Good is good and bad is bad (open++)

[brutus]

A fresh snow fell in Narnia, the mid-morning coming to an afternoon slowly as a cool wisp of snow blew. Brutus flew over the trees, settling on a nearby tree branch. The hawk was quite drowsy today being he usually liked to sleep early on cold winter mornings like this one, but he had figured the weather would never change, as it not had for a hundred years. Brutus had been thinking about going to the warm land of Calormen since he was growing sick of this snow all the time, but then Calormen had no seas or bodies of water that would have fish for him, and so his choice for now was to stay here.

A pile of snow fell off of a leaf by the very branch Brutus was perched on and fell right on top of the hawk, causing him to jump and let out a squawk. He begun to pick to snow out of his feathers, not wishing for this snow to melt on him, because then he would be wet and freeze to death.

[KELTRIS ?!]

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rather sulkily, an underside badger shuffled doggedly through the mounds of flaky, white snow, reaching to his ankles and scraping against his belly. Obviously, he had a distaste to the cold white substance. But then again, how many sensible beasts did? To as long as he could remember, Keltris had been trudging in snow, nippy cold winter nights, and by leafless branches. This endless winter was maddening! And, the worst part was that no Christmas came. It was as if the cold, bitter wind drove it away, like it did to all of the Narnians. Keltris sniffed feverishly at the heap of snow under his pads. Upon the cold touch to his sensitive black nose, Keltris withdrew with a growl of disgust. For what it seemed like ages, he was searching for any hint of grass underpaw, flowers, and fresh foliage. Keltris was overall tired. He had been prodding onward since morning, failing to find any dry places to rest. Plus, he had to keep away from the brutal senseless beasts that was loyal to the cursed White Witch. The badger raised his head, his black-striped face facing skyward. His eyes blinked dully. A nippy buffet of wind kicked at his flanks, and flakes of snow pelted slowly on his back. Keltris glanced away, ears twitching irately.

grunting, the badger moved on, unsure of what to do now. Life seemed pointless. All he seem to be doing to trudging around, trying to avoid anybody that may seem like part of the Witch's lines and finding someplace dry and warm—warmer, anyway—to rest. It was pointless, and irritating. He went on slipping silently through the snow, making as little noise as possible. A sudden squawk erupted from somewhere ahead, making the badger freeze, but only momentarily. Curiously, and hoping that it was anybeast but the scum that sided with the White Witch, Keltris slunk forward, head down and body flat. At first, he didn't see anybody, but hearing the scrapping of snow brought his eyes averting to the treetops. And there, pruning his feathers, picking out flakes of snow, was an osprey. The badger's ears perked up cautiously. Although he took great admiration toward birds, he had to be careful. Over his years, he had met devious and evil birds, and, now no longer foolish, kept his distance. His dark eyes watched it carefully. The bird looked friendly enough, but, then again, robins looked cute, but would trade his mother in for a bite to eat. Keltris wasn't sure of what to do. It had been awhile since he met face-to-face with another Narnian.

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tagged, brutus.
words, 431.
muse, okayy. first posts are usually like that. then, they die. Dx
notes, mind if i join? ^-^

xoxo,
rosie

[Tumnus]

Tumnus the Faun was very confused. He had been conflicted for quite some time about this whole winter business. Oh, how he hated winter. It made him feel cold from his hooves to his horns, and so empty and bleak like the snowy landscape that surrounded him as far as he could see. And even more than he was confused, he was frightened. The silent snow held secrets that he dared not disturb, and the trees seemed to conspire against him as they rustled in the frigid wind. Every day he lived in fear of the White Witch.

He knew that every Animal and Creature in the forest hated her with a passion, and so did he. But he feared too much for his own life, and he had agreed to her command that any Human found should be turned over to her. The prospect of a human, a real Human, being here in Narnia fascinated him. If he'd had the opportunity, of course he wouldn't dare to turn it over. Especially not to Jadis. But of course, this hundred years' winter never seemed to end. A human would never come. And certainly not four of them, like his parents had always said. Them and Beaver and everyone else seemed to believe that Aslan would come. Tumnus wouldn't mind if the Lion did show up, he just wasn't sure if he believed that he would.

