Not My Day *open*

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Vexa Blueclaw

There was nothing more maddening to a warrior than being unable to practice or help someone. Vexa Blueclaw, like so many other warriors, hated being limited or unable to be in action. She was a creature of purpose, a stately blue fox with a norm for a friendly attitude but a very hectic life. When not berating her own proformance on the training fields, Vexa was known to stalk the barracks either in a playful mood or a truly foul mood. Today Vexa hadn't visited the training field but rather stalked toward the Jasper Square, not truly aware of her surroundings.

The dark cloak the blue fox wore whipped around her as she walked, hood drawn up over her black ears, amber eyes smoldering with her bad mood. On the right side of her chest, pinned to her cloak Vexa wore the emblem of the Twilight Trackers but outwardly showed no other signs of being anyone important or dangerous apart from her mood. Under the cloak however, Vexa wore three flat-blade throwing daggers, a longer dagger strapped to her right hip and a sling also close at paw with a pouch of hand chosen slingstones. Normally a bow and arrow quiver would be strapped to her back with a second long knife strapped to a sheath on the outside of the quiver but not today. The reason?

With the dark storm clouds rolling in overhead, Vexa's foul mood had begun with pain in her right paw. The pad of her paw was harshly scarred, slashed by a poisoned blade when she'd been a younger warrior trying to save someone she may very well have loved. Now storms made her moods impossible because no matter what herbs she used, Vexa would always find her paw aching, burning, cramping, anything that made holding her bow nearly impossible. The daggers she wore could be thrown left handed, as she often practiced, but there was no appeasing her foul mood with just that knowledge. She still felt exposed, unhappy and pain in general made her cranky while rain made her restless. It merely wasn't her day.

A dark growl of thunder overhead was the only warning Vexa had before the sky let loose a summer thunderstorm. Rain fell in buckets and sheets, drenching the tracker nearly instantly but she paid it little heed. Not much more could make her day more of a pain than it already was.

Flexing her right paw which was tucked in the folds of her cloak, Vexa made her way into the Jasper Square with her head bowed. She didn't waste time praising the beauty of the area, simply heading for the fountain. Today nothing seemed beautiful to her, merely irritating and just another thing that made her life hell. She couldn't practice with her bow, the rain made the training fields soggy so she couldn't spar or practice her daggers, as though aware of the weather's effect on her the squad leader had pulled her off patrols and there were no outgoing missions. Her day was simply ruined.

Growling in irritation and ignoring the ivy-woven bench, Vexa perched on the rim of the fountain. No lanterns were lit so the square was quite gloomy indeed but that suited Vexa just fine. It was a gloomy sort of day.

Pulling her paw from the folds of her cloak and wincing, Vexa studied the ugly slash-like scar with a sneer of dislike. She didn't cry over her pains, simply got mad at them, that was how she was. It was how she handled it. She would snap at members of the squad that she was normally kind to and she would seem to be in almost permanent growl mode. Not even Kota Greysong could soothe the ache with his herbs,

Lashing out at the water with her paw, Vexa found little satisfaction in the splash it created. She would have rather been slashing through an enemy rather than water.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

Splish, splash. Squish, squoosh. Splish, splash.

The unmistakeable sound of hooves plodding through mud heralded the return of Shazza and Magnis to the fort. The otter and her 'faithful mount' waded through the gates and back into the fort. What had started as a beautiful morning had quickly turning into a cloudy afternoon. The thunder had been the final straw that had sent horse and rider hightailing it back home. Neither saw any need to be wandering around outside of the fort during a thunderstorm. While the pair didn't mind a bit of rain, and had spent many miles riding in such weather, it wasn't their preference.

Despite the turn of events Shazza was still in a good mood. She was soaked to the bone and Magnis had water running in rivulets down his neck and sides, but that was just water. They would dry, as would their belongings. No one would be any worse for the wear. She reached down and laid a gentle paw on Magnis' neck, then patted him. A grin spread across her face at the squelching sound of paw meeting hide, and the gelding snorted.

"Alright mate. We're goin' back. Get you dried off an' get some food in you, hm?"

