;; star-gazing

[Passion Nightstorm]

A long, slender form was sprawled upon the ground, the figure's body curving to fit the arch of the hill. Long billows of cerise hair were fanned above her head, and sweet blue eyes were hooded in a hazy fashion, as if the fox were in the process of uncovering something important. The breath in her lungs seemed to be caught in her chest as it's rise and fall stopped, before she settled her lashes against her cheeks, optics obscured by thin lids. She released the air, and her torso fell dramatically as she lost the idea in her mind; it wasn't the answer.

With a heavy sigh, Passion let her cerulean orbs roll open, pupils adjusting to the darkness around her; night reigned, and the corsair would have to be careful not to fall asleep here. When in Rita, the vixen had only one place that she could think, and that happened to be where she was - amidst all the stars. Looking at the distant, fickering lights brought a strange peace she did not know how to attain elsewhere, so star-gazing had become a pastime of hers.

She admired stars; tiny balls of energy, so little yet so very beautiful. They didn't need a fancy dress, or praise to keep on shining - they just did. They shone regardless of what anyone else thought, yet stars also struck the pirate as being very shy; only appearing at night, to shimmer endearingly below, eager to contribute whatever little light they could. To Passion, stars were determined.

From her vantage-point, the vixen could see nearly the whole sky above her, and the flicker of motion did not go unnoticed. The light of one star seemed to fade, diminishing, and yet again Passion caught her breath, watching as the star begun to fall. Quickly, the vixen clasped her paws underneath her chin, and close her vivid blue orbs, thoughts whirling as she frantically sought out a wish. Finding one, her lips moved to silently mouth the words; the star faded from view as it's light completely vanished, assumedly hitting the Earth - maybe even the sea? What joy it would be too catch a falling star...

The vixen's ears pricked as the sound of paws crushing grass alerted to her a new presense; she had let her crew run about the Woodland at their own leisure, so she was not particularly cautious. However, as a shadow fell over her, that did not stop the creature from drawing out Lutra, her pistol, and pointing it squarely into the beast's face.

"So whaddiya wish f'r, aye?"

[Javin Bloodshade]

**The small, delicate figure of a young female ferret, in the middle of her prime, sat cross-legged on the springy green turf of the hill, soft brown eyes watching the sky above her. Aishani Stardance was quite an attractive girl, with long lashes and a thick, shimmering pelt. With the mask-like markings on her face, customary of ferrets, reflecting that of the young babe seated daintily on her lap. Aishani reached out a paw, stroking the four-seasoned Wind's lush, soft, baby headfur. The ever-curious tiny ferretmaid pushed back her mother's paw, small paws crawling forward a bit, out of her mother's bosom. Brushing off the small purple skirt that Aishani had given her to wear, Wind Stardance sniffed the cool evening breeze haughtily, before her keen brown gaze fell on the myriad of twinkling lights in the dark sky ahead. Her childish mind could not interpret the fact that there were so many above her, but soon Wind was leaping up and down, attempting to catch some of the glittering stars and bring them to her mother. It was only a short while before she tottered back to Aishani, a small paw pointing to a larger ball of energy, brown eyes glaring at her mother, thin lips parted in a single phrase.**

Mommy, me wanna dose starries, dey're mine!

**The older, far more experienced ferret merely smiled at her daughter's antics. Little Wind would grow to be an excellent warrior someday. If only Javin could be here... Aishani could not help a feeling of annoyance with her husband's drinking habits. Why couldn't he just settle down and enjoy a peaceful night with his family? Ridiculous. But then, Javin Bloodshade's roguish handsomeness, his carefree style, was the thing that had attracted Aishani Stardance to be his bride in the first place. Ah, those younger days. Passing a paw over her gentle brown optics, the ferret recalled the gift he had given to her at their marriage. Moonpetal was an ever so beautiful dagger, with a pure silver blade, curved slightly, just like the shape of that ivory orb hanging up there in the night sky. Moonstones and diamonds were set in its white gold hilt. The jewels sparkled just like the golden sun on the blue sea, like the small, though beautiful stars which smiled down at her from overhead. Raising her eyes to the heavens, Aishani saw the shining star which had been the object of young Wind's interests earlier, fade briefly, before it dived downward. Somebeast was dying somewhere, she knew that.

