Hazel sighed as she leaned over on the fence in their back yard. She was worn out from the day's chores and the events of the previous night. The sun was just going down, but all you could see of it was an ocassional streak of pink and yellow high in the sky since the trees towered to high to see the horizon. She held a basket in her hand that carried the remainders of mouse feed. (In that land mice to a fox were like chickens to a human) "You're un-happy." She heard a voice from behind her say, and there was Jeff walking slowly up and leaning on the fence next to her. Hazel didnt try to defy thia fact. Instead she actually agreed with him as she said, "I wish I could leave. Beyond these woods. I've never been any further than the closest town near here. I want to travel like you. See the horizon, and look apon the deep waters of the ocean. Have you ever seen the ocean?" "Yes, once." Replied Jeff "It is beautiful but it can be very dangerous. Storm form quickely there, and stike with amazing power." "Oh, wish I could have been there. Just too feel the sand under my paws would take this restless feeling out of them." Jeff looked at Hazel's eager face as she gazed longingly up at the last streakes of pink in the sky. That horrid twinge of regret filled him again and he looked away quickely as she let her head back down. Now it was his turn to sigh. "Well, I guess we had better go in." He said turning around. "Yes, I guess." Said Hazel quietly. A dreading expressing filled her face for many reasons as they walked back together.
Inside the Grandmother watched them with a tender look on her face, through the window. She smiled slightely and then turned away from the window to sturr the pot of soup that was boiling over the fire. She took a small boul down from the cubboard nad filled it with soup and placed it to the side of the hearth in a basket and put a cloth on top to keep it warm. A grimace filled her face as she looked at it.
Hazel entered the kitchen a moment later. "Oh, there you are, here is the basket, I have a boul of soup in it and a few small loaves of bread." "Thank you, grandmother, that will be enough." Said hazel setting her basket down and picking up the other one to place it closer to the fire so that it would stay warm. "Try to hurry, Hazel, if you can. I dont want you out too late tonight." Yes grandmother, I'll try." Grandmother paused to hold Hazel's care worn face in her paws. "This burded never should have fallen apon a young one like you. If he would let me take it to him, I would." "I know, grandmother. I'm fine." She answered pulling herself away. "Its my responsibility, and I can bare it."
~Continued in the Following Addition~
~Mari
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Morning sun shone in the window of Hazel's small room, warming and lightening the dark room. Calmness consumed everything that morning as Hazel's grandmother stood infront of her bed. It was eight o'clock and hazel was still fast asleep.
"Hazel, Hazel, wake up." Whispered her grandmother shaking her gently. "The morning is late and the chores are still undone." Hazel jerked awake and sat up in her bed, staring blankly up as her mind slowly woke up. She looked at her grandmother as everything began to be clear. "Was it him?" Grandma asked looking at Hazel with knowing concern. "Yes." Hazel whispered. "Bless your soul. I'd better buy somemore groceries at the market today."
Rush and Jeff were eating breakfast down in the small dining room. The dining room was a white room, with blue curtains, nad a small dark wood table in the center. There was a china cabnet against one wall, and two large windows that overlooked the back-yard. Jeff and Rush were discusing the strange events of the previous evening, between mouth-fulls of egg, toast and jelly pasteries.
"Its strange," said Jeff, "By the way that otter was talking, it sounded as if you have had jackels here before." "Oh we have." Replied Rush, "It seems to happen every year or so. Its really odd actually. But it seems like at least one jackel shows up at about the same time each year. And always on a full moon." "Huh.." Said Jeff thoughtfully. "Hazel really seemed scared last night. She was acting kind of wierd." "Hazel always acts wierd. Who knows how her twisted mind works." "Hazel is not that wierd, Rush. She is only a little misunderstood and slightly different. Believe me, there is nothing evil or witch-like about her. You talk like she was as bad as a jackel or something!" Rush shook his head in the stubborn resoluteness to believe that Hazel was a witch. He was determined not to change his mind.
