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Ivy stretched her hind quarters as she awoke in her burrow. Her tiny stomach growled quietly as she sat up to clean herself, which made it a good idea to head out for an early silflay. On her way out, she checked in some of the nearby burrows to see that some of her younger kittens were doing well. As soon as she reached the Honeycomb, she almost went tharn from the sound of stamping outside. But when no one came rushing in, she figured she had better check it out.

At the mouth of the beechwood hanger, she saw Knapweed telling off a couple of younger rabbits, a doe and a buck by the looks of it. She gave a sigh of relief and slowly hopped out into the morning sunshine. She came with in a couple hopping distances of the small group to listen in as she nibbled at some grass.

It looked like the doe was Narnli-hain, one of Clover's younger kittens. Ivy knew her because their mothers had both come from the farm. The buck was Milkweed, the only black rabbit on the Down. Sometimes she had wished she could listen to his stories since he was like his father, but she knew he was more for entertaining the young ones.

Milkweed stopped, and looked behind him. He saw a tan doe next to him. He then glanced at the large rabbit, who he assumed was the Owsla. He didn't want to take on an Owsla now. He might be able to outrun it, although he'd be in trouble no matter what anyways. The tan doe was lying to the Owsla. Perhaps she would be nice company. He decided to add in to the does tale. He tried to keep calm, for he didn't want the Owsla keeping an eye on him.

"Oh, hello there Knapweed, I didn't see you there. It's a fine day for silflay isn't it? We didn't plan on going far, really. We were just looking for some more cowslips in the shade. The suns reached the other side of the hill, and I prefer my cowslips to be fresher and cool." He looked nervously at the doe, not quite sure what to say. "Kestrels aren't much around here at this time of day anyhow. I'm sure we'll be safe. Like she said, we're close enough. Frith gave us our long, powerful legs to run if danger came. I'm sure you remember the stories of Elahrairah?"

He grinned to himself, as he recalled the stories his father taught him. He couldn't tell them quite as well, though his voice had an effect that radiated the story. He saw another rabbit behind the Owsla member, and decided to tell the story. She looked like she was curious enough to hear one. He chuckled quietly, and began. He didn't want to drag on in front of an Owsla however, and so he shortened the story a little and took out a few details. Later, beneath the stars, the younger kittens would look into his eyes and plead for a tale. He would sigh, and start off.

"Many a time ago, Frith created the stars, and the Earth lived with the stars. He created us all. He created the trees, the shrubs, and all the animals that lived upon the land. They were all created the same, and they were happy.With that, he created the rabbit. The prince was Elahrairah. He was favored amongst the animals, and none of them ate any of eachother. After a time, the rabbits were everywhere. They ate all the grass. The other animals praised Frith, and asked him to help them. So he said to Elahrairah, 'Elahrairah, if you cannot control your people, I will have to control them myself' He refused to do so, and so Frith made each animal different. He gave them a desire to hunt his children. He saw an animal in a hole, and asked him if he knew where Elahrairah had gone. The animal said no, because the animal was actually Elahrairah. Frith blessed the animal instead, and gave him long legs to defend from any predators that woul try to hunt him. Elahrairah was fast, and swift, and would not be eaten by animals that easily"


He was pleased with himself, as he managed to remember the story. "Now kind Knapweed, is searching for cowslips in the shade really that dangerous? What sort of animal could we find that could catch us if when we are so close to the warren? So please Sir, may we stay near this hill only a while longer untill we are done?"


[Sorry guys, I had to go XP. I'm back now]

Knapweed's eyes shifted darkly to Milkweed, his ears not charmed by the story teller's clever words and graceful way of speaking. Truthfully, whether it be for envy or simply lack of interest, storytellers had never done more than annoy this particular Owsla, even since his very youngest days. More brawn than brain, supposedly.

"Oh, yes, I've heard many stories of El-ahrairah. But you," He leaned his scarred maw close to Milkweed's, "are not El-ahrairah. Or Dandelion, I'm afraid. Perhaps your boresome jawing is entertaining to kittens, but I for one am not impressed." The remark had no purpose but to insult, for he was a testy individual when disobeyed.

He sighed though, easing back onto his haunches and swiveling his head around to survey the warren. The words did challenge his faith, placed him in such a position that to refuse them was near blasphemous. "Fine then. But I shall come along. You wouldn't protest, surely, since you only intend to silflay?" His eyes returned to the two with harsh accusation lingering within them.

Knapweed glanced to Ivy as she hopped up beside them, looking the doe over with interest and suspicion alike. By the way she spoke, she seemed sensible, and though the expression of sternness didn't lessen by any notable measure, the compliments laced throughout her words had a positive effect on the buck. His pride was as always his greatest weakness. "Of course. The chances are only better with more of us coming along." He looked back to the two youths expectantly, no pleasant gestures or expressions to make his presence more bareable. He wanted there to be no mistaking of his intentions to keep them behaving.

