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Post by V for Vizetta on Sept 29, 2008 13:39:21 GMT -5
The forest was quiet, the only sound being the soft chirping of birds, and the rustle of animals in the underbrush, along with a pair of footsteps. One of these sets of footsteps belonged to a certain wolverine, who was apparently finishing up a story. "Tho yeah... I'm thtill leery of drinking coffee back home, ethpecially if I know Charmy'th been near it." Crash chuckled, scratching the back of his head. He'd decided to tell his companion more about his home of San Grandia, and ended up telling her some stories about the Freedom Fighters there.
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Post by Leda on Oct 1, 2008 15:53:08 GMT -5
At his side, Tikal giggled and adjusted her grip on the pack she'd dug up for her father. "That's terrible! I can remember back when our tribe was still together, and something kind of like that happened. One of the other kids... I can't remember his name... I didn't really have friends. Well, anyway, he put some yuca roots in my cousin Lilli's soup! ...But it didn't really work, because... she didn't notice." The echidna girl let out another string of laughter. Her cousin was so silly. I hope I get to find her.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 1, 2008 23:26:14 GMT -5
Crash just... blinked. He knew what yuca root tasted like. It was NASTY. "The THERIOUTHLY didn't realithe thomeone put yuca rootth in her thoup? That... that'th thome theriouth abthentmindedneth." The wolverine lisped, seeming to have become more relaxed about the issue around the female echidna. Probably because she didn't bring it up. But then again, she didn't seem the type, either.
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Post by Leda on Oct 2, 2008 16:02:12 GMT -5
Tikal smiled and shook her head. "Nope! Lilli is the type of girl that... Well... She sort of gets sidetracked reeaally easily. For all I know, when she ate that yuca, it reminded her of a time she went to harvest some and she found a rock with an intricate design, and she forgot about the fact that she was eating." The priestess laughed. "Then again, she may have been distracted to begin with and didn't realize she was eating at all!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 2, 2008 16:09:29 GMT -5
Crash just shook his head, and chuckled to himself. "The thoundth like a fun perthon to be around." Crash felt a twinge of homesickness, part of him wanting to head back to San Grandia, but a stronger part telling him to finish the task he'd given himself. But none of this showed in his expression, which was still all smiles. And in a clearing nearby, where it seemed a small camp had been set up, a certain elderly echidna sat, his eyes closed in thought... until he heard voices. One he recognized as Tikal's, but the other... he wasn't sure. She sounded relaxed, though, so he wouldn't be on guard. Well, not obviously, at least.
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Post by Leda on Oct 2, 2008 16:19:36 GMT -5
Relaxed was one way to put it; another would be happy. Tikal was even noticing within herself that her intuition had apparently been correct: she was a better person when away from her father. It still didn't shake the belief that she'd tried to kill him, but even that one small inkling had given the young woman a slight increase in her confidence. Which she illustrated just then when Athair came into her sight. Without warning, the priestess smiled and took Crash by the hand. "That's the elder over there! You have to meet him!" Increasing her gait to a jog, Tikal added, "He's very wise! Maybe he could give you some advice that'd help you with your networking!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 2, 2008 17:01:23 GMT -5
Crash was a little surprised to suddenly find himself being pulled along by the girl towards an elderly echidna... who, even though he looked older than some of the trees around him... Was pretty intimidating. Just... something about him. That wasn't helped when the elder opened his eyes, a keen intelligence lurking behind them. Then, however, he smiled at Tikal, moving to stand to greet her and her companion. "Welcome back, dear." The elder's eyes turned to Crash. "And who's your new friend?" Athair's eyes twinkled with mild amusement as Crash tried to figure out if he should bow, kneel, or do nothing. Stuttering a little, the wolverine finally settled for a slight bow. "My name'th Crath, thir. It'th a pleathure to meet you."
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Post by Leda on Oct 2, 2008 19:21:08 GMT -5
"He helped me when I was searching the battle grounds," Tikal quickly explained. Though she faultered for a moment, she turned and resumed her smile as she gazed at the wolverine. "He's very kind, and very funny! And look!" The younger echidna held up the dirty backpack for her ancestor to see. "He helped me find Father's other bag!!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 2, 2008 19:37:36 GMT -5
The elder listened to Tikal's quick explanation for Crash's presence, a soft smile remaining on his face as she spoke, then widening a little as he motioned for Crash to straighten up. "That's excellent news, Tikal. Your father will be pleased." He BETTER be, at least.Athair then smiled at Crash, as he reached out and clasped the young wolverine's shoulder with one hand. "Thank you for helping Tikal, Crash. Perhaps in exchange, we could offer you some hospitality?" He knew full well that Pachacamac wouldn't be happy about ANOTHER non-echidna joining them, but... He'd just have to deal with it. When the elder motioned him upright, the wolverine was quick to obey, a sheepish smile, accompanied by a light blush at Tikal's opinion of him, crossing his face. "I'd hate to impothe on you, but if it ithn't too much trouble..." It seemed the sudden movement didn't agree with him for the briefest of moments, and in fact, he was pretty sure it was just in his head, as he felt slightly unsteady after straightening up. "Of course it isn't, we'd be glad to have you." The elder smiled, while sending a glance towards Tikal that seemed to say "And if your father raises a fuss, he'll just have to live with it."
