| Logs |
1999-12-16
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Starfall By Night
- The Alewife: A typical fishing vessel, the singlemasted ship
is designed for cargo and durability, not speed.
Captain Wavedancer pilots his clumsy fishing boat into the harbor, somehow managing to make it look graceful in the process. His people have been stringing lines behind the boat as they went, so there's even a small catch to unload... cover for the visit, although it does make the holds a little slimy... Wavedancer finds a berth at the piers and starts haggling with one of the purchasing agents. The sailors from the Mare look nervously at the docks, trying to avoid being seen by anyone they know. Dimitri reaches up to his collar to draw on his cloak's full hood, casting his feature in soft gray shadows.
Midnight. Coal black, he is, with fur as rich as a starless nightime sky. Brown eyes flash, above his sharply chiseled muzzle, quiet and sure, like a sea whose currents run deep. From one tall ear sparkles three rings of gold, as plain as any crest, campaign rings of Blackpool's Marines. A heavy cloak itself wraps about his rugged frame, tumbling to but a hand above the ground, its tall collar curled protectively atop his sturdy shoulders. The color of dusk wraps about the darkling fox, all the shades of gray falling in severe loose folds, as if carven from weatherstained quarry rock. Midnight black is his accent, the colour of his tall polished boots into which his stone tinted breeches are precisely tucked. A black belt, tight, with silver fittings bright, complements his dashing tunic, that too the color of a fell evening fog. Beneath the tunic hides the only splash of color, where a pristine shirt of white hides, and mayhaps the hint of fine ruffles. Each movement is simple and professional, betraying a trained discipline. From beneath a long and rich tail occassionally sneaks, just as dark, touched hither and yon with a highlight of deep crimson. In one hand he carries a long and narrow package, wrapped in black leather and trimmed with pale gray fur. As long as he is tall it is, deadly steel scabbarded and held safe at bay.
Alex looks around thoughtfully. There's a great deal of hustling and bustling around and folks going on and off the boats, and she's guessing it will go on from now, arrival, to a couple of hours from now, until the fleet's unloaded. Then it should be quiet until a little before dawn. She also knows from Horatio that the Tortoise is in new phase tonight, and the Hare will be setting about an hour after sunset, and then rising about four hours before dawn. Alex looks around at the Mare's crew and smiles confidently and encouragingly, "People, we'll be fine. Remember -- you have a right to be here, so walk like you belong here. Don't feel scared or guilty -- that'll just attract unwanted attention. Just bring your families to Samantha's mom's place. So... are we all ready?" They nod, with varying degrees of nervousness. Tina and Ariel look a little more worried than the others.
An attractive young girl with proud carriage, her joie du vivre is apparent in her usual cheerful enthusiasm. Despite the pretty lace-trimmed silk shirt she's dressed in a decidedly non-feminine style, with snug bottle-green breeches, well-worn black riding boots, and long leather fencing gloves (finely embroidered with the house crest, of course) tucked casually into her leather belt. Most startling of all is the plain and practical military epee at her hip, which has a decidedly well-used look to it. If she's stared at, she tends to get a challenging glint in her large green eyes, and a defiant flick to her luxurious white-tipped, scarlet brush.
Slowly clambering from the hold, Dimitri takes a good, good look up and down the dockside, leaning on his sword like a tall staff. Alex says, "All right then... let's go, a few at a time. Ariel, you go first with Kennard and..." She quickly sorts out the nine people into three groups of three, set to leave at short intervals. She and Dimitri will leave in the second group with Tina. "Off you go then." Alex sounds calm and confident... although Dimitri may notice that she tends to keep him either at her back or within touching distance.
Dimitri pads up behind the raccoon and mouse, speaking quietly. "Come, we'll get them back safe, yes? Just mark the time and play it smooth and easy. Come, lass," He nods to the mouse, "-it's time for us to go."
Tina nods. "You want me to lead the way, sir?"
Alex nods to the last group before she leaves, "Remember, there's no rush for you... you're all close to the docks, so take your time to leave." She smiles, "Good luck!" and patters off after Dimitri.
Dimitri smiles, "Sure. Since I don't know the way. I'll walk beside, like a friend coming home for dinner."
Tina nods and leads off into the city. She leaves the main street very soon after leaving the dock area and heads into the back alleys. "A bit safer from curious eyes this way, right?"
Alex falls in on Tina's other side from the one Dimitri's on, her demeanor relaxed and alert. She grins at Tina's words, "Definitely."
