|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 12, 2009 8:48:40 GMT -5
Myth was dizzy and tired enough to barely notice when she was transfered from wing to bag, though she did suddenly feel a bit safer, and wiggled instintively deeper into the blanket and the comforting darkness. She tried to just imagine she was somewhere else, back in her Warren...or maybe somewhere else entirely. The little Rabbit would often daydream, letting her mind wander in quiet moments all to herself in her own little corner of the Warren, where no one could bother her or look at her with pity or haughtiness.
You wouldn't know it from looking at her, but Myth actually had quite an active imagination. Today she was thinking about being an explorer, wandering all over like one of those 'rogue' Leverets, seeing other places...maybe seeing her home region...where people would finally understand...lulled by these thoughts away from where she actually was, Myth soon drifted into a light sleep, breathing slowing somewhat and tired limbs all relaxing. She didn't even hear Colin's words to her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 12, 2009 9:06:00 GMT -5
It was hard to tell time like this, but if Colin had to guess, it had been about an hour since he'd picked the Rabbit up. An hour. And still nothing. No towns, anyway...he'd passed a few houses, most of them empty, probably vacation houses for rich people living in the Capital. Even so, he didn't want to go too close to check if anyone was home. His eyes held a hunted look, and he felt like what he imagined someone with a horrible, highly-contagious illness would feel while looking for a doctor. He doesn't dare talk to anyone or ask for directions, in case they should find out he was sick and shun him, or worse, lock him up away from civilized society. He was starting to feel small shadows of regret clouding the edge of his mind. Why had he even stopped to look? Why had he let his stupid curiosity get the better of him? He was usually smarter than that!
He glanced down at the small bundle in his bag, knowing the mostly-hidden Rabbit was fast asleep. He couldn't just leave it out here in the middle of nowhere. That would be cruel, and he would never forgive himself for it. But the farther he walked without finding somewhere safe to hide the little creature until it was well enough to go back home, the worse he felt. It was like there were eyes watching him everywhere, though he had seen no one, thank goodness.
Up ahead, there was a break in the trees he was walking between. Late afternoon light glimmered off what he could only assume was water, and his heart leapt. He quickened his pace a bit, feet beating out a steady rhythm. He even briefly entertained the notion of activating his Spade ability, but no, that seemed highly unnecessary. He finally burst out of the tree line, walking fairly quickly, only to come to a screeching halt as he came face to face with a pair of bright golden eyes. Oh no. Oh, -Suits-, no.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 12, 2009 9:19:51 GMT -5
 Felix had been sitting and watching his mother garden, watering flowers, picking vegetables to use for that night's dinner, and pruning shrubs. It was relaxing, and the only thing that would make it better would have been to get a lemonade or a glass of something mildly alcoholic (which was the only sort his parents would let him have while at home. Silly authority figures.) He briefly entertained the notion of getting up to shamble to the kitchen and retrieve said drink, but he was far too comfortable here. His mother would look over at him and tut and shake her head a bit. Even for a Selkie, her son was lazy. " I'm going to go inside for a bit, Felix," she said eventually, looking at him. " Dinner will be at 7, all right?" Shaking her head, quills quivering, at his minimalistic response (he'd raised one paw to give her a gesture she knew meant 'ok' only from constantly seeing it) she gathered up the basket of fresh, homegrown vegetables and waddled inside. Felix dozed a bit, enjoying the cooling breeze off the small lake that intersected his family's property, just enjoying doing nothing, his mind a comfortable blank. Hearing some rustling, he looked up...and was surprised to see a purple bird standing there, looking stunned and out of breath. Why in the name of the Queen of Hearts had someone been running like that? Just the thought made him tired! Sitting up with a grunt, he flashed the Card a smile. He was Villa, as the light purple feathers and fanciful script across them made plain. Ooh, he liked Villas. They wrote music -and- were rather easy on the eyes. " Hello, stranger," he greeted. " What's the rush, huh? Come and sit down for a moment." He pat the grass beside him with a paw. |
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 13, 2009 13:22:53 GMT -5
Despite the fact that inwardly, he was panicking (he had been trying to avoid people! It had been working! But now there was someone looking right at him and what if he saw the suspicious lump in his messenger bag and what if the spiky guy was crazy and killed the bunny and him and AHHHHHH) his face slipped into a mask of calm politeness with the ease of much practice. He knew how to behave well under pressure (well, unless he lost his temper, but that was another issue entirely).