The subject was dropped as Hazel entered the dining room, with a plate of fresh apples. She dropped them on the table with a loud "thump!" and walked back out without a word. Her entire manor sujested bitterness again. "What's the matter with her?" "Its like I told you Jeff, she is wierd. She's a witch." Jeff rolled his eyes.
"Hazel, where is the local bank?" Asked Jeff later that day. "Its farther down the road past the square." She said coldly. "Do you want to put your money in there?" "Wha-what?" Asked Jeff. "The money in your haversack." She replied. "Oh, yeah, yeah of course." Jeff replied. "I'm not blind Jeff," She said annoyed, "And I'm not deaf either." She gave him a despising glance and turned to walk out the back door. "Wait! Shouted Jeff catching the door as she shut it. "What's the matter with you. What have I done to deserve such treatment?" She gave a fitfull "oh-aoh." And turned away from him. "Its not you Jeff. Its something else that I cant tell you, not even if I wanted to." Hazel avoided Jeff's searching look, and walked on. "Now I have to go finish my chores, so leave me alone." Jeff walked back in, confused. Well, he had better things to worry about. "I'm leaving for bank. Dont expect me until dinner." He shouted and walked out the front door.
"Hello, Mr. Banker and how are you today?" "I'm very well, sir. Please call me Mr. Richmond. You must be Mr. Swift. My daughter Vallery told me about you. Do you have an interest in opening a savings account while you are staying here? "Thank you fine Mr. Richmond. I would have the great pleasure of opening a savings account in your elagant bank. May I first have the honor of a tour of this fine place?" "Certainly Mr. Swift. I will do it my self, infact. Sharron!" Mr. Richmond shouted loudly. A nervous female poodle scrurried out and said, "Yes Mr. Richmond, sir?" "Take over the front desk while I give Mr. Swift a tour." "Yes Mr. Richmond, sir." "And if anyone comes in, be sure to be confident and dont be rude to them." Sharron looked insulted for a moment but then answered humbly, "Yes, Mr. Richmond , sir."
"See these safes are the latest in safety. Not a single sloitary creature has ever been able to brake in to one of them. You see they have these new locks that have a number combination on them. The only way you can get in is to put the number combination down by turning this dial." Said Richmond tapping on the iron door of one of the safes. "That is very impressive, I must say. But is it really nessessary? I mean, how much money could such a small village have?" Said Jeff. Mr. Richmond took this exactly how Jeff hoped. "Brrr, how dare you sir! I assure you that this town has quite a bit of money. More than some of the towns around here." "So you say, but how much is quite a bit?" Jeff raised his eyebrows in impressive "Lets talk busness" style. Mr. Richmond was clearly ruffed. He fumbled angrily with the lock which proved to be extremely unefficant until he finally got it to unlock. He turned the handle of the door and opened the door. Have you ever been so happy that you could almost hear the halleljuia chorus singing in your head? If you have then you would know how Jeff felt as he gazed upon pile over pile of gold and silver coins.
~Continued in the following addition~
~Mari
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A middle aged mother otter was walking down the road at night. Clouds hid the light of a full moon and the a breeze ruffled the trees occationally. The otter walked quickly and nervously. A tree ruffled by her suddenly. She jumped and clapped a hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming. She breathed a sigh of relief a moment later when she found that it was nothing but the wind. She walked on glancing about her from side to side. She was walking by the woods close to Hazel's home when she heard something in the brush. She stopped and looking in the derection the noise had come from. She didnt see anything but something told her to stay.
"Hello?" She called shakily, "is someone there?" No one answered and she was about to walk on when suddenly she saw a figure jump out of the brush. At the smae moment the clouds cleared and the moon light shown down revealing the creature. The otter screamed at the top of her lungs and fainted.
The figure dissapeared inot the darkness as voices began to sound and people turned on their lights to see what was the matter. Hazel and Jeff rushed out of the house at the same moment with a candle along with others near-by who came to see the comotion.