Walking quietly, Dimitri just nods. "And if all goes well matters will stay quiet, boring and there will be no tales to tell."
Alex mutters under her breath, "Cross your fingers..."
Tina nods, a little grimly for such a young furr. "I noticed that. All my dad's most exciting stories sounded like they were no fun at the time. And the last one... he doesn't talk about at all."
Alex chuckles softly under her breath, "Daddy told me once that the definition of 'adventure' was something you were miserable while doing, but would enjoy talking about in a nice comfy chair with a good drink in front of the fire later."
Tina smiles. "Well, I'm not miserable yet. Mustn't be an adventure."
Dimitri softly answers. "In the Lady's, the young recruits talk about steel and blood. The survivors just enjoy their drink and the hearth fire." Alex glances at Dimitri over Tina's head with a slightly worried expression... but then doesn't say anything... just keeps on trotting along next to Tina.
Tina points to an intersection ahead. "Almost there. Turn left, two blocks, and right into a cul-de-sac." This is not one of the better areas of town, and just at that moment a young girl streaks out of an alleyway and almost runs smack into Alex. Alex shies lightly to the side in startlement! The tall fox just stops, his ears tall beneath the shadow of his hood. He peers down the alley from which the girl came to perhaps catch a glimpse of what set her running. The young filly dodges around the three furrs just as a rather evil-looking quartet charges out of the alley behind her. They stop abruptly, looking at the trio.
Alex says, "Whoa, hey! Easy, girl..." She pauses, looking up and her shyness fades away as she spies the quartet. She murmurs quietly, "So... what have we here? Why are you running, girl?"
Without a word, and perhaps with just the tilt of his head, Dimitri slowly, carefully and in a single very well practiced movement, reaches down and thumbs the peace strap off of his scabbard. The horse is panting almost too hard to talk, her sides heaving with exertion. "Don-... don't let them..." She looks battered, and the foxs' sensitive carnivore noses detect the scent of blood. Dimitri's long tongue just laps his muzzle.
Alex eyes the quartet thoughtfully, then puts a hand on Tina's arm without taking her eyes off the foursome, "Step back so we're flanking Dimitri. You keep watch behind us." She'll step back as she said to, her left hand resting lightly on the pommel of her sword.
The leader of the foursome, a bull, glares at the three of you. "None o' yer business, is it?"
Alex murmurs to the filly, "Get your breath... where's your family, girl?"
She sobs, "...gone..."
Dimitri looks back, his dark gaze matching the bully's. One paw slowly curls about the hilt of his sword. "I would recommend closing down your shop for the night. Business hours are over." His words are weighted, and not simply a suggestion.
Alex sighs softly, then murmurs, "Don't panic, girl... just give us a moment and then we can talk, all right?" To the group she says in calm command, "As my brother says... it would be a grievous error for you to attack us. It would be wise to leave now... and none of us will come to harm."
Tina is a little slow to react, but falls back to flank Dimitri. The bull snorts at Dimitri. "Our business don't keep office hours, ya smartmouth troublemaker. Now beat it." He pulls out a rather poorly kept broadsword, while his henchmen (a ferret, a rat, and a scrawny coyote) pull daggers. Dimitri snares his greatsword, and with a feral grace frees it from its scabbard and draws up its deadly length. Alex sighs... then falls into stance, rapier in hand so quickly it almost couldn't be seen being drawn. She glances sideways at Dimitri, noting where he is... then holds, to cover her brother's back.
The ferret grins nastily and flips a dagger at Dimitri. Dimitri dodges, and the dagger misses. Tina holds position also. The bull rushes in behind the dagger-throw, apparently expecting to be able to chop down an injured fur. He is not pleased as Dimitri leans to one side and the dagger sails harmlessly past. With a shake of his head, his earrings jangling, Dimitri returns to his stance, one foot before the other, the tip of the greatsword level with the bull's eyes. Its polished blade shimmers in a chance reflection. He swings, but Dimitri easily blocks his clumsy thrust. Alex leans forward as the bull rushes up, stabbing lightly with her rapier. The bull bellows as the vixen's rapier punches through his hide. "You lousy BITCH! You'll pay for that!!" Alex blinks, her ears perking slightly... then grins quietly to herself and falls back into position flanking Dimitri. The coyote and the rat move warily toward the bull's flanks, guarding him as Tina and Alex are guarding Dimitri. They are armed only with knives, so they don't immediately rush in. The ferret starts to move around Tina's side, apparently trying to get past the foxes and grab their victim again. Alex yips sharply, "Girl, stay close!" but can't afford the time to look behind herself.
