Back to Sassy Snake.

Roleplaying's adviced quite a few weeks since I started updating the next mission (Rats, Bats and other types of Vermin) and as expected, Sassy is a pretty regular player in it, as are Wildfall and Mary Kate. For now, check this story out. Our heroes split up, allowing us to see them in different combinations than before.

 
The next morning dawns clear with a cool breeze as we start our journey towards the mountains.  We bid farewell to Bristle and Icy and headed our way north.  It isn't hard to get lost; the roads are crowded with adventurers like us looking for that oriole.

"Not exactly what I had in mind," I say.  "Was hoping to get off to myself for a bit."

"Not without me, I hope?" Linger inquires and looks pleadingly at me.

"No, no, big guy.  Didn't mean you at all," I say as I give his arm a pat, "I really meant all of these others.  Guess we can forget the quiet mountain retreat, huh?"

"If Sassy wants quiet, we should take this trek.  It more steep, but not many people go by it."

I look in the direction he is pointing and can't stop a shudder going through me.  "Uh, you don't think that's because few people survive it, do you?  I mean, that could explain why it isn't used much."

"More dangerous and treacherous, but less crowded.  Besides you have me and dat is something od'hers not have."

"You are right about that.  Okay, Linger, you lead the way and I'll follow."

"No, it better you lead dan me."

"Why is that?"

"Because dere is snakes up dere too.  You can talk to 'em and tell 'em we is friends."

"Okay, snakes, huh?"

"Some big ones, too.  I see'd 'em wen I las' came dat way."

I manage to quell my fears and start to climb the slope.  Sure enough, we do pass some snakes and I manage to talk to several and they seem like they would help us.

By nighttime, we are both worn out and we set up camp by some large rock outcroppings.  We light a fire to keep off the cold and set up camp.  "Hey, Linger, throw some more of these flyers on the fire. Don't need them and besides they don't seem to have any use except to burn."

"Oh good, I likes the ones that burn different colors.  The ones with pictures really burn well."  He starts to move toward the fire, but stops abruptly.

"What's wrong?"  Linger is standing as if he is carved from the stone of the mountains and my ears finally catch it; a rattle.  There is a rattlesnake here.

I quickly imitate its rattling noise with my tongue and mouth and then I speak to it in its language.

"Who art thou, sister?  How dost thou speak with the tongue of a snake when thou art woman?"

"I am Sassy Snake.  I am a friend to you and your people.  I mean no harm to either you or your people."

"And what about that hulk over yonder?"

"He doesn't mean any harm either.  He is with me; he is my friend.  Have there been many people up here lately?"

"On the mountains, yes.  Where thou art, no.  Few indeed hath the courage or stupidity to try to climb here."

"Will you help us then?" I ask hopefully.

"Thou seekest the oriole who until recently inhabited this mountain?"

"Yes, is he around?"

"Yes, he is around but not around here.  Perhaps thy trail is cold, sister?  Mayhaps ye shouldest try someone else?"

"I had hopes of at least finding a clue up here.  That Toot Oriole has helped many adventurers in the past and I had hoped that he might help us also."  I turn and see that Linger hasn't moved a muscle.  "Linger, you can relax.  This is a friend who will help us."

Linger looks up and stares at me.  "Huh?" he says and he sounds quite puzzled.  "How can he help us?  Will he travel with us?"

"Don't know, but I'll ask him.  Wilt thou travel with us?"

"Nay, my sister, thy travels will go far from this mountain and I will stay here.  You need not fear our kind unless ye start trouble with us."

"That won't happen.  What is your name?"

"My name is Rascal the Rattler.  I am usually here along with my brood.  It isss a great pleasure to have met you Sassy Snake and your large friend."

"Thanks, Rascal.  If we pass here again, I'll look you up."  I bow to my new friend and put more flyers on the fire.  I look over at Linger and he looks somewhat stunned.  I gently touch him and he seems to snap out of it.  "Hey, you okay?"

"Huh?  Oh, yeh, yes I am fine tanks."

I look at him a bit appraisingly and let him go back to where he was sitting before.

"Hungry?" I ask and start to roast some roots over our fire.

"Hungerry?  Yes, food would be good now.  How you do that anyway?"

"What?" I ask a bit puzzled myself, "You mean roast roots?  Or do you mean finding the right roots and knowing which ones are good to eat?"

"No," he says and looks at me some more, "Linger mean dat.  Talk to snakes.  How you do that?"

"Hmmm, I suppose it is a gift or something.  I have always known how to do it and haven't given much thought on how I do it."

"But you do it?"

"Yes, I do.  Rascal seemed rather nice, don't you think?"

"Who is Rascal?"

"He was the rattlesnake.  He said his name was Rascal the Rattler. Surely you heard him say so too?"

"Me just hear snakes talking to each od'her.  Not make any sense to me. What did Rascal say to you?"