"What's going on? What's the matter?" Many people asked. "Over there!" Shouted Hazel as she spotted the fainted creature. Everybeast crowded around her and held their breath as Jeff checked her heart beat. "Its allright" he said, "She's just fainted." They all breathed a sigh of relief. "I wonder what made her scream so and faint?" One creature asked. "Here, bring some water and dampen her face." Water was brought and applied and in a few moments she was coming to. They sat her up and asked, "Why did you faint?" She made a horrified face as she answered, "Its the worst! I saw him, just over there!" "Who? Who?" "It was... a jackel!" Gasps of horror went around the circle but none looking so frightened and wide eyed as Hazel. Jackels were wild, evil creatures from the far east. There wasnt a single jackel that wasnt thought either mad or a criminal. They looked much likes foxes except for a long grey patch of fur that went along their backs. "Your absolutely sure thats what you saw?" Asked Hazel when she could find words. "I know what I saw!" She answered slightley angered. "Are you alright, Hazel?" Asked Jeff when he saw her face. "Yes..yes I'm alright. " She answered looking at his concerned face. "I'll be fine." Hazel hurried back into her house and up to her room. She locked the door behind her and paced around her room for a moment. "No... No, there is no reason why it has to be him. It could have been any jackel. I mean, what are the odds that it is him. . . Ohhhh!" She flung herself on the bed when she couldnt find any good reasons to convince herself out of thinking what she knew must be true. She curled up under her covers and kept the candle burning. There was no hope of going to sleep now. She would just have to wait and see. She started up a moment later when she heard a loud knock on her door. "Hazel, Hazel are you sure you are ok?" She heard Jeff's voice come from the other side of the door. Hazel opened the door and said, "Jeff, I told you I'm fine." "Well you certainly dont look it." He answered knitting his brow. Hazel clentched all her emotions in a little ball inside as she answered with a mustered smile, "Well, I am, so good night." Hazel shut the door and got back into bed. Jeff walked slowly away from her door. Something wasn't right, he could feel it.
At 3 in the morning she was just getting drowsy when it happened. Hazel heard a voice from somehwere outside her window calling in a rough whisper, "Hazel...Hazel...Hazel." Her fears were confirmed. "Wait!" She called quietly out, "I'm coming." Quickly she slipped out of bed and snuck down to the pantry. She grabbed a loaf of bread and some cheese and then slipped out side. "Oh and just when I was begining to feel normal again." Hazel murmured under her breath.
~Continued in the folowing addition~
~Mari
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Jeff stood infront of a looking glass as he placed the last touches to his dancing outfit. A blue hat with a feather that gave him the perfect rougish look while he still looked gentlebeastly from his silver cape to his clacky light blue shoes. Even though Hazel was only just down the hall in her own room, just for fun Jeff walked out the front door then turned around and knocked on it. Presently Hazel came in wonder to answer it.
"Your escort has arrived."
Jeff took his feather hat off and bowed. Hazel couldn't help but smile as she grabbed her lightest shaw from a peg and stepped out side to join him. Jeff was knocked speechless for a moment as he stared at Hazel with wide eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked with a hint of fear in her voice.
"Huh? Oh, I dont know, your just, a, wow."
What Jeff meant by "wow" was that she was beautiful and indeed she was. Something about that red dress made her fur look more light and dainty, it made her features stand out more and it made an atravtive swishing sound everytime she moved. Hazel had known as soon as she had seen it that it would do all these things for her. She had been wanting that dress for a long time actually. It also made her green eyes stand out more brilliantly, along with her eyelashes that were so daintily curled.
Hazel smiled as she took the arm that was offered her. "Hey I can look good when I want to." She said.
The dance was an out side event in the middle of town square. There was a good group of musiscians to play, and all the salesmales and females took the opportunity of parking their carts and boxes around the square until it was all quite like a bizzar. Males, females and pups a like all came to share in the festivities.
When Jeff and Hazel arrived there was already a large crowd nad the dancing had begun. Jeff offered his hand to Hazel. "May I have this dance?" "Yes, but I'm not very good at dancing." She replied taking his hand gingerly.
"Dont worry, just let your self loose and I will do the rest." Jeff winked.
A new dance was just starting as they stepped into the crowd, and it just so happned to be one of Jeff's favorite tunes. Weather he snuck the music in their sheets or bribbed them into playing I will never know.