Another snort, which drew a chuckle from the drenched riverbeast. She wiped water out of her eyes, then shook more off of her whiskers as she turned the bay's head towards Jasper Square. While she normally would have dismounted and led her hores back to the stables, she figured the wet weather would keep all but the most determined indoors, which meant they'd be out of her way. Besides, the quickest way to the stables was through the Square.

Neither one of the pair noticed Vexa until the vixen had slashed her paw through the water of the fountain. While the splash itself was lost in the sounds of the rain falling, the motion was enough to catch their attention. Magnis reacted quickly, snorting as he half-reared and spun in preparation for flight. Instincts borne of hours of training kicked in, and Shazza immediately tightened her paws on the wet reins and tightened her legs around the Holsteiner's barrel. The gelding squealed in protest before jerking his head down in an attempt to wrench the reins out of the otter's paws. When that didn't work he spun again, then began crowhopping across the square.

"Stubborn...as...a mule! Knock. It. Off!" Shazza grunted as she clung to her horse's back. With a final squeal the gelding planted all four feet in the mud and threw his head up, then gave a fierce shake that rattled every bone in the otter's body and sprayed the area around him with a fine, watery mist. The sand-colored female waited a moment, then shook her own head as she re-grouped.

"Good try mate, but better luck next time," she muttered. One black-tipped ear flicked back to catch her words. It was the only sign that the bay was even listening. "What got t'you anyway?"

The otter lifted blue eyes and turned them in the direction of the fountain. She blinked when she spotted Vexa. After patting Magnis' neck gently, she turned him in the vixen's direction and nudged him with her heels. He tossed his head impatiently, but yielded and started forward. It was obvious he wanted to get out of the rain. Still...he'd lost the first battle. For now he would obey.

Shazza drew to a halt a short distance away from the blue female, then tilted her head. The vixen didn't appear to be on duty. So what had her sitting out, all alone, in the rain? Well...there was only one way to find out! She smiled as she steadied Magnis again, then cleared her throat before speaking.

"Ho there! I hope you don't mind me askin', but are you feeling alright? I mean...'most everyone's inside 'cause o' the weather. Anything I can help you with?"

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Vexa's honey-colored eyes snapped up as soon as the gelding squealed. She hadn't noticed any other beasts in the area but it seemed she wasn't the only one out in the rain. The horse flung its head, the otter aboard its back holding on as it began bucking and throwing around the square. Its hooves clopped sharply on the wet paving stones, splashing in puddles and overall just making a racket with its squealing, clopping and splashing. Vexa's ears laid flat against her skull and her eyes narrowed in protest to the unwelcome noise. Her scarred paw slipped under the wet folds of her cloak out of sight by the time the big beast stopped throwing around like a mad creature.

Remaining silent, the Tracker expected to see the otter hop off its back and start cursing or snarling insults of other sorts. She would have welcomed it, the chance to get in a fight. Even with one paw throbbing like it was freshly stabbed, Vexa still would have been able to handle a mere otter and its overgrown dog. Still, that didn't happen. Instead the otter brought the overgrown dog closer and spoke to her.

For a long moment, Vexa merely glared at the beast, wondering if it had gone mad or had water sloshing around in its skull. Everything from Vexa's posture to gaze screamed she was both unhappy and unsocial at the moment. Either the otter was oblivious or just too...caring for its own good.

"If I was feeling alright, I wouldn't be here now would I?" Vexa snapped, flexing her paw under her cloak.

Gah! If the storm would just go away it would stop aching just like it always did. Then maybe she'd be in a more hospitable mood. Maybe.

"If the healers can't help me, riverdog, I doubt you can" Vexa said stiffly, really wishing she had the reassuring weight of her bow and quiver on her back. "Be on your way before this overgrown quadraped of yours goes crazy again."

[Keleanth Windspiral]

"If I was feeling alright, I wouldn't be here now would I?"

Shazza blinked at the vehement response. It certainly wasn't what she'd been expecting. She tightened her paws on Magnis' reins, causing him to back up a step. The otter was beginning to understand why the vixen was out in the rain all alone. If she was going to answer everyone like that then no one would want to be around her. Unfortunately for Vexa, Shazza wasn't one to give up.

"Sorry mate. I wasn't aware you weren't feelin' well." Of course most beasts headed to the infirmary when they weren't feeling well. They didn't sit outside in the rain and allow themselves to get soaking wet. The otter flicked water off of her whiskers as she studied Vexa. There was a puzzled look on her face, but she didn't pull Magnis away just yet.