The bull slashes at Dimitri, furious! Stepping aside, the darkling fox lets the bull's rush drive the brigand ahead, his greatsword suddenly slashing down then across, using the bull's own charge to add to his harsh, slashing strike... Alex follows Dimitri's lead, dancing back on the other side of the bull and scratching sharply with her blade. Off balance from the strikes, the bull misses and draws back away from the two warriors. He should be nervous, but doesn't seem to notice that he's bleeding yet... but his henchmen do. Tina frowns and tries to stick the rat in front of her before the ferret can flank the three fighters. She doesn't get through, but does keep her opponent busy.
Alex notices the coyote is moving in towards her... but he doesn't seem untowardly fast. She'll keep to Dimitri's side as long as she can... the coyote moves toward the vixen, trying to get in a swing while she is distracted by the bull, but she blocks him without even thinking about it. HE looks a little more nervous... while the others are distracted by the fight, the ferret manages to sneak around the trio's left flank. He smiles nastily again, and the filly shrieks as she sees him. Eyes dark, Dimitri takes his light blow and pulls it back, letting it lead naturally about the drive down hard again upon the gangleader... Alex whirls lightly and drives her rapier up into the bull as her brother chops down. Tina concentrates and remembers her lessons, and gets a swing in past the rat's guard. The rat yells and pulls back, his arm slashed open and bleeding badly. "F*** this, Joe. They ain't payin' me enough fer this!"
The bull belatedly realizes that he's completely out of his element as two more stabs penetrate his armor. He collapses, still breathing but bleeding heavily. The coyote's ears go flat and he starts backing away... Alex whips around and snarls, "RUN!" at the coyote! With his boss unconscious and one of his buddies already retreating with a serious wound, the coyote doesn't have much interest in fighting any more. The ferret backs away down the street, glaring furiously but unwilling to try to retrieve the escapee alone.
Alex takes a few deep breaths... then quickly wipes her blade clean on the bull's clothing and sheathes it. "We'd better hustle, people... Tina, very well handled, thank you." She takes the filly's arm and says gently, "What's your name, girl? You need to decide right now, I'm afraid, if you stay with us or go."
"Miriam," the filly gasps, "...can you take me with you?? I've got nowhere to go..."
Dimitri takes a step back, cleaning his sword on the side of his cloak. He then retrieves his scabbard, still quiet. Without looking to Alex or the filly, he nods. "Aye. You can come with us." Dimitri takes up his scabbard, and returns his greatsword within.
Alex wrinkles her nose at Dimitri using his own cloak to clean his sword, but doesn't say anything -- just takes the filly's hand and starts trotting quickly in the direction Tina gave, pulling Miriam along, "Let's go then -- Tina! Come with me, quick, please -- let Dimitri cover our rear!"
Tina mutters, "He's the biggest bully around these parts. That was FUN!" She puts a comforting arm around the horse. "Wanted to recruit you for his 'business', did he?"
Alex says, "Comfort later, please, Tina..." She's practically hauling the rather frazzled looking Miriam along, "-we have your family to move -- quick, please?" Dimitri backs out of the alleyway, making sure no one follows, before turning to catch up to the others.
The mouse is moving, if not quite as fast as the longer-legged vixen would like. "I know, I know. Almost there now."
Dimitri considers and then quietly grumbles. "Does the bully work for anyone?"
Alex grins apologetically over her shoulder at Tina, "Sorry... just want to get everyone under cover soon!"
Tina thinks about it. "Dunno, really. He seems to be a freelancer, but he must at least pay his dues to the Thieves Guild. I'm sure he'd do jobs for people."
Dimitri nods. "Figure what, three or four days before word gets back we were in town then?"
Alex glances over her shoulder at Dimitri, "Only if they're accurate... will they want to admit to being beaten by one guy and 2 girls?"
Dimitri continues to padpadpadpad at a rapid pace. "How many big dark foxes with greatswords fight next to a vixen with a rapier? That will eventually catch notice." Alex grins a little proudly at Dimitri... but politely doesn't comment, since her brother always seems... grumpy when they're in combat recently.