Before Hazel knew it she was being wisked around the dance floor to the 3/4 beat of a fast dance with Jeff guiding her every move. One two three, one two three, one two three, Jeff's heels clicked quickly to the rithum as they danced. Suddenly Hazel found herself being spun quickly to the beat, again and again around the room in a circle. People clapped to the beat and cheered to see them. Then all the sudden she stopped and she was back dancing regular again. Around in circles they went until suddenly she was twirled in the air and back down again in a second when the music stopped. People cheered and apluaded them. They were by far the best dancers there.
"Wh-where did you learn to dance like that?" Asked Hazel dizzy and out of breath.
"You pick up a lot of things when your a rover." Said Jeff with a cocky smile.
"I didnt know you could dance that well, Hazel." Came a shrill voice from behind them. Jeff watched Hazel's eyes flame as she heard the voice. They both turned around to see a young female Labridor with golden fur that puffed and curled softly around as she look down at her with a smirk. "Or maybe its just your partner that makes you look good." "Hello Vallery." Replied hazel coldly with a fake smile. "Thank you for giving your opinion so freely." Hazel took Jeff's arm as she said, "I dont believe you have met my escort, Jeff Swift." "Its very nice to meet your sir!" Exclaimed Vallery as she held out her hand. Jeff took it acwardly and kissed it. "Its nice to meet you too." He replied. Vallery nodded and turned her attention back to Hazel. "What a lovely dress your wearing! Its so much nicer then that ugly pink thing you are usually wearing. How ever did you aford it?" Hazel's cheeks turned red and her eyes blazed up as she said, "What's it to you? Since your father practically owns all the money in this town you should know all about it." "Well, yes, my father is incredibly rich," She said to Jeff. "He owns the bank here." "Oh, you have a bank in this town?" Asked Jeff. "Yes indeed. Its the finest one around these woods. Some people say that we are the nicest family in all of this town. At least we are more respectable then some creatures." She said with a glance towards Hazel. " Well, I must be going. My fiance will be missing me. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Swift." And with that Vallery left without a single word to Hazel, to find her fiance who was by no means missing her!
"That selfish, spoiled, ignorant, flirty, brat!" Exclaimed Hazel when she was out of hearing range. "That was rather stand-of-ish the way she snubbed you." Said Jeff absentmindedly. Inside his mind was deep at work. but he stopped it in time to spend an enjoyable evening with Hazel. Inspite of a few dark glances at them, the whole evening passed with as few disgraces as prossible. At one point Jeff got up with the musicians and sang a song he had heard while traveling through another town. He exicuted it quite well, adding his own little movements and acting into it just to win over the trust and admiration of all the creatures there. You see even there Jeff had his mind on the bet, and his other plans as well.
As Hazel and Jeff walked home when it was all over Jeff asked if they might take a short cut through the woods. "No! A, I mean, I dont want to. . .get my dress dirty." Was Hazel's reply. "Okay..." Said Jeff slightly confused. "It was just a sujestion." Hazel sighed and looked up at the night sky. "Jeff, why must everyone mistrust everyone in this town?" "I think it is because everyone in this town is not to be trusted!" Replied Jeff with a small chuckle.
As they reached the front door they met Rush and the pretty otter he had brought to the dance. "Ho there, Jeff! Hurmph! Hazel." Said Rush, even when she looked as pretty as she did, Rush still couldnt help but feel a little nervous calling to her. "Good night!" Was Jeff's cheerful reply as they both walked through the front door. Hazel just smiled and nodded to the female otter.
~Continued in the following adition~
~Mari
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That night Jeff peeked outside his room door and listened, only to hear Hazel walking about. He sighed and silently shut his door again. There had to be some way to keep Hazel occupide. He just hadn't thought of it yet.