Wind had seen it too. Watching the path of the glowing ball as it made its final fall, she squealed with delight as the twinkling light disappeared below the horizon. The young ferretmaid pressed her paws together, whispering a gasp of delight as it vanished in the shadow of the dark trees which so surrounded this clearing. Reaching out with one paw once more and walking a few more feet, the young maiden found herself staring at the darkened, though still seeable, fiery fur of... A vixen? However, Wind paid no attention to the stranger, striding yet farther from the safety of her mother's paws, intent only on reaching where the star lay. It was only as the tall grass and the night-darkened trees closed in on her that Wind stopped her pursuit, to turn back. She had not gone more than a few steps, still in eyesight of her beloved mother. Aishani was paying no attention to her daughter, lost in the bright scene above. Looking at the stars made her feel peaceful, yet slightly remorseful of the horrid murders she had commited when still in her late teens. Memories flashed into mind, brown orbs widening as she recalled the fallen figure of her merchant father, bright red blood still dripping slowly from a deep wound in the chest. She had committed a murder, thanks to her frusturation with her father's naggings. She had been nought but a young maiden then, eager to find the perfect mate, only to be angered and disappointed by various, ambitious ferrets, all intent on marrying her to inherit her father's fortune. She had had to find a way to let out her anger, through bad things. Wincing slightly as large, shining tears entered her beautiful brown eyes, Aishani wiped a diamond-like drop off her long eyelashes, only to be distracted by a low voice up ahead.

The noise had been caused, it seemed, by Wind's foolishness; the ferretmaid had stumbled upon a fox in the grass, star-gazing like them, it appeared. Aishani released a breath of air caught in her chest, allowing her to relax as she blew a breath of annoyance. Headstrong Wind had got into trouble again. A horrible sight, to her, made her come to her senses again. How dare that... that... fox point a gun at her beloved child. Lifting up her long green dress to hurry to the spot, Aishani's mask-like markings creased slightly into an elegant frown, brown eyes narrowed slightly. However, such actions instantly faded as she recognized the vixen as her husband's Captain Passion Nightstorm. Admiring glance simply adoring the respected, infamous captaini, Aishani hurriedly seized hold of her light daughter, light, slender tail drooping slightly to rest relaxedly on the ground. Putting on a small smile, the ferret tipped a paw to her forehead, before breaking out into speech.**

Ah'm awfully sorreh, Miz Passion, dat me daughter 'ere had teh disturb ye from star-watchin'. She's a real 'eadstrong 'un, if'n ye pardon me, Cap'n.

**Gazing at the beautiful fox still pointing a pistol at them, Aishani nodded apologetically, before turning away to direct naughty Wind's attention back to the glittering stars. Peering over her shoulder, she quivered nervously. If need be, (and she doubted it), Aishani had Moonpetal thrusted in her pretty belt. The dagger had a reputation for fending off obnoxious beasts, and the cold fire in her soft orbs told it.**

[» Erksta Riverrider]

OOC: Javin, first of all, I edited the paragraph so it wasn't so long. I just broke it up; please don't make it that long, it's daunting to read.

Also, we're not in the ROC, and this is not, in any way, Redwall related. Redwall doesn't exist where we are, savvy? ^^ Sorry for sounding harsh; that's not how I meant to sound.

[Javin]

OOC: Eh. Sorreh. I totally forgot about that. *goes off to edit*

[Passion Nightstorm]

Cobalt orbs stared calmly into the face of the baby ferret, who had been innocent enough to approach her without caution. For a moment, the vixen contemplated shooting a bullet through the babe's head, but finding it of no gain she refrained. Passion Nighstorm never did something for nothing.

Lacking a charitable nature, the corsair kept her gun directed at the child - Wind was not a threat in the least, yet it seemed automatic for her to keep her weapon pointed at the babe, fingers relaxing around the trigger. It was more of a display of power - to think that she could take or save a life with just a jerk of a claw. She loved that power. However, her satisfaction was short-lived as the child's mother quickly swept her charge back into her arms; the gun was then flicked smoothly over to her.

Her wide eyes, with their graceful slant, dilated in the dark, causing her pupils to develop into ovals rather than their usual feral slits. The captain took a brief moment to pass her gaze over the mother, finding her unremarkable; she appeared to be an ordinary ferret, and despite the dagger slotted through her belt, she doubted a simple wife had the skills to beat one of the most well-known pirates on the sea. She presented no danger to her, yet surprise lit up her eyes like the very stars in the sky, as Aishani professed her apologies, admiration exuding from the ferret's every pore.

