|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 26, 2009 1:13:34 GMT -5
((Yea....if anyone wants to join in this they may. its kinda 17-1800 technology, and the cannon was just coming into play... ironclads were still on the drawing board...yada yada yada.))
sail⋅ing [sey-ling] –noun 1. the activity of a person or thing that sails. 2. the departure of a ship from port: The cruise line offers sailings every other day. 3. Navigation. any of various methods for determining courses and distances by means of charts or with reference to longitudes and latitudes, rhumb lines, great circles, etc.
This definition meant much to a strapping young cat. He had a lust to explore the Great Sea, to seek out what was out there besides islands, find new places to settle and raise a family, and perhaps even new allies and enemies to befriend and conquer. Since childhood, water was not foreign to Calvin, nor was it shunned. He always played in it, especially the sea. He would spend days and days sitting by the water, using its harvests and its views to keep himself busy.
One day, a friend came to Calvin on the beach, and they began discussing the ocean and what was hidden by its size. In the conversation, a topic that would change Calvin and all of Mossflower's future. "There could be miles upon miles of sea out there! I don't think you'll find land easily." said the skeptical friend, obviously trying to discourage Calvin from doing anything unwise. "Oh come on. There has been many islands found by the otters in the past and now. Why cant I join them?" replied Calvin indignantly. "Well, for one you cant sail a boat, if you even had a boat." "I could make one, and learn how. I don't really do anything productive, anyhow." "Where will you find the supplies? How will you make the boat sound?" "I can ask the otters, I could scavenge around for wood and materials." Scowling, the friend turned off. "Well good luck with that." Calvin shrugged, and turned to look at the sea.
In Calvin's mind, there was already a simplistic design for the boat. It will be big enough to hold a large family, about 6 fully-grown cats, and it will be driven by wind, i guess. Ill need a way to keep sailing even when the wind goes in the opposite direction. And... "Im going to need help with this..." He went back to his thoughts after jumping off of his favorite tree-perch, one hanging over rocks enveloped in a damp sand.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 26, 2009 10:18:00 GMT -5
((now ye've done it. Ye've gone and opened up the 17-1800s and I'm gonna have to go all Jane Austen on y'all. Just remember you brought this on yourselves))
Ivy Nelson was a lady, a silly, shallow, naive, very young lady to be sure, but a lady by rank none the less. This was due to the fact that her father was the Lord Admiral of the Feline Navy. ((Admiral Lord Nelson lol)) The family had not always enjoyed such status. The Admiral himself was once a street cat pressed into service against his will. But he had made the best of his situation, caught the eye of his superiors and risen in the ranks. Never in the distinguished history of the navy had a noncommissioned sailor risen so far and so fast.
Because of this past however, the Nelson family were what you would call new money. They would never quite meet the standards of the old noble families, and that is why Lady Nelson was pressured to see her daughters marry well.
Ivy's older sister Lily had already succeeded in this. Col. Brandon Gingervere was exactly the sort of husband her parents had hoped she would acquire. And having one daughter married off took quite a bit of the pressure off the younger sister. Their younger brother Sam also had not much need to worry. When the time came he would inherit the newly built estate and the title of Lord.
So, Ivy was free mostly to do as she pleased which involved going to balls, reading horrific Gothic novels, and today going to the sea shore with her friends to gather shells that they could string on necklaces.
"Ooo look, Ivy. This one is such a pretty pink color," Maryann called to her from down the beach. But Ivy wasn't listening she was sitting on a driftwood log removing her boots and stockings. She wanted to feel the sand on her footpaws.
Maryann looked up when her friend didn't answer and came running over. "Ivy!" she admonished indignantly. "Don't you know it isn't proper to go around like that? Why if any male should see you, he would think you dreadfully common."
"I don't see any males about, Mary, and besides the waves feel so lovely on your fur." The impertinent little cat stood and ran toward the water line. She lifted her skirt slightly so it wouldn't get wet and let the waves wash over her footpaws. With a giggle she called back to her friend, "You really should try it."
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 27, 2009 12:11:56 GMT -5
((Who's Jane Austin?))
Calvin paced along the beach, going through relatively simple ideas to complex algorithms that he knew nothing about. He would need food, and drinkable water (He had tried the water when he was younger and it didnt go over well), not to mention something to keep him from going mad. Perhaps when he had people to sail with him he would stay sane. Or not. He was not a psychologist, so how would he know?