As he was stumbling along in the snow, immersed in his thoughts, he happened upon a Badger snuffling at the root of a tree. He hesitated, fearful that the animal would somehow know of his covenant with the Witch. But it would be suspicious not to say hello. "Salutations, friend," he greeted the Badger nervously.

[KELTRIS ?!]

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keltris wasn't sure if he should speak up. One part of him wanted to stay cautious and quiet and watch the hawk before communicating; the other longed for a conversation with another creature. He hadn't had that in a long time. Everyone was obviously in hiding. "Curse this... cursed winter," he thought angrily. Before the badger got to do or think anything else, a voice sounded from behind him. "Salutations, friend," the voice said. Keltris was usually not one who was taken by surprise, and with a jump, he whirled around, quick eyes flashing. The underside badger unsheathed his claws, bared his teeth, and a growl ripped from his throat. It was a faun. Keltris hadn't known many fauns in his time, and this one was probably only the tenth or something close. So, it was easy to know that the badger wouldn't trust them.

the badger reared up on his hind legs, claws still bared, but he let his growl die down. Body still tense as ever, he replied cautiously with a touch of ice to his tone, "Greetings, mister faun." This creature didn't look anyway near dangerous, and Keltris felt bad that he had added frost to his voice. The badger sighed unhappily as he lowed his head just a wee bit, eyes still on the faun. What was this cursed winter turning him into? He hadn't been like himself in awhile. Using a more friendlier tone, he spoke, "What brings you around? Do you live nearby? Am I intruding on your territory? Err, if I am, then my apologies." His craving for a conversation choked out streams of questions from his mouth. Keltris had to check himself first, though. He unsheathed his claws and dropped soundly to the ground, his paws crunching heavily against the fresh drop of flurry white snow. The undersized badger glanced up, less weary, and allowed one of his smiles that was, unfortunately, becoming rare.

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tagged, [brutus]&&tumnus.
words, 321.
muse, okay.
notes, yay! welcome to the swirl of insanity and madness, julie! xD

xoxo,
rosie

[Tumnus]

Tumnus watched the Animal eye him warily. He stood with his amply furred legs spread apart slightly, so that it would be easy for him to flee, if necessary. As a Faun, Tumnus was not the fastest of runners, but he was relatively nimble and could probably get away from a Badger who had to run on all fours so low to the ground in deep snow. Oh, what a terrible thought, he scolded himself silently, miserably. So it had come down to this - a Narnian was afraid of his own neighbor. He supposed that in times like these, no one could be trusted. Tumnus knew this better than anyone.

"At ease, good Badger," he said, just as the Animal dropped down on all fours. Tumnus sighed inwardly in relief. Badgers, he knew, were fierce fighters, with sizable claws (he had just seen them) and sharp teeth that they were not afraid to use for their cause. Nearly all the Talking Animals were on Aslan's side, even though they had probably never seen the Cat, and this made Tumnus somehow reassured and disconcerted simultaneously. What was it that made them so faithful in something they had never seen? He could not know. All he believed in, for the moment, was that if he did not do as he was told, he would never do anything again. For he would be dead, killed by the White Witch.

"My house is just around the corner," Tumnus stammered out, still slightly anxious but trying not to show it as he subtly glanced at the Badger's massive paws, which sheathed his claws. He knew that it would be unwise to disclose too much information, but it would be most dangerous, for the moment, to give the Badger any reason to show his fearsome claws once more. "It's quite all right," he said hastily, surprised at the Badger's sudden apology. "A bit west of Beaversdam, we are - do you know the Beavers? He mentioned he had a Badger friend..." He trailed off. One of his bad habits was babbling when he was nervous, and he was most certainly nervous. But he could not afford to make any slip-ups, so he closed his lips once more.

[KELTRIS ?!]

