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Post by ivory on Jul 28, 2009 13:13:57 GMT -5
"You took long enough!"
Him!? He was the one who hadn't slept a wink so excuse-oh...
The yank on his pants told him that it wasn't directed at him and he quickly closed his newly opened mouth. Badger let his knees give out as he dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes [OOC: never got that saying by the way].
"Well I'm here now, aren't I? Say, what's goin' on anyway?"
Badger looked at Rab in awe, amazed that he could change his voice so completely, but his awe didn't last long as the air was split with at least four arrows. Seemed like they all had bloody bows and were still alive. A good thing though, the idiots had seperated.
He crawled a few feet foward, heading toward the one on his far right, knives held firmly in his palms. He widened his path a foot or so, not wanting to place his sites in front of the man, but behind. Once there, he slid to his feet and quickly burried his saxe knife into the man's back while he wrapped his other the man's mouth, the other blade sinking deep down his throat. He ignored the unease in his stomach that killing always brought, and lowered the man softly to the ground.
He didn't take the time to wipe his hands or his blades on the grass before moving in for the next kill.
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Post by Firehead on Jul 28, 2009 13:57:01 GMT -5
Badger dropped down next to him, collapsing like a wet dish rag, a respectable distance ahead of the arrows that arrived split seconds later. Timing it as best he could, Rab continued the charades. "Yeeeow! I bin 'it! scatter out boys!" Came from whiner, while "Watch yourselves, men, an' do as he says!" came from gravel-voice, along with "Jed, git back ta camp, an' rouse the rest. Tell 'em ta scatter out an prepare for guests.".
While he was busy with his voices, he watched as Badger crawled toward the right and silently knifed one opponent in the back. The only thing Rab could do was wince and shift positions while carrying on as whiner. "'Ey, any 'o you boys gonna help me out? I'm hurt bad here...." Maybe one of them would be interested in trying to kill off a wounded man. In which case the odds might become just a tad more even.
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Post by ivory on Jul 28, 2009 14:18:22 GMT -5
Badger inched closer to the next man closest to him, readying to take his life, when he noticed the man furthest from him come in on Rab's left. His jaw clenched in discomfort, playing with the idea of either throwing his knife into the man's throat or letting Rab handle him himself. A quick second later, he chose the second, moving to bury his knives once again in another man. He hoped he could take one alive, double check to make sure it was Hatchet and not someone else, but if they couldn't, then well, oh well.
He lowered the second body to the ground, scanning for the other two men as he did so. Or should he have said three as pain shot through his shoulder. By lowering himself to the ground as he lowered his victim, he'd kept himself alive. Instead of burying into his spine, the knife had entered his left shoulder. He gritted his teeth as his arm gave way and the man he'd been holding dropped heavily to the ground, clearly alerting the last man with the bow if he hadn't been alerted already.
Badger cursed himself for missing the fifth member of the group and shot into a roll, coming up a few feet to his left, drawing the fifth, and hopefully the last, man away from Rab. He figured the ranger could take on two men by himself and so didn't plan on ending this soon. Not that he wanted to carry this out, he simply didn't think he had to rush it. Thus saying, he waited for the fifth to come out of the shadows.
It wasn't a man.
Mouth dropping, eyes narrowing in disbelief, he whispered, "Stella?"
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Post by Firehead on Jul 28, 2009 14:42:40 GMT -5
Movement to his left drew Rab's attention, and he readied himself for a quick move in any direction. But the man came straight on and, not noticing Rab just a few feet from where he was started looking for the whiner. When the man had most of his back toward Rab, he lunged forward, drawing his saxe knife at the same time.
He hadn't counted on the man throwing variables into the equation, though; the man spun to face him just as Rab lunged, a long dirk at the ready. Rab could not reverse his direction, and hit both hard. His own knife slid smoothly into the base of the man's throat, even as he felt the other's knife glide in between his ribs. All Rab could do about it though was hope that it didn't strike anything important.
The moment he felt the man start to go backward, Rab reversed direction as hard and fast as he could, pushing away from the man's body and striking the ground with his right shoulder. Using his momentum to carry the hit into a roll, he flipped heels over head, ending the motion with both feet under him, and facing back toward the man once again.
A glance told him the man wasn't going to be moving any time soon, and he looked toward Badger in time to witness what happened next. A woman had stepped out of the shadows near where Badger was standing, but what surprised Rab more was what Badger said. "Stella?" Rab frowned, he'd nev-- wait. Stella was--had been--Badger's wife, but she had died, hadn't she?
