6 2009, 07:58 PM Post #15 |
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Level Two Poster
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“Nightshade! Marvelous! Never thought I would be saying that about such a thing, but that is something that you were able to use it in that way. Did you manage to salvage your fish during your escape, or were you simply happy to get out of there with your fur still attached?” "Ah, heh... I'm not afraid ta' say I was runnin' for my life! On my affidavit, I could see their mouths waterin' when they saw me, an' I wasn't keen on nippin' back the fish. 'Specially after their grubby claws 'ad been all over it." Jelal gave a grim smirk and continued to stir the soup, finding himself quite enjoying the ottermaid's company. It wasn't often he found another beast (besides Avirly) who'd last through, much less genuinely enjoy, his genial and verbose conversations. He could go on and on about the more interesting parts of his travels. When she asked for something to do, his face lit up again with another smile. "Ah! Well... if you're lookin' for somethin' ta' do... would ya' mind givin' your paw there?" Jade would soon find Jelal's paws gently guiding the handle of the ladle into her own, weighted down with a good load of soup and some of the tasty ingredients inside. "The most important job at the table is knowin' whether or not the cook's got it right! Now the soup is just about finished... all I need ta' know is if it needs somethin' else! We've got, er, lessee, shrimp, mussels, good green watercress, scallions, well, the like! A soup from an otter... to an otter. Please, do the honors, Jade, an' then we can see to the others. I dare you ta' tell me it's not some o' the best beachside broth you ever put your lips to." After making sure she got a good grip, he glanced at Lorna and Avirly. "Hey! We've got soup for lunch, not sandwiches! 'Less you were plannin' on eatin' that fine bit o' craftsbeastship! Looks like a grand feast, for the eyes that is." His tail thumping lightly on the ground with anticipation, Jelal waited with bated breath on the judgment of his culinary skills, leaning forward and watching with a critical eye. He fancied himself a good cook after having to make almost every meal for himself after so long, so he took this business quite seriously. |
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| Duran Swiftpike | Sep 6 2009, 08:44 PM Post #16 |
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High Commander
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“Middle Moss! That’s a right pretty bit of woodland there, Lorna, I’ve been through it a few times. Did you by chance know the Gousim shrews in the area? They are a nice lot once you get past all the bickering.” As the mole motioned toward the two otters and the waiting food, Avirly was quick to follow. Her stomach gurgled as she and her new friend approached the others. Rubbing her stomach she winked at Lorna. “I sure hope they’re willing to share, because as much of a warrior as I am I’m no match for Jade here. She can wallop a beast with that cane of hers pretty hard! I’d rather not cross her if I can help it.” Grinning, the volemaid watched her blind friend take a sip of the soup. She tried to catch Jelal’s eye and failed as the cook awaited Jade’s approval on his dish. Instead Avirly continued to speak to Lorna, who was turning out to be a very humorous, likable character. “Last time I ate soup with Jelal it nearly burned my tongue off it was so hot! We’ll see if he’s made soup for the likes of us non-otter types this time. You ever had that otter hotroot stuff? It’s twice as hot as they say it is!” - Jade couldn’t suppress a few chuckles as Jelal explained how he had escaped from the hungry reptiles and had to leave his dinner behind to do so. The idea of him dashing through the woodlands and glancing over his shoulder to see if he was being followed was a comical image. This time Jade was ready for Jelal’s guiding touch, and she followed his directions closely. Accepting the ladle, she gingerly lifted it to her lips and took a small sip. “Mmm! Don’t change a thing, this is delicious!” She finished the whole ladle-full of soup as Avirly and Lorna joined them. Jade overheard Avirly’s comment about her walloping creatures with her cane, but chose not to comment. So far the only beast she had walloped at Black Arch had been Warrick, and she still swore up and down that it had been an accident. The young volemaid, who had seen the incident, knew better of course, and wasn’t very keen on keeping her mouth shut about it. In fact, she had found the whole thing far more amusing than Jade really thought it was. Warrick himself was very somber about it, as it had rendered him unable to sit comfortably for two days. “Speaking of my cane, Avirly, you have yet to return it to me.” The otter smiled at the vole as she handed the ladle back to Jelal. As it left her paws she quickly replaced it with a bowl she had heard Jelal set on the table earlier. Grinning she held the bowl out, clearly desiring that it be filled. “Age before beauty!” |
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High Commander of Black Arch Fort | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 7 2009, 06:32 PM Post #17 |
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Level Two Poster
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“Last time I ate soup with Jelal it nearly burned my tongue off it was so hot! We’ll see if he’s made soup for the likes of us non-otter types this time. You ever had that otter hotroot stuff? It’s twice as hot as they say it is!” "Thrice if I 'ave anything ta' say about it!" Jelal shouted over his shoulder as he caught Avirly's words, blown to him on the wind. He did love hotroot, though he hadn't put any into this particular soup. He knew that, for some strange, unfathomable reason, other creatures didn't enjoy having their tongue dancing aflame while they ate. He was especially unsure how a mole might take to hotroot, and decided Lorna should best try it on her own terms. He heard moles liked pies better than soups, anyway. When Jade declared her love of the soup, he clapped his paws and pumped a fist in the air. "Ha ha! I still got it! Come on over you two, enjoy this delight before we eat it all up!" He reached for the dishes and was about to hand them out when he saw that Jade had beat him to it, his snout practically poking into the inside of her bowl. He leaned back and raised an amused eyebrow as he prepared another ladle load, pouring it into the offered dish. "Age an' beauty? Sometimes the two go paw in paw... miss Jade," he said quietly with a playful smirk, before turning to the others. "Like with little Avirly an' her friend 'ere!" he exclaimed loudly, offering them the soup next. "How lucky I am ta' be surrounded on this fine evening by such lovely an' cultured maids. Veritable flowers in such a militaristic field!" He glanced at Lorna. "Ahh... forgive the impertinence miss, but I don't believe I caught your name?" |
