Mission of Stealth

[Scarlet]

Scarlet was overwhelmed completely by this speech of devotion that Firestripe spoke to her. It was everything she ever could have wanted to hear. Stepping round the desk, she threw her arms about him, holding him tightly.
"I love you too..." She said softly. "I... I don't know what I would do without you."
And she truly didn't. Before she met Firestripe, before she grew to like him, before that like turned into love, she could have done anything on her own. Now she was dependent upon him. Now that they were reunited again, she wouldn't let anything keep them apart. It meant the world to her that he promised to always be there for her, that he would do that. She knew it couldn't be easy for him... Especially after all he's been through.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe returned her embrace completely, feeling warmth spread across his body once more.* "I'm sure you'd be fine without me but let's not find out, ok?" *He said with a small chuckle.* "Let's just hope everything goes well." *And truly that was all that could be done at this point. The plans had been made, refined and refined again. All that was left was to do it and hope for the best. If anything happened to her... he didn't want to think about it. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. If she was caught, he figured they wouldn't kill her on the spot so he'd at least have a chance to rescue her but it'd be tough. He involuntarily held her more tightly at the though*

*Dang it, I can't lose her again. I don't have the strength to go through that a second time... At times like these he just felt so helpless, like there was nothing he could do for her. Even so, he had decided that he'd follow her to the end, and so he would.*[/font]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet looked up at him " Let's hope so." . She wasn't too worried. But she knew, even as meticulously as she has gone over and over the plans, anything could go wrong.
She reluctantly broke their embrace; it was time to get back to business. Besides, it was getting a little warm in there, what with all of the emotions hanging in the air and their racing hearts. Suddenly, she heard the steersbeast shouting "Land ho!". This is was it, they were so close!

"We should tell Jaazar of our plan for him to come with me... He'll need to try on those ears." Sure that they would fit, she was still a little unhappy that he would have to come with her. He'd be especially handy if it came down to having to fight off a bunch of militant, food-crazed hares. But she was worried that he might blow her cover; One cloaked figure sneaking by is one thing, two is quite another. However she knew it was the only was to appease Firestripe's anxiety. If it brings some comfort to his mind...that's enough reason for me. And so it was.

She stepped toward the door of the cabin, the rush of cool air was most welcome. It rustled her fur delightfully as she stepped outside. The deck was busy with crewbeasts, all excited to see land- A brown smudgy line on the horizon. They wouldn't make it there until dark, precisely as planned. In the dark, Scarlet could get into position beneath the mountain and figure out exactly where the cave was located. Then she would simply wait there until the day, hugging the side of the mountain as closely as possible in her long boat to avoid being spotted, while the Nightpearl made her way around to the beach to set up camp. Scarlet had a long night ahead of her. And she couldn't wait.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe nodded to Scarlet's words and smiled.* "Ok, I'll go find him and send him your way then." *He said as he followed her to out the door. The cool breeze blew away the last of the warmth from her embrace and he was a little saddened for it. Inspecting the deck, he did not see Jaazer so he went below and eventually found him.* "Jaazer, how are you doing?" *He said as he stepped toward the beast with a small smile. It may seem like Firestripe smiled a lot, but to be honest he only did it around those he had taken a liking to. Ever since Firestripe had come back and Jaazer had joined the Nightpearl he had grown rather fond of the young ferret. He seemed like a nice kid and Firestripe couldn't really figure out why he had wanted to become a pirate. He didn't seem to have the demeanor for it. Whenever asked, though, Jaazer had claimed to have always wanted to be a pirate.*[/font]


*Jaazer was troubled. He was here on a mission. One he had no choice but to complete, but... he really didn't want to do it. During his time he had grown friendly with much of the crew, the main one being Firestripe. They had become good friends and Jaazer really treasured that. To complete his mission, though, he would have to break his friends trust and the thought of that hurt him deeply. The alternative, however, was even worse. His mind always came to an impasse at this point and he mentally wrestled with himself. What should I do? What should I do....? As he was thinking this to himself yet again, he heard a deep voice nearby* "Jaazer, how are you doing?" *The ferret in question jumped in surprise and quickly turned to the source of the voice. It was Firestripe. Why at a time like this? Ok, just gotta act calm... He tried to calm himself down and replied* "Oh, hi Firestripe!" *He replied in a slightly shaky voice* "Man you scared me. I'm doing alright, just lost in thought, ha ha..." *He felt like an idiot and a traitor.*[/font]


