Move Along [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

His mission had been shopping. And the Czar had wanted something specific. Finding it was a challenge in itself, but he had managed to acquire everything he needed in half the time. He still had a good chunk of time before he had to be back at the Warren.

So Heike did something that absolute terrified him. If the Czar found out, he would probably skin him alive. However, most of the times the others at the warren like to cover each others backs. To some degree. Ultimately he was going to abuse a little bit of the trust that the Jack had given him.

He was going to follow a few rumors to search for Igni. So far all of them were tuning up empty. Maybe he just needed to try closer to home? But he had tried the entire Highlands and had not found a single rumor leading to the Doe. How hard was it to find someone with a mane made of flames?

So far it was proving impossible. But he had heard a small rumor that there was someone in this realm who was rather eccentric and seemed to keep track of the more unique Does.

But he ran into another problem. He was now completely and utterly lost. It was clear that he was near a warren. Maybe he could catch a leveret and ask them for directions?

The rabbit froze when he caught sight of something blue and white from the corner of his eye. It was too large to be another leveret. Oh... dear. If it was a card then he might be in trouble, after all he wasn't particular dressed for card approval at the moment. Why had he let his guard down? This good be a disaster. And what would happen to his sister if something happened to him now?

[Lucca]

There were no two ways about it. Seena was bored. Bored of this Warren, bored of the walls of her room, bored of her Jack. Some of the Leverets were actually decent company, but the Warren had so few of them that they were always busy, and Seena knew that it would be utterly childish of her to bother them while they were working. Rhodney...well, he had turned out to be a very nice and open Jack, allowing her more freedoms than she could have really hoped for. After the initial shock that was her first time with him and seeing his...er, rotting chest, she'd gotten more or less used to it, though it took all her training to hid the shudder of revulsion whenever she was with him. But that wasn't the main problem. She could have dealt with a rotting Jack as long as he was up to her (she really didn't think that unreasaonable!) standards. But Rhodney was...simple. Somewhat narrow-minded and focused only on comforts. Seena, on the other hand, loved big picture stuff, loved learning and planning and organizing. Rhodney would...indulge her a bit if she wanted to talk buisiness with him, but she could tell he wasn't really into it. And it angered her.

After all, it was not her place nor her right to be picky. She was stuck with the Jack she had until he decided to either trade her or someone came to steal her away, but how likely was that? They lived in the middle of nowhere in the mountains and she rarely saw anyone who wasn't part of their Warren. All she knew was, she'd do anything to be rid of this place.

"Forever," she murmured aloud, glaring at a little white flower (Stonecrop, she knew from her books) as she sat on the rock ledge on the edge of the Warren's property, about as far as she was allowed to go. She gave a start, hoping no one had heard her, but then what did it matter? What would they do to her? The same defiant streak that had led her to snap at her Father, that had landed her here, flared up and she stood, daringly putting one paw out and dangling it over the rock ledge. A million thoughts flashed through her mind, but it was at that moment she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Without thinking, still fed by inner fire, she whirled on the spot and tensed. "Who's there?" she called clearly, blue eyes narrowed as she got a good look at what appeared to be an unfamiliar Leveret. She relaxed slightly, though still giving him that suspicious, 'explain-yourself' look.

[Kari Muffin]

The voice made the Avington jump. His head snapped around to see the Doe fully. For a moment he looked utterly terrified, but when he finally processed what was in front of him he relaxed. The look on her face was still fairly intimidating, but at least he didn't have to deal with a Card.

He bowed his head and made a sweeping gesture of a bow. "I apologize Ma'am," he said as cheerfully as he could. He was still a little shaky and could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It wasn't every day he was practically defying orders. What if he got caught by this Warren's Jack?

"I was just looking for someone, and didn't realize how close I was to an actually Warren. I didn't mean to bother you." He hesitated for a moment, looking up at the pretty Doe. She looked far more spirited than a lot of the Does he had run into while working at the Czar's warren. Maybe she would be willing to help him? Should he ask?

For now he would wait for a response rather than push on the invisible boundaries.

[Lucca]

Her icy demeanor slipped away, leaving only the fire in her eyes, as the Leveret apologized. She inclined her head a bit in a show of acceptance. She knew this dance well, having been born a Doe and trained in it from youth. She looked him over. Avington, now that was strange. She wondered if he was far from his home, though perhaps he had not been so lucky as she to have been born in his home region. Many Leverets and Does could live out their entire lives without ever setting foot in the place they should by all rights call home.

