define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":287,"date":"2014-03-05T03:00:56","date_gmt":"2014-03-05T11:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=287"},"modified":"2014-01-29T23:12:43","modified_gmt":"2014-01-30T07:12:43","slug":"chapter-36-harsh-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/287","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 36: Harsh Words"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 36: Harsh Words<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0Bruise Balm Might Not Solve All Problems.<\/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

Yazeth: Jozra nods sharply, stiff in the presence of the people of the ‘safe house’ and leads the way out the back door. Finally out in the open, she breathes a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sighs as well, glad to be out of the safe house and back in the open. He turn to the female as they walk, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have some bruise balm back in my pack.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret smiles weakly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sounds soothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and walks for a bit longer in silence, following the female. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, you didn’t have to throw the knife at her…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret growls softly but concedes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suppose not. I don’t think they would have believed me any other way, though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I still think it was unnecessary.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra glances sharply at the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t like being perceived as helpless, which is exactly what they were doing. Besides, it’s not like I actually hurt her. Scared her, yes.\u00c2\u00a0 And it was effective, considering they thought everything I said was a lie or they twisted it to make you look bad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He harrumphs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There’s better ways of proving things to beasts besides scaring them. They would have eventually seen that I’m not what they think I am.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret scowls. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you so sure of that? And even if they did, it would be several days before they finally came around. Days that I would have to spend locked in that room. And nights…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She trails off, remembering that conversation with Azrun as though she had spoken to the fox only yesterday.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m sure if both of us acted a bit more civilly towards them they would’ve come around sooner then that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They would have seen it as just an act.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jozra narrows her eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And they certainly wouldn’t have allowed you to… To keep my nightmares away.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sighs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know that Jozra, and there really wasn’t much I could do to convince them that they were wrong. I talked to the house head calmly. I apologized for “roughing up” one of her employees, explained what happened and that we sparred last night, and even let her see my bruises…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra quirks an eyebrow at the phrase \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcroughing up\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 as she’s still out of the loop as to what happened after she was \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcrescued.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And did she believe you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shakes his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, she said I could just be some guy that likes getting into bar fights, and the bruises on my arms could just be you trying to defend yourself against me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret smirks wryly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You see what I mean?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shoots a look at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean they wouldn’t eventually listen to reason!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eventually would be the key word here. How long would they have kept us locked up there? A week? A month?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a low growl. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret is silent for a long moment as she allows her thoughts to settle. After a little while she ventures rather apologetically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hope you didn’t worry too much when you couldn’t find me. I was afraid of what they’d do to you if I tried to alert you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was very worried, I couldn’t exactly ask any beast if they’ve seen you. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHello, I’m looking for a ferret, she’s about this tall and… uh… she’s a ferret…\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra shoots a sly glance at the otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What would you have had me do then?\u00c2\u00a0 Scream for you and have them jump you immediately?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: \u00c2\u00a0He scowls, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well you could have done something to let me know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret bristles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Like what? I’d really like to know what this \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsomething\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is that I could have done.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He sighs, trying to think quick on his feet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well you could have put up some sort of fight at the beginning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra snarls. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I DID! There’s only so much I can do before I start causing black eyes, though. I thought you were the one that was opposed to the way I trimmed Dawn’s whiskers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives a low growl. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But putting up a fight at the beginning is different, huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He growls again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn’t KNOW how much you fought against them, it’s not like I was there or anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra’s eyes narrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you knew me well enough to know that I would put up a fight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He falls silent for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, maybe I don’t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: This comment gives Jozra pause and she falls silent as well, thinking of everything that he doesn’t – that he CAN’T – know about her.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He stays quiet, remaining in step beside the ferret.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The pair continue in silence, finally in a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfamiliar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 part of the city. Soon they’re traveling back down the main street, headed in the direction of the inn.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He speaks after a moment of silence, placing a paw on her shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m sorry Joz, I’m tired and cranky. I’m not myself tonight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t think either of us are.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He gives her a one armed hug, stepping up the inn’s stairs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Want me to put some of that balm on your back when we’re up in our room?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra grins briefly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sounds good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She opens the door and slips quietly inside.\u00c2\u00a0 A young ferret is sleeping at the front desk, there for any late arrivals that need to be checked in.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nudges Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don’t wake the lad. Get the clipboard and sign us in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods and stealthily approaches the desk, quickly scratching the name \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWoodgreen\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 into the ledger set out for this purpose.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He waits for her and grins as he finishes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, now come on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He heads for the stairs to their room.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra quickly follows. As they approach their door, Jozra automatically digs in her pockets for the key. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er… You have the key, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods and digs out their key from his pocket. He unlocks the door and steps inside their room.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 36: Harsh Words In Which\u00c2\u00a0Bruise Balm Might Not Solve All Problems. \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 Yazeth: Jozra nods sharply, stiff in the presence of the people of the ‘safe house’ and leads the way out the back door. Finally out in the open, she breathes a sigh of relief. Arrin Woodgreen: He sighs as well, glad to … <\/p>\n