*Firestripe felt slightly bad, he hadn't intended to scare the poor creature but he was surprised by how startled he had been. I guess he had been pretty deep in thought.* "Well, that's good to hear. Anyways, Scarlet's got a job for you, a very important one." *He said and motioned for Jaazer to follow. The young ferret looked slightly taken aback by this but followed nonetheless. Firestripe wasn't surprised that he was startled by that, they both knew that Scarlet didn't really like the creature though he couldn't figure out why for the life of him. Either way, he was happy that she had decided to listen to him on this at least. He didn't really think that one more beast would cause too many issues stealth wise and, to be honest, Jaazer was very good at not being noticed. Not the 'You don't see me, I'm one with the shadows' kind of deal, but more like the kind where he can blend in with a crowd very easily. Firestripe was confident that Jaazer would do a good job. They finally reached Scarlet.* "Here's Jaazer for you captain." *He said, acting professional. He never used her name when on deck or around the rest of the crew. Setting examples and all.*

[Scarlet]

"Okay. " Scarlet watched him disapear below deck to find Jaazer. She wandered up to the side of the ship and rest her paws on the railing. Staring up to the sky, she watched the clouds roll by, little delicate puffs of white set against the blue sky. Thinking about Firestripe, she stayed there until he came back with Jaazar in tow.
"Here's Jaazer for you captain."
Captain... she thought. I don't like when he calls me captain... but I know why he does it so I guess I just have to live with it. And it was true; Having the person you love call you by your official title felt somehow wrong, somehow...foreign.
"Ahem, yes well, let's speak about it in my cabin." She said, eying the ferret. He's so young... Making their way back to her cabin, she cleared away most of the papers and things from the desk besides the map and ears, and sat in her chair on the other side where she proceeded to explain the entire plan again.
"...and you'll have to wear these. Here, try them on, make sure they sit solidly over your ears." She finished, catching her breath and handing him the ears. It seemed that this time she explained the plan it took even longer. None of the other crewmembers knew as many details about the plan; They simply knew that they would be under Firestripes orders and were to do whatever he said. Seeing as how everyone liked Firestripe well enough, he being the friendly type, they all agreed heartily.

[Firestripe]

*Jaazer was more than a little surprised. I'm being given such an important job? He thought to himself and glanced at Firestripe for a second. Must be his influance, he's always thought well of me.... That fact hurt him even more. Firestripe trusted him enough to protect Scarlet and that really meant something to the young ferret. While at the same time he was happy that Firestripe put that much faith in him, his heart ached because he knew what he eventually had to do. He put the rabbit ears on his head, feeling slightly ridiculous. They fit rather well.*

"So basically I'm back up, right? How do I look?" *He said, trying to sound like he wasn't worried. Which, under normal circumstance, he really wouldn't be all that worried. He was confident of himself, and Scarlet for that manner, in a fight and he also knew that he was good at not being noticed. The only reason he was somewhat anxious now was because he knew how important Scarlet was to Firestripe and that added an extra degree of tension to the mission for him.*[/font]

*Firestripe had joined them in the cabin but didn't say anything. He was simply an observer right now. He smiled slightly as Jaazer put the ears on, they really did look odd on creatures that weren't hares. Goodness he looks tense, can't say I blame him though... Firestripe thought sadly to himself. He just didn't get why Scarlet didn't like the kid. He was a hard worker, never complained, was actually one of the few nice crew members and, to top it all off, he was a heck of a fighter. Firestripe couldn't dispute Scarlet, though. For one, she was the captain and it was her crew and, more importantly, the 'feeling' that she usually got when it came to creatures was rarely wrong. That worried Firestripe to some degree, but he had gotten over it awhile ago.*[/font]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet nodded. " Yeah, you'll be my back up..." The sight of Jaazer in the bunny ears contraption didn't soften her growing apprehension about this new development in her plan. There's just something about him that I can't trust...he seems nice enough...but they all do at first don't they?.... She thought. Scarlet always felt bad about not liking Jaazer but she really just...couldn't help it. And it didn't help that she couldn't explain it either. When they first let him on board and Scarlet expressed her distrust of him, Firestripe had always wondered why. What's not to like? He works hard, he's pleasant enough... And he was good friends with Firestripe now. After the few months they'd shared together, it was clear how much faith Firestripe put in him. But... She couldn't stop the feeling in her stomach that something was just wrong about Jaazer.