At his next statement, she tilted her head curiously. Looking for someone? That was odd. She found herself speaking before she had a chance to think it through. "You're not bothering me. I was actually rather bored." She shook her head a bit, forcing her mane out of her eyes while she collected her thoughts to try again. No telling whose Warren the Leveret was a part of, after all, if he even belonged to a Warren at all. Though the rogue Leverets she'd seen (her Father had sometimes had dealings with them) had never looked so well fed and groomed as this one. They always had a meaner look about them, wilder. He looked tamed.

"My Jack is busy at the moment," she explained further, hopping a little closer. This should also put his mind at ease if he was worried about running into Rhodney, since she knew by now that his habit, if he should have need of her, was to send one of his daughters to fetch her. "When you say you're looking for someone..." She frowned thoughtfully. "I assume it's another Rabbit? Has one run off from your Warren?" She'd heard of that happening. A Leveret would get fed up and just run off. It happened with Does, too, but much more rarely, since they needed their Jack to stay sane, and many didn't know the first thing about surviving without being waited on hand and foot.

[Kari Muffin]

She was bored? That was curious. Sometimes keeping Does entertained was a nightmare and then some, but this one didn't seem like much of a hassle. She also didn't seem as dim as some of the other Does were. Maybe her Jack was someone who like to keep his Does educated?

There was a slight visible change in the way the Avington relaxed when she announced her Jack was busy. This probably meant there was a far less likely chance that he would run into one and have to face the consequences of possibly bolting. Who knew if this Jack was someone his Master associated with?

Heike's ears twitched for a moment as he listened to the Doe. Ah well, of course she was curious. Should he tell her the truth or just make up a lie? It would probably be harmless if he told her the actual truth of the matter. It wasn't like she thought he was a person, she'd probably think he was being silly.

"Yes, another rabbit. No one has run off from our Warren. I'm looking for someone very dear to me that was traded away. Y-you wouldn't happen to know of someone with a mane made of fire, would you Ma'am?"

It was worth a shot.

[Lucca]

It was impossible for Seena to miss the way the Leveret relaxed when she mentioned the probable absence of her Jack. This caused the first threads of burning curiosity to come into her mind, something she couldn't really help. It was just who she was. She always wanted to know more, to feel included, to know and to act and to -do-. If, as she suspected, this Leveret had a Warren of its own to be attached to, why would it be afraid of other Jacks?

The answer he gave to her questions was also the answer to the ones she hadn't voiced, and some of the pieces were falling into place. For example, if it had been assigned the task of finding someone by its Master, then it would know where this other Rabbit (another Leveret, she assumed, unless it was a Doe) had been traded. But the secrecy might indicate...something entirely different. Or perhaps she was reading too much into this. She had to keep it talking, find out more. This was almost exciting; a chance to be involved in something that wasn't just the routine of a laid-back Warren.

"Hmm, well, let me think..." Her eyes narrowed for a moment, and then she looked somewhat apologetically back at the Avington. "Not that I can recall, and I imagine that's not something it would be hard to forget. I don't suppose this Rabbit was a Morganberry? Though the cases are rare, it's more likely for those of that Realm to display characteristics or magic relating to fire." And here she was, going on tangents! Not helpful, she tried to tell herself sternly. "I'm sorry I'm not more help," she apologized, with a half frown. And then, after a pause and because she thought it polite to ask, "What's your name? I'm not planning to speak of this to anybody, and as far as I know we're the only Warren around for miles." Hopefully that would put its mind at ease, and then she might find out more. She looked over it, with its antlers and tree, trying to decide if it was male or female. Her first inclination was male because of its voice, but it was always hard to tell with unfamiliar Leverets.

[Kari Muffin]

Heike was a little surprised at the Doe's words. It wasn't every day that he met a Doe like this. Most of them disregarded leverets as being worthless. Or just used them for their amusement. Igni had been the only Doe that he had ever met who was truly kind. Perhaps this one was kind in a different way? It could have just be idle curiosity, she had said she was bored.

But she didn't seem to play with him like other Does had. Making him "pretty" or fishing for constant compliments and reactions. She just seemed... nice.

His ears drooped slightly at her comment. It had been a long shot, really. What were the chances that she had met Igni without remembering her? What were the chances of he actually meeting the other Doe in the first place? At this rate he had no idea where she was, and the trail was getting harder and harder to find. But he couldn't focus on that right now. His ears perked up again as Seena continued. It was nice that she was smart enough to put the pieces together.