Tina turns down a very narrow dead-end alley, enters a building, heads up two flights and knocks on a door. "Joey? I don't think he recognized me. Blacky might have, though."
Alex turns to the filly and says reassuringly, "You only have to carry stuff, okay? Just stick close to us and carry what Tina gives you."
Nothing happens. The mouse knocks louder and hisses, "Tom? Tom, I know you're up. Get your lazy butt over here and open this door." Alex leans forward and tries the doorknob.
The door opens just as Alex reaches for it. A young male mouse stands there. "Tina? What are you doing back so soon?"
Tina shoves past him. "It's a long story and we've got to move fast. Wake up the little kids, I'll get Dad." Dimitri waits at the door, maintaining a watch down the alley through a tiny window.
The boy looks unhappy. "He's... had a bad day, Tina. I don't think he's going to be easy to wake up."
Alex steps in and smiles, "Hello, you must be Tom, Tina's brother. I'm sorry we're in such a rush, but your family needs to be moved. You should collect all your valuables and food so we can go immediately, okay? We'll take care of moving your father."
Dimitri looks into the room. "He need to be carried?"
Alex says, "If he does, Dimitri, can you carry and I'll cover? If there's an emergency um..." She glances at the filly, then the smaller mouse, then nods, "Hand him to Miriam and we'll deal with it, how's that?"
Tina opens the only other door in the room while Tom goes back to the far corner and wakes two little ones sleeping on a pallet. An alcoholic reek wafts out of the open door. "Oh, no... not again..."
Alex nods to Dimitri, "Carried. Swap with you..." She steps to the covering position by the door he's in.
Tina steps in and tries to wake her father. "C'mon, Dad...this was a lousy time for a binge..."
Dimitri takes a step into the room. He then pauses, still for a long, long set of heartbeats. He glances sideways to his sister and with a private duck of his muzzle, hands her his scabbarded sword. Alex whispers to Dimitri, "We might not want to wake him at all?" as she accepts the huge (to her) sword. Then she turns to her new job and keeps a careful eye out. That done, Dimitri pads lightly to the other room to seek out Tina's father.
The older mouse is dead to the world, a nearly empty bottle of cheap whiskey lying on the floor beside his sleeping pad. Both his legs are gone at the knee -- two wooden legs and a pair of crutches lie beside him. Dimitri looks to Tina, letting out a long sigh as he wraps her father in his blankets, and then lifts him off the bed. "May I asked what happened, Miss Tina?"
Tina nods while rummaging around and stuffing their more important and/or valuable possessions into a sack. "A snapped cable. It cut his best friend in half and did that to him. Freak accident."
Dimitri softly growls, "And no one would take him on after that, would they?""
Tina snorts. "A sailor with no legs? You're kidding, right?"
Dimitri shakes his head, "We'll find him good work. Someone get his gear."
Tina holds up the sack. "Got everything right here. Ready, Tom?"
Alex glances in, seeing Dimitri emerging with the unconscious mouse, and steps out to cover their departure. She leans back in long enough to murmur, "Miriam, help Tom with the little ones, please? You carry one, have him carry the other? Tom, don't forget to bring all your blankets and food, okay? Tina, come lead the way, please?"
Tom is trying to dress two sleepy kids. "Don' wanna go... sleepy... hafta potty, Tom..." The filly is standing just inside the door, trembling a bit. She starts as Alex give her instructions, but moves to help Tom. She seems to know what to do with the little kids, and soon they are ready to go. Alex lets Tina lead, with Dimitri, Tom, and Miriam next. She brings up the rear, carrying the sword over her shoulders like she's seen Dimitri do... the sole difference being she always has the sword point aimed away from Dimitri, so he can grasp and draw it quickly if necessary.
Moving to the door and stairs, Dimitri steps outside. "Miss Tina, take us out of the maze, Alex watch our path, me and the mister will be in the middle with the kids." And then he clatters down the steps.
Alex nods, "Got it, Dimitri..." She steps aside to let everyone past, then falls in at the rear. Tina leads by a different route, just in case... successfully, since they make it back to Samantha's with no further hassles. The filly is looking very winded, almost ready to collapse by that point. Alex whews softly as they all make it safely inside, then takes a moment when they're at Samanatha's to see who's made it so far.
