The Lost Lamb (Anyone join in!)

[footie13]

-Raina Stelling-

I awoke to the yelling of my sister, Melody, in my ear. "Get up, you lazy girl!" She screamed at me. I angrily threw the bed sheets of my body and stomped across the room, changing quickly into some work clothes. As I pulled on my old, worn brown boots, I once again asked the questions I always asked about my parents. Where are they? Are they Avoxes... or are they dead? I hoped the latter as I pushed through the bedroom door to the main room. Erin was standing there with his old sheepdog, Cooper. He barked at me and waddled over. I scratched behind his ears in the exact spot he wanted me to; I felt his happiness surge through me.

"My, my." Chuckled Erin, "You do have a way with animals." "That I do." I said simply, still petting Cooper. I didn't even notice Melody until she cleared her throat very loudly. Erin clapped his hand together and bellowed, "Alright, let's go out to the field!"I followed Erin outside with Cooper at my heels.

We reached the pen shortly, and Erin lifted the hatch and released them. Cooper and I jogged over to the right side of the flock and we stayed there, Cooper doing his job by nipping at any sheep that strayed from the flock. "'atta boy, Cooper!" I said as he drove a young lamb back to the flock. "He's old, but he's still got it!" yelled Erin. I laughed.

As soon as we reached the large expanse of green grass that was Erin's field, we sat down and watched the sheep. It was pretty quiet, except for the occasional "baa" from a sheep, a bark from Cooper, or Erin coughing loudly; he had a pretty bad cold. I watched a sheep nurse a little lamb, and as I continued scouring the group my stomach lurched. "Where's the one black lamb?" She asked Erin.

Erin shot up from the ground and looked over the flock. "I don't see her." "Where could she have gone?" I asked. Erin shrugged. "Beats me, but we have to find her." "I'll take Cooper and search the forest up there." I motioned with my hand toward the forest nearest to us, "She can't have gotten too far." "I know you'll be safe, but... you might need someone a little stronger than yourself to carry the lamb back." Erin said. I looked at him incredulously. "I can carry a lamb just fine, thank you very much."

"All I'm saying is you might want to get someone to help you search in there, just in case." I felt infuriated by his lack of trust in me, but I knew he was right. Better safe then sorry. I nodded brusquely and sprinted to the center of District 10. Cooper seemed to be struggling with my pace, so I slowed down a bit. His wheezing became quieter. With a panicked look on my face, I reached the center of my District. A few people were scurrying past, obviously all busy with something they though important. "Somebody, PLEASE help me!" I yelled, "I've lost a lamb and I need help!" The desperation in my voice rang as clear as a bell, and I could only hope that someone would be compassionate enough to answer my plea.

[ndukwe]

Anansi Milagro

I wake up to yet another day as the sun shines in through the window and lances across my chest and face. Getting out of my bed, I hurriedly change into a pair of jeans and tuck a cutoff white tee into the band of my pants. Slipping on a pair of boots, I head to my door and jump over the banister onto the floor. Putting some breakfast on, I head to the basement and start working out. About a half an hour later i head up and eat my breakfast, tossing some bacon to the dogs. Deciding to head out, I throw open the screen door to see the sun has just risen.

Heading down to the sheep pen, I walk in and get the dogs to work a dozen and a half lambs away from their moms. Heading them out the gate, I sent them down. "Juton, take head. Taygen, drive them." After a half hour walk, we arrive in town. "Tay, Come-Bye. There we go. Juton, steady boy. Juton, Away. Tay, Walk on. Jute, Tay, Lie down." Walking up, I push the lambs into the pen behind the butchers.

Walking in, I tell the butcher ive got lambs to be butchered. Heading out back, we look them over as the dogs lay at my heels, eyeing the sheep. "Pick any three," I tell the man. Quickly, he points at the three plumpest lambs and takes those aside. "I'll be back later," I tell him as i Leave the shop. Heading to the center, I start to shop around. Just as i'm about to make a selection from a selection of steaks, I see a pretty young girl, Raini i think is her name. Seeing her frantic state, I walk over and write down, Whats wrong, chere? [/size]

[Ferret.]

Rosanna Thayer

She let soft strands her dark chocolate hair flow and tremble in the warm summer breeze. It was Saturday, Rosanna's favourite day of the week. Sure, school was okay, but there were so many kids there. Some of them spoke to her. Somehow she could never bring herself to answer them. She sighed at herself. She didn't mean to be so shy. It made her feel like an idiot. She tried to expel the thought from her mind as another hot wind tickled the back of her neck. She should be happy. It was her day off and her belly was half full with a self-prepared breakfast of scrambled eggs. She’d woken up, tip-toed out of the room that she, her mother and her father shared as a bedroom and gone out to collect some eggs. Her father had already gone out to tend to their small flock of sheep and her mother was still asleep.

