The Missing Messengers [Site plot, pt. I]

[Ketom Longstaff]

*Ketom was racing through the hallways of the fort, cursing himself for never being on time when he tripped over his own sandals.*

Shoot, I'm always late for everything, and being new no less. Not the best first impression to make. And I really need to get new sandals I'm always tripping over these things.

*Getting up slowly and painfully, he makes it to the meeting hall just in time to see the wolverine cause trouble.*

What were they thinking letting that beast into the fort? He’ll be nothing but trouble. And I don’t like the look of that marten either, she looks like she has poisons on her.

*Ketom tries to slip in quietly, hoping not to be noticed (though the two blades on the end of his sword-staff might give him away), he sees a mouse (Mark) and stands next to him.*

Hey, I’m Ketom, who’re you? I’m kind of new here.

*Looking around, he tries to get a better look at everybeast. He sees the huge beast that he had heard the War Commander call a wolverine, the marten, the mouse he was standing next to, a hare, the squirrel and fox War Commanders, two squirrels, and another fox.*

Wow, that’s a lot of beasts, I wonder what could be happening… Oh, then I guess I should probably be listening.

[Shard Prime]

[OOC: I'm short on time... Tell me, Crys, if I should change anything.]

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Shard let his hand slip from Crystal's shoulder as she turned away in silent fury. Maybe I shouldn't have... He turned his attention back to the towering beast before them. "Ah will help. You saps'll need some help, ah reckon. Some backbone, an' ya ain't got that. So, ain't ya lucky ya got me, eh?" He let Crystal respond.

"Wolverine, I will show you we have 'backbone,' should you press the matter, but now is not the time. The plan is a simple one so far. Right now, we go to the Western Settlement and talk to the beasts there. Should any of them want coin for information, tell them to give it willing or be arrested. There are many eyes and ears, and I'm sure we all have different allies there to speak to."

He let a smile show; Crystal had always had a certain way with words, and he admired it. She's twice the leader I am... It's almost embarrassing.

The squirrel spoke up again after letting Crystal's words sink into the air for a bit, "So let's get busy! Today we search the lands West and possibly to the East of here, if we have time; and tomorrow we'll organize into groups that will search specific areas, particularly South of here! They will be led by Crystal, myself, and other leaders of the Fort." He added for emphasis, "Sound good?" He was met with a chorus of 'yeahs' and 'sures,' though some of them were noticeably dull and half-hearted. This was expected, though; very few, if any, actually wanted to spend several consecutive days searching for something that wasn't likely to be found.

[Seki]

She shuffled away, seething at the fact those around her had heard what she said to the beast.. She should have pulled him over out of the way, whispered, just something, anything other than what she did do.

Her confidence had been taking a dip, she realized, over the past few moons. She had become sloppy. Was the Deity abandoning her? Or, was she simply losing her touch?

Losing me touch, she decided. Just thinking like was all the reason she needed.

She listened with both ears as the beast, 'wolverine' as the vixen called him, and the two leaders conversed, noting the late arrivals and the bold one who tried to speak after the wolverine's challenge. At lenght, the squirrel spoke again.

"So let's get busy! Today we search the lands West and possibly to the East of here, if we have time; and tomorrow we'll organize into groups that will search specific areas, particularly South of here! They will be led by Crystal, myself, and other leaders of the Fort." He he seemed to hesitate before he spoke again, but, that might just have been her. "Sound good?"

There was a scattering of replies from the rest of the assembled.

Seki slipped off from the crowd, heading off into the woodlands. There was some things she had to pick up before they went roving for unknown seasons.