"If the healers can't help me, riverdog, I doubt you can. Be on your way before this overgrown quadraped of yours goes crazy again."

Now that was a little rude by Shazza's standards. She blinked a few times, then, instead of getting angry, just smiled at the vixen. One paw fell to the top of Magnis' withers, causing the gelding to firmly plant all four hooves on the cobblestones. He flicked both ears back in his rider's direction, waiting for the next silent signal to act. He could act up on occasion, but he was trained in some of the arts of war, and knew when Shazza needed him to be serious.

The otter eyed Vexa again, the smile still fixed firmly on her face. This was a fellow fortbeast, so she wasn't under any imminent threat of attack. Besides, she was in obvious pain, and despite her words she might actually need some help. Shazza had known others like that. They were stubborn, but in the end they had welcomed the assistance. Sometimes it was as simple as lending an listening ear. She sighed as she straightened in the saddle, then spoke again, her voice just as cheerful as it had been before.

"Beggin' your pardon marm. Magnis here was just startled by your playing in the fountain, that's all. He's no crazy horse." As if to emphasize her point she patted the horse's shoulder and chuckled. "He's not so bad once you get used to him. Now I hope you don't mind me sayin', but you really shouldn't be sitting out in the rain like this if you're not feeling well. You don't have to go to the infirmary, but how 'bout coming to the tavern with me. We can get dried off an' have a drink or something."

She was being sincere and trying to offer a paw in friendship. Shazza didn't like having enemies, and she preferred not to fight. Hopefully the vixen would take her up on her offer. She really looked like she could use some companionship at the moment. Magnis rolled one eye back to look at Shazza, then snorted under his breath. This was taking too long.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Oh of all the days for someone to approach Vexa. This was not the prime choice. Her amber-eyed glare intensified as she came just short of snarling at the otter. Why couldn't the world just leave her alone an let her be miserable? When it rained, Vexa mourned and dealt with the pains forced on her by her past. The scar on her paw would make battle almost impossible and all she wanted to do was sit and mourn about the battle that had caused the scar. Healing herbs couldn't help and pain always made Vexa cranky. Was it so hard for people to see that and just let her be?

Flexing her paw, Vexa glanced up at the sky. Storms like this didn't last long right? Gritting her fangs, Vexa seriously hoped the rain would stop soon. Then her paw would stop aching so badly and she could actually act like a civil beast. Vexa knew of her temper during storms but she did nothing to stop it because, what was the point? She was miserable and wanted to stay miserable until the pain went away. She was restless, impatient, in pain and soaking wet. Sure the wet part was her own fault but it was still a great irritation to the blue-black vixen.

"Ask me again when the storm goes. I'm no decent company now."

Vexa's reply was short and staccato as she stood up from her perch on the lip of the fountain. Without looking at the otter and her horse, Vexa turned, prepared to sweep away out of the Jasper Square. Maybe she could find the barracks empty for the Twilight Trackers and get some rest until her paw stopped throbbing like someone was trying to hack it off.

Pausing near an arch leading out of the square, Vexa slipped her paw from her cloak and stared at the ugly scar marring most of the darkly colored pad. Flexing the paw carefully, Vexa sighed and prepared to leave. If the otter was going to be stubborn about her efforts to be friendly she would have to be more pursistant or at least until the storm ended. When it was over, Vexa would likely be in a better mood or at least better once someone convinced her to go dry off.

She wasn't going to admit that the tavern invitation was quite tempting. Her bruised pride just wouldn't allow it.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

"Ask me again when the storm goes. I'm no decent company now."

Horse and otter watched as the vixen stood and started to leave the square. Neither seemed to know what to make of Vexa. Magnis was irritated and restless, and he flicked his sodden tail across Shazza's leg when it seemed that she wasn't going to follow the other beast. The blue-eyed female was just confused. She couldn't quite understand what it was that bothered Vexa, or why the vixen couldn't find any help.

