Midsummer 10, 6107 RTR (Apr 14, 2007) Aiken brings Jack home to meet his wife Curiel, and asks her if he can stay out for one night to guard some treasure.
(Aiken) (Silas) (Stonebarrow) (Sylvania)
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    The household of Aiken Briar and Curiel Solali-Silverfoot can best be described in one word: domestic. Everything about the couple's house – built inside the still living innards of a massive mangrove tree – speaks of hominess, relaxation, and family. The main entrance at the base of the tree is covered by a large oaken door, carved with primitive but quaint ornamentation depicting various denizens of the treetops. Once inside, the visitor is greeted with a massive spiral staircase that winds upwards through the tree's trunk, going all the way up to the top of the arboreal giant.

"You have to go tell her? Why? It's not like you'll be gone for more than a night. Never met a woman who was mad just because you were gone for a night," Jack says to Aiken as the pair makes for the Briar's home. "You gotta have more courage! Grab life by the ears and yank till it begs for mercy. You don't ask life if you can pull its ears… "

"And you've obviously never been married," replies Aiken, hastily making his way down the path that leads out of Stonebarrow proper, and into the Silverfoot lands. "For one thing, she'd worry about me if I didn't tell her – and for another, it's a trust thing. You could prob'ly stand to have a stable female presence in your life, Mister Jack." The squirrel grins at the adventurer. "And if it's courage you're lookin' for, try havin' kids."

Jack shudders, muttering, "Ugh, kids. No thank you! And as for marriage, nope, never have. I've avoided that disease like the plague, I have. Not only is it terminal, it sucks your finances, too!" Even with his protests, Jack is grinning widely as the two walk. "And I don't need any more stability. I'm quite stable already!"

Hopping over a log in his path, Aiken shakes his head at the otter. "Could have fooled me – since joinin' Curiel's family, my finances have been gettin' better and better each year! And I wouldn't trade Kiona for all that treasure you got in your cabin there – not for anything."

Jack pauses and lifts off his hat and places it over his heart. "Egad, lad. You have a terrible case of marriage. I fear it is terminal. And he was so young too," the otter laments with a melodramatic sigh. "Alas, poor Aiken Briar, I … well, honestly, I didn't know him much at all. Enough mourning!" With a shrug and a flip of his hat back onto his head, Jack follows after the squirrel.

Eventually, the terrain fades from the terra firma style trees found within Stonebarrow proper, to the more swampy, yet somehow elegant mangroves found in the Silverfoot lands. Aiken zips his way down the path, around a few errant bushes here and there, and finally comes to a tree conspicuously larger than the others, also sporting a rather ornate carved door at its base. "Worse things in the world than bein' lovesick, Jack! C'mon in." Aiken twists the doorknob – carved to resemble a smiling Kadie head – and steps inside.

Splush! There's the sound of something breaking the surface of the water amidst the tree's roots, followed by the spatters of that something shaking off.

"A year long case of the runs might be worse, perhaps," Jack muses as he thoughtfully rubs his chin while he follows Aiken. At the sound of water, though, the otter suddenly crouches down. "Dagh take it, it's got to be that squirrel again. Gunbutt, or whatever his name was," the otter grumbles, "And me without a big whacking stick."

Somewhere up in the tree, Curiel calls out, "Is that you, Aiken? Did you handle the errand you had to do? What did you have to do?"

"Gunther?" Aiken pauses, stepping back outside and looking to the bank near his tree. "He usually doesn't come out this far – the Wingnut trees are clear on the other side of town!" The squirrel's ears swivel in opposite directions – one still on the bank, and the other seeking out his wife. "Errand's taken care of – mostly," he calls out to Curiel, "but we got company, chestnut! We're commin' on up in a bit!"

"Company?" Curiel calls out, "Couldn't you have warned me? Kiona's toys are everywhere and I haven't even begun dinner yet. And then there's the laundry out on the line on the third floor! It's my knickers of all things, dear. We can't show a guest my knickers!"

A dark, sleek, and familiar shape shuffles down the bank, humping his way along on all fours until he makes it up the incline a bit. Fur clumped up into nearly black spikes, the still-damp Silas hefts his harpoon on his shoulder and ambles down the path, clad in his usual tangle of nets. "Uh-oh. Maybe I shouldn'a brung Kiki another one."

"Egad, it's a bog monster," Jack says and waves for Aiken to duck down. "I don't think it's seen us yet, It's got a harpoo … wait, I think that's an otter. Haven't seen such a display since I left home, forgot what an otter gone primal looks like. Scary."

Padding around to the side of the tree to get a better look at the source of the noise, Aiken gives Jack an amused glanced. "Sorry, it was on short notice, but I'm sure our guest has seen his fair share a knickers before!" Looking back down, the Kadie recognizes his old friend, and his face lights up. "Make that two guests, Curi! Silas is over for a visit!"

"That's just Silas, Mister Jack," Aiken says. "I think he's another one o' your cousins."

"Evenin' Mr. Briar, Mr. Silas!" calls a blond haired-and-furred otter, as Midge returns home with basket of groceries. The otter girl keeps heading towards the Sniffler part of the Silverfoot grove.

"'Nother Oggton, y'say?" Silas sidles over, the darker furred otter tipping his waterdynamic head to study Jack. "H'lo there, stranger. Yer a skinny one, aincha? Oh 'evenin' there, Midge!" He tips a cap he isn't wearing.

Jack stands back up and adjusts his hat. "And I was hoping that Emmett was the only one like that here," he mutters under his breath. At the appearance of a woman, though, Jack stands up straight and tries to straighten out his shirt, saying, "Mmm, ladies. You didn't tell me you lived next to ladies, Mr. Briar." To Silas, he at least tilts his head to greet him, saying, "Sylvania Jack Moschusartig. I'm just visiting, I have a distant relation to the Oggtons, I suppose. My grandmother is the sister of your Granny Oggton."

"Two guests?" Curiel calls back … followed by some mad thumping around upstairs as Curiel goes into an organizing frenzy … as evident by the knickers far above suddenly zipping inside the tree.

"I don't count, Curi!" hollers Silas, cupping a webbed paw to his mouth. "Y'know I don't care what the place looks like! I brung some water ches'nuts!"

"Evenin', Midge! You best get home before it gets too dark out!" Aiken smiles to the otter girl, then looks back to the adventurer. "I live next to lots of people, Jack. And Midge is too young for you, anyway." To Silas, the squirrel shrugs. "He's kin to you, even if he ain't very polite. Let's get inside and take a load off." Beckoning for the others to follow, the Kadie zips back inside his door.