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the small badger watched the faun for another moment. After the other creature had spoken a simple, "At ease, good Badger," an uncomfortable silence took over. The badger instantly felt guilty all over again. This creature just had to be alongside his, with politeness and all. It was rare to find wicked creatures that called him "friend" or "good Badger," he thought to himself, smiling ruefully inwardly. Keltris, keen to emotions, could tell that the faun was rather nervous. But of what, he couldn't guess. Keltris supposed it was what he was worried of: the Witch, as all with sense were. And what Tumnus was thinking was correct. Keltris did have faith in Aslan. Of course, the undersized badger, who was merely a common talking animal of Narnia, never actually saw the great lion before. All he was told of were tales and talk of Aslan. Only few have said they stood ground in belief of the lion, and he was one of them. But if there were any way the White Witch were to the thrown from her self-appointed title of so-called Queen, it would Aslan... and the prophecy he held so much confidence and faith in.

his newly found company spoke again. "My house is just around the corner," the faun said. "It's quite all right," the faun added quickly, "A bit west of Beaversdam, we are - do you know the Beavers? He mentioned he had a Badger friend..." Keltris blinked thoughtfully and replied, "The Beavers, you say? Well, I've heard of them, but we haven't officially met. Probably not a chance that I'll be their badger friend." The faun had sneaked a glance at his paws, where he had bared his claws earlier, and the badger had caught that. Keltris once again detected the slight anxiety in his voice, and how the faun tried to hide it. Keltris immediately felt bad, knowing with a bit of uncertainty, but still knowing, that he had preformed quite a scene with his show of hostility. The badger shuffled his paws back under his stomach, a picture of guilt upon his black-striped face. "Huh. Err, please excuse my thoughtless spite earlier, mister faun. I didn't mean to frighten you..." Keltris's voice also trailed off.

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tagged, tumnus.
words, 373.
muse, okayishh.
notes, <3

xoxo,
rosie

[Tumnus]

Tumnus listened thoughtfully to the Badger's words, doing his best not to show how nervous he was. But apparently, he was not doing a very good job of it, because the Animal guiltily moved his paws back to where Tumnus could not see them. He grinned sheepishly, as he often did when he found himself in an awkward or otherwise uncomfortable situation, and shuffled his hooves around in the deep snow. The thick fur around his ankles kept him relatively warm, but he could still feel the ice that reminded him constantly that the winter was not over, and the prophecy everyone raved about was nowhere closer to being fulfilled. He sighed inwardly, hoping that he did not offend the Badger. It had been a bit odd to ask whether or not he knew the Beavers, he realized now, but the other Animal did not seem bothered.

At the Badger's guilty words, Tumnus looked away, down into the snow in the distance. He did not like making eye contact with anything - not even trees - so it was a normal thing for him to do. He paused before speaking, a wry and fleeting smile across his human face. "It's quite all right," he assured the Badger quickly. "I'm easily frightened." It was true. If Tumnus did not have such a problem controlling his fear, then he would not be in the situation that he was in now. His fear of the White Witch now caused him to be afraid of every other Narnian. They were braver and stronger than he for being able to stand up to her, though he doubted that any of them had ever had to. As far as he knew, the White Witch only knew who he was because of his father. He had come face to face with her, and survived. But was this a life worth living?

The Faun wondered often about what was next. He had lived many years wondering this. Every day was the same - make his tea, sit by the fire, dream about Humans, and imagine awful scenarios in which the White Witch kidnapped, tortured, and subsequently killed him. Sometimes thinking about this sort of thing made whatever actually happen seem a bit less frightening, but it often made him only feel worse. Everything around here was the same, covered in the silent snow. Nothing new ever happened. And this, he supposed, could be good or bad. But for now, it was bad. Still, this was new. And as much as he feared the Badger, or the repercussions of the Badger finding out who he was and what he was doing, he was going to take the opportunity to do something different. Though it was unlike him, any change one can get after a hundred years of the same thing is worth taking.

"Good Badger," he began hesitantly, "do you ever drink tea?"

[KELTRIS ?!]