"It's fine ma'am. It was a bit of a shot in the dark. I've been struggling to find other rabbits who have information on her. And yes... she is a Morganberry." There was a brief flash of a smile on his face before it returned to its normal cordial state. The only Warren around for miles? He must have been in the wrong place.

She wanted his name? The Avington hesitated for a moment. It would be the polite thing to do, but could he trust her with such information? Should he make a name up? But she seemed... different. After a moment he cleared his throat. "My name is Heike, ma'am."

It would have been far too rude of him to ask for her name in return. She was, after all, a proper Lady and he was nothing more than a lowly servant.

[Lucca]

She listened as he--she had decided that the Leveret was more male than anything else--responded to her questions. "That's one of the problems with us Rabbits...lack of communications, each Warren for themselves...it makes all of us feel so isolated from each other. Or that could just be me. No one really has an idea of where other Warrens are or how many there are if they're not right near them, especially in places like this..." She muttered this, almost to herself, then shook her head. Getting distracted again. "I'm sorry. Disregard that nonsense. Just...thinking out loud, I suppose."

A thought struck her, and she blinked mildly. She didn't know why, but she had a hunch (a strong one) that this Morganberry he was seeking -was- a Doe. It would certainly explain why he was sneaking around during the investigation. As for why he would seek her out, well, that was as obvious as the smile on his muzzle, and the look in his eyes as he talked of her. It was strange to see that look, but she didn't dwell on it. She smiled at him, to try and make up for the fact she'd been studying him as if he was one of her books.

"Heike. Well, I wish I could do something more to help you out." She did, too. He was certainly more intelligent than a number of the Leverets she'd met. And he had a clear goal in mind, which he was pursuing despite the obvious danger. She respected that, perhaps envied it. She'd lost her direction in life as of late. "I'm Seena," she added, realizing it was only polite to introduce herself in turn, even if she was above him in rank, and he probably would continue to refer to her by 'Ma'am' anyway.

[Kari Muffin]

He titled his head as he listened to her comments about warrens. It was quite true, they were mostly isolated and barely communicated with each other. But he supposed it was because all the men in society hated each other. He was sure that had something to do with their impossibly huge egos.

"You make a very valid point thinking aloud or not, Ma'am." He gave a small shrug. "I imagine the only reason communication is so weak between warrens is because Jacks can't seem to get along all the time."

For a moment he felt a twinge of paranoia. He brushed it off, shifting his weight awkwardly to hide the nervous twitch. But what if she decided to tell her Jack about him? She seemed nice than that, but he could always be wrong.

He bowed his head when she spoke again. And she offered her name. Seena? That was a beautiful name that seemed very fitting for her. Of course if he used it in conversation it would probably be disrespectful, but at least he would keep it filed away. There could always be a chance she ended up in the Czar's warren. Or dare he dream of something else.

"You've been a great help, actually. I know know I'm not looking in the right direction. I heard a rumor, and it was clearly just a rumor. I won't have to hunt around thanks to you, Ma'am."

[Lucca]

A wry expression crossed Seena's face. Though it was very daring of him to say such a thing, Heike was, of course, exactly right. "You make a good point at well, Heike. Only their own little worlds matter, of which they are ruler. No one else matters, they may as well just not exist. Except when they need a new servant or Doe, of course." She shook her head, thinking about just how many Jacks were like this. Her Father, certainly. The rest of the world only existed when he needed something, and otherwise he would focus only on his own kingdom. It was a ridiculous mindset, but it was so widespread there was no way to overcome it, even if the few sane ones wished there were a better system.

Though she wouldn't admit it, Seena found herself growing a bit fond of Heike. He was smart, properly respectful, with just enough of a touch of fire and personality to set goals behind his Master's back. Or it could just be the fact that he was her first contact with the outside world since she'd gotten here. At his reassurances though, she couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't the delicate, 'silver bells tinkling' type of laugh some Does might have, but it was clear and genuine and loud. "I appreciate you making me feel better, but I'm afraid I've really been no help at all, however you speak of rumors. After all, the only place in the world I know for sure your fiery friend isn't is in my Warren." Sobering up, she sighed a bit, hoping she hadn't offended him with that outburst. "I wish you good luck on your search, though, and..." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps I can offer you some food or water? You wouldn't have to come any closer to the Warren if you didn't want, I could go and fetch it." After all, he'd probably traveled quite a ways, and over rocky terrain, too. She could tell he'd been shopping, but she'd bet anything those supplies were strictly for his own Warren and not to be sampled on the road.