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Post by ivory on Jul 28, 2009 15:20:57 GMT -5
"Badger?" she whispered with so much emotion, but didn't move to lower her knife.
A chocked cry issued through his lips and he took a step toward her, hand automatically going out to touch her. He didn't though, remembering that day fourteen years ago, and let it drop.
"But you're dead. I saw you die. I burried you myself."
He was so focused on her face that he didn't see the last man creeping up behind Rab. So too was he waiting for her words that he didn't hear the man's advance. His Stella was alive. Somehow, for some reason, the heavens had given him back his wife.
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Post by Firehead on Jul 29, 2009 11:24:02 GMT -5
"Badger?" the woman whispered with so much emotion, but didn't move to lower her knife. Something was wrong here--Rab could sense it--but he couldn't get his finger on it. He heard what might have been a footstep behind him and started to turn toward it when a chocked cry issued from Badger's lips and he took a step toward the woman, his hand automatically going out to touch her.
All thoughts of the sound behind him fled Rab's mind as he watched the scene before him. Badger stopped before touching 'Stella', instead dropping his hand, saying, "But you're dead. I saw you die. I buried you myself." It clicked. People just didn't come back from the dead years after they were buried. "Badger!" Rab barked out. "It's a tr--!"
He got no farther for at that moment something large and heavy crashed into his back, knocking him forward. Off-balance, Rab staggered from the force of the collision and dropped to his knees, before his mind could react to the sudden assault. Throwing himself forward, he twisted, trying to land on his left shoulder. "Watch yourself, Badger!" he yelled, struggling against the weight of his opponent.
The man had Rab's right wrist pinned between them on the ground, and was attempting to trap Rab's left. Realizing that he wouldn't be able to hold on to both knives, he released the throwing knife in his right hand. Wrapping the fingers of that hand around the man's own wrist, he twisted, trying to break free of the strong grip that held it.
By wriggling his left arm around, he evaded the man's other hand, and managed to plunge it in between the man's ribs. Apparently, he wasn't used to being stabbed. With a snarl, the man released Rab's right wrist, only to grab up his throwing knife and attempt to bring it slamming down into Rab's chest. with his right hand free at last, Rab blocked the attempt with his forearm, and latched onto the attacker's wrist.
With a heave Rab managed to roll the man off from on top of him and wriggle away. Scrambling to his feet, he found himself fending off another attack from the man. The man was fast, Rab thought, as he went down again under the onslaught. Too fast.
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Post by ivory on Jul 29, 2009 11:49:59 GMT -5
"Badger! It's a tr--!"
Badger's ears caught Rab's words, but his mind didn't process the information. His Stella. She was alive. He smiled at her and took another step foward, hand reaching out once again. She smiled in return, offering her own hand for him to take.
He took it just as Rab yelled another warning, but this one too fell on deaf ears. As soon as his hand slid into hers, he knew she wasn't his Stella. Her grasp was different, too strong. Stella's was just right. He tried to yank his hand away, but she'd beaten him too it, pulling him closer to where her knife could slip into his stomach.
He managed to twist sideways at the last moment, forcing the blade to enter his side instead of something more vital. His eyes widened with shock, his mouth dropped open with the pain, as he stared into the eyes of the Stella that wasn't his. A twisted snarl crossed her features as she held him to her, making sure the knife ran deep.
It was her face that gave him his wake-up call and with a maddened rage, his adrenaline pumped, granting him strength to carry on. He grabbed the wrist that held the knife and pressed hard on the pressure points, forcing her to release it. Then he shoved her backwards as he took his own step back, placing distance between them. Before he could move, she was there, shoving him back and yanking out her knife to swing again. He ignored the pulsing blood leaving his body and took a quick step back before dodging forth and pressing the points on her elbow, he forced her knife to enter her own ribcage. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth opened, and Badger covered her hand and twisted. Once sure that there was no way she'd survive, he released her and turned to Rab...only to have his vision blured, his adrenaline gone, and him rushing to meet the ground.
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Post by Firehead on Jul 29, 2009 12:37:21 GMT -5
As Rab went over backwards, he brought both feet up. The man was bent over, intent on pinning Rab to the ground, and didn't have time to react, as Rab's feet slammed into his stomach, lifting him off the ground and boosting him up and over, so that instead of landing on top of Rab, he went sailing right over him and landed on his head. Rab allowed his momentum to carry him heels over head again, thus coming out of the maneuver on top.