Dimitri finds a place to gently set the old sailor down. He shakes his head. "This is going to be one surprised sailor when he wakes up." He shrugs and holds out a paw towards Alex, while he glances over to Tina. "Will you be coming with us to the Moulins?" Alex hands Dimitri his sword promptly. Taking a deep breath, Dimitri looks about. "Any word of trouble so far?" He gives his sister a quick and sure nod, as his paws curl about his sword. Tina spends the trip back filling Tom in on the situation. When the little procession arrives, everyone has made it in except for Ariel and Kennard. Samantha's mother's flat is stuffed to the rafters already, even though Owen is apparently still alone -- his sister decided not to come along. Tina nods at Dimitri's question.
Alex oh!s softly, "Samantha, this is Miriam, she has no family and is coming along with us. Could you give her a drink and a place to sit and catch her breath, please?"
Samantha looks curious, but complies. Miriam collapses to a clear spot on the floor and looks around. "You don't look much like a band of bloodthirsty pirates, do you?"
Alex grins at Miriam, "Why thank you!" She looks around, then smiles at Samantha, "Thanks to all you family members for your patience too. We have only two more families to gather. Dimitri and I are going to bring Ariel's family... then we should be fine." She glances at Dimitri, "Whenever you're ready?"
"Ariel's then, yes?" Dimitri steps to the door. Then he looks back to Miriam and laughs. "Pirates yes. bloodthirsty, no." A final look back, and then he pushes the door open. "Alex, Miss Tina?" Alex swiftly arranges for the bosun to send folks out to the Alewife, a few at a time, so no suspicions are aroused... then patters out after Dimitri.
Tina doesn't know the back-alley route this time, so the three have to stick to the main streets most of the way. About halfway there, Alex sees a pair of armed furrs approaching in the distance. Dimitri keeps a pace or two behind the others, his hood pulled up, casting his features in shadow. As they're walking along, Alex's ears perk up startledly, and then she casually murmurs, "Watch just turned the corner, Mitya... two armed guys, down the road off to your left." Dimitri doesn't speak, but just lets his pace pick up a few steps so it looks like he walks alone. His own ears flick as he notes the guard's location, trying to discern more importantly if they have noticed them.
Alex is still walking with Tina as she murmurs quietly, "Mitya, there's an inn on the corner... what do you want us to do?" Taking a few quick paces forward, Dimitri gives the guards someone to intercept. There are a few others out on the streets even this late, and the Watchmen are not paying particular attention to any of them. As he does, a quick and small wave of his paw is used to direct Tina and Alex around a street corner, and when she mentions the inn, he shakes his muzzle no. Alex slows down with Tina then, and takes the corner... although her ears are at an unhappy tilt at leaving Dimitri behind. She stops just around the corner and whispers hastily to Tina, "Do you know if we can run entirely around the block here, and come up behind the guards?"
Tina nods. "I'm pretty sure we can. Worth a try, at least."
Alex grabs Tina's paw, "Time to run then!" and dashes around the inn as quick as she can, so she can be in place behind the guards for her brother. Dimitri loops his sword over both shoulders, both arms resting on the scabbarded blade, one on its length, the other light upon the hilt. Slowly he walks, silently watching the guards. The guards are not moving quickly, just meandering along the street, looking at the denizens as they pass but apparently not looking for anything in particular. Alex will dash completely around the building, then stop at the far corner and peer around cautiously, waiting, once she gets there... no need to step out and possibly attract attention. The guards pass Dimitri, nodding politely to him as he is a well-dressed furr. Dimitri nods in return, and just continues past... Alex steps out casually with Tina a few paces before Dimitri reaches them, and continues strolling down the street... even if the guards look around, he's large enough to block view of them. Dimitri nods as he walks past the two, continuing down the street. .. and a moment later the three of them join up again and continue hastening to Ariel's.
When the three of them reach Ariel's home she is arguing with her mother while loading up the handcart. Alex steps in and looks around, then smiles charmingly at Ariel's mother, "Hello, you must be Ariel's mother. What seems to be the problem here?" She glances at Tina, "Could you help Ariel, please?"
The older raccoon nods. "I am that. What kind of nonsense have you been filling her head with. She wants to pack us up and leave in the middle of the night to go live in some village in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of roughneck lumberjacks. I've never heard of such a thing..." Ariel and her siblings are continuing to load the cart, but a few of the neighbors are awake and watching now as the old lady continues to complain.
