define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":327,"date":"2014-04-21T03:00:15","date_gmt":"2014-04-21T11:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=327"},"modified":"2014-02-01T10:26:31","modified_gmt":"2014-02-01T18:26:31","slug":"chapter-56-kirrian-the-persistant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/327","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 56: Kirrian The Persistant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 56: Kirrian The Persistant<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which Sola Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Always Rise With The Dawn .<\/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: The two sleep through what’s left of the night and well into the morning when Kirrian arrives. They do not even wake up, in fact, when she knocks loudly on Joseph’s door.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The mouse of the house, on the other hand, does hear the knocking, as does Fiarah. Jinx, being young and not a normally early riser in the first place, sleeps blissfully on. Joseph hastily throws on a robe and shuffles towards the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C, coming!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The knocking on the other side of the door continues, louder this time, as Kirrian grows impatient on the doorstep.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph mutters almost unintelligibly under his breath as he ties the cord around his waist. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Keep your pants on, I said I was coming…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d At that moment he reaches the door and opens it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, er, hello?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Kirrian stands in the doorway angrily, flanked on one side by Sola and Dawn with Deke and Nolan on the other side. She says, “It’s morning. Let’s go.”<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The mouse sighs and glances about the room, noticing the otter and ferret still sound asleep. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, nobody else is, er, is awake yet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Kirrian harrumphs and pushes her way into the healer’s house. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lazy slackers!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph looks frantically as the five push past him. He scurries after them protesting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was a long night! We-we still had to, had to deal with dinner after you left!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He catches a glimpse of the outdoors, noting the darkness still out there. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The, the sun hasn’t even risen yet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Kirrian frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m a busy vixen! I don’t have much time for dealing with delinquents! I want to get this over with now and I want them out of this town now!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah appears at the doorway to the other bedroom and growls ever so softly at her sister. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I never knew you to be such an early riser when we were pups, Kirrian. This is two days in a row now that you’re up before the dawn.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Kirrian growls back a reply, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wake as I please. What does it matter to you anyway what time I get up in the morning?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah fails in an attempt to stifle a yawn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just that by most beasts standards this still counts as night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her gaze falls on Sola, who has a slight reputation about the safe house of consistently sleeping through breakfast.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Sola shrinks back at Fiarah’s gaze and Kirrian shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153To Alvisa it’s her daytime.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Unfortunately, neither Joseph nor Fiarah can really argue with that, though Fiarah tries. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes but she does keep certain hours to advise her diurnal followers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In the other room, Jinx snores on blissfully.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Dawn pipes up from Kirrian’s side. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’d hate to agree with THEM but maybe we should let them rest some more.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah quirks an eyebrow at the rattess, surprised by her support. Sure she would have expected something like that from Dysa, but Dawn? The vixen glances at Deke and Nolan before looking to her sister again.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Kirrian sputters. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But, but… Just look at them! The lazy beasts have probably been sleeping every chance they get! \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah glares. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153WHICH, I might mention, have been few and far between, at least for the otter. Jozra needs all of the sleep she can get.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Joseph, long since forgotten by the others in the room, has been busying himself with readying some tea. From experience he knows that he won’t get any more sleep this morning.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Deke speaks, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe we should let ‘dem sleep? Ya?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Across the room, Jozra coughs in her sleep and twitches a little before settling back into sleep. Fiarah is not quite as surprised by Deke’s support. Despite being Kirrian’s lackey, the stoat tends to have a pretty level head on his shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At least another couple of hours, Kirrian. Farmers don’t get up this early.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Well, some farmers do, but Fiarah won’t mention that.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: At this time, Jinx shuffles into the room, rubbing her eyes tiredly, with a sleepy yawn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What’s goin’ on, why is it so loud in here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan mutters something sleepily at Jozra’s side and moves closer to the sleeping ferret.