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| Lorna Thumbleburr | Sep 8 2009, 03:34 PM Post #18 |
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Level One Poster
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"Hurr, 'ee shrewer beasties! Oi knows 'em, sure boi gum. Squeaky lil' voices an' allus in 'ee gurt stampede, aye. Oi know'd 'ee narsty lil' shrewer-mum, noim o'Shrillna. Boi yore purty lil' dress, oi'd'a rather ett moi vittlers with 'ee mean ole villy-ain than boi her soid. Allus a-yellin' an'a-shouten, hurr." Lorna smiled again at the vole. Apparently she had some travel experience under her belt.... or had a taste for the wordly things. At Avirly's mention of hotroot soup, her eyes lit up. "'ee y'otrooter! Oi, yes, yes, 'tis 'ee tears o'Darkforest Gaters, no less! Oi'm one of 'ee only molers wot scoffs ett oop. Just you'm bee a watchen, lil' Avlers, and ye'll be a-learnen' roight proper." She trundled speedily in the direction of the fragrant soup, and came to a stop directly in front of Jelal. He looked like a jolly beast.... the typical ottery sea-roving type. Lorna approved at once, particularly after his speedy delivery of pebbles earlier in the day. "Ahh... forgive the impertinence miss, but I don't believe I caught your name?" Lorna winked cheekily at him. "Oi, naow yurr beein' a roight ole scallywagger! Eatin' oop lunchers in 'ee coompn'y of all 'ee fair ladies, burr aye! Oi don't bee a-knowin' 'ow yer elders'd h'approve, nope." She leaned back on her plump haunches in a strange wobbly curtsy, all the while batting her eyes furiously. "Moi noim's Lorna. Mizz Lorna. Yezzir 'tis. Naow, oi'd best be a-suggesterin' that yore gurtly strong arms best be a-servin' oop 'ee zupper fer us foinly purty flowers, aye!" |
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"We all urr wurms, but oi do burlieve oi'm a glow wurm." (amended from Winston Churchill.) :-:Biography:-: | |
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| Duran Swiftpike | Sep 12 2009, 11:18 AM Post #19 |
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High Commander
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Avirly laughed when Jelal jumped in and said that hotroot was three times hotter than it was said. The vole would always be reminded of her friend Jelal when she thought of the spicy root, as it had been the start of their friendship. Now Avirly wondered if picnics on the beach would always remind her of Lorna and the fun day they were spending together now. Or maybe hotroot would remind her of the mole as well? It seemed Lorna had a liking for it! How strange for a mole! Avirly giggled all the more as her new friend declared her fondness for hotroot. As the compliments began to fly faster than the soup was served, the young volemaid did not hesitate to accept them all with appropriate grace and modesty. “Ah yes, we are the dazzling queens of the seashore, none compare to our beauty!” Lorna was not batting her eyelids alone for long, as Avirly quickly stepped up beside her and had her own lashes at work. The volemaid found the entire thing extremely amusing. Her stomach gave another loud gurgle as she finally accepted a bowl of soup. “Oh my, better get some of this goodness in me before my royal stomach makes any more protests!” - "Age an' beauty? Sometimes the two go paw in paw... miss Jade.” Though Jade kept her face smooth as Jelal fairly whispered the kind flattery to her, inside the comment had caused a very curious sensation to well up. It startled Jade more than anything. It had been many, many years since she had received a compliment of that nature, which had caused such a feeling to stir inside her. But, perhaps she was overreacting. Her emotions had been on edge ever since the news of Riptide’s whereabouts being unknown. Yes, the compliment was a polite compliment, likely made in return to her praise of his soup. She was grateful when Jelal turned his attention to the others, as Jade continued to stand rather flabbergasted. She sipped her soup in an effort to right herself, and listened as Lorna and Avirly played their parts of “lovely and cultured maids”. Jade chuckled at their antics, particularly those of the mole Lorna, whose rustic speech and jovial personality were quickly making her a companion the blind otter hoped to enjoy spending time with more often. “We will all have to get together again and enjoy more soup! This time with hotroot. I would dearly love to find out which of you three would down a bowl of hotroot soup first. I will say, by the sound of it you may just put these two in their place, Lorna!” |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 13 2009, 07:17 PM Post #20 |
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Level Two Poster
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Jelal oh'd theatrically and bowed low and apologetically over the table when Lorna spoke to him, spreading his paws and speaking to the floor. "If soup is what the good molemaid requires, then soup she shall receive! Plenty for all, especially for the ones who light the day up with their smiles." He gladly began spooning out ladle fulls for Avirly and Lorna, smiling between the two of them as he made sure everybeast assembled received a healthy portion before he turned to preparing the rest of the meal. He didn't want his soup getting cold while he was focusing on roasting the nuts and preparing the last few shellfish. "I assure your high and mighty-nesses, this soup is more than deserving of passing through such pretty lips as your own." With that he whirled around on his seat and began to fix up a roasting pan. "You all should feel lucky ta' have a good cook like me on a fine day like this. I've got so many memories of times when I thought I was gettin' a good meal an'... just wasn't gonna happen! Although the best place I ever got food was... this little roadside inn way deep in Mossflower, next to a little tradin' post. Ahh... probably had somethin' ta' do with the fact I was about ta' keel over dead from hunger, but not even Redwall Abbey seemed ta' match it. I was only at Redwall once, you know, for a few days." |
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11:47 AM Nov 28
