On the Outside Looking In

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer Yellowpaw, a lithe and shady looking stoat female, sauntered through the village, looking for a place to grab a bite to eat. She kept her gaze straight ahead of her and on on the ground, not meeting the horrendous glares that were fired her way, she closed her ears to the rude comments and harsh names also shot at her. Griffer understood why such words were being shouted at her, she was after all, a stoat. A rather fierce looking stoat with a rather shady background at that.

Coming up on a roadside stand that sold assortments of fruits, Griffer slapped down a few gold and silver pieces, keeping her eyes on the counter top.
"I need a satchel of your best apples, Madam." Griffer murmured in her friendliest voice. The mouse maid at the counter sniffed haughtily and swiped the coins from Griffer.
"Here you go, you nasty stoat! Now get your filthy paws off my counter!" The mouse maid thrust the small bag of large apples at Griffer and turned away to take care of the other fruits gathered from the orchards.
"Thanks, but a word of advice, m'lady, not very many customers will come back with that nippy attitude about ya." Griffer pointed out, then walked off without acknowledging the poisonous glare coming from the mouse. Griffer smirked to herself and continued her bout around the village.

[Justyn]

Justyn turned from a nearby merchant towards the disruption, sure there was usually senseless talk out in the village, and usually some disturbances here and there, but this went above the normal, especially for mousemaids, who tended to be the most kind hearted of them all.

Justyn saw Griffer. His first reaction was the distinct image of his dying friend. 'Jus-Justyn,' the memory disappeared again. Fighting the urge again to take his frustration out on everyone around him. His attention turned to Griffer again. It was rather odd for a stoat to be roaming free around the otter fort, but it did have a guard, and was also secure from threat for now, and there was also the fact that the current administration of authority was rather lacking, could this one be a spy? Or a stoat with an unquenchable thirst for power, and slaves?

As Justyn walked up to Griffer, he couldn't help but sympathize with her at her current situation. She was here free, and out of his nature, Justyn assumed the best out of all creatures, unless he was roused to anger. She was here being ridiculed, and by her own free will he supposed.

"Hello, I'm Justyn," Justyn smiled, and offered his paw in a handshake.

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer's eyes snapped up to the otter's who approached her. She blinked in surprise a couple of times and looked down at the paw being offered. She cleared her throat and grasped his firmly with hers.
"Griffer, nice t'meetcha." She replied with a returned smile, "Your the first friendly face I've come across today, Justyn." Griffer released his hand and adjusted the satchel on her back. Her guard watched her like a hawk, but she ignored his presence. Though it was welcomed. If the one who had let her in here hadn't supplied a guard, Griffer was sure that one of the warriors here would've offed her upon entrance.

[Justyn]

"Heh heh, well now, I'm delighted to have the honor then, " Justyn smiled, "I'm curious Griffer, what brings you to the busy market, and the hustle and bustle of our little capital of sanctuary?" He began walking to the next vendor, selling vegetables of all different kinds, lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and the like. Justyn liked the kitchens, and liked the cooks, but he really liked raw produce too.

"And, I suppose you haven't met many who take a liking to you, huh?" Justyn chuckled.

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer walked with him, enjoying the friendly company. Her one yellow colored paw waved about dramatically with her response.
"The sights, the sounds, and the great assortment of creatures housed here." Griffer chuckled a little and replied with a better answer, "I'm just out to pick up some vittles before heading back home." She studied the veggies and picked up a large tomato to examine it.
"Not many creatures 'ere favor us Stoats. Don't blame 'em really. Stoat ain't exactly a good creature to be." Griffer returned the tomato to its place and dished out another few coins before picking up some more produce. Placing the veggies neatly in her satchel, and making sure none of them would bruise of break, she shrugged the pack back onto her shoulders.
"Y'know, I don't even feel stoat half the time, most times I feel like a 'edgehog." Griffer smiled broadly and chuckled at her own words.

She was nervous, it had been a good few weeks since she'd talked to any friendly creature, and this Justyn was causing Griffer to ramble like a bird. How silly and pup-like like of her. Silently chiding herself, Griffer shut up.

[Justyn]

Justyn chuckled, "well, I see, a half-hedgehog, and half Stoat. Your one o' a kind, mate!" Justyn picked up a head of lettuce, tossing the payment nimbly to the vendor, who replied with a simple thank you.

"hmmm, I suppose your right about stoats though, you are one after all, " He chuckled again, " but then again, maybe not. I wouldn't call you a stoat. Your a good-beast, hm, what 'bout a Stoat-hog, or a hedge-stoat?" Justyn's kindly eyes closed behind his smile, it had been a good while since he had felt any good feeling in life, he dearly enjoy friendship of any kind, and was just glad that he could meet someone new, and probably even help them some day.

