Wolfie
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[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 15, 2010 18:42:28 GMT -5
Catori smiled kindly. Nah. This is our whole holt, my parents and myself. And my younger brother... He glanced down at the ground, biting back a growl. He didn't want to scare his new friend away.
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 15, 2010 18:51:33 GMT -5
Laney noticed the change immedately and placed a comforting paw on Catori's arm. "I'm so sorry. Did something happen to him?" But she didn't want to pry or to make him reveal anything that was too painful to tell. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 15, 2010 18:53:05 GMT -5
Catori took a deep breath to calm himself before turning to face her again. He was taken by vermin, just like I was when I was very young. That's all I'm gunna say about it for now. Thinking about it really messes me up...
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 15, 2010 19:10:54 GMT -5
Laney could tell the subject affected him deeply and of course it would, to be taken by vermin, just a kit. She knew a thing or two about this, not from personal experience but her parents and all those of their generation in their holt had been oar slaves before they escaped and made their home here on the flatlands of Mossflower country. Concern filling her eyes, she moved the paw she had placed on his arm up to cup the side of his face. "You got away, found your way home. I'm sure he will as well."
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 15, 2010 19:13:59 GMT -5
Catori closed his eyes and leaned into her paw slightly. I hope you're right. I really do.
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 15, 2010 19:37:16 GMT -5
Smiling compassionately, Lalena knew right then that this otter needed her and that she would stay as long as it took to help him.
Mother was beginning to feel uncomfortable being in the same room with the two young beasts so she decided to make her presence known and burst out, "Well this bread isn't going to eat itself. If you're feeling well enough to be up, Miss Lalena, you can come right over here to the table with us. My husband should be home from his fishing soon and he'll sure be pleased to meet you."
Laney jumped at the otterwife's voice and dropped her paws back into her lap. Then she nodded politely and answered, "Yes, ma'am, that would be very nice."
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 15, 2010 19:59:36 GMT -5
Catori smiled gratefully at his new friend and stood, holding out a paw to her to help her up. Suddenly, his ears twitched towards the door as he heard the sound of pawsteps. Glancing over, he tensed up before relaxing instantly as his father walked in the door.
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 17, 2010 16:22:17 GMT -5
Laney took the proffered paw and stood blushing even hotter than she had before. But she nearly sat down again with shock at the sound of the door. She tightened her grip when she felt Catori tense next to her but her own paw didn't relax when he did. Even if Catori and his mother knew this creature she was still nervous to meet him.
"Well there you are, Love. I was just laying supper out on the table." Mother hurried over to her husband and helped him to set aside his fishing gear. "Get you in here and meet our guest. Dear, this is Miss Lalena. She's going to join us for supper and stay for a nice visit."
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 17, 2010 16:25:06 GMT -5
Catori squeezed her paw gently in a reasuring manner as he watched the slightly larger male lay down his fishing gear. Father smiled and kissed Mother on her cheek before following her over to his sonf and Lalena. He smiled kindly at their guest. Hello, Miss Lalena. It's wonderful to meet you.
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 17, 2010 17:55:53 GMT -5
"A pleasure to meet you too, sir," Laney dropped her eyes shyly. Never had she ever felt so welcome in anyplace even her own home.
Then Mother shewed them all to the table. "Come along now. That's all the proper introductions. The supper'll be gettin' cold."
The ottermaid allowed herself to be shuffled along and was happy to see that her seat would be on a bench next to Catori. She smiled coyly over at him but kept silent and then realized that her paw was still nestled tightly in his larger one.
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 17, 2010 17:59:10 GMT -5
Catori smiled back at her and glanced down at their paws when he noticed the same thing, blushing lightly but making no move to let go as he helped her sit down. He waited until his mother and father sat down as well before sitting himself.
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 21, 2010 19:08:49 GMT -5
Mother began to dish out shrimp soup and large chunks of warm dark rye bread. "I'm sure you'll like this Lalena dear. The soup's much more tasty with all the fixin's much better than that bland broth we let you try earlier. Now you just eat up and you can always have more, as much as you like." She patted Laney's free paw and didn't comment on the other that was occupied. She was thrilled that things were working out so well between the two youngbeasts so that they could keep the ottermaid with them a little longer. Catori and Laney were good medicine for each other.
Laney looked down and her bowl and gulped. She didn't want to insult this kind ottermum who had welcomed her in so kindly but she really didn't want to eat the food she had been offered. There were so many tastes and textures that she just couldn't seem to get past her gag reflex that she was hesitant to try anything new. Anything that smelled the slightest bit foreign, if it was too spicy or too rich, if the texture was too mushy or if there was the unexpected crunch of a nut she just couldn't swallow it.
She knew what they thought: that her family was poor and didn't have enough food to give her or that they were withholding from her what they did have. The truth was the opposite however. Holt Freedom was overflowing with vittles. It was their pride that they weren't on an oar deck starving at the whim of their captors anymore. But Laney couldn't stand it. She couldn't stomach it.
These kind creatures would never understand that. They'd never understand that she was this skeletally thin by her own choice. "Th-thank you," the ottermaid mumbled. She fought the urge to push the bowl away and looked down at her paws, one empty and the other still surrounded by Catori's.
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 22, 2010 21:24:40 GMT -5
Catori looked at her curiously, after finishing a bite of bread. What's the matter, Lalena? Aren't you hungry?, he whispered, not really wanting to draw the attention of his worried mother.
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carabadgermum
Co-Administrator
~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Aug 22, 2010 21:44:40 GMT -5
"W-what?" Laney looked up at him and then back down at her bowl. "Yes - I mean no - I mean..." she reluctantly slid her paw from his and picked up the heavy piece of bread that Catori's mother had given her. The ottermaid pinched off a small piece and placed it tentatively into her mouth. She attempted to smile while she chewed and then forced herself to swallow past her still dry throat.
"I-it's good," she stammered looking around at the other beasts, hoping against all hope that this would be good enough and nobeast would be offended.
Mother still looked on, worried but she nodded, "I'm glad you like it dear. There's plenty more where that came from."
"Actually," Laney stood suddenly and somebeast's spoon clattered loudly on the tabletop. "I think I'd like a breath of fresh air. If you don't mind I'll just..." she began to scoot out from the bench, her eye on the door to the outside.
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Wolfie
Moderator
[blue]Toboe the Timid[/blue][P:NaN]
Get over here, Zuko. Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs. ~ Katara
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Wolfie on Aug 22, 2010 21:50:39 GMT -5
Catori put his piece of bread down and stood, holding a paw out to her. I'll go with you, if you don't mind.
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