Pacing along the beach brought him nearby the pair of cats. He could hear them in the water and talking to each other. Curiosity made him duck behind a rock and peer to one side to watch. He wasn't looking to see if they would remove their clothing, he was more curious to see what they were up to and who they were. Normally, if Rocky or someone else was there, he would go up and introduce himself reluctantly after a good prodding from his companion. Since there was no prod, he didnt say a word. He just watched from the rock.
Ivy had his eye more than Maryann, to the point where Calvin almost forgot she was there. Something about her just had him, but he was too shy to even be seen. It was a horrible burden for Calvin, since he never really talked much to girls, but natural instinct pushed him to say something.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 27, 2009 12:39:04 GMT -5
((who's. . . who's . . . BAA! Jane Austen is only like the best authoress of all times! Pride and Prejudice! Sense and Sensibility! Northanger Abbey! The chick invented Mr. Darcy! MR. DARCY!! I'm wounded, really. *calms down* okay i'm sorry for the outburst. Col. Brandon was actually a character from Sense and Sensibility and he was played by Alan Rickman in the movie *sigh*))
Maryann kept her distance, footpaws still properly covered, and continued to try to talk some sense into her impetuous friend. "Ivy come back. This is not a private beach. You never know when somebeast might come along. Besides I . . ." she looked around for something to distract Ivy. "I think it might start raining."
"Oh Mary," Ivy rolled her lovely amber eyes. "You always say it's going to rain and it never does."She laughed and looked around at the beach. Then something caught her attention: a bit of orange over the top of a rock a ways down the shore. "Hello, what's that over there?"
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 27, 2009 12:58:54 GMT -5
Calvin quickly moved behind the rock and froze there, eyes wide in fear and confusion. He shouldn't have tried to watch, and now he regretted even coming down this direction. He just wanted a way out that would keep him out of trouble and not be seen. But something about Ivy's voice rotted whatever urge to run was in Calvin. It seemed... nice, to say the least, to Calvin.
In his urge to hide, he almost completely forgot about the boat and idea to go out into the Great Sea. But something crossed his mind. Maybe he could convince her and her companion to join him on the boat. She could be a great friend to have, perhaps even more. But thats a bit far for Calvin to think about. I mean, he hadnt even said hi!
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 27, 2009 13:16:23 GMT -5
"What was what?" Maryann's eyes followed the direction Ivy was pointing. She squinted at the rocks thinking maybe she was missing something in the sunlight. "I don't see anything."
"Just there," She pointed more fervently as if this would help her friend to see what had now disappeared. Frustrated and sure she had seen something, Ivy stepped out of the water and began to walk down the beach toward the boulders.
"Ivy, don't. It could be anything. Please come back."
When had Ivy ever listened to her friend's advice? Certainly not when the little cat's curiosity had been roused. "Oh I'm only going to take a little peek." She called back to Maryann and then out towards the rocks she added, "Hello? Is there somebeast there?"
She was a mere meter from the rock now and a delicious thrill ran through her as she wondered if her friend might be right to worry. Perhaps it was a pirate come to carry her off. Or the ghost of some . . . no it was too nice a day for ghosts. She giggled at her own train of thought. She'd been reading far too many novels. It was most likely just some little creature who'd been frightened away when it heard her speak.
Ivy lowered her voice so as not to scare whatever it was even more, "Please come out. I'm not going to hurt you."
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 27, 2009 13:37:26 GMT -5
Calvin, now realizing he blew his chance to escape, slowly turned to face Ivy and rose, showing his ears and eyes before stopping. He stared at Ivy and took in her entire figure. She was beautiful in his eyes, but so much so that it was like Medusa's stare. It rooted him and held him entranced, and, little did he know, completely flabbergasted.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 27, 2009 13:59:12 GMT -5
Ivy let out one more little giggle. From just that tiny view of the the cat behind the bolder she proclaimed him to be the most adorable male she had ever seen. However, he was obviously shy. She didn't want to scare him away and she didn't want him to think she was laughing at him either. So the female bit her lip and held out her paw trying to entice him further out.
"Hello," she whispered warmly. "My name is Ivy and. . ." one more giggle escaped. "I'm not going to bite."
"What have you found, Ivy?" Maryann yelled from back up the beach. The more pretentious female was navigating carefully through the sand trying not to slip on the uneven surface.
Ivy looked back over her shoulder, "Nothing dangerous I think, Mary." Then she turned her laughing amber eyes back to the orange ones peeking over the rock. "You're not dangerous, are you?"
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 27, 2009 14:25:05 GMT -5
Calvin looked at the offered paw and rose a bit further, as if tempted to go out at look at it in detail. His entire face was visible because of it, and his eyes did not betray his curiosity like the rest of his body was.