"I am sorry, Sir," he began, eyes flicking curiously to the porcupine's Rank - Five of Spades, like he used to be - before he smiled slightly. He swept into a graceful bow, one wing coming across his chest and coincidentally covering up the telltale nose sticking out of the bag over his shoulder, and staying there absently when he straightened to continue his calm introduction. "I had no idea that someone lived here and am merely passing through. Would you be so kind as to direct me to the nearest Inn or another place to get lodging for the night?" Please let the man actually be helpful and not nosy. Please.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 13, 2009 13:34:00 GMT -5
Felix tilted his head curiously at all the formalities. Where did this guy think he was, the Court of Hearts? He could honestly never remember being called 'Sir' in his entire life, and it would have made him chuckle if he wasn't so surprised by it. He waved a paw in a casual gesture. "Hey, it's all good! Lots of people come here, we got a great beach." He paused to smile fondly at the lake over his shoulder. They weren't the only family that lived next to--and therefore could call themselves owners of--this lake, but all the ones who did were very friendly and didn't at all mind people coming to swim, soak up sun, and have fun in the water.
"But there's no rush, man, seriously. Come sit down for a minute before you fall over!" He made a 'come on' gesture to the bird and patted the ground beside him again, still smiling guilessly. "And if you need a place to stay, my home is right here and you are welcome to crash there. I believe in open doors." He didn't remember where he had heard that, but he thought it was very deep, and a darn good philosophy, and therefore worth repeating.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 15, 2009 7:57:02 GMT -5
Suits, this guy just wouldn't let things be. Just his frigging luck he had to end up with someone who was hospitable to the point of badgering. And yet he would feel bad just snubbing him, since he was actually being very generous...and it was, after all, going to get dark fairly soon, and travelling alone in the dark with a Rabbit was even worse. Especially if morning came and he hadn't found anything, and he had to let Mythiril hippity-hop back to her home with no real rest or food or anything.
"That's...very kind of you, sir," Colin replied hesitantly, a subtle shifting of his feet the only outward sign of his anxiety over the situation. He eyed the spot the porcupine was indicating he should sit, wondering if that would be safe...he could probably make some excuse to retire early, but at least Myth was still asleep and...okay, he could work with this, he just needed to think on his feet. Heh.
"I'm most grateful for the offer, so I think I'll have to accept." Forcing a smile, the cardinal walked over to sit awkwardly on the ground, making sure to swing the bag around (gently!) and place it on his opposite side so the Selkie wouldn't get curious. "I suppose, at this point, introductions are only proper. I'm Colin."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 15, 2009 8:09:18 GMT -5
This time, Felix did laugh at being refferred to so formally, ears twitching as he looked bemusedly up at the bird. "There's no need to call me 'sir'," he assured him, resting his paws on the ground and leaning back a bit as he watched his new friend walk over. He was happy his offer had been accepted, though. He knew his parents wouldn't mind putting the Villa up in the guest bedroom for the night, and his mom always made enough dinner to serve a small army, so one extra guest wasn't going to be a problem.