[enteitrilion]

Trilion the badger overheard their conversation as he passed by. He had a little laugh himself as he heard Justyns comment on hedge-stoat. He sauntered up to the two talking and introduced himself. "Name is Trilion, and I would be pleasured to make your aquaintances."

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer laughed at being called a Hedge-stoat and re adjusted her pack.
"I wouldn't mind it! I worked with the Cellar Hogs at Redwall for a few seasons, they're good, honest creatures."

The sight of the large male badger caused Griffer to bristle in fear, the fur on the back of her neck all the way down to her tail stood nearly straight out at the sound of his booming voice.
"H-hello, I'm G-Griffer," She swallowed nervously, "Nice to meet you, sir." Griffer took a step backwards out of habit, not really realizing she was doing it.

[enteitrilion]

Trilion eyed the nervous stoat, gave a chuckle, and opened his mouth in a wide yawn. "Redwall, eh? Good folk there, great food. Makes me hungry." He Beckoned to his two new friends, "Would you care to join me for a quick snack?"

[Justyn]

Justyn grabbed Trillion's paw and shook it vigorously, "Hello, I'm Justyn, I haven't been to Redwall, though I hear it's wonderful, what is it like? I used to know someone whose family came from there," the pace of his speech slackened, " but she moved away..." Justyn looked at the ground a moment, then looked up as he withdrew his paw, and adjusting his green bandanna.

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer relaxed slightly when Justyn began talking about Redwall. The presence of the badger didn't bother her as much, she cleared her throat and calmed herself.
"I'd love to join you for a bite, but I'm afraid I have to deliver my purchases back to my, er, den." Griffer smiled as nicely as she could, which looked flat out evil and devious. When Justyn mentioned a female friend, Griffer turned her head and looked up at the male.
"Did you love her?" She asked right out. If there was one thing about Griffer that often got her into trouble, it was her curiosity and outspoken nature.

[enteitrilion]

Trilion looked down at Justyn. "We all lose friends. Makes me lose my appetite to think about things like that." He looked at Griffer. "New friends can be just as deliteful, though." He looked back at Justyn. "Redwall Abbey was deffinately a beautiful. One day I hope to return and see my old friends."

[Justyn]

We all lose friends. Makes me lose my appetite to think about things like that.

Justyn sniffed and looked away quickly, trying desperately to get a hold of himself.

New friends can be just as deliteful, though.

Justyn blinked, "Your right, of course" he said through a smile tugging at this lips.


Moments later Justyn smiled quietly as he answered Griffer, "well, yes. She was my friend, and no, she was already married, and had her own life going." His right paw plunged into his bag, as he put the vegetables in, and took a piece of parchment while he drew his sword from his back, and caught it by the blade. "She was a sword smith. And she took great pride in her work, before we lost her, I had vowed to not take a weapon, but, because of the loss, I broke that vow, I took the weapons that she had made for me." Justyn chuckled, " 'You'll be needin' these someday' she'd say... She was right of course."
He offered the piece of parchment to Griffer, "it was the weapons' order, she gave it to me to bring back when I was ready for them"

Justyn traced the air markings in the pommel all the way to the light blue gem in the center. The same design rested in the moderate cross-guard. The sword was a fair size, a four-foot blade with lightening holes in it. The Sword was made of a bright steel that had a tint of blue. It was double edged, and it had a cross-guard of traditional western style. "It's surprisingly light for it's size, but then again, she knew I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Ah, yes, I'd like to dine with you sir, if you don't mind," Justyn bowed elegantly, knowing that nearly all badgers were considered noble among most other woodlanders.

OOC: Sorry, that was my first actual sketch of the sword.

[Griffer Yellowpaw]

Griffer took the parchment offered to her by Justyn and scanned it quickly. She looked up at the sword and nodded approvingly at it. She shrugged and decided to join the two for a quick snack, after all, the food wouldn't perish in a day.
"Though I, myself, never carry a weapon. It is a beautiful sword, Justyn. It nearly rivals that of the Sword of Martin the Warrior...nearly." She grinned in childish way and started walking towards the local tavern.
"Well, are you beasts coming? I'll pay...I suppose eating with a badger wouldn't hurt." She chuckled and added a wink.

This sudden change of attitude slightly confused the stoat, but she shrugged it off, maybe she was just nervous and trying to burn off some steam.

[enteitrilion]

Trilion smiled. "Easy there, Griffer. Even though you feel chartious, I think it might be better if I pay for my own meal. I dont want you spending a years worth of money on my belly."