[small post is small.... >_>]

Milkweed stared back into Knapweeds, his face expressionless. He sat up, never taking his eyes off of Knapweed. His words had struck him where it hurt, though he would never show it. Hopeless, he turned away. He scratched at the ground a few times and walked further away. He stopped and turned to look at the two. He glanced once more at Knapweed.
He gritted his teeth together, unhappy at being unable to run off once more.

"Knapweed, your more than welcome to silflay with us. However, I have a question for you. Is all they teach you as an Owsla to intimidate the weaker into obeying, regardless of the circumstance? Now with the two of you, I'm sure we'll be fine no matter what."

He showed no signs of dissapointment though, not wanting to please the Owsla. He simply turned away from all the rabbits. He began to tenderly lick the dew off of a delicious cowslip he had found earlier. Adventures would have to wait until later. Perhaps, he could return back to his hole and visit Dandelion. He glanced once at the tan doe, but looked away quickly. Perhaps he could leave by the other side of the hill.. unless another member of the Owsla caught him.

Knapweed had been perfectly willing to simply accompany the pair, now with Ivy along to help him keep a watchful eye, but it seemed that the small black buck would not respectfully bow to authority as he should. The back talking proved this. Knapweed's eyes darted to the younger buck, his lips pulling back away from his teeth in a threatening growl. Without warning, he bounded at Milkweed from behind and gave a chastising swipe at his flanks. Not enough to draw blood, but a tuft of fur might be uprooted by the Owsla's sharp claws.

"You'd do well to learn your manners, kitten. I won't tolerate rebellion from a troublemaking fool like you!" His ears had flattened and he stood aggressively close to the smaller buck. It might have seemed a small offense to earn Milkweed such vicious punishment, but Knapweed was not one to accept even the slightest of disrespect, especially not from one so much physically weaker than himself.

"It is never your place to question me, but since you're young and foolish, I'll remind you that as an Owsla my importance is in seeing that mindless little ones like you stay safe from harm." He stalked around Milkweed, not removing his eyes from the small black rabbit. It didn't matter to him how many adventures Milkweed had gone on, as far as he was concerned this buck was no more than a stupid kitten. An opinion he clearly enjoyed stating.

At Ivy's words he allowed himself to become briefly distracted from the other buck, his eyes landing on her narrowed in disapproval. "What a foolish thing to suggest! I suppose your kittens would be very lonely if their marli was to be eaten by a farmer's dog." His nose twitched irascibly.

Milkweed cringed at the blow, but in an instant his face was still once more. His eyes darkened, as they looked up towards Knapweed. He got off the ground, and sat back up. He stared past Knapweed, and looked into the horizon. His leg was aching. Making a break for it now would not be the best idea. He could run faster than most when he had to, though running would be painful. He restrained from telling the story of the Kings Lettuce, for it was obvious that Knapweed didn't care for stories.

"Knapweed, you can beat me until the Black Rabbit of Inle comes to take me to Frith, and it won't make a difference. As for silflay, i'm finished anyhow. I'll be returning to the warren to check on Dandelion. As you know, he's becoming weaker by the day and I can atleast be there for his final days." Milkweeds eyes were as piercing as ever, and he looked into Knapweeds eyes.
"Keeping us from harm.. That's exactly why you would harm us when there isn't even harm?"

Saying no more, he leaped past Knapweed. Annoyed now, though he wasn't up for a beating. He bounded faster than usual, feeling the sweet wind blow past his face. He never once looked back, although he wondered if Knapweed would go afterhim. No matter, he would find his chance to retreat from the day later. He did have to head back to the warren though, and check back on Dandelion. Perhaps when everyone was asleep, he could leave for a little.

Narnli-hain glanced at Milkweed, feeling very sorry for him. Now he was injured and had no use for an adventure now. Now she was alone on the deal. She sulked some and glanced back to Ivy, suprised at the appalled look on her face. Apparently the attack had disturbed her. As well it should... she was a marli, afterall.

She listened as the doe spoke against Knapweed and nodded in agreement, getting up a little. She looked to the Owsla member and shuddered a little before hopping after her, not wishing to be bantered at, either. Better to stay quiet and not do anything.

Now she highly regretted ever going after Milkweed. If she hadn't.. then Milkweed would've been off perfectly fine on his own.. and none of this would've happened. She would have to apologize to him later... maybe at a later silflay, when Frith was high in the sky. Perhaps some private talk would give them a chance to plan out a real adventure.

She dared not look back to Knapweed as she followed after Ivy. She feared the look of rage the buck might have from the back talk he was recieving from bucks..... and does, it seemed.