Mission of Stealth

[Scarlet]

"Of course you are, don't you know?" She seemed a little surprised that he was so bewildered at what she had said. He honestly never knew? That's so insane, why, I guess no one ever said it out loud to him before... She smiled, happy that she could be the one to confirm that he was, indeed, quite good looking.
She suddenly felt compelled to hug him, so, she did. The embrace was short and sweet, as she nestled her chin in the nook of his shoulder and then stepped back to look at him.
"Well, if we're going to make it through this alive I'd better finish double checking things." She said, turning to step around to the other side of her desk.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe felt the warmth spreading even more when Scarlet suddenly embraced him. He returned the hug for as long as she held it, relishing in the closeness he felt to her. Sadly enough, they would have to eventually part, and part they did much sooner than he would have liked. Even so, he was still glad to have even that short lived happiness. He had learned to treasure it more than anything else.*

*Now, much to Firestripe's lack of surprise, it was back to business, which also suited him just fine.* "Indeed, I would rather us make it through in one piece. What exactly is the plan, if you don't mind me asking?" *To be honest, he really didn't know any specifics at the moment. He was sure that if he had asked sooner he would have known sooner but that the time he was too worried about Scarlet's well being instead of Scarlet herself.*

*He had come to realize that what it meant to truly care for someone was a very ambiguous thing. Some showed their affection by being over protective, some showed it by trying to teach or letting them experience the hard things in life, and some showed it by merely letting them do what they want from time to time even if what they wanted to do wasn't a spectacularly great idea. One had to learn what was truly best for the person they loved as what might work for somebeast might not work for somebeast else. Basically, Firestripe had decided to let Scarlet do what she wanted without putting up anymore of a fuss because he knew it'd only hurt her in the long run if he kept opposing her.*

*Caring for someone can be a truly difficult thing... but it's well worth it. He thought to himself.*[/font]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet was more than thrilled to lay out her genius plan before him. After the hours of inspecting all aspects of the mountain, time tracking down and withdrawing information from creatures, time sketching out plans, then resketching them- Her pride in this knew no bounds, and if it succeeded she probably would smile for days on end thinking of what a great accomplishment it was.

"Come over here and I'll show you what I've been busy scheming" she rustled through some papers and withdrew a basic map of Salamandastron, beckoning Firestripe to her side of the desk with one paw, a smile on her face. In fact, she hadn't really stopped smiling since Firestripe came in. It's so strange, to love someone she thought. All my life, I've only looked out for myself... and now, caring more for someone else then myself.... I never would have thought that this could be... it's odd, but I think I'm beginning to truly understand what it means to love... no, to be in love. It's... she took a mental pause, searching for the right words. It's the best thing in the world.

She redirected her thoughts and focus to the map she held in her hand. Holding it to where Firestripe could see she pointed at it and began explaining her plan.
"Okay, so here" She tapped an area in the dunes near to Salamandastron on on the beach where she had marked an x. " Is the hidden entrance to the mountain. And here, here, and here." She indicated a few dots surrounding the x " Are where the hares stand on guard. Now HERE" pointing to where the sea washed up against the mountain side " Is where I'll make my entrance."

"You and the crew will go to the secret entrance and then when they see you approaching, the hares are sure to send out a small group to ward you guys off. I'm sure that they won't declare a full on war with you. They'll try to reason with you first, you know. I need you to demand to speak to the Badger Lord himself. Use whatever excuse you think will work, or at least what will get their full attention. The Badger Lord should refuse to let you inside, if what I've heard about him is correct... But then HE will watch what you do, now that you've caught his attention, from here." Points at a section of rock that juts out from the mountain, creating a platform. Although not drawn on the map, sources tell her that this is indeed a lookout spot accessible from the Great Hall that lie within the mountain.

"Meanwhile, I will be in a longboat here." Indicates to the sea facing side of the mountain. " With the cook. My entrance into the mountain is simple, but only a very few creatures know of it. I was lucky enough to catch one who told me everything." She smirked. "Anyway, there is a cave, about ten feet under the surface of the sea when the tide is out. It leads into the lower level of the mountain, the pool cavern so it is called. There will be maybe one or two guards there, if they haven't joined the others in the Great Hall for lunch... You know how those hares are about their food!"
She took a pause to catch her breath a little. The plan may be simple on paper, but it's much more detailed and elaborate sounding when said aloud.