Alex sighs, and takes the older raccoon's paws in both her own, gently encouraging her to turn and sit someplace so they can talk while Tina and Ariel finish packing, "Madam, I wish from the bottom of my heart that this were not the case... but I am afraid she is correct. I am afraid the Pravinchandra has marked your family somehow, as it has my own. He is a vengeful and vindictive person, and will rest at nothing to eliminate all his enemies. We have reason to believe he had my father's ship attacked by pirates... we are determined that he will not harm any more, and thus we wish to remove you from his reach."
She looks at Alex suspiciously. "I knew nothing good would come of her following in her father's footsteps. I told her she should stay here and get married, or become a seamstress if she HAD to have a career, but no, she wouldn't listen... and now she's in trouble and it's all your fault..."
Dimitri shrugs quietly and then speaks very softly. "It's much better than being held hostage by a family intent on your daughter's harm, though."
Alex lets the old lady rant, then shakes her head, "If it were my fault I'd gladly shoulder the blame, ma'am... but your family was marked before we came along. We're glad that we might possibly help Ariel and yourselves to escape the mongoose." The garrulous old lady quiets down briefly, apparently intimidated by Dimitri, but soon is complaining again about the roughnecks her daughter hangs out with and how in HER day youngsters didn't even DREAM about giving orders to their parents... Alex says quietly, "Ma'am, in your day parents apparently also didn't get murdered by vindictive pirates like Pravinchandra. I'm just glad you're alive for her to still talk to! Now come, please, quickly and quietly... my brother will keep us safe, but we need your help."
Dimitri quietly walks up behind the mother and just looks down. "Quiet, please ma'am. Loud and attention getting, well that might just be the bit of information that gets your daughter hurt... and that could mean no grandchildren for you."
Alex grins quietly up at Dimitri -- he does cut to the chase well! -- then tries to draw the old lady along with her, "Ariel, can you lead the way please? Tina can take the handcart and the children... me next, with Ariel's mom, and Dimitri will follow us, yes, Dimitri?" The old lady jumps about two feet in the air as Dimitri sneaks up on her and tells her to be quiet. By the time she recovers, she's off on another tangent, complaining about her health... Alex nods and listens to the health complaints, making sympathetic noises on occasion -- far better to have passersby hear that, than anything else more suspicious!
Ariel looks apologetic. "She hasn't been quite right ever since Da's ship was lost... I was hoping she'd have gotten better."
Alex smiles, "Ariel, don't worry... just take lead, please, and keep us to the backroutes?" Ariel nods, and starts threading through the back streets toward Samantha's. Alex keeps a friendly paw on the mother's arm, and one of the mother's paws on her arm, so they're walking closely together... she wants to keep the mom's attention on talking about her health. The old woman's complaints slow down and she is soon yawning and grumbling about having to go places at this time of night and why can't they wait until morning and where are we going anyway? Alex tilts an ear back to reassure herself about Dimitri's closeness, then murmurs soothingly that it's not much farther, really, and then she can settle down and rest. Following at the end of the procession, Dimitri keeps his eyes sharp and ears up.
The little parade reaches Samantha's with no incidents. Kennard has just arrived with his family - the bear had by far the farthest to travel -- and about half the refugees have already set out for the ship. Alex sighs in tired relief, and arranges for Ariel's family to go in the next group to the ship. Alex then settles down and waits quietly in Samantha's mom's house for everyone else to board, before she and Dimitri do... as long as Dimitri thinks that's okay.
Dimitri softly growls, "We are last. That's right Alex.""
Ariel whispers to Alex, "Ma'am...do you really think we should put my mother on the boat before we have to? You KNOW she'll complain about it."
Alex nods tiredly, and starts to lean towards Dimitri -- then realizes where she is and straightens. She glances at Ariel thoughtfully, "Well... if you think it'd be wiser to keep her here that's fine, Ariel... you know her better than I do. I just thought in case of emergency we should have her already boarded? What do you suggest?"
Dimitri looks to Ariel and laughs, "But no one will hear her below decks."
Ariel rolls her eyes. "She can get AWFULLY loud sometimes."
Alex glances at Dimitri and murmurs softly, "The other families will have to though. Maybe... maybe we should follow Ariel's advice?" The old woman has finally run down and seems to be snoring...
Dimitri nods, "I don't think it would hurt."
Alex says, "Okay. Ariel, send your siblings on board with Tina's so only your mom is left, all right? We want only adults to be the last ones to board, in case of emergency."
"I'm going out to keep an eye on the proceedings, Alex." Dimitri moves to the door again. "And make sure no one takes too much of an interest in us."