"How long are you planning on staying here, Jeff?" Asked Rush the next morning at breakfast. (Grandma's house was practicaly his home since he was a bachilor and couldnt cook if he tried) "I"ll stay as long as I feel like it. Once I start feeling restless, then I move on!" Was the cheerful reply. "Which could be how long?" "Days, weeks, months. It depends. Why do you ask?" "Just wondering. I like knowing how long my friends will be my friends!" "Well, thats a very comforting thought! Once I leave I suppose I will never be welcome here again, eh?" Rush gave him an annoyed look. "That's right, Jeff. Creatures here dont like creatures who are different from others. You are welcome to leave any day." Said Hazel as she set a new batch of almond and raspberry pancakes on the table. As Hazel walked by Rush, he leaned in quickly and and drew a sharp breath. "Whew, she almost touched me! Bad luck." He said. Jeff shook his head, and laughed. "You just proved her point." But I think you may find me much more normal than you think. I bet I could charm this here town in just a few days, if I wanted to. I could have everybeast here saying howdedo, to me as I pass, and be the caue of every smile! Why, I could have this town rapped around my finger in only a week or less!" "How much you want to bet?" Asked Hazel. "Seriously?" "Seriously." "How about five gold coins." Said Jeff. "Ten." Was the firm reply. "Fine! I bet you ten gold coins that in a week I will have everybeast in this town thinking very well of me indeed!" "Your on!" Hazel smiled misteriously. "Mate," Rush whispered into Jeff's ear, "Dont talk to her, she might turn you into one of her own kind. Its a bad omen." Jeff laughed aloud.
Jeff started right away. When he went out for his walk he made sure to greet all the creatures he met, and when he saw a younge rabbit who was crying because of a scraped knee, he stopped and asked if she was all right, and helped her home to a mother who was full of gratitude to him.
That night there was going to be a dance in the village square and Jeff grabbed the opportunity immediatly for both of his scemes.
"Miss Hazel, will you go with me to the dance tonight?" "No." "Oh come on! I'll buy you a new dress to wear." "You will?" Asked Hazel. "Absolutely!" Hazel, although she had a firm character, as with everyone, she had a few weaknesses. One of them was getting new, prettty things, and another was showing off. This dance would give her both. "Well.." She said hesitantly, "I will go with you, if you promise to behave yourself and dont make love to me! I hate that" "Deal! Now come with me so you can pick a nice dress out." Hazel was much more excited than she showed.
"Say, how about that lovely yellow one there?" "Oh, gross! That one is terrible; how can you even sujest it!?" Exclaimed Hazel as they walked down the street looking through shop windows. Jeff was getting annoyed. They had been looking for 15 minutes and nothing had suited her, while to Jeff they all looked the same! He didnt see why females had to be so picky about there clothes. Jeff was begging to realize what Rush had ment when he said She would turn him into one of her own kind. Not in his eyes, but in the eyes of every other creature. He felt uncomfortable since everywhere they went people had to stop and stare at them, superstiscously. "How about that green one?" He asked, but before he could finish Hazel exclaimed, "Thats it!" And she dashed into one of the stores. Jeff ran after her, quickly, mummbling to himself. Inside Hazel was holding up a red dress with long dangling sleeves and a flowing skirt that had many layers, with a lovely cut waste line and gold trimming. Of course Jeff didnt notice any of this. All he saw was a red dress, that was just the same as the others. "Its perfect." Sighed Hazel "Where can I try this on?" She asked the shop keeper. "The back room, just behind the corner there." Replied the shop keeper. Judging by the tone in his voice, he knew who Hazel was. "I say now, there's no call for all that now is there?" Said Jeff "Just because she is a little different doesnt mean you should treat her different. Why, if I hear another person talking that way, I'm likely to blow my top. Hazel gave him a grateful look, and went to try the dress on. From that day on, the shop keeper considered both of them to be wierd and different.
When Hazel came back she exclaimed joyfully that it fit, but Jeff noticed with annoyance that she wasnt even wearing it. "Say, why dont you put it on nad let us see?" "No way! Your not supposed to see me in it yet! Its bad luck!" "Of all the superstiscous, female notions.." Jeff grumbled. He paid for the dress and they went back home. Jeff was beginning to realize that his chances of winning the bet were getting lower the oftener he was seen with Hazel. And he realized that Hazel knew this. Would he have to choose one plan and forget the other? Which would he choose? Or perhaps another plan could be scemed, that could include both.