"But … but … ladies," Jack says and points after Midge, looking for all the world rather forlorn. Whiskers twitching, then drooping, he lifts off his hat and waves to to Midge before slipping inside the door as well.

Silas extends a paw to Jack, the realizes it has a glowing shrimp in it. The shrimp waves little claws, and the Akwavi quickly stuffs it back into some of his netting before offering his paw again. "Pleased t'meetcha, cousin. I'm Silas Oggton, but they calls me the Catfish 'round here. I handle whatever needs handlin' in the swamps."

"Uh, hello," Jack says and takes the offered hand and shakes it. "I'm an archaeologist and explorer. Just here for a couple of days, really. I have a few things to settle with Granny Oggton then I'll be out of the way. Mr. Briar here has been showing me around."

Once inside the massive tree, Jack finds that Aiken is already halfway up the spiral staircase, waiting for him outside the living room door with tail twitching impatiently. "C'mon up, fellas. Curi's just tidyin' up a bit, but she usually exaggerates anyway."

"I heard that!" Curiel calls down from the stairwell as she zips past, arms laden with a pile of laundry. "Just go into the living room and I'll join you shortly. Kiona is in there in her pillow fort, so mind her 'catapult' and pillows of doom!"

Silas follows along, thick tail swinging and still dripping slightly swampy water. "Well, good on ya! Aiken knows whatever's worth seein' in Stonebarrow, and brews everything worth drinkin'. Me, I know whatever's worth seein' outside it."

That causes Jack to pause. "Really now?" he says, looking thoughtful. "Well, if you know of any ruins that are in dire need of a bit of exploring, archeology, and old-fashioned treasure hunting, well … we may have a lot to talk about!"

Feigning an exaggerated wince – and also sporting a huge grin – Aiken opens the door to his living room, and peers down at the otters. "You heard the lady, boys! Now get your tails up here and relax!" The squirrel disappears briefly into the living room, and quickly pops back out to stare at the Akwavi impatiently. Apparently, being home has put him on 'Kadie Time'.

"Oh, shore," says Silas, long whiskers bushing forward. "Broken stuff all over, half sunk in the swamps. Why, that gypsy boy of Liv's done hid some sweet nothin's out there, in the Barrow proper."

Jack waggles webbed fingers. "Sunken ruins are no problem for an otter," he says with a wide grin and starts up the stairs. "And we'd better get up there before he pops something. He's a jumpy fellow."

Silas hastily trots up, pausing to give himself one more good shaking and spraying a fine mist off his coat so he doesn't drip on the Briar's floor.

Taking a breather from the hurricane fluff-and-stuff cleaning, Curiel yells out the window, "Midge! Could you be a dear and bring me some extra veggies. Looks like we'll need it tonight, I wasn't planning on two extra mouths for supper."

"Sure thing, Curiel!" the golden otter calls back from somewhere near the roots of the tree.

As Silas and Jack start back up the stairs, Aiken once again disappears into his living room. "Castle Kiona again, eh firetail? Well you better watch out," the squirrel's voice can be heard, "you got some invaders!"

As Silas and Jack slip past the doorway into the livingroom, there's this thwacking sound. With the practiced precision of one who has to duck flying objects of doom often, Jack neatly drops down and steps to the side. Silas, however, isn't so lucky. The invading otter finds himself with a face-full of catapulted pillow. "Thump Invader!" declares Kiona from somewhere within her fort on the far side of the room. There's a pause, then an, "Eep! Unca Silas!"

"Rarr! You bes' lock up the gate, 'cause the monster is mmph!" The otter catches the pillow right in his broad nose, squarely enough that the corners curl around and the cushion clings to his face briefly. Once it falls away, it reveals a startled expression for a moment, and then the fisherman shoulders his way past Jack and through the door. "Ohhh, now you done it, kid!"

"Uh oh, you're in for it now, lil' bit," Aiken says in a dramatic voice, winking to Jack. "Catfish the Terrible is displeased!" Walking over to the 'fort', the Kadie peels away it's 'ceiling', and places it back on the couch.

"Eeee!" goes Kiona, followed by another volley of pillows from somewhere inside her 'fort', which only intensifies when she loses a critical part of her defenses!

There's a knock on the front door, immediately followed by the sound of someone opening it. "Curiel? Aiken?" comes the voice of Midge. "I've got some veggies and fresh clams."

Jack … well, he just shakes his head a bit. "Yes, very terminal," he comments with an amused grin as he settles down by leaning against a nearby wall.

Silas leans his harpoon in the doorframe before tromping his way across the floor, letting cushions glance and bounce off him as he charges in. "Y'ain't gettin' away! Yer gonna (oof) get it!" He reaches the edge of the makeshift fort, and then hunkers over to put his entire top half into it, filling the 'courtyard' up to squash the stalwart defenders.

Dismantling his daughter's fortification even further, Aiken slowly rebuilds his couch, offering Jack a seat with a sweep of his paws. "Hello there, Midge! Sorry to put you on short notice like that." Walking over to the young Akwavi, he offers to take her load of groceries. "I'll make sure Curiel adds an extra tip in our tab!"

"Thank you, Midge!" Curiel calls out, the shifting of her voice indicative that she's heading towards the livingroom now. "It's a good thing Midge was near, Aiken," she says as she enters, "Otherwise we wouldn't have enough food for everyone at dinner. I hope … oh, hello." The Kadie pauses mid-step and mid sentence as she sees the strange otter. "You must be Aiken's new friend. I'm Curiel, the best thing that ever happened to him," she says with a grin and offers her hand.

"Oh, no problem Mr. Briar!" Midge says, handing over the basket full of leftovers from the Sniffler vegetable stand. Some of the water-farmed produce is bizarre to look at, but there are also two palm-sized clams for the otters. "Who is your guest?" the Akwavi whispers to the Kadie.

The castle mounts a mighty defense against the invading Catfish. Even when defeat is certain, their brave and noble warrior clings true. Or rather, clings to the top of Silas' head and repeatedly bops him with a small pillow.

Taking the basket from Midge, Aiken returns his wife's grin with one of his own. "Hey now, don't go rubbin' it in, Curi! Midge, Curiel, this is Jack Morsh- … Moruch- … Sylvania Jack. He's an adventurer – been all over Sinai."

"Sylvania Jack Moschusartig, legendary adventurer," Jack says and removes his hat then bows with a flourish. "It's a pleasure you meet you, Lady Curiel Briar. Your home is lovely, your husband is jumpy," He grins.

"Adventurer, is he? Well, that explains why you won't let him out of your sight, dear," Curiel says with a teasing grin to her husband before she goes to help Midge and Aiken with the produce.