"Okay, you can take them off now they look like they fit just fine." She said, maybe a touch more harshly than she meant to. "Now, all you need is a cloak." She sorted through a random pile of clothes that was hidden behind the desk. She pulled out a dark blue hooded cloak. It looked to be maybe a touch too short for Jaazer, but it was the best that she had. " Here, take this and cut some holes for the rabbit ears. It should do the job." she ordered, tossing it over the desk and at Jaazar. Her words were bit sharp but this time she meant them to be like that; She was his Captain after all, and being new to the ship he should expect her not to be overtly kind. With a final scrutinizing look up and down of the ferret, she said " I imagine you'll have more than enough time to prepare before we reach land. Be ready for my command. Now you may leave.". Sitting back down in her chair, she pretended to rustle through some papers and look busy so Jaazer wouldn't hesitate to leave.

[Firestripe]

*Jaazer had just taken off the ears when Scarlet threw the cloak to/at him. He tilted his head to the left and leaned slightly so that it landed hanging over his shoulder. He saluted the captain smartly and turned on his heel to leave.*[/font]

*Firestripe opened the door for him and followed him out to see him off.* "Don't worry, you'll do fine out there. If you do well, mayble she'll start to like you eh?" *He said, giving him a wink and a pat on the back. It wouldn't hurt to give the kid some encouragement, he looked like he'd need it.* See you when I see you."[/font]

*Jaazer was grateful for the encouragement. Spending that much time alone with Scarlet was a daunting task for him and he wasn't sure how he'd handle. Walking away, he gave Firestripe a weary looking smile.* "Yes sir, later!" *After that he went back below deck and started preparing for the mission.*[/font]

After seeing him off, Firestripe returned to Scarlet's cabin with a relieved smile. He was glad things seemed to be working out. Not necessarily between Scarlet and Jaazer, though hopefully that would come, but with the mission. Firestripe fully believed that Jaazer would be a valuable asset inside Salamandastron. He was actually more worried about Scarlet, he wasn't sure how good she was at being stealthy. She didn't really spend a lot of time trying to not stand out, quite the opposite for the most part.* "That went well." *He stated simply.*[/font]

[Scarlet]

As soon as they both left her cabin, Scarlet rested her head on her paws and sighed. Suddenly she wasn't nearly as excited as before; She just realized just how much time she'd be spending with Jaazer. Being alone with someone she didn't trust didn't sit well with her. She shook her head from these thoughts. There really was no use in thinking about it right now. Her head ached from thinking so much that day. Planning and replanning and refining and refining again really took a lot more brain power than people thought.

She had just poured herself some water from the pitcher she kept in her room when Firestripe came in.
"That went well."
Scarlet shrugged.
"I suppose so." Still not exactly pleased with the newest addition to her thieving mission, she turned away, taking a swig of water from her glass. Her head throbbed now. This migraine was the last thing she needed, muddling her thoughts. She put her free paw up to her head, rubbing her temple as if this would make the headache go away. It didn't. She sighed again and took another drink of water.

[Firestripe]

"Headache?" *Firestripe asked with a worried tone, walked over and put a paw on her shoulder.* "Goodness your tense, try and relax some" *He said and started massaging her shoulders. He knew very well why she was so tense and didn't feel well. Being cramped up all day, pouring over scrolls and pages, really was not a calming experience for most creatures. Especially doing it day in and out for multiple days. He felt bad for adding to her stress by having Jaazer accompany her, but he'd rather her be stressed now and alive later than the alternative.*

"I'm sorry that I'm being so stubborn on having Jaazer go with you, but I promise that he's only going to be helpful out there. Even if something does happen, I'll tear down that mountain to get you out, ok?" *He said in a reassuring voice. He hated how she would get so enthralled with an idea, so engrossed in it that she'd pour everything she had into and leave nothing for herself. He wish that she'd take better care of herself on that matter. I guess that's why I'm here he thought wryly to himself.*