define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":256,"date":"2014-02-03T03:00:12","date_gmt":"2014-02-03T11:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=256"},"modified":"2014-02-02T17:24:05","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T01:24:05","slug":"chapter-23-warm-welcome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/256","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 23: Warm Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 23: Warm Welcome<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0Tickles Are Unfair.<\/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: Later that day, as the sky grows dark, Soquan climbs the steps to Arrin’s house. He knocks softly and opens the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Arrin? We’re home.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra smiles at her friend’s sister as she comes to the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hope we didn’t make you worry over much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She hugs them both. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was worried when the storm came, but Soquan’s resourceful. I knew deep down that you two where alright.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We were able to find a small cave to take shelter in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, well, I’ve already eaten, and you two look hungry. I could fix you something if you want.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That would be wonderful, Arrin.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, anything in particular you’re in the mood for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t know about Soquan but I could go for just about anything!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really don’t care either.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Arrin thinks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How about some scones and potatoes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan can’t help but laugh at this.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs as well. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sounds good, Arrin.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Arrin eyes Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What’s so funny?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins as she replies. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trey’s cooks sent along some baked potatoes and scones with us, so we had that for lunch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh! Well I can make something else if you want. Fried fish, I can heat up some soup, or a mushroom pasty with some gravy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It all sounds so good. Really, I’m not picky.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan licks his lips. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That pasty sounds good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00c2\u00a0The ferret nods in agreement.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, I’ll be a few minutes then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She walks into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins impishly at Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153On second thought, I might see about your sister cooking for me more often than you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins mischievously and pounces on her, his pack now discarded on the floor along with his staff.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret laughs as she’s knocked into the couch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, watch it there you big river-beast!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins and stays where he is, tickling her.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ack!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She wriggles away from him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No fair! No tickling!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then do something about it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He continues to tickle her, basically sitting on top of her.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra shoves against the otter, sneaking in a few tickles when she can. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hoo!\u00c2\u00a0 I won’t… be able… to eat.. if I can’t… BREATHE!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He laughs and falls to the floor, taking the ferret with him, although, now she’s on top of him.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shoves the otter playfully before staggering to her feet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oooh… Whatever Arrin is doing in the kitchen sure smells good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins playfully and tackles her again before replying. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It sure does.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ooof! I never should have let you doze off during our picnic!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And why not?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she struggles to her feet, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153now you’ve had a rest and I haven’t!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmm, so you want me to give you a break?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well it’s the least you could do for this poor starving ferret.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He stops. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He rises to his feet.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra breathes a sigh of relief. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was afraid you were going to tickle me all night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What can I say? I feel generous tonight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret laughs then looks up as Arrin enters the room.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She eyes the two. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Err… Am I interrupting?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles and shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He was just insisting on tickling me. Tell me, was he just as rambunctious as a kit?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She laughs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sometimes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan glowers at her, causing her laughs some more. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dinner’s ready.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins as she hops up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was just commenting to Soquan that whatever you were making smelled good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan grins and darts into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra follows, though at a bit more subdued pace.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: By the time Jozra arrives, Soquan is already scarfing down his meal.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret takes her own place and begins to wolf down her dinner just as hungrily.\u00c2\u00a0 She pauses moment, chews and swallows before complimenting Arrin on the delicious fare and then resumes eating.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Arrin smiles and watches as the two eat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’ll be in the living room when you’re done.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods without pausing her scoffing.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He finishes a few minutes later and leans back in his chair, sighing contentedly.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: A few minutes after that the ferret finishes cleaning her plate. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was delicious.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and grabs her plate. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meet you in the living room?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She stands and wanders into the living room, smiling at Arrin as she settles herself on one end of the couch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was wonderful, Arrin.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: She smiles at the ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m glad you enjoy my cooking.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret grins and settles herself deeper into the soft couch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 23: Warm Welcome In Which\u00c2\u00a0Tickles Are Unfair. \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: Later that day, as the sky grows dark, Soquan climbs the steps to Arrin’s house. He knocks softly and opens the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Arrin? We’re home.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yazeth: Jozra smiles at her friend’s sister as she comes to the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hope we didn’t make you worry … <\/p>\n