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so it was official that Keltris wasn't feel awkward alone. Although the kindly faun had assured him that it was common for him to be frightened, Keltris couldn't shake off the feeling of shame. The undersized badger, too, averted his gaze from his company's. Well, Keltris believes that you should make eye contact when talking, but he was hesitant of seeing his new company's possible nervous eyes, and besides, he wasn't speaking, so he was clear. The badger growled inwardly at his sudden veer of thought. As what the small creature did when he was washed with a feeling of awkwardness, Keltris drummed distractedly upon the snow with his paw. A series of slight crunchy noise was made, but not before he had pawed a little hole in the crisp, milk white snow underpaw. Was it not mentioned that it was rather madly?

keltris shuffled slightly, his paws stirring up the crunching sound again. So much for being friendly. First, he had nearly frightened an innocent creature, and then he left him in awkward air. He simply wasn't himself. Keltris longed for the spring hills and fresh blossoms. Anything green seemed appeasing, especially to his mind, since Keltris could never recall ever seeing green grass and trees with fresh leaves. It made him distractedly wonder how he ever got the image in his head. At first, the badger just thought that a spring day would come, but seeing that that wasn't about to happen soon, his energy level fell, and he was becoming sulky, which wasn't to his favor. But only one thing kept his spirits from failing entirely. He believed in the prophecy being fulfilled as firmly as he had faith in Aslan, which was all he could muster. He had to keep encouraging himself that day would come sooner or later... but hopefully, in his lifetime. It didn't sound all too joyful to live a full life and knowing of nothing other than a winter that lasted your whole life.

his train of thought—which took over his awareness of the current moment with the faun—was broken when the other creature spoke up, breaking the silence also. "Good Badger," the faun said, rather uncertainly, "do you ever drink tea?" Keltris glanced upward toward the faun, eyes questioning, but a smile faint in the two orbs. "Tea? Why, yes I have, friend faun, although that was years ago, when Mother was still alive. But, other than that, no, I haven't had tea in quite a long time." the badger paused and chuckled, a rather hoarse one coming out of his throat, so it sounded more like a grunt, "if only I had skills like Mother's..." It was true. The only type of liquid Keltris had tasted was water in the past few years ago... and that was licking it off icicles and whatnot. Rivers and streams were frozen, so that was the closest thing a wanderer like himself would be able to find. And how he became an aimless traveler, Keltris sneered to think. A pack of wolves invaded his home, killing his parents as they were trying to hide him.

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tagged, tumnus.
words, 519.
muse, same.
notes, -pokes header- -dies- xP you're so lucky julie, having PS and all. i've only got gimp, and my skills are rusting like mad. 3x

xoxo,
rosie

[Tumnus]

((Aw, don't die on me Rosie! lol. I don't even know how to use it, and your headers are always nice!))

After Tumnus asked the Badger whether or not he drank tea, an awkward silence ensued. He inserted his hoof into the snow and nudged it around a bit, shifting his weight from hoof to hoof in orer to not only keep warm but also give himself some sort of distraction from his turmoil of thoughts.

There was part of him that wanted to invite the Badger to his house for tea, as he had been planning on doing. But he realized now that the Badger, if he was as intelligent as Badgers were rumored to be, might discover something in Tumnus' house. Would he smell, with his sensitive nose, the scent of the wolves that had threatened him so long ago? Would he sense, with his loyalty and steadfastness, the bit of unsurety that marked Tumnus' existence? It was a good thing, Tumnus thought, that Badgers generally were known to have bad eyesight.

He silently inhaled a deep breath of the frosty air as the Badger ended the silence with his rambling on. Quickly, and hopefully not too rudely, he interrupted, "How would it be if you came and had tea with me?". He paused nervously, fisting his hands in his scarf. "I could not say it would be like your mother's, but there are sardines. And a fire," he added in a way he hoped was convincing.

He had decided, almost without thinking, to indeed invite the Badger over. It would keep from arousing suspicion, he told himself. But the truth was, it had been far too long since Tumnus had seen anyone, let alone a possible friend.

[KELTRIS ?!]

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the young badger took a breath, done with his ranting for the moment, just as the faun began to speak. That was common; Keltris was known to ramble on and on, due to his energy level—which was faltering, but still there—and love of a conversation. Not having any for a long while made him unwittingly talk on and on. It was annoying, most of the time, but a trait that was passed down from his mother, who talked so much that it seemed like Keltris had gotten his rambling on from listening to her. "How would it be if you came and had tea with me?" the faun asked, clutching his scarf as he paused hesitantly. "I could not say it would be like your mother's, but there are sardines. And a fire." Tumnus didn't have to try to sound convincing. Hearing "fire" that sounded like it came from heaven, and sardines, Keltris instantly made up his mind, a cheerful spark coming to his eyes. This faun was well on his way of becoming a friend he hasn't had in a long time.