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah simply gestures in Kirrian’s direction for Jinx’s benefit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just another couple of hours, Kirrian. It’s still dark out and Alvisa often doesn’t come back until dawn.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx’s attention is shifted over to the sleeping pair a little ways off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe we should go into the other room. Y’know, and let these two sleep?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Kirrian scowls. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You’re just stalling, sister<\/i> dear.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The vixen narrows her eyes at the pair in bed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’ve half a mind to just haul them next door.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah scowls in return. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you try to, I’ll be forced to stop you. Now, dear sister, if you would just step into the next room please.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She steps towards the door, along with Jinx.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: While Deke and Nolan look ready to follow Fiarah and Jinx, Kirrian plants her feet and crosses her arms. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This… issue needs to be resolved NOW.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Deke gives Nolan a look, and Nolan nods. Both beasts move towards Kirrian and lift her, carrying her into the next room.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Dawn follows the strange procession, rather unsure if she should go to her protesting mistress’ aid. Sola remains hunkered in the doorway for a minute, and then scuttles quickly to bring up the rear. Fiarah just looks on in amazement as Kirrian rages against her own bodyguards.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah and the rest of the currently conscious beasts follow the muscle into the room.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Deke and Nolan set the very flustered Kirrian down and for a moment she just stands in the center of the room glaring at everybody. At this precise moment, Joseph decides to stick his head in. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do-does anybeast want some, some tea?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah turns to Joseph. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes please.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This is followed by a chorus of more affirmative answers.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph nods and ducks back out to heat up enough water. It takes another moment for Kirrian to untie her tongue and start lashing everyone within sight with it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153HOW DARE YOU?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx yelps softly as Kirrian starts yelling and ducks behind the nearest beast, Deke.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The vixen snarls at Deke and Nolan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153YOU’RE BOTH FIRED! And YOU!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She rounds on the other vixen in the room.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah blinks and takes a step back from Kirrian, wiping spittle from her face. In the next room Soquan shifts a bit and groans, the sound of yelling reaching his ears and bringing him closer to consciousness.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Kirrian takes a step forward for Fiarah’s step back and shoves her snarling muzzle in her sister’s face, her voice alternating between a growling whisper and a shout. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You! You’ve always been out to ruin me… Ruin my dreams and undermine MY AUTHORITY!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan growls softly as he realizes the yelling is coming from within the house, from the next room even. He squeezes his eyes shut. Why couldn’t they just let him and Jozra rest?<\/p>\n

He moves from out of the bed, careful not to wake up the ferret beside him. He strides over to the door with as much grace as a blind beast can have and flings it open. He had recognized Kirrian’s voice the moment he had woken and he snarls on her direction, sending Dawn and the other rattess scrambling.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153YOU AGAIN! Who do you think you are? Just waltzing in here and SHOUTING like you just were. There is a SICK BEAST in the next room, and she’s trying to rest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He snarls again, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just got her to sleep TWO hours ago, and if you just expect me to STAND BY and do nothing, you better think again, ’cause if you don’t BE QUIET, I’ll show you just how VIOLENT I CAN be!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Everybody in the room jerks back a step or two, the first to recover being Fiarah, who smacks her palm to her brow and shakes her head. The otter is not helping the situation, indeed, he’s just verified the claim that he is a violent beast.<\/p>\n

Kirrian is right behind her sister in terms of regaining her wits and she can’t seem to keep a smug expression off her face as she says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You see? He admits to being violent!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

In the other room, huddled under a number of blankets, seasons of training awaken and drag with them a certain ferret’s consciousness. A familiar voice in what could be trouble…\u00c2\u00a0 Jozra cracks her eyelids open in an automatic response to acclimate her eyes to the light before fully awakening.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter growls again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn’t admit to being anything, I’m just saying that if you don’t be quiet I might have to forcefully silence you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He falls silent, grumbling slightly as he paws sleep from his eyes.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: This part of the conversation reaches the Scorpion’s ears and she groans, vaguely recalling something about seeing some priestess. Kirrian must be here. Sure enough, Kirrian’s voice is the next thing she hears. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Frankly, I don’t see what the point of waiting is anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The vixen sounds mighty smug which irks the ferret who quietly flings a few coarse desert words at Kirrian. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sand-storming thorn…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d It takes a couple of attempts for Jozra to rasp Soquan’s name loud enough for him to hear it.