define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":252,"date":"2014-01-29T03:00:52","date_gmt":"2014-01-29T11:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=252"},"modified":"2014-01-26T09:40:21","modified_gmt":"2014-01-26T17:40:21","slug":"chapter-21-tunnel-encounter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/252","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 21: Tunnel Encounter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 21: Tunnel Encounter<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Two Meet A Less Then Friendly Mouse.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan walks beside Jozra as they move through the tunnels. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was a rather relaxing visit doncha think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trey and his mice were very hospitable.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The two continue on in companionable silence, and darkness, for a bit.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He takes the lead for a bit as it gets darker, navigating her down the halls.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Eventually the two reach a split in the tunnels that Jozra doesn’t remember. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Which way did we come before?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t know, do you see a light at the end of one? Maybe there’s a guard out already.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret squints down first one tunnel then the other. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think there’s a light down this one. It’s hard to tell if it’s really there or if my eyes are just playing tricks on me though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why don’t we check?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This way then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and heads down the path. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, tell me if the light starts to get brighter.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright. Oop…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She reaches out with both paws and grabs the wall with one and Soquan’s shoulder with the other as she trips over an unevenness in the tunnel floor. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles at her through the gloom. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It’s okay. \u00c2\u00a0Are you hurt?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m fine, just lost my balance there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles and lets go of her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: A few moments later, as the two continue walking, the ferret peers ahead intently. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It’s definitely a light up there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’re going the right way then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Soon now, the silhouette of the guard can be seen and Jozra nudges Soquan before hailing the guard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This the way to the surface?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The guard glowers at them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why? \u00c2\u00a0Do you want to get away with the things you probably stole, vermin?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret blinks in surprise. Seems the mouse wants to be trouble and Jozra wasn’t exactly top of her class in diplomacy. Still, she could try. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’ve just finished paying a friendly visit to Soquan’s old friend, Trey. We’ve stolen nothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a harsh laugh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You vermin are all the same.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan sets forward, ready to defend his friend. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, take it easy mate, everybeast is different, Jozra’s not like that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra tries again as the mouse sneers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can ask Trey yourself. He and the otter have been friends a long time and Trey welcomed me as a friend as well.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The mouse’s sneer remains. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trey is an old, blind fool.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He looks suddenly at Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You! You’re no better than the vermin standing right behind you. \u00c2\u00a0I know what you’re hiding, half-breed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan growls.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret blinks in surprise then mentally berates herself for not putting it together sooner. Of course. The slips that Arrin and the shop keepers had made. But this mouse… The nerve! Jozra scowls. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, we just wish to pass by. Please stand aside.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The mouse sneers and bows mockingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153As you wish.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan’s scowl remains as he goes to pass the mouse.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra subtly guides Soquan around the mouse and his possessions as she walks past as well, keeping her eyes on the unpleasant beast at all times.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The mouse glares back at her and walks down the tunnel from which they came with his torch, leaving the two in the dark.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now there’s the one part of this little adventure that I really<\/i> wish didn’t happen. Hope I never have the misfortune to meet him again.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He speaks through gritted teeth. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Same here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra glances sideways at the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns, looking forward. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m fine. Just peachy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins sardonically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh what a lovely day we both are having, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He continues down the tunnel. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should reach daylight soon.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods, suspecting that the otter will know that she has despite his blindness. Eventually the tunnel begins to lighten. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like we’re getting close to the entrance.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Great!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 21: Tunnel Encounter In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Two Meet A Less Then Friendly Mouse. \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan walks beside Jozra as they move through the tunnels. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was a rather relaxing visit doncha think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trey and his mice were very hospitable.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Arrin Woodgreen: He nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yazeth: The two continue on … <\/p>\n