Silas hoists himself back upright, laughing and carrying the little Kadie girl with him, still mostly perched on his flat head. "Alright, alright Kio, I know when I'm beat. Here, I brung ya some tribute for yer castle." He produces the glowing shrimp from earlier, which waves its antennae, and lowers his voice. "Just don't set it loose in the house, and watch him, he's a pinchy li'l devil. Yer mom'll have my hide if he disappears in here somewhere."

Midge does something that few otters can manage: she curtsies. It helps that she's actually wearing a dress and is more humanoid than typical, of course. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jack. I hope you enjoy your stay in our little hamlet."

Aiken walks to the kitchen, groceries in paw. "Me? Jumpy? How can you say that after you met Gunther, Jack?" The Kadie places the produce down on the kitchen table, and starts sorting it out for Curiel. "You should see all the stuff Jack has, Chestnut. It's a veritable hoard come true! I think he has some Kadie in 'im."

Turning his attention to Midge now, Jack approaches the younger otter. He drops down to one knee and takes her hand, then kisses the back of it, "And a pleasure it is to meet you, Midge," he says with a bright smile. "It does appear this town houses a few treasures, afterall."

"Oh yes, why, father just bought a lobstrosity from the Oggtons," Midge notes. "I have to go melt the butter for it! Perhaps we'll meet again!" And with that, the otter darts off, nearly as quickly as a Kadie.

"Oooooo," goes Kiona and she reaches out carefully for the shrimp. Kadie reflexes saves her from getting pinched, so in short order the girl is chittering away at her new 'pet.'

The sudden departure of Midge makes Jack blink a few times. He gets back to his feet and brushes off his knees. "Does anyone take time to enjoy things they do or does everyone around here just run around?" he asks to no one in particular.

The Catfish grins, then sits Kiona on his shoulder and sidles over to where the others are. "I'm enjoyin' m'self, cousin. Usually out in the dang ol' swamp, fishin'. Oh, Curi, don't worry 'bout feedin' me. I can just nip a bit o' Aiken's brandy, that'll fill me right up, I reckon."

"Been eying his things, have you?" Curiel asks as she passes by Aiken and drapes her tail such that the tip brushes over his back, neck, then the top of his head. "And you, you old swamprat, don't think you're getting out of dinner with us. We don't see you enough as it is," she chastises Silas without even missing a beat or breaking her grin.

The near-black Akwavi brushes the back of his neck. "Shucks, t'ain't never do nothin' but eatcha outta house'n home 'fore I drag m'self back out to th' bogs. But I 'ppreciate yer hospitality, yes'm!"

"What do ya mean by that, Mister Jack?" Aiken asks, returning to the living room after having set the stove furnace. Being a Kadie, he's oblivious to the hyperactivity of his own kind. The squirrel's tail goes even more bottle-brush than usual as Curiel runs her tail over him, a grin alighting his face. "Just a little bit, Chestnut! But you'd understand if you saw it! And Silas – nothin' doin', you're eatin' with us tonight."

Kiona also seems to get in on the demand that Silas stay; she leans down and hugs his head. Of course she also almost sticks her new shrimp up Silas' nose … but thankfully misses.

"I mean all of you are always running around. You don't take any time to just sit and enjoy life around you. That's one of the greatest things about traveling, just getting a chance to see the locals and experience the quaint town traditions," Jack notes as he settles down onto the sofa, apparently feeling no guilt about not helping out.

Curling herself halfway around Aiken, Curiel looks him in the eyes, asking while blinking cutely, "And what about your treasure at home? Surely it is just as exciting." She then leans in and noses him playfully before returning to the matter at hand; dinner. "It'll take about an hour to make enough for everyone, so why don't you tend to your guests and occupy Kiona? I can still talk to all of you from in here."

Silas rubs his chin. "But ain't that what we're doin' right now? Thissis a town tradition, right?"

Giving his wife a playful peck on the nose before she can completely pull away, Aiken then plops down in his own chair – one of two seemingly overstuffed recliners in the room – and just looks at Jack strangely. "Well, there's work to be done, for one, but I don't feel like I'm runnin' around all the time. Besides, I enjoy life just fine!" The squirrel leans back in his chair, draping his tail in his lap. "Nothin' says you gotta be lazy to enjoy yourself, you know."

"Nothing says you have to work all the time, either," Jack retorts with a grin then playfully prods, "Now, wasn't there a reason we came over here, Mr. Briar?"

Kiona scrambles down Silas' back and hops to the floor. The little Kadie darts off into the kitchen, presumably to find something to put the shrimp in. Hopefully she won't pick a good bowl.

Aiken's smile falters a bit, and he clears his throat. "Um, Chestnut? I got a favor I need to ask ya… "

Now that Kiona is literally out of his hair, Silas fishes up his pipe and begins tamping it. He looks curiously between his friend and the adventurer.

There's a pause, then a long sigh. "Yes, dear, you can bring home another 'artifact' to add to your collection," comes Curiel's reply, "Just make sure this one doesn't smell funny!"

"No funnier than me, anyway," interjects Silas.

Ears perked, Aiken gives Jack and Silas a small smirk. "Well, I appreciate that, Chestnut, but that's not really what I meant to ask. Y'see… Mister Jack has some business with the Oggtons tonight, and he'll probably be gone until the morning. And, well, he has a lot of priceless stuff that needs guardin' – 'specially from youngsters like Gunther… "

The Kadie rubs the back of his head with a paw. "And well, he wants to know if I can watch it for him – just until the mornin', of course!"

There's another long pause, then the sound of footsteps heading back to the livingroom. Curiel peeks around the doorframe and her eyes settle on Aiken. "And you want to watch it, right?" she asks Aiken, whiskers twitching a small bit.

Silas makes a 'well duh' face.

"You do have a unique smell," Jack has to agree with Silas. "In my line of work, I don't often get a chance to spend a lot of time in water anymore."

Wincing with ears flattening, Aiken returns Curiel's gaze. "Um, if it's alright with you, dear… "

"One night, right?" Curiel clarifies. "You know how hard it is to manage the home and Kiona by myself. But, if it's one night I think it is okay."

Aiken nods rapidly to his wife – as only a Kadie can – and plasters a huge grin across his face. "Just one night, I promise! And it's just plain and simple hospitality, Chestnut! I'll probably just be sleeping most of the time!"

"Bah, you're a terrible liar, Aiken," Curiel retorts and breaks into a grin herself, "If he has half the amount of stuff you mentioned you won't sleep one wink. You'll be looking at everything."

"Well heck, I can help out," says the Catfish. "Lookin' after Kio or these doohickies, whichever."