~Continued in the Following Addition~
~Mari
P.S. This is the last enrty I will do in a while because I am leaving for vacation this Saturday. ttyl8er!
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Chapter 4
The next morning Jeff was walking around the town looking through shop windows and watching young pups playing around, while he thought. It seemed a quite innocent looking thing to do, but if one could have looked into his mind one would find it not quite innocent. Jeff was racking his brain, trying to think of some way to keep Hazel from being suspiscous. He walked on down the road lined with houses and shops, and said an occasional good-day to passers by. He passed Rush who was being followed by a small group of pups. "Its funny," thought Jeff with a smile, "That pups love to hang around Rush, while he cant stand them!" Jeff walked on untiring, after all he was a rover and he did not tire soon, and somehow Jeff felt he thought better when he was moving. He passed a couple of lovers smiling happily at one another. At this moment an awful, evil idea sprang to Jeff's mind. That was it! The best way to keep a female fox happily unaware of her suroundings was to blind her by love. Jeff would pretend to be in love with her, and then once he got the money he needed he would turn the town on his back paws and move on.
"Hazel, has anyone very told you pretty your green eyes are?" Asked Jeff, as he rested his head on his paw and gazed at her while she stood sweeping the floor. "No," She replied, " I'd like to see somebeast try!" On the last word she she swept dust into Jeff''s face, warningly. He spluttered and rubbed the soot out of his eyes, as he despratesly tried to keep his temper down. "Oh come, Hazel, dont you ever wish that someone loved you?" "Do I ever wish someone loved me?" She asked. Hazel looked dreamily up as she stopped sweeping, "No!" She answered and kicked Jeff to move so she could sweep where he was standing."Miss Hazel," He said after a moment, "May I walk you home tonight?" "I already am home, addlebrain! Look, Jeff, I am trying to clean the floor here, so can you go find something else to do, instead of trying to make me forget about last night!?" "Alright, if it pleases you I will leave, but you are wrong. I would never try to persuade you out of your own opinions! Please dont go and turn on me with your prickly side. You will regret it."
Hazel stared after him, in amazment. "W- what's gotten into him?" She asked a loud. She shrugged her shoulders and went on sweeping.
Jeff felt a tiny twinge of pain, at the thought of breaking and leaving Hazel's heart, She really was a wonderful creature. He suddenly shook him self, and said, "What's your problem? A rover doesnt feel like that!"
"A Rover doesnt feel like what?" Asked Rush who, when he wasnt working spent most of his time in the old fox's house. (By the way she was fondly known by everyone as grandma.) "I was, a, just saying to my self, that a rover doesnt ever feel like... eating too much!" "Well, we will have to see about that, mate! You look terrible, what happened?" Said Rush, and before he knew it Jeff was being pushed to eat a four course dinner. "No, mate, really I'm not hungry I just got some soot on me!" Persisted Jeff, " besides a rover cant get to plump or he cant rove anymore!" "Nonsense! Eat up, mate!" "Me and my big mouth" Jeff groaned, and sat down to a large meal.
~Continued in the following addition~
~Mari
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Chapter 3
Jeff laid down on the small cot in a little hutch like closet that was turned into a small room for him to spend the night in. He sighed as he eased away the little aches and pains from long journeying. "This place is perfect." He thought, "tonight I will get to work, but I will have to watch out for that Hazel female. She isnt so easily fooled." Jeff sat up, and opened his haversack. Rather than food or supplies, many golden coins spilled out. "Thats only fifty." He sighed, "hate to do it to these kind people but drastic times call for drastic measures." He quickly packed the coins back into his bag, and laid back to get a few hours of sleep.
