Post by Commander Marie and Will on Jan 1, 2007 2:59:48 GMT -5
*The sunlight that beamed down through the twig canopy of Mossflower‘s mammoth trees was chilly, filtered as it was through the wintry air and scattered clouds that made up the blue skies above the woodland. Despite the cold feel to the light, it was bright and full with promise, promise that spring would bud once more. The small, sturdily-built harvest mouse that ambled between the tree trunks noted this promise, grinning an appreciative grin. Spring. New leaves on the trees. Bright grass on the ground. Warm rain showers. Colorfully petaled flowers. If she had to choose a favorite season, it would probably be Autumn; however, she could find something to appreciate in every time of year, along with something to dislike. Dampened spirits. The retreat of Winter‘s blanketed snow. But these negative thoughts usually remained at bay until about mid-season, when the weariness would set in.
Now, however, Marie Blue-eyes Yewbow felt a deep sense of contentment -- not only with the weather, but also with life in general. Her wandering through Mossflower Wood was more purposeful than the word might imply. She was making the return journey to the Fort where the Guardians of Mossflower made their home, and taking her time doing it. She had just spent weeks scurrying all over the land, from the frozen North to the barren South, battling all manner of creatures in a Tournament of spars: all in the name of the Guardians. She figured she deserved a couple days’ worth of leisurely travel before returning the pressures and stresses of life as an officer in the Fort. The Tournament had ended on a high note, leaving her in a somewhat euphoric good mood. She had defeated her final opponent -- a badger -- and paid a visit to the Tavern frequented by Tournament’s participants. There, she had engaged in friendly conversation with Carrack, a canine corsair that she’d held an uncircumstantial animosity towards since her spar with him. During that visit to the Tavern, she’d finally released her grudge, laying it aside in favor of curious discussion.
Marie made camp that night beneath the stars, building a small fire and sleeping out in the open. She did not expect rain, as the few clouds that had rested in the sky earlier in the day had blown off before sunset. There was always the chance that a winter storm would blow in unexpectedly, of course, but she decided to take the risk. There was something freeing about watching the stars twinkle in all of their unobscured brilliance while you lay close to the earth, secure in your nestled position. That night she slept exceptionally well.
The next morning, Marie awoke with the dawn, staring up at the lightening sky. A few stars still twinkled above as she packed up her simple camp, stowing her sleeping mat and putting out the fire by kicking some dirt onto it. Hoisting the haversack onto her shoulder and tightening the strap, she set out once more on the way to the Fort. Her chosen path was less meandering and considerably more purposeful this day. She knew she was nearing her destination, and the closer she grew, the more anxious she was to be home. Home. What a concept. The last Round had been held in Redwall, a place she had once called home; naturally, her memories had been stoked by the visit. She had questioned whether there was a single place that she could claim as her home, having lived in many different places throughout her life; she still had not completely settled the question. Was her home in the Fort, with creatures who shared her interests and would follow her into battle? Was it in the North, the land of her ancestors, where the old spirit of the warrior was still very much alive? Was it in Redwall, where two of the beasts she cared most about in the world had taken up residence, where memories drifted like dust in the stained-glass sun rays? Who could really say? She saw herself as a wanderer, thinking that there was no single place to claim as home; but, still, she longed for a picture leap to mind when the word “home” was spoken by some indifferent creature.
“Hmm”-ing quietly to herself, Marie adjusted the haversack‘s strap across her chest and picked up a beat in her step, pacing herself to the blood thumping in her ears. The rest of the journey was simple and straightforward, and she completed without hindrance. She stopped some time after dawn for a meal of cheese, bread, and a cold strawberry drink called Strawberry Fizz; and then again at noon. She reached the area around the Fort that afternoon, a couple of hours following her midday meal. Delighted to be back in really familiar territory, she picked up speed, a broad grin blooming on her snout. If the Fort was not her home, then it was certainly a familiar place, somewhere she felt comfortable and secure. The creatures inside it‘s walls she considered comrades, almost family; but there was one in particular she was anxious to see. Her husband, Willem Yewbow, Jr. The mouse she had lain aside her independent life of wandering for.
The Fort‘s walls burst upon her vision, the trees thinning out just before they ran up against some invisible line that ended their growth, leaving some open ground before the strong bulwarks. At that moment, she felt as though she could burst out into song, or a chant, or at least a victory cry. But with a small smile she suppressed the urge, her eyes sparkling with contentedness. How could she disturb this perfectly inviting scene? Instead, she stepped out into the open area, striding confidently across and to the main gate. She set the haversack down at her paws and raised a fist, pounding it firmly against the Fort’s sturdy door.* ‘Oy there, open up me laddos! ‘Tis C’mmand’r Yewbow, returnin’ tae the Fort frae th’Tournamen’! Lemme in so’s ah kin give ye all a big return kiss, the noo.