Relief visibly crosses over Aiken's face, and he beams a smile to Curiel. "You know me too well. But it'll only be for one night – Jack and Granny Oggton have some things they gotta sort out, but that shouldn't take too long." Turning to Silas, the squirrel nods, "and Kiona loves her unca' Catfish! Maybe he can spend the night?"

"Of course he can stay the night and it would be much appreciated," Curiel says, looking a bit placated now. "He's practically family anyway, well, except for the lack of a proper tail and the constant smell of swamp," she teases, "Now, you boys behave yourselves, I'll get dinner done."

The black Akwavi's whiskers bush up in a grin. "Don'tcha worry none, either o' ya. We'll take good carea Kiki, and you can take good care of… whatever that junk is. Lemme know whatcha see!"

Leaning back in his chair with a sigh of relief, Aiken grins to Jack. "There, y'see? That wasn't hard at all!" He grins to Silas, "You're a lifesaver, buddy."

"Too complicated for me. I'm a simple Akwavi," Jack replies and waves a webbed hand. "I just go. None of this permission stuff!"


The dinner goes off without a problem. The meal is well done, if a bit simple; a vegetable stew for the Kadies and some split clams for the otters. Since Curiel is used to having otters around, working with the clams doesn't bother her in the least. But now the evening has come and Jack, Aiken, and Silas are making their way towards Emmett's 'Bote Rentil' stand. Jack insisted on a detour to the cabin to check on his things before heading onward. He also grabbed a 'mystery box' to take to the Oggtons. He refuses to say what's in it regardless of how many time he's asked. "So, you say there is a large barrow out there that the town is named after? No one has breached it yet? What a bunch of amateurs, then," Jack comments to Silas as they walk. "And the dinner talk about the mysterious Kevin … I don't buy any of that silliness."

Obviously intrigued, Aiken keeps glancing at the mystery box, his tail twitching in curiosity each time. "It's not quite that simple, Mister Jack. Whole teams have tried to open that place, but it never seems to work."

"Amateur nothin', city boy," says the Catfish, his harpoon resting on his shoulders, hands draped over the haft. "T'ain't easy to get 'cross the bogs, much less dig in 'em. Water's fulla pikes as long as you an' me from nose to tail. Almost caught one once. THIS BIG, lemme tell ya."

Jack waves a hand dismissively. "I've dealt with traps left behind by some of the big nasties themselves, the losers of the Necromancer's War. I somehow can't get too worried about some overly large fish," Jack comments with his usual grin. "What I bet has happened was you got some Nancies out of the Gallee lands comin' out here and trying to prove themselves on the ruins, but then can't stand to get any mud under their perfectly manicured nails, so they give up."

"Don't be silly," Aiken says, quickly darting to the opposite side of Jack for a better view of the box, "the poodles never do their own dirty work. That's what they have Gallah and Jupani for."

Jack shifts the box back over to the other shoulder a moment after Aiken moved to try and get a better look. "Now, the Gallee soldiers can be a bit nasty. Had a few run-ins with them over the years. They demand tribute and other such nonsense in order to 'protect' my digs. Well, I hope they appreciated the tributes they often got, a big ol' box of Rughrat droppings," the otter quips. "Course, it's best to be far, far, away when they finally get the box open, of course."

Silas shrugs. "I's just sayin', is all. I mean, y'can't even just walk in there. Y'gotta move by boat at the least."

Up ahead is the eyesore known to all as Emmett's big business, 'Bote Rentils'. When Jack spots the sign, he sighs and shakes his head, saying, "There is no way I am related to him."

Pursing his lips, Aiken zips over to Jack's other side, getting on his tiptoes to get a better vantage on the taller otter. "Silas is right - it's all under the swamp. I've never even really been there. Well, I've been above it in a boat… " Frustrated, the Kadie drops back to flat feet. "You can pick your nose, Mister Jack, but you can't pick your relatives. I think you an' Emmett look a bit alike, as a matter of fact."

"Oi, Silas!" Emmett calls from the rental shack. "How many bog fairies did you see since you been 'ere last?"

"There is no need to get nasty, Mr. Briar," Jack mutters.

Aiken grins at the unnerved Jack. "I'm just sayin', Mister Jack… "

"Four, mebbe five," answers Silas, ambling up to lean against the shack. "Tellin' ya, they filled the nets up! Gotta keep in good with 'em, if y'know what's good for ya."

"Only five?" Emmett says, sounding disappointed. "I had seven in the pool! You clearly are not drinking enough while you're out there all by yourself," the otter chides.

The box Jack carries has no markings on it whatsoever and is sealed tight. Whatever is inside it remains a mystery. "Definitely not related to them," Jack repeats to himself after hearing the conversation. Speaking up, he asks, "So, is everything arranged?"

The Catfish's whisker's droop. "Mebbe… but dropped m'bottle off a tree south of the Noose! Though, could've helped, buncha fish floated up to the top just on that."

"Evenin', Emmett!" Aiken says with a wave to the otter. "I think Mister Jack's all set for his Oggton Night Out. He has a present for you too!" The squirrel peers intently back at the box.

"Present?" Emmett asks, leaning over the rental counter and twitching his whiskers. "Is it cake? Pie? I like both! Some people prefer one over the other, but not me!"

"It's not for just you," Jack clarifies, "It's to bring some culture to the Oggtons. I'll reveal it at the proper time."

"Is it music?" Emmett asks, unwilling to give up. "A book? It's a book right? Poetry for seducing babes, yeah?"

Aiken's tails wilts. "Aw, raspberries." The Kadie kicks a rock in disappointment. "You'll have to tell me what it is, Emmett. Mister Jack's being more secretive than the Chalks about it."

The older Oggton laughs at the poetry comment, however. "I think ol' Jack is more like Emmett than he thinks."

"You'll find out at the proper time. And if you want to know what the proper time is, it'll be at a party," Jack relents and rolls his eyes.

"Oh, well, I can wait then," Emmett says, examining his knuckles. "Didja want to scoot over to the flotilla now, or do some partying first?"

Aiken playfully elbows Silas. "Careful, Catfish. We don't wanna upset Emmett!"

"Night's young. Fun would be the matter of business right now," Jack says. He then has to glance to Aiken and add, "And besides, if this one doesn't get to see what is in the box, I think he'll explode. And I am NOTHING LIKE HIM, THANK YOU!"

"See what I mean?" The squirrel whispers to Silas, fighting back a monster grin.

"Well, I guess I should expose ya to a bit of our culture then," Emmett grins. He hops over the counter, dusts off his shorts, and says, "Follow me… to The Boathouse!"

The dark otter sniggers, but says nothing else. He falls into step.

Aiken follows behind Emmett, and waves the adventurer on. "C'mon, Mister Jack! Emmett's a born and bred party otter – this oughtta be good."


