define('WP_CACHE', true); Chapter 20: Leaving the SSMC – Crossed Paths – Logs

Jan 24

Chapter 20: Leaving the SSMC

Chapter 20: Leaving The SSMC

In Which It’s Time To Go.

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Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan finishes making the bed after a few moments and picks up his pack.  He steps outside to meet Jozra. “Okay, how about we go grab those clothes we left to dry before we go to breakfast?”

Yazeth: The ferret is pulled out of her reverie. “Clothes? Oh! Good idea. I’d nearly forgotten about them.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs. “Oh come on, we’re both wearing robes, how can you forget?” He grins at her as they head down the hallway.

Yazeth: Jozra smiles weakly and mutters some lame excuse. “Well, they are rather comfortable robes.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs and shoves her playfully.

Yazeth: She glances at the otter, mildly startled. Knowing he’ll expect some sort of response to keep from thinking something’s wrong, she shoves him back lightly.

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins some more and he pushes open the door of the bathhouse as they arrive.

Yazeth: A few mice washing up in the bathhouse look over at the two mustelids mildly curiously but don’t seem to be very put out by their presence. Someone, perhaps last night or this morning, had unearthed a clothes line and had hung the pair’s clothing to dry. The ferret points this out to the otter. “Now why didn’t we think of that?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs and shrugs. “I have no clue.”

Yazeth: The ferret pulls down each of the articles of clothing and hands Soquan those that belong to him.

Arrin Woodgreen: He thanks the ferret and proceeds to put away his clothes in his pack.

Yazeth: Jozra folds her extra set and stuffs those in her pack. She almost absentmindedly starts to do the same with the set she planned on wearing before catching herself. She dresses quickly, simply out of habit.

Arrin Woodgreen: He dresses in his other set of clothes also and folds up the now discarded robe and places it in the laundry hamper.

Yazeth: She hefts her pack and quickly checks the area, making sure nothing’s been left behind. “Ready for breakfast then?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Yep! I wonder what they’re serving.” He heads back down the hall, thanking the two mice as they leave.

Yazeth: The ferret sticks her thumbs under the straps of her pack and follows Soquan as his nose leads him to the mess hall. Now that she’s awake, the previous night’s ‘excitement’ disturbs her.

Arrin Woodgreen: They reach the busy hall moments later and he turns towards her. “Want me to find us a table again?”

Yazeth: Jozra looks around the hall before nodding. “Yeah. I’ll get us some food.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Want me to take your pack with me?”

Yazeth: The ferret pauses in her tracks and spins pack around to face the otter. “Good idea.” She shoulders out of her pack and hands the straps to Soquan.

Arrin Woodgreen: He takes them and grins. “See you in a bit.” He turns away and sets off to find a table.

Yazeth: Jozra makes her way to the line, still absorbed in her own thoughts. Once again as she reaches the first of the long tables she grabs a pair of plates and utensils. This time, none of the other mice seem to mind. Soon the plates are holding a short stack of pancakes slathered with maple syrup. The young mouse at the end giggles again as she balances napkin’s on Jozra’s arm and puts a handful of fresh blackberries on each plate.

Arrin Woodgreen: He has a bit more trouble finding a seat for the two of them this time, but after a few minutes, he finds a table in the back for them.

Yazeth: The ferret pauses for a minute, trying to find where the otter is sitting. After a moment she makes her way over to the table and sets one of the plates down in front of him, the other in front of her place. “The pancakes look delicious.”

Arrin Woodgreen: His nostrils flare slightly. “They smell good too.”

Yazeth: Jozra digs in while the pancakes are still hot but she doesn’t really taste them as her mind is still far up north.

Arrin Woodgreen: He nudges her leg underneath the table. “Well? How are they?”

Yazeth: “Hrm?” She chews and swallows before answering. “They are delicious. The blackberries go good with them too.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Okay.” He digs into the meal.

Yazeth: The ferret resumes eating as well. Soon her plate is clean except for the residual stickiness of the syrup and a dark blotch of berry juice.

Arrin Woodgreen: Having finished just a bit before the ferret, he’s sitting back, his ears rotating slightly as he listens to brief sections of various conversations.

Yazeth: Jozra watches Soquan for a moment before shaking herself and grinning at him. “Hear anything interesting?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He shakes his head. “Not really.”

Yazeth: The ferret smiles. “Suppose I should clear out plates, eh?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Want help?”

Yazeth: “Sure.” She picks up her own plate and utensils before leading Soquan to the place to deposit the dishes.

Arrin Woodgreen: He grabs his own and follows.

Yazeth: The two put their dishes in the stack and utensils in the buckets. Jozra turns to the otter. “Back to Trey’s office now?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Yeah.” He hands her her pack before hefting his own. “Here.”

Yazeth: She takes it and shoulders into a strap. Jozra takes the lead as they leave the mess hall, helping to navigate around groupings of lingering mice conversing before starting their new work day. The hall is just slightly less crowded as mice head to various destinations, some carrying mining equipment.

Arrin Woodgreen: He follows, walking beside her. “So did you sleep alright after you came in?”

Yazeth: Jozra stiffens slightly before nodding. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles in her direction. “Anytime.”

Yazeth: The ferret relaxes and grins slowly at his response. “I think we’re nearly here. Looks like Trey’s busy. There’s several mice waiting outside his office.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “We’ll wait then.”

Yazeth: Apparently most of the mice were there on the same business as after one of their companions came out of Trey’s office and spoke to them, they nodded and filed off down the corridor. A moment later, Trey hurries out of his office to call something after the group.

Arrin Woodgreen: He remains beside Jozra, leaning against the wall slightly as he waits for their turn.

Yazeth: As Trey turns around he catches sight of the two mustelids. “Ah, there you two are! Come in, come in!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and heads for the office, sitting in one of the chairs. “So how are you today Trey?”

Yazeth: Trey and Jozra sit in their own chairs at about the same time. He looks over at Soquan. “Pretty good, though somewhat busier than usual. One of my prospectors thinks she’s found a vein of silver!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. “That’s wonderful, if she has. That’s almost doubling our profits.”

Yazeth: The mouse nods happily, pleased with himself. “So I suppose you two will want to be heading out now?”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Yeah, Arrin’s probably having kits, we were supposed to be back practically three days ago.”

Yazeth: Trey chuckles. “Well give my regards to Arrin.” He pushes the 5-1 pieces across the desk. “And here’s your gold. I hope we don’t have to wait another many seasons before we see you again, Soquan.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “I’ll try to visit again soon.” He retrieves the bag from the desk and passes it towards Jozra. “Enough of a ‘treasure’ for ya?”

Yazeth: The ferret grins at the otter. “Plenty!”

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs. “Good.”

Yazeth: Jozra stands and extends her paw towards Trey. “I suppose we’ll be off then.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. “Aye, thank you very much for your welcome.”

Yazeth: Trey nods and follows the two to the door. “You’re both welcome back anytime! Next time you come, though, ask for me first.” He chuckles.

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs. “I will, but keep in mind, I didn’t find out it was you guys up this close until the guards came. Your front guard only said it was private property and I wasn’t allowed to pass.”

Yazeth: The mouse grins. “Point taken. From now on, my front guards will be instructed to say that its property belonging to the SteamSpring Mining Company.”

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and rises from his seat, readying to go. “Good, much better.”

Yazeth: After a round of handshakes, Jozra and Soquan depart Trey’s company and head away from the mining complex.

Jozra

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