*Tossing back her head, she laughed proudly, from a mixture of euphoria and amusement. The cold rays of the sun bent on the silver ring that dangled from her right ear, bouncing sharply away. The Commander was back!*
OOC: I’ll bring in Will when Marie gets into the Fort. =D Bwhahaha… First RP of the New Year! (It’s twelve o’clock exactly. Happy New Year, everyone! *waves sparkling-wand firework and places a large top hat with “Welcome 2007!” in gold letters on the front*)
Now, however, Marie Blue-eyes Yewbow felt a deep sense of contentment -- not only with the weather, but also with life in general. Her wandering through Mossflower Wood was more purposeful than the word might imply. She was making the return journey to the Fort where the Guardians of Mossflower made their home, and taking her time doing it. She had just spent weeks scurrying all over the land, from the frozen North to the barren South, battling all manner of creatures in a Tournament of spars: all in the name of the Guardians. She figured she deserved a couple days’ worth of leisurely travel before returning the pressures and stresses of life as an officer in the Fort. The Tournament had ended on a high note, leaving her in a somewhat euphoric good mood. She had defeated her final opponent -- a badger -- and paid a visit to the Tavern frequented by Tournament’s participants. There, she had engaged in friendly conversation with Carrack, a canine corsair that she’d held an uncircumstantial animosity towards since her spar with him. During that visit to the Tavern, she’d finally released her grudge, laying it aside in favor of curious discussion.
Marie made camp that night beneath the stars, building a small fire and sleeping out in the open. She did not expect rain, as the few clouds that had rested in the sky earlier in the day had blown off before sunset. There was always the chance that a winter storm would blow in unexpectedly, of course, but she decided to take the risk. There was something freeing about watching the stars twinkle in all of their unobscured brilliance while you lay close to the earth, secure in your nestled position. That night she slept exceptionally well.
The next morning, Marie awoke with the dawn, staring up at the lightening sky. A few stars still twinkled above as she packed up her simple camp, stowing her sleeping mat and putting out the fire by kicking some dirt onto it. Hoisting the haversack onto her shoulder and tightening the strap, she set out once more on the way to the Fort. Her chosen path was less meandering and considerably more purposeful this day. She knew she was nearing her destination, and the closer she grew, the more anxious she was to be home. Home. What a concept. The last Round had been held in Redwall, a place she had once called home; naturally, her memories had been stoked by the visit. She had questioned whether there was a single place that she could claim as her home, having lived in many different places throughout her life; she still had not completely settled the question. Was her home in the Fort, with creatures who shared her interests and would follow her into battle? Was it in the North, the land of her ancestors, where the old spirit of the warrior was still very much alive? Was it in Redwall, where two of the beasts she cared most about in the world had taken up residence, where memories drifted like dust in the stained-glass sun rays? Who could really say? She saw herself as a wanderer, thinking that there was no single place to claim as home; but, still, she longed for a picture leap to mind when the word “home” was spoken by some indifferent creature.
“Hmm”-ing quietly to herself, Marie adjusted the haversack‘s strap across her chest and picked up a beat in her step, pacing herself to the blood thumping in her ears. The rest of the journey was simple and straightforward, and she completed without hindrance. She stopped some time after dawn for a meal of cheese, bread, and a cold strawberry drink called Strawberry Fizz; and then again at noon. She reached the area around the Fort that afternoon, a couple of hours following her midday meal. Delighted to be back in really familiar territory, she picked up speed, a broad grin blooming on her snout. If the Fort was not her home, then it was certainly a familiar place, somewhere she felt comfortable and secure. The creatures inside it‘s walls she considered comrades, almost family; but there was one in particular she was anxious to see. Her husband, Willem Yewbow, Jr. The mouse she had lain aside her independent life of wandering for.
The Fort‘s walls burst upon her vision, the trees thinning out just before they ran up against some invisible line that ended their growth, leaving some open ground before the strong bulwarks. At that moment, she felt as though she could burst out into song, or a chant, or at least a victory cry. But with a small smile she suppressed the urge, her eyes sparkling with contentedness. How could she disturb this perfectly inviting scene? Instead, she stepped out into the open area, striding confidently across and to the main gate. She set the haversack down at her paws and raised a fist, pounding it firmly against the Fort’s sturdy door.* ‘Oy there, open up me laddos! ‘Tis C’mmand’r Yewbow, returnin’ tae the Fort frae th’Tournamen’! Lemme in so’s ah kin give ye all a big return kiss, the noo.
*Tossing back her head, she laughed proudly, from a mixture of euphoria and amusement. The cold rays of the sun bent on the silver ring that dangled from her right ear, bouncing sharply away. The Commander was back!*
OOC: I’ll bring in Will when Marie gets into the Fort. =D Bwhahaha… First RP of the New Year! (It’s twelve o’clock exactly. Happy New Year, everyone! *waves sparkling-wand firework and places a large top hat with “Welcome 2007!” in gold letters on the front*)