"I-I-I-Cal-I-Vin." said Calvin, realizing how helpless he was against Ivy. Her name itself was enough to make his head spin. If only Rocky were here, he could be able to speak. Wait! Rocky would never approve of this! I should be strong, like him! thought Calvin through the madness. "I'm Calvin. N-Nice to meet you, Miss Ivy."
He walked out from the cover, revealing his somewhat-scruffy tunic and baggy pants. Even though he managed to gain control over himself, he still was nervous. In fact, concealed by his baggy pants, his knees were shaking vigorously.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 27, 2009 15:08:05 GMT -5
Ivy looked him over, liking very much what she saw, but her eyes quickly returned to his face. Her mother would never approve of him, a fact which was echoed as a whisper in her ear a moment later.
"Your mother would never approve of such a creature," Maryann politely kept her disapproval low so Calvin wouldn't hear her.
Ivy however waved the precaution away. She smiled kindly and spoke only to the shy orange cat before her, "It's very nice to meet you, too, Calvin." Calvin. It was a nice name and it seemed to fit him somehow. She found herself wanting to say it again. "Calvin," but then she had to think of something else to say to him: introductions of course. That was the expected thing to do next. "This is my friend Maryann." She tore her eyes away from him for a moment to look at the other female a bit scornfully, "Mary, this is . . ." she looked at him again and smiled, "Calvin."
Maryann replied stiffly yet politely enough to somebeast who was obviously not of their class, "Good day to you, sir."
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 27, 2009 20:15:54 GMT -5
Calvin stopped shaking and being nervous to almost turning indignant to Maryann. If there was one thing he disliked, it was being made fun of for anything about him, from his looks to his social class. "Good day to you too, ma'am." he said a bit icily to Maryann, trying hard not to let his trigger-finger come into play.
It was a sensitive matter, his trigger finger. Seeing, participating, or doing somewhat or blatantly violent things brought it's rise, and occasionally anger got to it as well. Maryann's insensitiveness was prodding it a bit much, and a fist clench was all he could do to hide it.
"Is the water nice, Miss Ivy?" inquired Calvin, mind regaining its idea for sailing. The water temperature was important, since it if was warm now it might begin to freeze by the time the boat was done. Ideally, it was still cold from the winter.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 27, 2009 21:37:13 GMT -5
Ivy frowned at her friend and gave her a 'we'll talk about this later,' look.
Maryann returned the look with a 'you know I'm right,' expression of her own.
Then Ivy looked back at Cal. She heard his question and immediately blushed, eyes widening. "You saw me?"
Maryann bit back an, 'I told yo so.' She only nudged her friend silently.
For a moment longer Ivy had the good grace to look humble then she straightened her back defiantly sent Mary a sideways smirk, and said, "The water was perfectly lovely. A little chilly yet but refreshing all the same." Then as if that wasn't scandalous enough the little female added. "You should try it, Calvin." *Mary gasped* Then as if emboldened by her friend's shock she held out her arm to the male. "Come on. Mary was sure anybeast who saw me would think me common. But you don't think I'm common do you, Calvin?"
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 28, 2009 21:33:59 GMT -5
Calvin frowned at the trade-off between the too it wasn't his intention to make them mad at each other, and it seemed that he had done so in his anger.
The offering of Ivy's arm to Calvin put as much shock to him as it did Mary. He was not expecting such a gesture towards him, let alone from a stranger he was technically spying on. Thankfully, or perhaps so he thought, he replied calmly and somewhat cooly with a complement to Ivy. "I could never mistake your beauty to be common, Miss Ivy."
Part of him was refreshed by this, thinking how proud Rocky would be about what he said. Another wanted to bring his hand in front of his mouth and beg forgiveness for being so brash. It was probably what he would've done if his mother were watching or nearby, but since he was alone with the women he didn't.
|
|
carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
|
Post by carabadgermum on Jun 28, 2009 22:13:35 GMT -5
Ivy's smile widened. She was completely taken with this little no-name cat. She decided just then, consciously or not to ignore Mary's presence. Yes she would probably regret it later when Mary went off and told everybeast about what she was doing but right now she didn't care. "Come on then, Calvin," she beaconed him forward. "You must come and feel the water for yourself. Walk with me, will you?"
|
|
|
Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Jun 28, 2009 22:47:20 GMT -5
Calvin couldnt help but turn red at what she said. He could never have imagined what he did or what he could himself into. But sense and manners told him to continue with his newfound friend to the water to enjoy its feeling. It left him wordless, so he just walked along side her.
((Im gonna put Rocky in soon, dont worry.))
|
|