"Not too much," I say turning the root a bit, "His name and that he lived here and that not many people come by this path and that the Oriole is not on the mountains and that he can't go with us.  Things like that."

"Dat sounds like a lot to me.  So, what we do now?  Where we go from here?"

"Well, even though the Oriole is not here, his nest is.  I hope to find a clue or something that will point the way we need to go.  So, come morning, I guess we need to push on to find his nest."

Linger gives out a long yawn.  We eat our roots and settle in for the night.

"I wonder what Bris and Icy are up to tonight?"

"Linger is wondering too."

Some distance away in South Degrassi, two figures are huddled close together in a little intimate cafe.  They are still holding hands and talking quietly.  The girl with the caramel-colored hair speaks first. "You really wanted to go with her, didn't you?"

"With who, my Ice?"

"With Sassy?  Be honest, you really wanted to go."

"Maybe a bit, but I chose to be with you, Ice baby.  We haven't had much time to get to know each other and I want to do that the most tonight.  Just sit here with you, holding your hand."

Icy seems to be in a gentle swoon from his words and his nearness and doesn't speak for a while.  They share several long deep, passionate kisses and hold each other tightly.

"Did you want me to go?"  He gently and tenderly asks her.

"No, not really.  Just thought that you wanted to.  I sure hope that they are okay up there."  She looks off into space and she seems to be a long time with her thoughts.  Bristle gently squeezes her hands.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yes, I was just thinking, that's all."

"Anything you want to share with me?"

She shakes her head as if coming out of her reverie and looks deeply into his eyes.  "No, I am sorry.  I am okay.  Maybe just a bit hungry."

"Well, that's easily fixed," he says and orders some food from their waiter.  "They say that this is a pretty nice place to eat."

She looks up at him, "Really?  Who told you that?"

"Ah, well, I actually ate here a few times before asking you to join me."

She giggles and blushes as she bats her eyelashes at him. "Would you care to take a stroll around town after we dine?"

"Mmmm, that does sound nice.  Seeing the town by moonlight with the one you love?  Sounds pretty nice indeed.  But, wait a sec, remember what Sassy said before she left?  About having trouble here?"

"In this cafe?"

She giggles and playfully pokes him in the arm.  "No, silly, about this town.  Apparently there are some bad influences here that can bring out trouble."

"You need not worry, my sweet pet.  You will be with me.  Bristle the Brave!"  He strikes a heroic pose and pretends to fight off imaginary dragons that make her squeal with giggles and laughter.

"Don't know about that, but seriously, I do feel safer with you than I do with anyone else.  Yes, by all means let us stroll the town after we dine."

"Always at your service, fair damsel.  Yea, verily we shall stroll forth and sally through the town and I defy anyone to stand before us lest I shall smite them and truly make them sorely.. or is that sorry?"

Icy giggles and laughs.

"You are quite the character, my hero!  Bristle the Brave."  She laughs more and after they have had their food they go off together, strolling into the moonlight arm in arm.

 
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Rayvon Wing: Another Reason for Hate

It was just another reason for the hate that burned and flared inside of her.  Rayvon wanders about the town and her thoughts brood about all of the killing and blood that had been spoiled because of that sissy Sassy Snake!  It had all come to a head before she could kill her first penguin.  She had it all in her mind; creeping up on him and loosing a shaft right through his white meat!  But that didn't happen, thanks to that meddling Sassy!  What was she doing in Seaside Town anyway?  Rayvon should have known that she would be here, but she thought that she could avoid her.  Instead, what had she done?  Only jeopardized the lives of those vikings by charging at Sassy in her blind fury.  Now the vikings treat her like she has the plague or something.  Just another reason to hate.

She slinks through the town, keeping to shadows and stalking the two people in front of her, knowing that Bristle and Icy are off to be alone with each other.  Well, that would have to change tonight since that isn't part of her plans at all.  She lets them slip into a quiet cafe and gives them some time to settle in.  She wants the shock factor to carry the day when she shows up.

Bristle leads the way with Icy holding his arm as he escort her to a nice table.  They seat themselves and wait for their waiter.

"We have just eaten, so what do you say we just have some tea or something?" says Bristle, "Or perhaps some light desserts?"

"Desserts sounds pretty sweet to me."  She giggles at her own joke and snuggles closer to Bristle.

In the middle of their pastries, Bristle looks up and sees the black hair that could only belong to Rayvon.  He freezes, a bite of pastry halfway to his mouth.

 
-------

 
Through a Rayvon's eyes

I'm careful to time my approach so they don't see me coming, but of course, Bristle gets lucky and spots me coming, anyway. Not that they can do much to stop me.

"What are you doing here, then?"

"Well, Bristle and Icy, fancy meeting you two here, " I say and squeeze in to a seat next to them.  "Actually, I was hoping to have a word or two with you anyway."