    The Boathouse
    Once upon a time, before the swamp rot attacked the wood, this was a good sized boathouse at the end of the main pier. Then it was a warehouse for awhile, used to store some of the stinkier components of the tanning trade. Once the walls started to fall apart, however, it was simply taken over by the Oggtons as a spot to party, with easy access (via holes in the walls and floor) to the water, and far enough out that nobody would complain about the noise. A basic stage sits at one end for musicians, and at the opposite end a board over two standing barrels serves as a sort of bar.

The place if full of the usual suspects: The Oggtones, Nene and Bebe and Midge, some likely lads and a few gypsies, along with a few Skeeks and Lapis. Emmett makes his usual entrance, somersaulting through the door and landing on his knees with his arms thrown wide, while going, "Ta da! Emmett's here!" He's almost immediately tackled and buried by a pile of otters – all of them girls.

The band strikes up… something… jaunty, and Emmett pleads for his admirers to watch where they're putting their knees.

Aiken follows in after the young otter, and laughs as the Akwavi is buried in a pile of admirers. "Don'cha wish you had that kinda problem, Catfish?" The squirrel takes a seat near the barrels, scooting a pair out for Silas and Jack.

"Silas!" squeal Nene and Bebe, who launch themselves at The Catfish.

"Overdone," Jack whispers to Aiken and Silas, then saunters in himself. "That a sound of disappointment in your voice, Mr. Briar?" Jack teases the Kadie and drops his box near the barrel pulled out for him. He also can't help but laugh when Silas is mobbed by the two young otters.

Silas slouches along after, though he looks good humored enough. "Not hardly. The swamps my first l-… " He stops himself when Nene and Bebe leap at him, and he laughs more openly now. "Well hey there!"

The Kadie's eyes zero in on the box as it falls, but he makes no motion to go for it. "Not at all, Mister Jack! After all, I get mobbed by two of the best ladies in Stonebarrow every day. Course, when I was younger, it would have been a nice problem to have."

"Did you ride in on the back of Old Swampy this time, Silas?" Nene asks, teasingly. Bebe elbows Aiken and nods towards Jack, asking, "Who's the dry-foot?"

"You shouldn't be old yet, you know," Jack points out to Aiken with a grin. "But you're only old when you decide you're old, afterall." Calling out to Emmett, Jack asks, "So, going to introduce your admirers?"

"Psh, naw, don' be silly, darlin'." says Silas, waggling a webbed paw. "'Twas Montagne, he floats like a big ol' empty keg!" He jerks his head at Jack. "An' he ain't no dryfoot, he's an Oggton by blood! Don' mind him, he's just unnerfed. Calls hisself Sylvania Jack, I hear."

"This is Sylvania Jack Morshti… gurm… something, Bebe," the squirrel replies. "He's a world class adventurer, but he's in town to talk to Granny. Jack, this is Bebe and Nene."

"These are my peeps!" Emmett says. "Peeps, this crusty dude is Sylvania Jack, here to see Granny from the Old Country." This is met with various oos and ahs.

"What's world class adventure like?" Bebe asks, while Nene gives the man a looking-over from her perch on Silas' lap.

Turning to a Skeek behind the 'bar', Aiken motions for four pints. "Care for a drink, Mister Jack? Sometimes they get some of the Brewer's best here, but sometimes its just Oggton moonshine. Either way, it makes the night better!"

Jack hops up onto his barrel and bows. "Sylvania Jack Moschusartig, famed archaeologist, adventurer, and world traveler. Traveled around the world at least twice and faced Death's sharp bite more times than I can account for and recovered more treasure than would fit in ten buildings such as this and tonight I am here to share a bit of my adventures with all of you," he announces as his introduction and slips his hat off, which he then rolls down his arm on the brim, catching it in his hand. Glancing down to Aiken, Jack answers, "I never pass up a drink!"

"Sometimes better, sometimes blinder, Aiken," says Silas, settling so as to be a comfier seat. (And making sure no fishhooks jab Nene. "World class adventure, sounds a mite like what we got here, 'cept … y'know, out there."

Lots of otter eyes gleam at the mention of 'treasure', and even Midge seems curious, although the first thing she asks is, "What's the Old Country like?" She's also changed from her dress into her 'party tubes'… literally two tubes of white cotton fabric that are stretchy enough to not disintegrate under typical otterish gyration.

"Adventure like you do, Silas?" Nene giggles. "Fleecing tourists and dealing with swamp monsters?"

"Guess I should have said 'more interestin' then, eh Catfish?" Aiken grins to Silas. Like the otters, the Kadie glances up at Jack, attention rapt.

"The Old Country? Haven't been there in years, myself. Quite a lot dull generally, which is why I left. Though I hear there was a bit of excitement a few years ago with some crazy Lapi girl battling it up out in the area called the Pearl. Imagine that! I hear the Lapi was a terror of a fighter, too! Could have been an Amazonian from the accounts I heard," Jack calls out from his barrel. "Any of you ever meet an Amazonian?"

Silas wiggles his whiskers. "Ain't tellin' what them city folk'll do next!" He leans forward as well to listen in. "Amazonian? Naw, we just got ol' Battleaxe Blacktail."

"We've had Titanians," Nene points out. "And Dr. Fether is bigger than anybody in town," Midge adds.

"And Necro… wait, I never got to see the real necromancer. Was he tall or short?" Bebe asks, to be answered by a lot of shrugging.

Aiken nods to the other Stonebarrow-ians. "Never met an Amazonian before, but we got some bigguns around here! I imagine they're pretty similar."

"Imagine a Lapi the size of a Titanian and with the humor of a Rughrat with intestinal problems and that's roughly what an Amazonian is. Nasty fighters, and nearly impossible to kill. Best avoided, really. No fun whatsoever," Jack explains. "But if you think that is odd, well … the lands of Ashdod are even stranger. That's the homeland of the Eee, you know. They have a huge city called Babel there. Now … those are some strange people to be certain. But with a bit o' money, you can find parties to rival no others in some of their temples. Whoo. No amount of booze can make you forget those nights."

"Dr. Pike doesn't seem the partying type," Emmett notes. "Rather shy, but I hear she's got a wild streak! Oh, and she's an Eeee."

"Lapis? Big?" Aiken looks dubiously at Jack, taking the quartet of pints from the bartender, and placing them on the group's barrel. "Now I know you're fibbin', Jack! Lapi's usually aren't no bigger than a Kadie!"
"Usually sweet-tempered too," Emmett notes. "Especially if you scratch their ears just the right way."