Alex nods to Dimitri, "Let me know if you want to be spelled, Mitya. Otherwise I'll hang out here and help as needed..." she glances around, then smiles, adding, "-although Jared seems to have things well in hand."
Dimitri nods, "You keep them moving. If there's trouble I'm sure you'll hear it." And with that Dimitri steps outside to find a shadowed corner from where he can watch.
Things continue with no apparent mishap. It is only a short journey from Samantha's to the dock, and the ships are quiet at this time of night. No one seems to see the procession of furrs heading to the Alewife. Alex follows Dimitri's instructions, and keeps the small groups moving to and fro... but mostly to. Finally the only ones left are Dimitri, Alex, Ariel, Samantha, and Ariel's mother, who's still asleep.
Alex hms... then nods to Ariel, "Think we should all go at once? Dimitri will follow us, since he knows I'm going last. Or is she more likely to be quiet if only you are here?"
Ariel looks pensive. "Maybe he could carry Ma? She's more likely to be quiet if we don't wake her up..."
Alex nods, "Okay. Samantha, head for the Alewife and tell Dimitri he's needed in here, please?"
The cat nods. "Here's the key. Lock the place when you leave, okay?"
Alex smiles, "Sure, Sam." Alex doesn't say anything about how long it may be before any potential return... Samantha's been too nice to depress her so.
Samantha pads past Dimitri's post and passes on the message without stopping. "They need you back at my mom's place." Dimitri nods quietly, and silently retreats back to the house.
Alex has the mom gently wrapped up in blankets as best she can when Dimitri arrives. There he just looks at the sleeping raccoon and ruffles a furry brow. Alex looks up at her brother and murmurs softly, "Ariel thinks her mom will be quietest if we move her without waking her... could you carry her, Mitya, please?"
"She's going to yell loud if she wakes up. At me. For a very long time."
Alex takes a deep breath... then nods, "If she wakes up I'll take responsibility, Dimitri, okay? I'm the first mate, after all."
Dimitri laughs softly and holds out his sword. "No. It's fine. She can't be worse than Lady Blackpool when she was disappointed in us." Dimitri considers. "Maybe." Ariel chuckles.
Alex grins ruefully at her brother, "No comment!" and carefully takes the sword, "Ariel, I want you walking with Dimitri. If your mom wakes up, reassure her... and if she's going to yell..." she takes another deep breath, then pulls out a hankie and hands it to Ariel, "-keep her quiet till we get to the ship, please." Alex lays the sword across her shoulders like Dimitri does, and slips out the door first. She'll hold the door if the coast is clear. Dimitri carefully picks up the goodwife Moulin and gently eases out the door, one paw close enough to muzzle a muzzle if necessary. Ariel follows closely and walks close beside Dimitri all the way to the docks. Alex locks the door quietly behind them all, then slips into a shadow and simply stands cover-watch as her brother and Ariel head for the ship... she wants to see if anyone's been watching.
The waterfront remains quiet, and no one seems to have noticed the exodus. Ariel sits with her mother after Dimitri settles her on a makeshift cot in the fishing boat's hold and Alex heads on board just as the morning arrivals and awakenings begin. Alex sighs softly to herself as she boards... been a long night. She returns Dimitri's sword to him as soon as she's aboard, then smiles at the otter, "We're all aboard, captain... can leave whenever you want to." Dimitri quietly walks through the ship, making sure everyone is comfortably settled in. He checks upon Tina and her family, and their new orphan, Miriam, before settling down himself. Miriam has crashed as well. They'll have to wait until later to get her story. Alex looks relieved that Dimitri's checked everyone, and will settle down with him.
The Alewife's crew makes the ship ready, and is ready to cast off, one of the first ships out of the harbor (although not THE first). Dimitri leans on his retrieved sword, both paws upon its hilt. "Good night. And a good night's work."
Alex nods a little tiredly, smiling up at her brother, "Think so... now to get everyone home safely."
Dimitri nods to the little one. "You should get some sleep too, Alex. One of us has to be awake enough to off load them."
Alex nods, drooping a little, and mumbles, "You think so...? ...oh good..." and promptly falls asleep against Dimitri. If she's learned nothing else so far she's learned to sleep whenever possible!
Dimitri looks to his side and shakes his head. "You really do need someone to watch over you, bratling..."
Ariel's mother wakes up about four hours out of Starfall Harbor. It's a very, very long voyage home...