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Post by Leda on Oct 2, 2008 20:11:45 GMT -5
Tikal released an uncertain (and slightly forced) chuckle, but nonetheless placed the recovered bag in the area her father had claimed as his own. Her curiousity tempted her to poke through it, since he wasn't there... But that wouldn't end well if he ever found out she'd done it. Tikal pursed her lips and turned away. Instead, she returned to her grandfather's side. "Is there anything you'd have me do, Elder? I could make you a nice tea if you'd like." Her eyes moved to Crash, and she smiled cheerfully. "And for you too, of course. That is, if you like tea."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 2, 2008 21:01:25 GMT -5
The elder nodded at Tikal's suggestion, her slight shift in demeanor not lost on him. "Tea sounds excellent right now. Crash?" The wolverine found himself being watched as the elder got his attention. "Would you like some tea? It's really quite good." Crash smiled at Tikal, and nodded. "Tea thoundth pretty good, acthually."
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Post by Leda on Oct 10, 2008 21:40:04 GMT -5
Tikal wasted no time in retrieving the items she'd already used to make tea since attack; it seemed that corn can was coming in plenty handy. Now if only it wouldn't rust from the excessive use! After filling it with water from one of the canteens and a couple of extra distenda leaves, the girl set the can near their crackling fire so it could slowly come to a bubble. "Is anybody hungry?" she then piped up. "I don't mind foraging."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 10, 2008 21:48:44 GMT -5
The wolverine just shook his head, he wasn't very hungry, actually, just thirsty. "No thankth. Thank you for athking, though." And Athair didn't eat much anyway, so wasn't hungry either. "I'm not hungry at the moment, but if you want to find something for yourself, feel free." Turning back to the wolverine, the elder crossed his hands across the top of his cane. "So... Crash. I couldn't help hearing Tikal mention that I could help you with some kind of... networking?"
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Post by Leda on Oct 16, 2008 1:22:08 GMT -5
Actually, she could've used a bite to eat herself, but since no one else was interested, Tikal decided to focus on the drinks. She was used to skipping meals, anyway. "He's very skilled," she quickly chimed in, inadvertantly cutting off any answer from Crash before he could get it out.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Oct 23, 2008 21:28:37 GMT -5
Crash smiled a little self-consciously as he was put on the spot, and nodded. "I'm thure you've heard about the Freedom Fighterth, right? Well, to put it thimply, I'm trying to make a methenger thythtem between them, tho we can communicate better than jutht when thomeone thtopth by for a vithit." "That IS an admirable goal, but I'm unsure how I would be able to help you." The elder smiled, leaning forward to support his weight further on his cane. "Well, you thee, the problem ith... I can't FIND any of thothe other Freedom Fighter groupth." The wolverine coughed a little nervously, glancing around. "And I was wondering if you'd have any advice on how I could find them." Athair seemed thoughtful, then smiled knowingly. "I think you may find one of those groups of people sooner than you think." Blinking in confusion, Crash tilted his head a little. "I'm not thure I underthtand..."
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Post by slomoto on Oct 25, 2008 11:05:05 GMT -5
"So then I says to the guys I says-" Ridgy paused. He was the first to step through the bushes, accompanied by Pachacamac and Manic. He stopped when he saw the camp, which was occupied only by Athair, an anteater girl and some kind of red-goggled wolf thing. That was it? He was expecting a large historically preserved mass of Athair and his people living out their lives in their traditional way. He lowered his eyes in sadness. 'They are not untouched by Robotnik.' He thought.
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Post by Lans on Nov 5, 2008 23:54:54 GMT -5
Manic followed right after Ridgy, though he'd been tuning him out for that last few minutes. He looked slightly bored as he glanced around at the group they'd come upon...but then perked up as he noticed the cute looking echidna girl among them. Suddenly this 'mission' was starting to look up.
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Post by slomoto on Nov 8, 2008 18:46:44 GMT -5
Of course, in just enough time, Manic noticed the Echidna girl's beauty than he felt a sudden breeze and saw a gray blur. True to form, the amorous possum was at her side, sitting next to her with his legs crossed and his face leaning towards her in a manner that was slightly less than comfortable. "So....you must be Athair's daughter. You both have the same eyes...." Ridgy blushed lightly and his tail waved lightly up and down behind his his back as he cooed.