Passion did not grace Aishani with acceptance of her apology, nor deem her worthy of forgiveness, and instead the arrogant creature took on a tone of indifference. "And you would be...?" The corsair blinked at the weapon the mother carried.

"And I suggest you not talked to me armed," the vixen extended her arm, as if to relieve Aishani of her dagger. "Either you give me it, or I shoot your kid." Her vocals were pleasant and amiable, but there was no doubt she was serious; even if the ferret presented no harm, having her also in possession of a weapon demoted her own power slightly. And that would not do.

[Javin Bloodshade]

And I suggest you not talked to me armed. Either you give me it, or I shoot your kid.

**If it hadn't been for Aishani's learned self-control, she would have leapt straight for Passion. The female ferret glared at her captain disobeyingly, that clear brown fire set blazing by the vixen's incredibly rude manners. How dare that fox point a gun at her child and actually threaten to kill Wind? The child never did her any harm. And her own babe? Aishani Stardance crossed her arms sullenly, dagger still clutched in her right paw. Wind cowered behind her mother's Admiration had long since turned into annoyance. Knowing disobeyance of superiors could cause deadly consequences, though, Aishani had no choice to obey.

The female ferret managed a low growl, brown orbs narrowed slightly, before Aishani moved. After a last annoyed glance at Passion, the ferret flicked her right wrist to the right. The sparkling dagger flashed once in the moonlight, before its blade was buried in the brown earth. Turning her gaze back to Passion, Aishani felt a wave of hate. The hate that was often passed in corsairs and among each other. Leaning on one leg, the ferret contemplated what she had done, throwing the dagger away like that. It would be called disobeying. A sly smile crept onto her face, wily mind having found an idea. Weak defiance. Besides, Aishani had her neatly-trimmed claws, and she wasn't bad at paw-to-paw fighting. If I still had that dagger, I might have been able to beat her. The thought flashed through her brain, yet even herself doubted that. Passion really wasn't a captain for nothing.**

Aishani Stardance. Wind Stardance. Happy now?

**Aishani wondered if she actually posed a valiant figure, struggling to protect her vulnerable babe. It turned out Wind had got her bravery back, at least to her notice. The babe creeped out from behind Aishani's purple skirts, yellow eyes set aglow. Staring defiantly at the vixen in front of her, Wind set her paws on hips nonchantly and even started tapping her footpaw. She set up a comical show like that, Aishani could not help but acknowledge it. Yet it exposed her even more. And that annoyed glare! The ferret caught her laugh just in time. Wind really liked copying herself sometimes. Aishani grin faded away slightly, as Passion still pointed the gun at them.**

[Passion Nightstorm]

Passion's demeanour was not one that reflected formalities; she was austere, merciless and cruel. Her mood, however, lightened considerably in the company of her crew, where some might even be able to call her good-humoured. But since the mother standing before her was not apart of the Bloodwake, she was not worthy of the friendliness her temper bestowed upon her subordinates.

Despite the lack of danger Aishani represented, the vixen couldn't help but feel a ripple run through her body, stiffening joints as the ferret reached for her weapon. It was pure instint, the labourous result of many seasons experience - her own, and others. Despite this, the arrogance that left her feeling buoyant did not deflate as the dagger was withdrawn, even daring to curl an upper lip in disgust at the needless vanities of the dagger. Was the mother proud to have such a pretty murdering utensil?

Swiveling azure optics, Passion quickly captured Aishani's gaze, relishing in the hate that the mother exuded. You knew you did a good job as a pirate if you left a town hating you. Slowly, several seconds after the ferret had foolishly thrown away her weapon, the corsair withdrew her arm and let her gaze slide towards the blade that protruded from the ground. A smile tore open the fox's thin black lips, and she stood, raising her tall, powerful form over Aishani and her babe. The playful innocence in the pirate's eyes had vanished, to be replaced by the true bitterness that she harboured. Smirking, the captain raised her pistol once more, keen to display how she dealt with mutiny on her own ship.

"Are ye' stupid or somethin'? Wi'h a babe' clutchin' at ye', do ye' honestly thin' tha' disobeyin' orders will save yer' flea-bitten hide?" There was a swift bang! as Passion quickly let loose a bullet that skimmed over Wind's head. The vixen cocked her eyebrow with a seductive swing of her hips. "No' unless you don' want me to miss next time, I sugges' you pick up yer' dag'r and giv' it to me."