It was 2:00am when Jeff awoke, and silently rose out of his bed. He put his belt back on, and slipped his a small dagger in his soft pointed shoe. Not a sound was made as he opened the door and slipped out into the quiet house. He walked through the main room, being careful not to wake any of the sleeping creatures on the floor, as he lightly tapped along the wall. The walls rpoved unproductive to what he was looking for, so he left the room, and made his way down the narrow hallway. Suddenly he stopped and pricked his ears. Nothing reached his ear so began to walk again. He passes the front door, and peeped around the stair case before he went past. He turned around, and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Hazel standing just behind him, staring. "Are you looking for something?" She asked, mockingly. "I, a, y-yes, I was justing looking for a drink of water." Stammered Jeff. "The well is out side." She answered. "Come on, I will take you." She opened the door and gave him a sarcastic look. Jeff followed her outside meekly, trying to act as innocent as possible. "Here it is," She said, and then she sat back, and watched him closely as he lowered the bucket. "Why are you up so late?" She asked him. "I was thirsty," He answered, "Why are you up?" "I Like the night time. Its peaceful." She sighed, and looked up as she wrapped her bathrobe tighter over her body. "Look, how brightly the North Star is shinning tonight." "Mm-hm, lovely." Jeff replied, annoyed. "Why do you wish me to be gone? What do you need to do that is so secret?" "Me? Secret?" scoffed Jeff, "What about you? You who talk to know one, and walk about the house at night!" "I will remind you, that you also are out here at night! You are hiding something." Hazel concluded as she looked at him with eyes that Jeff felt, saw too much. " Fine then, I suppose I can not persuade you to think otherwise, but I will not tell you what I am hiding... at least not until you tell me what you are hiding." "What makes you think I am hiding something?" Asked Hazel, intimidatingly. "Your whole being, the way in which you enter a room; it all suggests sercrecy." "Well then, I guess we are both bound to secrecy about ourselves, so let us never speak of this night." Jeff was relieved to find hazel using a joking voice. "She must think this is all a joke." He thought. "Well, I'm off to bed." Jeff spoke casually. He began to walk back, and flinched when he saw Hazel following him. "Well, goodnight." Said Jeff as they reached the staircase." "Goodnight!" She replied quickely, and she ascended the stairs. Jeff went back to his room and hopped back in bed. "Ugh! Maybe tomorrow night will work out better. I must find a way to keep Hazel out of my way." He mummbled.
Up in her room, Hazel's little joking look was replaced with one a suspition. "Hmm, I wonder what he is up to." Her green eyes light up, as she remembered something she had noticed that afternoon. His haversack, it was full of something that could not be food!
~Continued in the Following Addition~
~Mari
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Chapter 2
"Ahhhhhhh." Sighed Jeff, aloud as he sipped the warm soup that was handed him. "This is very good ma'am!" "Oh thanks you, but I didnt make it!" Said the kindly old female fox, in whose house Jeff sat, a long with Rush, and a few other young creatures. "My grand-daughter, Hazel, made it!" The female contiued. At this, Rush suddenly began coughing and spluttering furiously. "Hazel, made this?" he finally exclaimed. "And you are giving it to us? Of all the bad omens in the forest! I'm not eating another bite of it!"
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Asked Jeff. "Nothing, nothing is wrong with her," the old fox persisted. "Some people are just foolish and superstisous, and believe that.. well.. since a certain event took place..."