She drew in a deep breath of air. One great thing about district 10 was that the air was way cleaner than the districts that worked with factories and stuff. How would she know? They weren't allowed to travel between districts any more than bears were allowed to share their beds. She clicked her tongue and hopped off of the fading picket fence she'd been sitting on. She glanced down her body. It was clothed in a slightly-too-tight red shirt and her usual tough fabric trousers and brown leather boots. Many people frowned upon her second hand clothes. To her they were perfect. It didn't matter if they got dirty or torn, she could just stitch them back together and give them a good wash.

She yawned and stretched. Her father always told her she looked just like a cat when she did that. She giggled, then sighed. Her father was her best friend. She often wondered why she was given what was probably the best dad in the world. Rose set her feet to work, heading for town. She was going to check the second hand shops. She rummaged around in her trouser pockets to make sure her few coins were still there. As she walked, no one waved or said hello. It was simply because she didn't know any of them. A few of the older folk that she liked to buy books from occasionally gave her a little wave but other than that, no one seemed to know her. It was like she was a stranger in the town that she'd lived in for fourteen years.

She stopped when she reached the center of town. Everything seemed normal. The sky was pale blue and puffy white clouds were floating merrily across it. It made her think of the lambs playing in the meadow. Trees were green and flowers were blossoming, adding some much-needed color to the dreary 10th district. Almost everyone around her was eating some kind of fruit. They had district 11 to thank for that. She quickly walked past a small cart with stacks of apples on it. In a small, precise motion she grabbed an apple and shoved it into her pocket. She continues to lift her hand and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. No one noticed her. She'd become almost too good at that kind of thing.

She pulled her shiny red apple out and took a bite. The juicy flesh was heaven. She intended on heading to one of her pawn shops where she could usually get a book or two for about two coins. She'd just started walking when she heard the shout. "I've lost a lamb and I need help!" It was semi-hysterical and she couldn't help reacting. She hardly knew what she was doing. Her feet just seemed to be independently walking over to the girl that she could vaguely recognize from around school. It's for the lamb. It's for the lamb . . . She had to force herself to keep walking. A boy suddenly popped up. She wondered if he was her boyfriend. It didn't matter. She was too close now.

She stopped a few feet away from the brunette girl. "I-uh . . . I heard you call." She paused, hating herself for stuttering. " I-I know the forest. I c-can help" She felt herself blush. She was terrible at speaking to anybody expect her parents. Hopefully this girl wouldn't think her a complete idiot. Or maybe she would just consider her mentally unstable. She took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. "Really, I can help." She gave her a reassuring little smile. Maybe she was desperate enough to accept. Maybe the boy was enough help? Oh well. What did she possibly have to lose?

normal
talking
thinking
hearing
notes: Do you mind if I join in?

[ndukwe]

I dont particularly care if you do to be quite honest. However, Its not my thread so you'd have to ask her. I'll delete this when footie13 replies as we obviously have to wait for her before we can do anything...

&& I think i'm going to change some things in my post, maybe some more detail.Last but not least, my character is deaf, just so you know, so theres no way you could quote me becuase i never actually say it, i wrote it down

[footie13]

(Okay guys, I am SO SORRY! I left for vacation and forgot to post that I was leaving. I'm sorry to keep you waiting!!)

I stood alone, shouts from the crowd drowning put my continuous pleas. Someone HAS to have heard me!! I thought desperately. Just as I almost gave up, a boy, fairly short for a man, came up to me. I was a bit taken back when, instead of saying anything, he began scribbling on a piece of paper. After only a short while, he held it up. It read, "What's wrong, chere?"

Why is he writing what he could say...? I asked myself a bit skeptically. Then it dawned on me; he must be deaf! Immediately I felt like an idiot for just standing there. How do I communicate with a deaf boy? I thought. Without thinking about it, I reached out and ripped the paper from the boy's tan hands, quickly scrawling, "I lost my lamb. I need to look in the forest, and my uncle told me I need someone to accompany me."

I quickly gave the paper back to the boy. A quiet voice behind me piped up, "I-uh . . . I heard you call." The words hung in the air for a while, then she continued, " I-I know the forest. I c-can help" The girl paused again, blushing like crazy. She seemed to gather herself before she said, "Really, I can help."

I smiled at her and said, "Oh my goodness, thank you." I laughed hysterically, throwing my arms first around the shy young girl, then bear-hugging the boy. I turned to the boy, then pointed a long, slender finger at the forest. I then turned to the girl. "Do you want to lead us into the forest?" I asked kindly. Hopefully I wasn't scaring the girl...