Moving fast, before his advantage vanished altogether, he released his Saxe knife, simultaneously twisting to his right and closing his hands around the man's exposed throat. He hung on as the man rolled over, pinning Rab between him and the ground. One of the man's hands went for Rab's own throat, the other searched for a knife to replace the one he had lost when he'd hit the ground. Rab tucked his head down to protect his throat, and when the man's thumb came in range, Rab took the opportunity presented, and bit down, eliciting a strangled grunt from the man.
The man's struggles slowed and became weaker, then finally ended. Rab gave a tremendous heave and threw the body away from him. Dragging in a deep breath, Rab struggled to his feet, bracing himself against a nearby tree trunk to steady himself as a wave of dizziness broke over him.
Turning his head slowly, he took in the surroundings where, just moments before, chaos had reigned. Badger lay face-down on the ground, unmoving, and Rab made his way slowly over to him. Kneeling down he rolled Badger over and felt a dim sense of relief that he was still breathing. Taking several deep breaths, Rab forced his mind into gear. Badger needed --.
The sound of a step came from behind him. "Not more!'' he groaned mentally. He didn't have much energy left, but he wasn't going to go down without a fight, stabbed from behind. He slowly turned his head and looked over his shoulder. His mind went numb at the sight that greeted him. He sat back, using his hands to prop himself up. "It's about time you got here."
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Post by ivory on Jul 29, 2009 13:01:01 GMT -5
Badger woke when he felt Rab turn him over, but didn't have the strength to do anything but lay there. He was bleeding quite heavily from his side, but couldn't seem to bring himself to apply pressure.
It wasn't only his body that was exhausted but his mind. He opened his eyes slightly to find 'Stella's' cold body...only to find it missing. [OOC: ha! Take that!] Shock and pain flashed deeply into his body and he struggled to rise, but his limbs were so heavy and his body so weak.
He flicked his eyes to Rab in an attempt to warn him, but Rab wasn't looking in his direction. He opened his mouth to say something, but the ranger beat him too it.
"It's about time you got here."
Badger wetted his lips and struggled to say, "Stell..." but before he could finish, he passed out from the loss of blood.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 21, 2009 14:45:48 GMT -5
Crowley knelt down next to Badger as he pulled out his ranger kit. He unrolled it and lay it on the ground. He looked at Rab who was reeling and appeared to be ready to pass out too.
"You don't look too good. Where are you hurt?" Crowley said to Rab as he cut back Badger's clothing and started to dress the wound. "I see you found him. Good job!"
When he finished with Badger's wound, he waved an herb under Badger's nose to wake him up so he could drink a concoction to help him heal. "Well, Badger, are you ready to talk to me now?"
Crowley held out a small glass vial filled with a terrible smelling mixture of herbs for Badger to drink. The herbs would not make him sleepy, but would help prevent a fever and should make the wound heal quicker. Crowley knew the potion tasted worse than it smelled, but if he added mint or something to make it taste better, it would not be as potent. He waited for Badger to take the vial and answer his question, his face displaying friendship, not anger.
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Post by ivory on Aug 21, 2009 16:07:01 GMT -5
"Well, Badger, are you ready to talk to me now?"
The words seemed a little slurred to him in his state, but there was no mistaking that voice. He groaned, having hoped to be able to ellude him for at least another few months. Who knew that Rab here was already expecting him before he even met Badger. Unless, this was just a set-up that he fell straight into. He tried to glare at Rab, but doubted the man saw...or even noticed it was a glare and not a wince, for he'd winced when he'd tried to glare.
Which was totally understandable considering what was beneath his nose. Not even wanting to ask what it was, he grasped it in one hand and lifted it slowly to his lips. He hesitated before taking a deep breath and downing it, figuring it'd be best just to get it over with instead of torturing himself with having it slide oh-so-slowly down his esophagus.
After downing it, he handed the cup back, tried to ignore the want to cough, and replied, "No."
He wasn't sure how Crowley would respond to that, but his friendly sounding voice and Badger's own injuries, made him a little 'vulnerable' or 'not in his usual walled state' to actually say it. But then, he'd always been one to speak what he thought without any sugar coatings so maybe he just needed a bash upside the head this time. Man, he needed to 'wake up.'