"Colin, huh? I like it," he declared. It was short, sweet, and easy to remember. "You can call me Felix." He vaguely noticed the messenger bag that was set suddenly on the ground beside the bird, but didn't really care enough to ask about it, assuming it to be filled with...well, whatever people usually carried with them while on the road. He wouldn't know since the only place he normally went was Capital City, and all he took with him was a pouch of money. He grinned and lifted a paw to rest on the other's shoulder. "So, is there anything you wanna do or see before dinner? I know a lot of people come to the Lakes for our pretty scenery."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 15, 2009 8:20:15 GMT -5
Colin had to surpress the urge to roll his eyes. Refined and cultured, this porcupine was not, but then again Selkies tended not to be. Some of them had a good head for business, but none of them were very...well. They wouldn't really fit in with the sort of society Colin enjoyed. Excepting the late Queen of Diamonds, though Colin had never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but he could only assume anyone who could mesh well with the Courts was hardly your typical Selkie. On the other wing, Felix didn't seem to exactly be the brightest crayon in the box, even for his region.
"Pleasure to make your aquaintance, Felix," he said politely, and might have added more, but at that moment his personal bubble was very much invaded. The bird stiffened immediately, a wave of panic going through him at the unexpected physical contact. No, Colin did NOT like being touched, not at all. But he also didn't like appearing rude. Trying not to let his discomfort show, he inched subtly away from Felix on the pretext of getting a better look at the sunset they were watching.
"How soon will dinner be? I mean, it's not like I've never been here before, well not here here of course but I've been to Selkie Lakes a number of times, an old friend of the family lives here," Colin swallowed to try and stem his own nervous babbling. He really just wanted to bolt, get far away until his personal space was no longer in danger of being invaded. "It is a lovely place," he added in a somewhat strained voice, "But I'm afraid that I must retire early for tonight. It has been a long journey and I need to get on the road early again tomorrow." Well, he did if he wanted to get to that woman's house before she got miffed at anyone. Lucky he left himself some extra time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 15, 2009 8:30:10 GMT -5
Felix was not entirely oblivious to the bird's discomfort...but he was entirely ignorant as to the reason. With how much the porcupine enjoyed physical contact, he would never guess there was anyone who didn't like it. After all, he was only putting his paw on the bird's shoulder. So when Colin moved away, Felix just moved closer, smiling at him. Aw, why was he getting so flustered? It was really rather...cute. Absently, his paw stroked a little, feeling the soft purple feathers.
"Dinner's not for another half hour or so," he answered, also turning to look at the sunset and therefore missing the panicked look in Colin's eyes as he moved a little closer to the bird subconsciously. "Oh? What's his name? Wonder if I know your friend," he mused, feeling slightly curious. He was about to ask more questions, perhaps about one of his favorite subjects, music, which he knew that Colin, as a Villa, would love to discuss, when the bombshell was dropped.
"Aww, really? That's a pity. Still, if you need it, I will show you to your room right after dinner." After all, the man was a guest.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Sept 20, 2009 7:58:24 GMT -5
Colin sat rigid, everything in him screaming at him to run...to get away...somehow, he managed to keep a smile on his beak all the same, though it was fairly strained. Not that Felix would necessarily be able to tell that unless he was used to reading bird expressions. A half hour...could he endure this that long? He knew that he had to, for Mythiril's sake. His gaze flicked briefly down to look at that little, gently moving lump in his messenger bag before returning to the lake in front of him, trying to ignore completely how close the porcupine was.
"Her name is, ah, Mildred," Colin replied levelly. "She's a Selkie Villa mix, mouse, and quite...successful." In truth she was rich, though also a little loony. From what he remembered, anyway. It had been years since he'd seen her last, which was why this visit was so important. He had to hope he could find his way to her house, though. He hadn't thought about that little detail before now, and he inwardly quailed. How far had he run today, looking for a town and not really keeping as good track of where he was going as he should? Overall, today had been a monumental failure. And now he was sitting here with this freaking porcupine, a -male- porcupine, feeling him up! Ugh.
"Thank you, Felix, I would appreciate that," Colin said, feeling a very slight relief at the fact that at least he didn't have to deal with more of this...whatever this was after dinner. Though he would need to somehow sneak food up to the Rabbit...
|
|