[ndukwe]

Walking up to the frantic girl, Raina i believe is her name, i ask whats wrong. As she takes the notepad out of my hands and begins to write, another girl walks up, and, stuttering, proceeds to volunteer to help.

After a brief pause, with the hustle and bustle of the crowds on market day, she hugs first the new girl and then throws her arms around me, throwing me aback. Hugging her back and a slight smirk playing across my features, she lets go.

Pointing to the forest, I read her lips and figure out she's asking the girl to guide us through the forest. Calling out to my dogs, Juton and Taygen, and calling over my horse, Ashaka, I mount up and ride back into town, telling the two girls and the dogs to stay.

Riding to the stables, I ride in and shout for two horses. Picking out a Chestnut mare for the girl who lost the lamb and a Brown one for the stutterer.

Once they are saddled, I grab the reins and ride back to the girls. Offering the horses to the girls, I wait for the girls to mount up and get ready to ride out.

"And now, ladies and gents, we set out into the great unknown to fetch....a sheep. This should be a good game."

Riding out to the edge of the forest, I follow the girls to her sheep fold. Sliding off Ashaka, the dogs lying in the shade of the forest, I wait for the girls to follow my lead.

Waiting on the scent of the sheep, I hold out my hand and wait for her to deposit the item into it. As i wait with my hand outstretched, I silently sweep the edge of the trees, looking for signs of entrance.

Seeing a hole in the underbrush, I make a mental note. Turning around, I wait for the girl to find the sheep scented object.

[ndukwe]

FIN

[footie13]

The boy sure acted with ease in such a terrible crisis. Well, terrible to me, anyway. He brought the girl and I two horses, both beautiful animals. My family could never afford a horse, but I had ridden a horse before. Almost everyone in District 10 has. I slipped into the saddle, the muscles of the huge animal rippling beneath me. "Good girl." I said to my horse, patting her neck and speaking in low, gentle tones. I have always had a way with animals, and she was easily befriended. I sat there, awaiting the girl to lead us.

We rode off on our horses, the boy and the girl ahead of me. I gripped the reins tightly, trying not to feel fearful. The horse could sense my fear and become frightened as well. my tactic seemed to work, and the horse continued to race on, hooves pounding, until we reached the forest.

Foliage pulled at my clothes and hair as we set through the woods. Then, the boy stopped his horse, and we all stopped with him. I dismounted and he started to look around. I wondered what he was doing. Then he held out his hand. What is he doing? I thought.

I wondered why he was holding out his hand for a good solid minute. He seemed to be getting impatient. I furrowed my brow, thinking of what it could be, when it came to me. He must be looking for something that smells like the lamb for his dogs! I looked down at his two, beautiful young dogs, who were panting, their tails wagging with excitement. I reached down and patted them both, scratching the, behind their ears in the same spot that my dog, Cooper, loved.

I didn't know if I had anything on me that smelt like the lamb... I rummaged through my pockets for a while, and became disappointed when I didn't find anything. When I was about to give up and try to explain to the boy that I couldn't find anything, I felt a thin, soft fabric in my back pocket. I pulled it out quickly, and a smile spread across my face. It was the bright pink ribbon I had tied around the lamb's neck the day before when I brought her into town. I wanted her to look nice when I showed her off to everyone.

I placed the bow into his hand, and for a second, my fingers lingered on his warm palm. His palms felt rough beneath my fingers. Slowly, I pulled my hand away. "Will this work?" I mouthed very exaggeratedly as he looked up at me, hoping he could see what I was saying.

[ndukwe]

What, if any, amount of powerplay is okay with you, I.E., walking, riding, etc.

Also, sometimes i will accidently do it. IF you have a problem with something i put, tell me and ill fix it.

[footie13]

I usually don't have a problem with small amounts of power-playing, like making my character ride the horses, maybe walk somewhere. Just as long as you don't make my character say anything, do something gross/disgusting, or anything that wouldn't be in her character.

[ndukwe]

ill try to reply asap. havent had time. been too busy

[ndukwe]

Walking along the leafy expanse of the forest, I look for any signs that a small animal might have gone through. In my search, I notice a broken branch and a small hole where an animal may have gone through.

As I turn around, Raina places a ribbon into my hands. Calling over Taygen and Juton, I let them smell the ribbon for a while before giving back the ribbon. As they stand awaiting the command, noses sniffling as they start to pick up the scent. After handing back the small cloth ribbon to Raina, I turn on the spot, scanning the trees once more before uttering a simple phrase...d

Get em boys! I yell out to Tay and Jut. As they hear the long awaited command, the rush off toward the hole I had noticed before, bawling like hounds on a scent.