He blinked a few times and slowly it came back to him. "Stella," he whispered, Crowley and Rab half-forgotten...
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 25, 2009 20:11:19 GMT -5
Crowley chuckled at Badger's obstinance, but then his heart went out to him when he muttered his deceased wife's name. Why was he dwelling on her now? Had something happened that Crowley missed that triggered the memories in Badger.
Crowley looked him over in concern. "Well, you can talk to me later then. I am not going anywhere until we have a chat." Crowley need to have a look at Rab too. "Why don't you rest now?" The mixture should be kicking in soon.
Crowley checked out Rab and cleaned and dressed his wounds. He prepared a concoction for Rab to drink too. "Go on and drink it. I will stand watch."
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 31, 2009 14:43:09 GMT -5
Several hours later Crowley decided that they had both had enough rest now to be able to move on. He wasn't sure who had been attacking them or why, but he didn't want their friends showing up while he was here with two injured rangers. Crowley looked at Badger and thought, 'well one ranger and one ex-ranger I suppose.' He was very curious as to what Badger had been up to that had driven him away from the ranger corps for so long. Especially since he had left without any explanation.
Crowley had made camp a little ways away from the fight and managed to carry both sleeping men to the small fire he had lit to take off the chill in the air. He now poured himself a cup of hot coffee and then reached over and shook Badger gently, but firmly. The breakfast cooking on the fire was almost ready.
"Come on guys, time to wake up." Crowley said, giving Rab a poke too.
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Post by ivory on Aug 31, 2009 15:13:30 GMT -5
The sun was a shell of warmth, radiating the life from its very soul. He stood in a small meadow, a trio of deer jumping over the creek to his left. Tall trees surrounded him, but though he could not see their peaks, they left the sun to shine upon his brow. He smiled at the sound of such familiar laughter.
Badger turned toward her voice, his heart yearning for it, loving it, his mind believing it to be real out of pure desire. Heavens, he missed her.
She ran freely into his arms and they automatically went around her, holding her close so as to never let go. A bird flew over head, crowed four times, and then pain errupted in his side. But thankfully, before he could see her eyes, he was awakened.
He made sure to keep his face blank, hoping to put off the sheat of sweat clinging to him as passing from the wound in his side. He ignored his dry mouth, unable to wet it in case he gave himself away to Crowley. That man had the eye of an eagle and Badger doubted that it'd go over well to tell him of his dreams, especially given the current situation.
So he gave an acknowledgement with his eyes before going to pour himself a cup of coffee. The pain too was kept from his face. He sat back down and sipped, savoring the flavor as he eyed his ex-boss, mentaling readying himself for a harsh razing. After all, he'd hardly left in the best of ways...
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Post by Firehead on Sept 1, 2009 9:55:23 GMT -5
"You don't look too good. Where are you hurt?"
I beg your pardon? Rab blinked, trying to work out what Crowley was talking to him about, then remembered the man with the dirk. "The left side. I think that's it." he replied.
"I see you found him. Good job!"
Of course I found him. How could I not? Rab squinted as he tried to stay sitting upright, and answered slowly. "Yeeah."
He tried to pay attention to what Crowley and Badger were saying, but succeeded miserably as he could only half concentrate on what was being said. When the pain in his side became more pronounced, he realized that Crowley was now tending to his injury. He endured it quietly, too tired to even groan when Crowley made it hurt worse. Eventually, Crowley finished, and handed him a tin mug with something that smelled terrible in it. "Go on and drink it. I will stand watch."
Too worn out to grimace, Rab merely tilted the mug back and drank the contents. The taste was worse than the smell. Lying down on his uninjured side, he wondered briefly if Crowley did it intentionally.
"Come on guys, time to wake up." Rab felt the poke in his side and bit back a yelp, instead opening his eyes and turning his head to gaze at Crowley. Speaking slowly and precisely, he said, "That was my injured side. That hurt." he added, referring to the poke in the ribs, in the same precise tone.
He sat up carefully, avoiding putting to much weight on his left side, for it had stiffened during his sleep. Taking stock of his surroundings, he realized that the campsite had been moved. Badger was sitting by the fire sipping from a cup of coffee.
Giving a sigh, Rab stood to his feet, winced when his side protested such a move, then ignored it as he made his way over to the fire. "Feeling better?" he asked, then, without waiting for a reply, he added, "Your blanket is still up in a tree somewhere."
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