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan’s mouth opens for him to berate Kirrian further, but he stops, mid-word as he catches Jozra calling for him. He sends a baleful glare towards Kirrian, along with a low, warning growl and slips into the other room, limping back towards the bed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You should be resting, why don’t you go back to sleep, hun?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret quirks an eyebrow at the otter and rasps perhaps the most logical argument yet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sleep? With that shouting? I’m awake now, so lets do this… thing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She waves a paw vaguely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatever it is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He frowns, bowing his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m sorry if I woke you. It’s just… they were yelling, and I didn’t want them to wake you. I guess I just got angry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pauses a moment. \u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you sure you want to go to the Priestess now? Do you need help?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The murmuring in the main room piques the interest of those in the other room. Fiarah is the first to poke her head out to see what’s going on, though Jinx isn’t too far behind. Joseph, practical as always, leans out of the kitchen and addresses Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153W-would you like some tea, dear?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The ferret nods her assent to the mouse before grabbing Soquan’s arm to pull herself into a sitting position. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m not sure I want to go to a Priestess ever, but if it’ll stop everybody from shouting…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She’s interrupted briefly by a fit of coughing, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153…then let’s go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He helps the ferret rise to her feet and holds her steady as she readies herself. He stays silent though, ashamed of his previous outburst.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph distributes mugs of tea to the oddly silent beasts in the house. Even Kirrian feels somewhat… Well, not ashamed, but kind of put-out by the ferret’s complacency. Tea distributed, Joseph retrieves a fresh robe from the closet, one of a cut less likely to look out of place outside the house.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Still offhandedly supporting Jozra, he sips his tea silently. His thoughts wander as he mentally berates himself for loosing his temper.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Several minutes later, Jozra is dressed in the new robe and she sits on the bed slowly sipping her tea. She quirks an eyebrow as Fiarah, Kirrian and the others slowly filter into the room. After a moment she asks in a gravelly voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So where is it we’re going?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah sips her tea and replies. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’re going to go see Priestess Alvasia. She’s going to settle this once and for all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jinx nods a confirmation.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods, drains her tea, chokes a little on the dregs and after a severe coughing fit wheezes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then lets go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan, who had been seated beside her, rises and offers Jozra his arm to help her up. Kirrian harrumphs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153About time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret, too exhausted to take any serious offense, merely quirks an eyebrow at Kirrian. “Imp- *cough!* -atient thing aren’t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The comment, like everything else the ferret’s been saying, is spoken in a rasp, probably too low for the vixen to hear, but it’s the thought that counts, yes?<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter, who has heard the ferret’s comment, despite her rasp, chuckles softly and replies to the ferret’s comment, leaning over to whisper in her ear. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess we better get going then before this one gives herself a heart attack eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He motions subtly to Kirrian.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra’s lips twitch upwards briefly. She grabs a hold of Soquan’s upper arm in order to pull herself up and finds herself having a much harder time of it than she expected.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan turns to assist his companion, helping to the point of lifting the ferret from her seated position and placing her on her feet. He holds most her weight, allowing her to ease herself to the ground as gingerly and slowly as she thinks suitable. His expression has turned back to one of concern. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You alright?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra nods shortly, more than a little unhappy with the fact that she can’t even seem to stand upright by herself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let’s just get this over with.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: The otter nods at her and speaks in a soft undertone. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just let me know if you need me to carry you or anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Kirrian gives a shout from the door, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come ON! Let’s GO!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She then proceeds to sneer at the two, striding out the door and quickly followed by her four companions.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah put her head in her paw and mutters darkly about her sister under her breath. Jinx catches a bit of it and promptly stops her giggling when the vixen shoots a withering glare at the young ferret. The older ferret, on the other hand, is merely concentrating on putting one paw in front of the other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 56: Kirrian The Persistant In Which Sola Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Always Rise With The Dawn . \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: The two sleep through what’s left of the night and well into the morning when Kirrian arrives. They do not even wake up, in fact, when she knocks loudly on Joseph’s door. Yazeth: The mouse of the … <\/p>\n