dropping his voice to a calm level, trying not to sound rude or eager—well, maybe he failed on eager—in any way, he nodded his striped head delightfully, and answered gratefully, "That would be my humblest and most obliged pleasure, friend faun. I'd love to." A pleased rumble erupted quietly from his throat, and Keltris couldn't help but smile up gratefully at the kindly creature. Not only did the thought of a warm, cozy fire and tea sounded like music he never thought he would hear to his ears, but also the possible fact that the kind faun could be his new friend. It was heartwarming, something he hasn't felt in like, so it seemed, years upon years. "Oh, how rude of me. I suppose I've forgotten the most unforgettable part. I am Keltris, friend faun." He raised his muzzle and grinned sheepishly.

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tagged, tumnus.
words, 324.
muse, oh noes. it ish going poop. xP but i promise, i'll pick it up. 3x
notes, lol. xD -comes back to life- i'm alive now! x3 and, thank you, julie. -hugs- well, hah. at least you're stuff doesn't look like trash. i was so museless, and only gave it a soft glow and blur teh background. it didn't mean to come out sloppy. Dx i'd make another one... but i'm too lazy to. lulz. xP

xoxo,
rosie

[Tumnus]

((Nonsense. Both post and header were lovely =D))

Tumnus widened his eyes unintentionally when the Badger agreed to come to tea. He was still unsure if his decision to ask had been a good one, but it appeared that there would be no getting out of it now. "I thank you for your trust, good Badger," he managed to say through the lump in his throat, knowing that he was quite undeserving of it. It was not that he wanted to hurt the Badger in any way, nor was he going to. It was only strange, being around one of the Animals most fiercely loyal to Aslan, and knowing that he was being paid with his life to be a spy of sorts for the other side. The cruel reality was that not all Narnians were as cowardly as he. But perhaps, in the end, it would be a good thing. If only Tumnus would be around long enough to see it.

Though agreeing, fearfully, to watch for Humans and turn them over to Jadis had spared his life for the moment, Tumnus somehow knew that his life would be a short one. Even if he did everything the White Witch told him to, in the end, he would end up being useless, just one of her pawns, frozen and forgotten. He would die in shame, knowing he did nothing to help Aslan or the Narnia he loved so much, and, in the end, not himself, either. But postponing his death had seemed like a good idea at the time.

He knew now that seeing another creature who still had a lick of faith in Aslan was somehow addling him. There was a certain pride that was beginning to kick in. If a Badger could hold on - yes, they were famous for it - then Tumnus could at least try to do the same. He knew in his heart that he could never hurt anything, particularly not a Human with which he was so fascinated in finding one day, if they even existed. (Of course they did, else why would Jadis be interested?) No. That day, that very moment, Tumnus decided that whatever the White Witch would do to him, he would not give up on Narnia. Aslan was coming, and every creature in Narnia knew it. Even Jadis herself.

Ah, how cruel a thing fear was! It drove him mad. He had been made, in fear, to obey Jadis, but even Jadis was running in fear from Aslan, trying to gather up an army and a group of spies in order to keep the Lion at bay. Ha! As if she even could. Yes, even Jadis was scared, he realized. So he could no longer be afraid of her.

Tumnus grinned from horn to horn at the Badger's kind words. He could trust the Badger, he knew - Keltris. A fine name for a fine Animal. He busied himself with shaking the snow from his umbrella, opening it to cover both himself and his new friend from the soft snow that was beginning to fall.

"I am Tumnus," he replied simply. "And I can not tell you, good Badger, what a great delight it is to meet you."

Gaily raising his umbrella to shield the both of them, he led the way towards his little house, which was now going to feel like a home.

((Whoa. Don't even know where that came from... Anyway, if you like, go ahead and post a new thread at Tumnus' house!))

[KELTRIS ?!]

notes, hehe. thank you, julie. ya know, your aweshumness inspires meh to hone mah skills a bit more. x3 -huggles- lol. and. i liek how you fleshed out his thoughts and all. bravo, julie! you made longest post in tis thread. xP and, it'll be mah honor! yar! xD

xoxo,
rosie