"Once in the pool cavern, there are stairs leading up through the great hall, and past that up to the chambers of the Badger Lord. This, this is where I will find the map piece! The Great Hall is sure to be packed, so slipping by would be impossible if not for these." She reached into the bottom drawer of her desk and withdrew a funny looking contraption. It was a band that looked as if to encircle someones head, and on it were expertly crafted fake hare ears. They stuck up on either side of the leather band.

"These cost a lot of gold, but they are going to be well worth it. With these, and my hooded cloak, but with holes cut in the hood for the ears to poke through, if I just keep my head down and make my way through, no one should take notice of me! Isn't it just so clever!" She grinned. Just talking about it almost made her want to jump up and down for excitement.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe had to admit, it was a pretty good plan considering. Any plan trying to tackle a place like Salamandastron was obviously going to have some uncertainties to it. He particularly didn't like her only protection in there being a couple of bunny ears but it was her best shot besides straight up fighting her way through. He wasn't exactly sure why she was taking the cook with her but he supposed that she had her reasons. There was just one issue he had with the plan besides all of it...*

" Well, when you want to do something, you certainly go all out, don't you? How did you get all that information anyways?" *He said, not expecting an answer.* "Well, anyways, it's a good plan, I just have one problem with it. If the map piece happens to disappear while i'm out there distracting him, won't he assume that me and the crew had something to do with it? What's to stop him from tracking us down later on? I doubt that the ocean would stop him, he's bound to know a few otter crews that could help him out and be able to follow us on the waters as well." *He doubted that if the badger lord suspected them of being the culprits that he'd ever stop coming after them.*

"Also," *he began, suddenly thinking of something else,* "how many of those bunny ears do you have?"[/font]

[Scarlet]

"I only have this and one other." She said, holding them aloft. " The craftsbeast that made these misjudged how large the circlet should be, so the other pair wouldn't stay on my head. It kept sliding to one side or the other....But he insisted that I keep them- I suppose he had no other use for them..." She got out the larger pair from the drawer and lay them both on the desk. What on earth could he be thinking? she wondered silently to herself. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be useful... He's smart about these things.
She realized how concerned he must be; The thought of living their lives with an angry Badger Lord sending crews out in search of them was enough to make anybeast nervous. She wouldn't let that happen though. She wouldn't let it because she knew that if anything were to come between them again, it would be too much to bear. But she wasn't very worried about it; She had more tricks up her sleeves.
"Yes, I know I couldn't very well have an angry Badger Lord coming after us, no that just wouldn't do." Smiling, she pulled a set of keys on a long chain around her neck out from beneath her blouse. "You'll hardly believe your eyes!" she said excitedly as she squat down to unlock one of the drawers to her desk. Inside, there were two boxes; They were both plain, nothing carved into them, no jewels encrusting them. But what they held was invaluable. She reached and grabbed the one nearest her and stood.

"Now this is just the trick." She said with a wink. She opened the box and inside were the other six map pieces, or at least, what appeared to be.

[Firestripe]

*Hold up now, are you serious? Firestripe thought to himself as he moved closer with surprise not completely hidden showing on his face. Then he tilted his head back and let out a huge peal of laughter. If a beast didn't know better, they'd be scared to death right then. His laughter, though joyful, sounded terrifying. After he was through he just gazed at Scarlet.* "You're brilliant, you know that? I'm assuming that those are fake map pieces correct?" *I seriously hope they are, or I just made a huge fool of myself... he thought to himself. It would be the perfect cover as long as the Badger lord didn't look to closely or didn't know all that well what the map piece looked like.*

*He was already feeling better about the mission, that burst of laughter was like a release of tension he hadn't realized he'd been holding. It felt really good. Of course he was still worried, but this was a big load off his mind. There was one other thing, though...* "As for that other pair of ears, why don't you bring Jaazer with you? He wouldn't get in the way and we both know that he'd be very good in a fight if something goes wrong. Even if you don't plan to get caught, a little back up wouldn't hurt I don't think."[/font]