The otter was far from being put off by the tracker's snappy attitude. She was mildly offended, but that would pass. There wasn't much that didn't roll off of Shazza's back. It was rare to find the sand-colored female in a bad mood, or without a kind word to say. She flicked more water off of her whiskers, then glanced up at the cloud-laden sky. This rain would pass quickly enough. She knew enough to know that heavy rain always passed fairly quickly, though it might leave a steady drizzle in its wake.

A sigh escaped the river beast, then she clucked quietly to her mount. Magnis immediately started forward, his ears pricking at the thought of going back to the stable. That, however, was not where they were heading. Shazza slowly turned his head so they were following Vexa, much to the gelding's chagrin. He shook his head furiously, spraying the otter with water from his mane, but she calmly insisted. The end result of the silent battle was that the pair pranced sideways towards the arch where the vixen had paused to examine her paw.

The stopped neatly beside the blue-black female, then Shazza peered down at her from the bay's back. It was tough to see, but she thought she caught a glimpse of a scar running across Vexa's paw before Magnis shifted and pulled her attention away. She steadied the gelding, then glanced back at the vixen with another ready smile.

"Want a ride? We're already wet...and this way you won't have to walk through puddles." The otter winked, then held a paw down for Vexa to grab so she could help pull her up. Apparently she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Glancing at the sky, Vexa sighed softly. The aching in her paw was starting to die down a little which was a relief. Flexing her scarred paw, Vexa frowned accusingly at the appendage as though it was its own fault it was scarred and achy on rainy days. Of course Vexa fully understood that it was her fault but it seemed easier to detach the limb sometimes, especially when it got to aching and making her so restless and impatient she became a living nightmare to be around. At least this time she had had some sense and gotten away from her faction before she started biting the heads off of new recruits. Oh Aryela would kill her for being so mean to the new recruits!

Blinking in mild surprise, Vexa glanced at the sky. The rain was almost gone. Her paw was barely achy now. Huh. That was probably why she was seeing reason now.

Shazza's comment made Vexa nearly jump out of her fur. Pulled from her thoughts, some of Vexa's temper flared causing her to scowl at the sandy-furred otter. The offered paw surprised Vexa. She was thoroughly surprised the otter hadn't run off to report her to the general or someone else that could make her life as a tracker a living hell. It wouldn't be the first time she got cleaning duty after a cranky outburst that sent some beast running to her superior or trying to put a sword down her throat. It was a nice surprise.

Giving the otter and horse a long amber-eyed stare, Vexa slowly reached out and accepted the otter's paw. She took hold with the paw that was unscarred and heaved herself onto the bay's back behind th otter.

"Most beasts would be putting a sword down my throat" Vexa commented idly, her voice still rough with pain-induced irritation but it was getting better.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

Shazza waited patiently for Vexa to respond, paw still extended. Magnis stood steady beneath her, though he had rolled one eye towards the vixen so he could watch her. He mouthed his bit, making it clink gently against his teeth as he waited. Finally the other female took Shazza's paw, and with the otter's help, mounted. Magnis grunted and shifted under the extra weight, then sighed. Maybe now they could head back to the stables.

"Most beasts would be putting a sword down my throat."

Blue eyes twinkled as Shazza offered another ready smile. She nudged her horse into motion again, and Magnis moved into an ambling walk. Normally he would have been fighting to go faster, but the rain was lightening, and the extra passenger didn't seem to be as balanced as he would have liked. He was rewarded with a gentle pat, then the otter turned her attention back to her new companion.

"Well, I'm not most beasts. 'Sides, I know what it's like to be somewhere with no one to talk to. Now, where can we drop you?" She turned to glance over her shoulder at Vexa, then lifted an eyebrow. "Unless you really do want to go to the tavern. I just have to drop this great brute at the stables first."

She chuckled as Magnis shook his head, then urged him forward again. She was hoping Vexa did want to grab a drink or something at the tavern, but that was totally up to the vixen. At least she'd gotten her to agree to leave Jasper Square with her, and her mood seemed to be improving. Still, something told the sandy-furred otter that Vexa wasn't the friendliest of beasts even on a normal day. Ah well...it was a challenge, and Shazza was always up for making new friends.

They left Jasper Square and started back in the general direction of the Barracks and the Stables. Magnis was walking faster now, and his ears were pricked. Shazza steadied him as she waited for further direction from Vexa. There was no point in going too far and then having to back-track.