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| Errand Boy; Every chore must be done by someone | |
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| Topic Started: May 23 2008, 12:56 AM (296 Views) | |
| Orion Fulcry | Aug 11 2008, 01:50 AM Post #11 |
Level One Writer
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Jelal's comment about rainy weather had Orion nodding in agreement. He could recall several times that storms had made traveling - most unpleasant. Like when he was traveling along the western coast of Mossflower, much further south, a summer storm had suddenly sprung up, sending rain pouring down in... "How long 'ave you been makin' this fort your place of habitation?" Orion's train of thought was broken. Bringing himself back to the present, he blinked at Jelal. "Hm? How long?" He walked quietly for several seconds, tail flicking back and forth as he mentally ticked off how many days he'd been at the fort. After discovering he'd lost track, the squirrel settled for a more general estimation. "Nearly two seasons now." By that time, the pair had reached the North Tower, its door flung wide open to usher in the refreshing summer air. Stepping inside, Orion sighed when he caught sight of the staircase. "We have to take these to the third floor," he confided to Jelal. |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry (((  )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Aug 19 2008, 01:04 AM Post #12 |
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Level Two Poster
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"Two seasons?" Jelal wondered at the number. Sure, he had been alive for over thirty, but he had only just arrived at the fort. He was dealing with a seasoned veteran here, as far as he was concerned. All of a sudden he felt that much more guilty and clumsy, and wished that Orion hadn't been hit quite so hard when they collided. Brilliant first impression, he thought to himself. The tower was every bit as exciting as Jelal had hoped. No, really, he actually enjoyed it. Wasn't often, he was told, that different members of different towers visited ones that weren't their own, and the simple fact that he was going around inside it on an important duty was quite enthralling to him. His tail swayed back and forth as he began jogging up the stairs. Jelal's powerful leg muscles did their job admirably as he took them without pause, sometimes even two at a time. "Y'know, I always wondered," he said over his shoulder, "'ow long's it s'posed to take afore you're considered experienced?" He grinned animatedly. "I mean, I've been many places, mate, an' there're some crotchety old layabouts who haven't got a spit of wisdom between 'em, sittin' next to wet behind the ears recruits who could tie my rudder in a knot, an' see if I'm lyin'." He shook his head. "Take me for instance. I'm good with maps, an' writin', but sit me down in front of a sea chart, an' I could spend ten seasons starin' at it without gettin' a lick of knowledge from it. I am a river otter, y'know. |
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| Orion Fulcry | Sep 3 2008, 05:53 PM Post #13 |
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Level One Writer
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How Orion found himself trailing behind Jelal up the steps was beyond him. All he knew was that he was almost bowled over again as the otter's tail swung merrily to and fro. Dropping back a step to create a safe distance, Orion matched Jelal's pace. Breath coming in measured intervals, he listened to his companion talking about experience. By the time he finished speaking, Orion was ready with his response. "I've always just assumed that everybeast I meet is more experienced than me." Orion slowed on a step to readjust the stack of paper. Hop skipping up several more steps to catch back up, he resumed his jogging pace. "Better to overestimate an opponent. You're sure to live longer. Oh, right here is where we go." The pair had reached the third floor, the level with all the offices. |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry ((( )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 11 2008, 08:02 PM Post #14 |
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Level Two Poster
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"Ha ha!" The tower suddenly rang with the noise of the otter's boisterous laughter. Apparently Orion had stumbled on an idea that Jelal considered terribly witty. It was a short, barking laugh, the kind one got when a beast found stumbled on something that wasn't hilarious, but just humorous enough to get a reaction. Jelal shook his head as he pushed open a door that Orion had indicated, moving into an office that seemed almost too tidy to smply plop papers down in. "Seems to me everybeast 'as that kind of impression," he said, moving to one of the desks and dropping the paper down without much care. He worked with paper, he didn't try to keep it organized! "Although," he continued, "I don't really see the wisdom of it, sometimes. I mean, if ya think everybeast is more experienced, you'll never want to get out and match up!" he said, leaning on the stack, tapping his rudder on the floor. "I mean, what's the good of life if you're always worried about that? See, livin' on my own has given me the impression that you need to believe you're good at just about everythin'. Otherwise you're never motivated, see?" He grinned, flashing his pearly canines. |
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| Orion Fulcry | Sep 18 2008, 10:17 PM Post #15 |
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Level One Writer