Walking to the hole, I search closer and discover a patch of black wool. Turning, I give it to Raina before diving into the cover of the trees. Out of the heat of the day, the temperature drops noticeably. Turning to make sure Raina is following, I break into a steady trot, following the sound of the dogs.

After following the bawling dogs, I come upon them circling the base of a tree, bawling treed. Unsure of what i'll find, I circle the tree, searching for anything, good or bad, that may have happened to the sheep. Noticeing a patch of wool, I climb up to discover it tucked into a birds nest. Cutting a bit of it out, I climb back down and turn to see Raina emerge from the trees.

****************************************************
OOC: sorry its taken me so long to reply, I just havent had time. Also, since Ferret has not replied, I am going to make no specific reference to his charrie. Lastly, what is going to have happened to the sheep. Dead, find it, etc.

[footie13]

(OOC: Maybe the lamb could be found dead... and she is super depressed and crying, and Anansi could comfort her)

Anansi worked quickly, ordering his dogs to follow the scent of my lamb. I watch as they sprint to a hole and begin to bawl. Anansi walks over and picks out a bit of black wool. It's my lamb's wool undoubtably. Hope surges through me as they continue along to a tree, and Anansi finds yet another piece of wool. It's going to be OK! I think as we continue the search for my young lamb.

I follow Anansi, my heart beginning to swell with happiness. The lamb will be found. Erin will be happy. And maybe Anansi is interested in me as much as I have found interest in him. The thought of Anansi sent butterflies swarming in my stomach, but I calmed them down. This was serious. We continued to walk, the dogs baying, Anansi trotting after them, and me bringing up the caboose. What we saw next, I was not ready for.

My lamb lay on the ground, motionless, in a pool of it's own blood. Her stomach had four slits in it, probably made by some big cat. Most likely a mountain lion. The young animal's eyes were wide open with fear, its mouth slightly parted. The dogs were sniffing the lamb's dead carcass.

I ran over, kneeling down in her blood, stroking her soft black wool. My hand shook as I caressed her small little head, then put my hands over my face.

Tears spilled out of my amber eyes, dripping onto my lamb. My body was racked with fits of sobbing. I couldn't control myself. Anansi had knelt down next to me, so I leaned onto his shoulders and began to sob into his chest. I just needed someone to hold me and comfort me.

[ndukwe]

Walking a slight distance back into the woods, i follow the dogs as they come upon a grisly sight...the small black lamb, lying dead in a pool of its own blood.

Disgusting, i think to myself as Raina runs up to the lamb and plops down, spraying blood everywhere.

Going over to the sobbing girl, I kneel beside her and try to console her. After a time, too long in my opinion, as the blood is likely to draw scavengers, I hop up and call over the dogs. Checking over the wounds, I decide they are cougar claws, also marks in the neck. Flipping over the carcass, I see its side eaten.

Pulling out a knife, I guide Raina away and make her sit down, leaving Taygen there to continue to comfort her. Heading back over to the carcass, I cut of the wool not covered in blood and put it aside. Coming back to my work, I set to butchering the lamb, ignoring Raina's crys of protest.

After I butcher the lamb, stripping the meat from the bones, I collect the ribs and set them with the wool and meat. Picking up the remainder of the bones, I toss them in the woods. Giving some meat to the dogs for all their work, I turn to Raina, telling her we had best leave before more creatures show up.

[footie13]

I watched in horror as Anansi butchered my lamb. I cried out with all my heart, telling him to stop, but he wouldn't. He kept working until the meat was all cut up, and tossing the inedible remains into the bushes, he tells me we should leave. A burial would've been nice. But no. He had to cut her up. I thought angrily as we walked back to town. That lamb was my favorite out of all the sheep, because she was so different. She seemed to get me.. when I told her things, I swear I could see acknowledgement in her eyes.

Wiping tears from my eyes, I glanced over at Anansi. He seemed totally unaffected by what he had just done. Of course, he had never shared the special bond with the lamb that I had, but... STILL! He had just BUTCHERED a young, innocent animal. It was already dead, Raina. a voice in the back of my head said. This was true... but... it still didn't seem right to do such a thing.

The entire walk back, we said nothing to one another. The only sound was the panting of the two dogs, the sound of earth crunching beneath our toes, and my sniffling. I didn't care if Anansi thought I was a wimp for crying. It hurt so badly... almost like losing a friend. We reached the town center and I stood in front of him. He was looking at me, but I looked to the side, watching a little beetle scurry across the dirty ground. I sighed and looked up into his eyes, hoping I could find solace in them.