At the mention of Babel, Aiken's attention is once again focused on Jack. "I hear those Babelites are a bit ornery – didn't they get in to a big fight with Rephidim a few years back?"

"Eh, a Sylvanian Eee is nothing like an Ashdod Eee," Jack notes to Emmett. And with a glance to Aiken he asks, "Think so, do you? Take a few months off work and I'll prove you wrong; I'll take you to Amazonia. Now, as for Babel, quite so, they did. Ugly war that was; wiped out most of the really fun places in Babel, alas. And about a year or so after that fight there was another upheaval. Legend has it some of their mythical Goddesses and Gods took to the flesh. Now that I don't believe m'self. Just what I've heard. Haven't been back there since the war."

"You mean the First Ones? Dagh, I'd like to meet them!" The squirrel makes a quick survey of his mug, then takes a cautious sip of the concoction inside. "Glad those wars never come to Stonebarrow. Well, aside from the Gallisians."

"Long as we got our pet Gallee, ain't nothing to worry 'bout on that front," Emmett says, giving Aiken a light punch in the shoulder. "'Sides, the Militia would make short work o' em all, no doubt."

"Actually, I mean their Goddesses of Pleasure, Death, Disease, and so on. Nasty bunch," Jack comments. "So, any of you know much about the lands of the Nagai? There's a place that can make your skin crawl."

"Yeah, like that raid on that gang just a little while back," Nene espouses. "It was fun!"

"We've got a snaky wizard staying in town," Bebe notes. "He's from Nagaland."

Some of the ale goes into Aiken's nose from Emmett's playful jab, and the squirrel quickly pulls his muzzle from the mug, wiping it off with eyes squeezed painfully shut. "Just be careful around those poodles, Emmett. Some of em aren't quite as… different in the head as our resident froufrou."

"Heh, they can't be all that much in the water," Emmett says, crossing his arms.

"Ah, then you know a few things. Not all of them are like the snakes. Some have multiple legs; up to four. And then you get to some of their outlying islands, like Jadai and it gets even stranger. Picture, if you will, an Akwavi without any fur, save a mane down their neck, the rest covered in scales and fingers and toes tipped with talons. Narrow jaws with sharp pointed teeth, and large fanlike ears. Those are the Kirigai. Insufferably polite they are … but don't let that fool you. They are proud, and vicious, fighters," Jack continues and hops from barrel to barrel now. "Best thing to know about those from Nagai is they tend to lack much humor."

"They sound terrible!" Nene says, hugging onto Silas. "Like something from a nightmare."

"Actually, they are beautiful to watch. Their movements are fluid and deliberate, as if their lives are governed by art itself. The island is a popular tourist spot because of that," Jack points out and crouches down on a barrel near Nene.

Taking another sip from his mug, Aiken watches Jack in amazement. "Ever been to Rephidim, Mister Jack? I hear it's themost impressive city in all of Sinai. Although, from what I also hear, the spotties started to have an impressive place of their own too, but the Nagai got rid of it. Course, I don't know if any of that's true."

The Catfish links his webbed paws around Nene's waist. "Pshaw, they jus' the same as us, 'cept not so fuzzy and can't swim so good, sounds like," he sniffs. "Maybe wit' fancier culture, them snakes're almost as stuffy as the Gallees."

"Eh, Rephidim is over-rated," Jack comments to Aiken. "I mean, sure, it's big, but … It's lacking in personality; in charm and uniqueness. And frankly, in ruins to explore. There is nothing much there for an adventurer like me outside of arranging expedition funding and crew."

"I bet they get to wear fancy clothes all the time though," Midge guesses, looking wistful.

"In Rephidim? Depends on the part of the city. Some parts are nastier than the worst of the swamps out here and more deadly. For example, you do not go into Darkside without weapons and a solid reason," Jack notes to Midge. "Or were you meaning someplace else?"

Aiken nods to Midge. "And I bet they get to see all sorts of interesting things from all over the world! I mean, it's thehub of… well, everything, pretty much!"

"That Jadai place sounds fancy-dress," Midge says. "You should see Lady Inaya, and she's just a Khatta."

"Ah, Jadai. Yes, it is very fancy dress," Jack says with a grin and a nod. "Colorful zolk abounds. They also shine their scales and do decorative painting of them as well. Like I said, it's a beautiful place to go. And now that you mention Khatta … what mannerisms do you think of when you think of Khatta?"

"Aloofness," Aiken offers, "but graceful too. The gypsies have a few Khatta with em, and they're pretty people."

Jack nods to Aiken, "Fair comment, there. So, what about water and Khattas?"

Midge raises her arms and spins around, trying to be aloof and graceful. Even with her slightly longer legs, she still looks like she's likely to tie herself into a knot.

Figuring everyone is distracted enough already, Bebe tries to shake the box Jack brought with him to see if it rattles or not.

No rattles from the box.

Aiken scratches his head. "Well, they hate it! Everyone knows that – even out here in Stonebarrow! Water and Khattas go together like water and oil."

"Aha! What would you say if I told you there were some Khattas that liked water? Some that could move with the grace of Akwavi in the water and ride atop it with style and skill?" Jack asks and raises a finger, then grins.

Silas snorts. "Yer pullin' my tail! Ain't nothing moves in the water like Akwavi."

"Ride atop the water?" Emmett asks, looking dubious. "How?"

Aiken starts to reply to Jack, but then notices Bebe out of the corner of his eye. Making sure that Jack's attention is elsewhere, the Kadie starts to slowly and quietly scoot closer to the Akwavi girl.

"And you would be wrong!" Jack declares to Silas with a triumphant grin. "I speak of the Gigi and their lands. One of the greatest places to visit! It even has a connection to Sylvania. Can any of you guess what?"

"It's overcast?" someone guesses.

Silas says, "Fulla made-up critters!"

"Nala. You know the legends about how the Necromancers were defeated, right?" Jack asks.

The Catfish looks on blankly.

Once he is closer to Bebe, Aiken looks at her expectantly, shrugging to her as if to ask, 'any luck?'

"Oh yeah, the Champion guy rode with us for a bit until we got here," Emmett says. "According to Granny."

"It's not shells or anything that rattles or breaks easily," Bebe whispers to Aiken.

"Really? She rode with the bearer of the light? I will have to ask her about that," Jack says and rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Anyway! The Gigi isles are the land of Nala and they worship her there. A great bunch, they are. They welcome you with open arms and their parties are like no other," Jack declares and spreads his arms. "Picture this; at sunrise the party begins with a cookout on the beach as the sun comes over the horizon. The beautiful blue sea practically glows. When day comes and the waves start, the Gigi grab their surfing boards and dive into the ocean. They ride the very waves on those boards, challenging each other to stay up as long as they can. And when evening comes, another cookout under the stars, dancing, romance, and fun. You literally collapse on the beach and sleep till morning, then start it over at the next sunrise."