[Scarlet]

She was a little surprised at his laughter, but it gave her only more reason to be happy. Well good, he's happy with these, I bet he's guessed already that they're replicas..
"You're brilliant, you know that? I'm assuming that those are fake map pieces correct?"
She just nodded, a little smile on her face, looking at her guises and frauds with satisfaction. Never before had she used so many different things for any raids or thieving that she had done. She felt like a kid with a bunch of new toys that she was just dying to play with. Wait a second.. She thought He just called me brilliant.. A flush of color rushed to her cheeks. Scarlet had never met anyone that had made her blush nearly this much.

"As for that other pair of ears, why don't you bring Jaazer with you? He wouldn't get in the way and we both know that he'd be very good in a fight if something goes wrong. Even if you don't plan to get caught, a little back up wouldn't hurt I don't think."

Her smile faltered just a little. "Jaazer? You know I don't like him... Do you really think I need back up? Besides, nothing will go wrong, I mean look at these!" She put the circlet and ears over her own ears and around her head. " They look... legitimate!"

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe kept a straight face with all his might. Seeing a fox wearing rabbit ears was... somewhat ridiculous. It wouldn't do any good to laugh though, besides, with a cloak to hide her face, it would do the job. Also, for some reason, it made her look strangely cute as well. Well, be that as it may...* "I'm afraid I must insist. Can you name any other beast that would be as good a back up?" *He let out a sigh* "Look, I'm making some serious allowances on my part to not just throw you over my shoulder and carry you away from all this so let me be just a little selfish, ok?"

*To be honest, even though he was relieved because of the map pieces, he still had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wouldn't be able to be in there with Scarlet, protecting her as he normally would. Because of this, he wanted someone he trusted to take his place. Over the course of time after his return, he had grown rather fond of Jaazer. He seemed like a nice kid and was a surprisingly excellent fighter. If Firestripe had to choose anyone besides himself to protect her, it would be him.*

"Please..." *He said, looking straight into her eyes.*[/font]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet's expression turned serious. She took the rabbit ears off of her head and set them down. She looked at Firestripe, her face a confusing blur of emotions. She suddenly felt like she might cry.
"You know," She started softly, her eyes searching in his. "Sometimes I wish you would just carry me away. But," She sighed and turned away, "I know that I would be restless..." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

It's not as if Scarlet hadn't thought about abandoning this quest of hers, abandoning it all and she and Firestripe just living all content and happy somewhere. She's dreamt about it even, once or twice. But always she comes back to the same ending, the sharp reality that makes the world what it is. They would be happy, yes, for a time. But how long until Scarlet's mind wandered back to her first and foremost goal? How long until she abandons her new life for her old? It wouldn't be worth it. No one can save me from myself....

She turned back to face him. "Ok. I'll let him come. But only for you." She let a smile creep back up to her lips. I really shouldn't dwell on these things... I have all the happiness I could want right now... But even as she thought these thoughts, she couldn't help but feel a little twinge of sorrow in her heart. She knew deep down that she'd never be able to give Firestripe everything he wanted because she was torn between two loves; Her dreams, and him.

[Firestripe]

*He smiled softly at her. He knew this was how she was, he'd known that when he fell in love with her. It hadn't stopped him yet and wouldn't ever.* "Thank you." *He said in a highly relieved manner and then continued.* "Remember this, I love you. You. Not what I think you should be, but you. Don't worry about stuff like choosing between me and your dreams. I'll stay with you regardless."

*He had seen the pain in her eyes and had immediately known the cause of it. He knew that she worried about this and of course it hurt to some degree that he wasn't necessarily at the top of her list. Even so though, she was at the top of his and he wouldn't let something like his petty pride change that. Her dreams were something she had cared about long before he came around he he wasn't about to get in the way of them.*

"Your dreams are my dreams. Your goals are my goals. I've said this before and I'll say it again, you are my heart and my soul and I will protect you and love you forever. I promise."[/font]