"She's a witch." Said Rush flatly. "On the very moment after she was born, she looked up into her mother's eyes and spoke a terrible curse. The moment afterwards, her mother died. No doubt she killed her." Jeff pushed his bowl away also. "Ooh, kreepy! Well, I dont want any curse hanging around me, so I, a, will, just be going now." Jeff rose to his feet and went into the small kitchen carrieing his bowl and spoon. He set them down inside the tiny sink, and looked around to see a young female fox, bent over a pot on the fire. "That must be her." He thought to himself. " Nice soup." he said. No reply. Jeff, shrugged his shoulders and made for the door. "You didnt eat it." he heard a cold voice answer him. He looked back to see Hazel staring back at him, with her odd green eyes. "If you like it, why didnt you eat it?" "I wasnt hungry," he answered. "Thats a lie," she replied immediatly. "You heard what the other's said about me. They dont know." She blinked back tears that were forming in her eyes. "They werent there. How could they know anything about it? They are just afriad of me." "I'm not afriad of any female!" Replied Jeff, boldly. "Then why dont you stay and talk with me? No one ever wants to talk to me. Except my gandmother, she was there and she knows that I am not a witch." "Well, I suppose I could for a little while." Jeff replied doubtingly. A smile spread across Hazel's lonely face brightening up her normally sorrowful features. She sat down on a short stool, and pulled another one up for Jeff, as she wiped her paws on her apron, and took it off. "So, whats you name? Where do you come from?" She asked, excitedly. "I'm, haha, I'm a, Jeff Swift, I come from where ever I've been last!" He said, taken back, by this sudden outburst of friendliness. "I'm Hazel Reed, and I've lived here all my life." She replied. "But, I want to travel, its so boring here. I want to see new sites, meet new people! But... I cant leave my grandmother." She sighed and her face turned sorrowful once more. "Really? Because I'm a rover. I get the same feeling everytime I've stayed in one place to long. I get restless and feel the need to move long distances." "Just how I feel!" Exclaimed Hazel. There was a long pause. Jeff grunted and said presently, "If you arent a witch then how did your mother die?" Hazel's face darkened angrily as she repleid, "My mother died when she gave birth to me. Its a prefectly natural thing. It happens to many. I wish, I wish I could have just seen her face or remembered one thing that she said." "And what of your father?" "He left, shortly after I was born. He hated me. Grandmother said he just left to deal with the sorrow, but I know he hated me. He never came back."
"Hmmm." Jeff rose and stretched himself as he said, "Well, I'd best be going." As he walked out the door he heard Hazel say feebly, "Thank you." "That girl, may be odd, but she is simply missunderstood." Mumbled Jeff.
~Continued in the following addition~
~Mari
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Chapter 1
Once apon a time..... in a land where the only creatures where animals, there was a young male fox wondering by himself in the forest. He had a long, full tale, an attractive bright red coat and bright black eyes. He wore a white tunic and breeches, with a small sword at one side and a haversack on the other. By the looks of him, one could tell he was a rover, and had been traveling a long distance. "Hmmm, I wonder if there are any towns near-by." he thought. "I shouldnt mind a proper meal right about now." As if in answer he came to a place where the trees suddenly stopped to make way for a dirt road. The young fox perked his ears to here voices, not too far off. "Well, this is handy'" He thought, and walked down the road in the derection that the voices came from. He stopped right before a bend in the road and quickly and nimbly scaled a near-by tree. From his high perch he looked down to servay the area; you could never be to safe in an unfamiliar land. What met his eye was not exactly what he was expecting.
Down below him, on the road was a tall, agile, male otter towing a fallen tree out of the road while a few little pups sat on the log shouting merrily, "Faster! Faster old man!"
"Old man?" He said, "Old man yourself, you little cheekys! I'm as much an old man as you are helpful! Now will you ruffians get off? Your mothers are probably worried sick, where you are!" The otter swatted one of them in the hind, and they scurred off quickly. "Oh fine, we were gonna leave anyway, Rush!" One shouted back. As they left the otter picked the log back up and continued to pull at it. The fox scurred down the tree, deciding it was quite safe and walked round the bend. He quickly walked up to the otter and began pushing the log on the other side as he exclaimed, "Ho there, need an extra paw, mate?" The otter looked up at him with an odd expression, and said, "Thanks; your not from around here are you?" "Nope, I'm a rover! Its a lonely life, but I can never stay in one place too long. Is there a village near-by?" "Yeah, there's one just a half mile from here. Visitors are always welcome in Sprucevill, so long as you are an honest, hard working beast." The otter cleared his throat before he said gruffly, "And so long as you can keep your wits about you."
They succeeded in moving the tree out of the road, soon, and they both sat down on it to catch their breath. Once they had the otter stood up, and shook the fox warmly by the hand saying, "Thanks mate! I'm Rush Tiller, the boat maker. And you are?" "Jeff Shift, the rover at your service, sir," he replied and bowed gracefully. "Well met." Replied Rush. "Come with me and I will take you to my village. There are plenty of homes that will open up to you there." "Perfect." Replied Jeff with a wink.
Thats all for now! Tell me if you liked it and if you want to hear more!
~Mari