"Who washes the dishes?" Midge asks in fascination. "And who fights the monsters?" Nene asks.

Biting his lip, Aiken gives one last glance up at Jack. Satisfied that the otter is too caught up in his own spotlight, the Kadie uses his relatively large tail to 'hide' himself and Bebe from the adventurer's gaze. "Quick," he whispers, "open it! The myst'ry is killin' me!"

"There are no dishes, you eat everything off wooden skewers. And there are no monsters, so nothing to fight," Jack explains.

"No monsters to fight?" Nene asks, sounding disappointed. Meanwhile, Bebe tries to get the box open.

Silas, however, seems at least somewhat intrigued. "Sounds nice enough… "

To Emmett, Nene asks, "Can you imagine someone like Amelia just laying around on the beach and having fun all day?" Emmett gets a glint in his eye, and says, "I'm trying to right now in fact."

"It's a paradise is what it is! And, since I figured that none of you have had the chance yet to experience it, I would bring a bit of the Gigi isles here as my present to all of you for your hospitality," Jack announces and sweeps his arms out, bringing one hand to point directly at … Aiken and Bebe while they are trying to open the box. "That is if a certain Kadie isn't going to run off with it." Boy, does Jack grin.

"Oh, this box here?" Bebe says, smiling innocently as she hands it over to Jack.

"You got a surfing kitty in there?" Emmett asks.

Aiken's tail goes stiff and bristled, and he peeks over it to peer at Jack. "Um, whatever do you mean, mister Jack? Bebe and I were just… havin' a conversation!" He frowns as the otter girl hands the box back to the adventurer. "Aww, c'mon now, Jack! You know its drivin' me crazy!"

Jack takes the box and drops it on the nearby table. He digs in his jacket and pulls out a prybar of sorts and starts working on the box. "Not exactly, but I do have the traditional garb of Fertility, Spring, and Big Waves in here, along with a few other odds and ends," the otter answers as the lid pops off the crate. He starts lifting out bundle after bundle of colorful piles of cloth wrapped around … something. "So, who wants to be first?"

The girls all crowd in, Bebe abandoning poor Aiken in the light of colorful stuff from far away. Midge also pushes through to the front of the line. "Me first! Please?" she asks.

Silas boosts Nene up a bit so she can see a bit more easily, himself patiently waiting for the surprise.

Aiken's disappointment is clearly palpable as he realizes the box is full of clothes, and he sits back in his chair. "All that secrecy for a few bits a cloth? You had me goin', Jack."

"Dibs on Spring and Fertility!" Nene declares. "Bebe and I are gonna be Shrine Maidens!"

Grinning like a madman, Jack runs the webbing between his thumb and forefinger along Midge's cheek. "But of course, he answers and quickly undoes the bundle. It's more than just cloth, as it turns out, the cloth was just the wrapping. That Jack slips around Midge's waist and ties it off, the hang giving the otter the illusion of more pronounced hips. Next he lifts up some sort of fabric or paper flower, which he clasps to the fur just behind Midge's ear. And lastly he drapes a necklace over her head. It's made of colorful beading and rough string. On the end of it hangs an intricately carved seashell in the shape of a surfboard riding the waves.

"Had you going? I never said anything about what was in the crate," Jack points out to Aiken. "And it's not just clothing, there are necklaces and a few small statues in the middle too.

Aiken notices that the clothes are more or less packing material for something else, and he sits forward in his seat, tail flitting like crazy in anticipation. "What are the statues of, Jack? Not another one of those vermites, is it?"

"Wow! Does it go with what I'm wearing now?" Midge says as she twists and turns to try and see the necklace in the haphazard lighting.

"Well, no. It would look better if that was all you were wearing," Jack tells Midge. He then motions for Nene and Bebe to approach while he tells Aiken, "No, they're statues of the Gigi's themselves, 'Hanging ten' or however they call it. One's a leftover trophy they had from one of the contests. There was a tie, so they threw the trophy away. It's not like they don't give out new ones the next day anyway."

"Right!" Midge says, and her two pieces of white cotton end up at Jack's feet.

"I'm starting to like you, Jack," Emmett says, after whistling at Midge.

Once again, a look of disappointment crosses Aiken's face – although it is tempered by a raised eyebrow, thanks to the Gigi outfits on the girls. "Um, say Jack… you wouldn't happen to have one of those that would fit Curiel, by any chance… "

Jack laughs at Emmett. "I told you, they know fun," he says with a wink to Emmett.

Aiken's question gets a raised eyebrow from Jack. "Well, well, so they Kadie isn't all shy and proper afterall," he teases, "I'm sure one could be modified to fit, if it doesn't just fit anyway."

"Where's mine?" Bebe asks, having already shed her own clothing. Nene manages to strip without leaving Silas' lap.

Aiken's ears blush, and he hunkers back into his chair. "Well, they are kinda pretty and all." The embarrassed Kadie takes another draw from his mug.

"Well, then pick one out before I run out," Jack says with a laugh and returns his attention to two two younger otters. "Well, now let me see what I can find for the two cutest babes in the place, eh?" he comments as he digs around. Amazingly, he manages to find two that look like they're identical (or as close as you could make them anyway), and goes about draping then around the twins. "I bet you two break the hearts of the younger boys of the town," he tells them.

Setting his mug aside, Aiken steps up to the box – looking quite embarrassed at being the only male in a small sea of crowded females. "What do you think would go best with gray fur?" The Kadie peers at the leftover articles.

"We can break lots of things," Nene boasts. "Emmett's been coaching us, and we're pretty high ranked in the Otter Scouts!" Bebe grins and nods. "And we have a pet Kadie that can make weapons and stuff!"

"A pet Kadie, eh? How'd you manage that?" Jack asks between attempts not to laugh.

"He's not a pet!" Nene says, cuffing Bebe's ear. "He's just a little sweet on us. Well, on me, mostly. And he's fun! His name is Gunther, and… "

Midge leans over Aiken's shoulder (which means she's brushing him with bits he probably shouldn't think about) and says, "Need some help choosing for Curiel?"

At the mention of the name, Jack nearly chokes. "Wait, wait, Gunther. As in Gunther, 'I'm going to thump you, you evil invader', Gunther? That little … well, he's been harassing me from the moment I stepped foot in this town."

"Yeah… Dagh, I don't know about women's clothes! They all look pretty to me. Could you give me a paw- oh!" The Kadie blushes as he catches sight of Midge in her current state, and looks back forward into the box. "Er, I'd love your help, dear."