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Post by Leda on Nov 8, 2008 19:34:34 GMT -5
With the sudden appearance of new company, Tikal glanced up from her work with the drinks, and was surprised to find the possum already right at her side. However, she simple smiled. "Actually, I'm his granddaughter," the priestess replied, mixing the bubbling water with the distenda leaves. She paused to nod at the much larger, much more stand-offish echidna several yards away. "That's my father over there." Returning her attention to Ridgy and Manic (but mostly Ridgy, since he seemed to lack personal boundaries), the girl added, "My name is Tikal. Are you friends of the Elder's?"
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Post by slomoto on Nov 8, 2008 19:56:02 GMT -5
"I'm Ridgy Didge, and I'm a Freedom Fighter from Meadowood," As Ridgy spilled his guts, he kept his eyes fixed on the echidna, and spoke with a light croon in his voice. "I met Athair in the woods the other day...I came back because I've been noticing something funny happening with the trees in the woods and I was hoping he would know what might be happening.....Buuuut, enough about me. Tell me a little about yourself, would you?"
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Post by Lans on Nov 8, 2008 22:10:15 GMT -5
Manic snorted. "'Freedom Fighter.' Puh-leaze," he said, attempting to glare holes in the back of Ridgey's head, "Like, everytime that mook goes on a mission, we spend more time running from metal heads than we do any actual objective stuff."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 9, 2008 22:41:41 GMT -5
The wolverine blinked in surprise, eying the new arrivals, and staring (for a moment) at Pachacamac. He could see how he could've put dents in the SWATbot's domes now. "...Elder? Wath thith what you meant?" The elder just nodded, resting his hands on his cane as he seemed to fix his attention on Ridgy. "If you wish to ask me something, Ridgy, wouldn't it be easier to ask me directly, rather than have me overhear as you speak to my granddaughter?" Was... that a hint of warning in his voice at the possum's behavior? ... Yes. Yes it was.
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Post by Leda on Nov 9, 2008 22:50:20 GMT -5
"The Elder's right," Tikal quietly agreed, returning her focus to the bubbling tea. "I'm nowhere near ask knowledgeable as he is, anyway. I probably can't help you." Her mouth twisted into a frown just then. With all of these newcomers about, there probably wouldn't be enough tea to go around. I suppose I could just do without to stretch it farther, she considered. Tikal's eyes then drifted back to her father. She was anxious to return the parcel she'd cost him the previous day, but all signs pointed to him being in a foul mood. Returning his pack could possibly improve his disposition, but then again, it could also remind him of his ire for her. With her mouth scrunched to one side, the priestess carefully pulled the can of boiling water away from the dancing flames with a forked stick. Maybe Athair would better know how to handle this situation.
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Post by slomoto on Nov 9, 2008 23:37:35 GMT -5
"Oh, yeah-yeah, right..." Ridgy turned around and presented Athair with a hand full of the dead leaves he'd been carrying this whole time. "These things have gotten worse since I started carrying them. What do you think may be wrong?"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 10, 2008 15:16:47 GMT -5
The older echidna crinkled his nose at the smell of the leaves as they were offered, then took a small bit of them, rubbing it between his fingers as he examined it. "My first guess at the problem would be that these leaves have been dead for several days." The elder's expression gave nothing away, except for a mild mischevious glint in his eye, that vanished as he continued. "The cause, however... I'm not sure of. It may be that the trees these leaves came from has been struck by some disease." Crash, meanwhile, deciding he would just be in the way, moved over near the fire, glancing at Tikal. For a moment, it seemed like the echidna and the fire blurred, or shifted, but then it was gone, so Crash just shrugged it off as being tired. "Need any help, Tikal?"
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Post by slomoto on Nov 11, 2008 9:56:59 GMT -5
Ridgy was stunned. He was certain the wise old man he met would have pinpointed the cause. "What should we do? If this thing spreads our homes might be in danger. I don't think trees are very fond of chicken soup." He dropped the leaves to their final resting place onto the ground at their feet and dusted his gloved hands. "I should have gotten some of that rotten tree bark instead."
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Post by Leda on Nov 11, 2008 15:25:00 GMT -5
Glancing at the wolverine at her side, Tikal smiled and shook her head. "No, but thank you. There's not much to do anyway. The tea just needs to cool." Yet the girl's eyes shifted periodically between the dirt-stained rucksack and the bulky echidna keeping his distance.
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Post by Lans on Nov 12, 2008 12:44:40 GMT -5
Manic rolled his eyes as he found a seat near the fire as well. "Dude, come on. It's ONE sick tree. Sad, but nothing to go nuts about!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 12, 2008 14:18:29 GMT -5
"Oh... ok." The wolverine smiled a little sheepishly, and settled next to the fire. The elder's eyes seemed to LATCH onto Ridgy. "Wait... did you say the BARK was rotten as well?"
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Post by slomoto on Nov 12, 2008 21:15:20 GMT -5
"Yeah, the bark and a good amount of the wood inside the tree as well." Ridgy said scratching his head behind his helmet. He felt a bit of guilt compounded by what Manic kept saying. "You know, this is all probably kind-of silly. Maybe I'm overreacting."
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