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Orion was actually starting to enjoy himself a little bit. He had never really had the opportunity to just discuss things with someone. And now, somehow, he found himself comfortable enough with this otter he had barely met to just talk. Either Jelal's personality was drawing Orion out of his shell, or living at the fort was just naturally transitioning Orion into a more social state. "Assuming someone is more experienced than you doesn't mean you're afraid to fight them. It just makes you more cautious when fighting." Orion shuffled over to a cupboard set against a wall. "And if someone is more experienced than me, it inspires me to fight them. I see them as a challenge." Leaning back precariously, he freed an arm to open the cupboard door. Inside, a single sheet of paper lay forlornly at rest. Sliding it carefully aside - it shouldn't remain on the bottom of the stack, after all - Orion plunked his pile down. Delicately placing the lone piece back on top, he turned around and slid over to the desk with the second stack on it. "And besides," he added, a glimmer in his eye. "Vermin always underestimate me, and I see no reason to lower myself to their level." Grabbing Jelal's stack, he hoisted it into his arms and made his way back to the cupboard. |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry ((( )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Sep 30 2008, 12:56 PM Post #16 |
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Level Two Poster
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Jelal leaned carefully on his own pile, his elbow resting precariously on top. He tilted his head curiously, turning his small ears towards Orion's explanation, which made a good deal of sense now that he thought about it. Perhaps it was just where he was coming from, not just believing, but knowing that everybeast was just more experienced than he was. In that case, he had to at least think that he could match up. All these others, younger and tougher and more motivated, it made an impression on Jelal. If he just sat back and knew that everybeast else was simply better than he was, well! Wouldn't have been as motivating to himself as it was to Orion. He had to at least think he could match up. "You make some good points, mate," he said at last with a genuine smile, standing back so Orion could deposit it in its proper place. "Maybe I just need to toughen up my mind. Bein' somewhat new to all this... soldierin' business... can make a beast quail if they aren't careful. "Now as for vermin, I know exactly where you're comin' from. It's astonishin' really, 'ow much they think that just because they've got a sword they can push around the first honest woodlander they come across. I'll be honest, Orion, I've bashed in my fair share o' vermin skulls, an' 'alf o' those could've been avoided if they just walked away. Shame." He tapped his rudder on the floor. "I 'eard tell most vermin, the tough ones at least, come from out east, and across the western ocean. You ever been to sea, Orion? I've seen it, swam in it, but never really set foot on an actual ship. Rivers I can 'andle, but the sea... well, that's a new one for this otter." |
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| Orion Fulcry | Oct 1 2008, 12:39 AM Post #17 |
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Level One Writer
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((What do you say to wrapping this up in a couple more posts?)) Orion carefully placed the second stack of paper next to the first one. Gently closing the well-greased cupboard doors, he turned around to again face Jelal. "...I'll be honest, Orion, I've bashed in my fair share o' vermin skulls, an' 'alf o' those could've been avoided if they just walked away. Shame." Orion's countenance darkened. "Never met a vermin who didn't deserve every bit that he got," he muttered, almost under his breath. "I 'eard tell most vermin, the tough ones at least, come from out east, and across the western ocean. You ever been to sea, Orion? I've seen it, swam in it, but never really set foot on an actual ship. Rivers I can 'andle, but the sea... well, that's a new one for this otter." "To sea?" Orion's expression mellowed. Pulling absently on his necklace with two rings strung on it, he looked thoughtfully at the floor. "Yes, there was one time, a couple years ago..." His eyes unfocused for a moment before he pulled himself back into the present. "But that's long past." He looked at Jelal and tried out a small smile. "Well, you were certainly a great help with that parchment. Uh, would you care for a tour of the tower? It's probably not much different from South Tower," he added quickly. "But it might be." |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry ((( )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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| Jelal Waveskimmer | Oct 1 2008, 05:45 PM Post #18 |
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Level Two Poster
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((We can end it right here if you like!)) A tour? A tour sounded grand to Jelal! He had just thought that specifically no beasts were ever allowed in towers not their own, but then again, here he was, delivering papers and the like. Now that he thought about it, a tour would be just the thing. He didn't have anything else to do, and there was a whole new section of the fort to explore. Well, as much as one could explore a somewhat spartan military fort at least. He understood there were some caverns that needed spelunking into... With a flashy grin he stood at attention and saluted (being that Orion was of a higher rank). This would be the perfect opportunity to get to know the squirrel, whose tendencies to brood or be a little rough around the edges Jelal had yet to see, if indeed he had any rough edges. In the end, Jelal was just happy to be friendly and helpful. "My pleasure, mate! A tour just makes my rudder tingle, it does. Let's go see what doors we've never opened afore, eh?" |
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| Orion Fulcry | Oct 1 2008, 05:55 PM Post #19 |
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Level One Writer
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((Alrighty then!)) Orion returned the salute. Jelal's grin was infectious, and Orion soon found himself returning it. Sure, it wasn't quite as big or broad as the otter's, but it wasn't a bad start. "My pleasure, mate! A tour just makes my rudder tingle, it does. Let's go see what doors we've never opened afore, eh?" Mate... Orion had been called mate before, but it was usually just a word tacked on to the end. But now...he thought Jelal might actually mean it. He smile widened a tad. "Where to start?" ((That was fun. Feels good to actually finish a thread once in awhile. ^_^)) |
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Lieutenant Orion Fulcry ((( )))Life + Universe + Everything = 42 Alt: Amos Charp | |
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7:29 AM Nov 28