"Yeah, he's like that," Nene says, smiling and bobbing her head. "He has lots of disguises, too! He could be in the barrel you're sitting on even… "

"Gah!" goes Jack and he hops off the barrel and promptly kicks it. "He's the reason I have to guard all the stuff I brought with me and stored in the cabin. I can't have him running off with the valuable stuff."

The golden otter reaches past and selects a patterned over the shoulder sarong. "How about this? I know Curiel likes patterns, and this is all wavy."

The twins look into each other's eyes at the mention of the cabin, then turn and smile to Jack. "Don't worry, Mr. Jack, we can keep Gunther busy," Nene says.

"Good. I'm tired of dealing with him," Jack remarks as he starts helping one of the other otters into her new garb as well (as little as it is). "I hope he doesn't find out you consider him a pet, or he might start hunting you. He's crazy. No telling what he might do."

Aiken takes the sarong from Midge, and holds it up to see it better. "Well, I know I wouldn't mind seein' her in this!" The squirrel grins, glancing back at Midge's… face, of course.

"Maybe I can get him to curl up at my feet," Nene says, eyes twinkling. Bebe pokes her in the back with a claw, and says, "Forget it, he's clueless still!"

Overhearing Jack, and still admiring the sarong, Aiken shakes his head. "Gunther's a good kid, Jack. Just a bit high-strung. He'll grow out of it eventually."

"How about this shell necklace too?" Midge suggests, holding it up.

"And he'd never lift a paw against those two," the Kadie grins, "I think they stole his heart already!"

Aiken's eyes grow wide at the necklace. "Dagh, that's a pretty thing! Are any of those flower things left? Curiel collects flowers, you know."

Laughing at the two girls, Jack says, "You're going to eventually get him dressing how you want him to, aren't you? Let me guess, it'll be something silly."

"There's a flower left," Midge says, and snatches it up, then blinks. "Oh, and this little stone under it. Sorta old and scratched," she notes, holding it out to Aiken, along with the flower.

"Silly?" Bebe says. "He's dressed as shrubbery before."

"Tell me you're joking," Jack tells the girls.

"He's making an otter suit too," Nene notes. "To swim better, see, so he can dive to the ruins with us."

"Underwater ruins? Well, well, well," Jack says, a smile playing upon his broad muzzle. "I might have to check those out myself… "

"You have to be an Otter Scout to get to them," Bebe points out.

"Why," Jack asks, brow raised a bit.

Taking the flower with a smile of thanks, Aiken twirls it wistfully in his paw a few times. Switching it to his other paw – along with the sarong – he then takes the stone. It looks obviously out of place, and the squirrel can't tell just what it's made out of. He squints at it, noticing something that looks like writing, but it's so worn that whatever it was is all but unintelligible. "Say, Ja- um… nevermind." As nonchalantly as he can, the Kadie pockets the stone, looking up to make certain he isn't being watched.

"Something wrong?" Jack asks and glances over his shoulder to Aiken. "Thought I heard you say my name."

"Oh! Uh, I was just gonna ask," the Kadie lifts the sarong up, along with the flower. "How do you think this'd look on my wife? Midge seems to think it'd look great on her!"

"'Cuz, we don't show outsiders all our good stuff," Emmett tells Jack. "Gotta work for it. Plus, those ruins are the old town, before the flood. Not for relic hunters."

"Hmmm. It should look fine! Grey goes with mostly everything," Jack says with an approving nod. He frowns to Emmett, then nods, "Well … I'll bear that in mind. Say, do you have a really long pole, six feet or so, we can use?"

"Whatcha want a pole for?" Emmett asks.

"Ever do a limbo?" Jack asks Emmett.

"Err, are they cute with little antennae instead of ears?" Emmett asks.

If squirrels could sweat, Aiken would be as damp as an Akwavi right now. As it stands, the Kadie's ears slowly turn from their bright red color, back to the normal shade of skin. "Thanks Midge, you're a life saver!" Returning to his seat and plopping down, the squirrel takes a long, long draw from his mug, tail jetting around unconsciously.

"Oh, hey Mr. Briar?" Midge asks Aiken.

"Not exactly, it's a kind of dancing game," Jack says. He leans in and whispers to Emmett, "That involves a lot of bending backwards and shimmying. Now, imagine the girls doing that… Topless."

"Will an oar do?" Emmett asks quickly.

Jack gives Emmett a 'Thumbs Up'. "Good man," he says with a grin.

Setting his mug back down, Aiken freezes as he looks to Midge. "Hmm?"

"Where are you gonna tell Curiel that you got that stuff from, anyway?" the golden otter asks.

Aiken sets his ears back, "I hadn't thought of that… " Wrapping his tail around his midsection, the squirrel looks down in thought… then downs the rest of his ale rather quickly.

Jack finally gets to his ale and takes a long draught. He breaks into a fit of coughing afterward, then wheezes, "Smooth."

Emmett returns momentarily, having lifted an oar from the rowboat tied up outside. "Limbo!"

Setting his own mug aside, Aiken rubs his face tiredly with a paw, then notices Jack. Grinning, he nods. "That it is. Careful though, I think this is some of Emmett's batch – you wanna take it slow when you first start in on it."

After taking a moment to recover, Jack claps his hands together. "Right! Limbo time it is! Everyone will like this game." he declares and goes through explaining the rules of limbo. Which is basically, try to bend under the rod without falling over as it gets lower and lower. Once some of the club gets into the game, Jack smacks his forehead. "Dagh take it. I can't believe I forgot. Hey, Mr. Briar?"

Seemingly in better spirits – not to mention full of them – Aiken leans forward. "Yeah, Jack? What can I do you for?"

"I left my vermite in the cabin. Looks like you're going to have a companion tonight," Jack whispers to Aiken. "Don't worry. It is just a statue and doesn't move, afterall."

The squirrel chuckles. "Well, s'long as it stays locked up in its box, I think I'll do okay. Just a statue and all… "

"Good. I was worried you'd freak out," Jack says and slaps Aiken on the back, "Now, excuse me, I have a limbo to officiate. It requires close inspection… "

"I don't see how two people could squeeze under that oar at the same time," Midge points out. Emmett perks up at the suggestion, and says, "We should use Midge's idea! Going solo isn't as fun!"

The slightly inebriated Kadie gives an "oof" as the larger otter gives his back a good whack, and he gives a sheepish grin. Were one to pay attention to his nervously vibrating tail, however, they might not quite believe his previous statement about the vermite. Or they might think he was up to something. It's a complete toss-up, really.


---

GMed by BoingDragon & Jared

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Today is 14 days after Candlemass, Year 29 of the Reign of Archelaus the First (6128)