"What about?"  asks Icy as she licks whipped cream from her spoon. "What do you want to bother us for?"

"Bother you?  Why I have no intention of bothering you."

Bristle mumbles, "You are already bothering us.  What do you want?"

"Not that much.  Relax," I say.  "Mmmm, what's the name for that pastry you are eating Icy?"

"Don't know."

"Sure looks good though."  I turn and yell across the room, "Hey waiter! Bring me some of these pastries, now!"

Icy chokes on her bite and Bristle looks aghast.

"Obviously," he says, "You are not used to quiet, intimate little cafes like this.  In these, you generally wait till you are served."

"Well, that could take a long time.  All I did was speed up the process."

"Just like you speeded up the process of that battle, huh?" Bristle retorts.

"Hey!  That wasn't all my fault.  Guess I was a bit filled with bloodlust and I got a little overly excited when I saw Sassy."  I look all around.  "Speaking of her, where is she anyway?"

"She is not here," says Icy.

"I know that!  But where is she?  Where has she gone?  Is she off on another quest then?"

Bristle says, "I really wouldn't know, how about you Icy?"  When Icy shakes her head, I decide it is time to play my trump card.

"Actually, I have been watching all of you; me and my spies."

"You mean those Vikings?" says Icy.

"Not exactly."

"Especially since none of them will have anything to do with you now?" Bristle observes.

"Anyway, I know that Sassy has gone on the quest to find that stupid oriole.  Figures she would take the one that didn't involve fighting. A sissy quest."

Bristle stands abruptly.  "You know, I am getting very tired of this! Just one more word about that on that and I might get mad.  I am not playing this time, Rayvon!"

"Easy there, easy now.  I am sorry.  I guess I didn't think it out. Didn't mean any hurt to you or her.  Please sit down because I have some more to talk to you about."

Bristle sits.  "Not sure I have any interest in what you have to say but I guess short of killing you, I can't stop you from talking.  But I won't hear any more bad mouthing about Sassy."

"Well, I'll try to watch my tongue; but I do want to talk to you both about Sassy Snake."

Bristle bristles. "What about her?"

"I know you might find this strange, coming from me, but I am more than a little bit worried about her.  Have you noticed any major changes in her attitude and mindset since you knew her, Bristle?  I mean from when you knew her in your home?"

"Not sure I know what you mean.  Not sure I would answer that even if I did."

"Well," I say, "Perhaps Sassy's mind is not as sharp and clear as it used to be.  Haven't you noticed her doing anything out of the ordinary?"

"Not that I can think of," Bristle says and Icy echoes his sayings.

"I would like to have her examined by a competent doctor who could determine whether she is in her right mind."

"Are you kidding?" asks Icy, "Of all of the people I have known, she is the smartest and most capable person I have ever met."

"I am not talking about intelligence or smartness.  I am talking about someone who may be suffering from a tortured mind."

"A what?" asked Bristle.  "I think you must be the one who is crazy, Rayvon."

"Perhaps," I answer, "but I have noticed her doing some most eccentric and unusual things since I have met her.  If you think hard about it, she has even recklessly led others to risk their lives and getting captured to gain little to nothing.  I am not sure she is safe or sound enough to lead anyone anymore."

"The scariest part of all of this, is that you actually believe this garbage, don't you?" Bristle says, leveling his gaze at me.

"Yes, I think that she is quite unsafe and possible unstable.  I have a friend, Medicool, who specializes in tortured minds."

"In causing them or curing them?" Bristle shoots back.

"I guess I do deserve that.  Still, should you wish to evaluate her mind, I would be glad to tell my friend."

"I don't think things are that bad." Icy answers, "anyway, we all trust her."

"We trust her more than we trust you," says Bristle.  "Well, Icy, have you finished?  I think we should go out of here and get some fresh air."

She nods to him and they both rise up. Bristle leaves money on the table, and they head out the door.  Behind them, I sit at the table eating her pastries.

Well, the seed has been planted, but I doubt it will blossom on its own.  Perhaps if I talk to others, maybe someone else might see things my way. Problem is, South Degrassi isn't too populated with many of the adventurers out looking for quests.

I sip some tea and eat some more, leaving money on the table, then exit the cafe.  Of course, by this time, those lovers have gotten away; but that's okay too.  I slink away down the streets heading for an inn where I can get something with a bit more authority than tea and something to warm me up.  I can't help wondering what Sassy is thinking right now.

Heh.. Is it me or is Rayvon starting to get darker as these pieces go on? She ain't done yet, either!

I also love that we got the Icy/ Bristle pieces! Their reaction to Rayvon was good and the "date" part of the story before that was even better. The next Sassy piece doesn't have any of the three- just Linger and Sassy. We'll get to that, but next up we get our first piece with Blackeagle for the mission. Vote Ichiro mentioned he continues to "adore Linger" and liked seeing the through process of Rayvon, Icy and Bris in their interlude.