This one picks up where Battywompus left off - with the "fab four."

You can see the lingering effects of the bat attack on poor Wildfall here.

 
Jarlsboris Wildfall forced himself to his feet in spite of Mary's protests. His wounds cried in protest, as did Mary Kate.

“Jarlsy you are in no shape to be fighting. We just got you out of that swarm of bats and now you are insisting on going back in and getting yourself killed,” admonished Mary, frustrated that Wildfall continued to ignore her advice.

He frowned deeply, readying his weapon, his trademark solid oak shillelagh. Twirling it expertly. "I'm fine, or at least I better be. You patched me up and from the looks of things, we might not be done with the fight, even if the bats did flee. Isn't that right, Todd?"

Todd's voice was uncharacteristically growly. "Don't worry about that, man. Just worry about healin' up." Behind him Fahari stood with her hood up to cover her face.

"You'll pardon me," Wildfall answered with a snarl on his face, "if I don't wanna get caught lyin' down in an ambush. Do ya think they're gonna rush us or back off, Todd?"

A growl came from the black depths inside Fahari's hood. Todd chuckled. "That answer your question, mate? These rats don't let you heal."

“Well obviously, Jarlsy, you are not going to listen to me and if you go out there and die I swear I will kill you myself,” snapped Mary as she turned her back on Wildfall.

"So we fall back," Wildfall said with an almost indifferent shrug. "They're not close enough to tell I'm hurt and they're probably too scared to follow anyway.. right guys?"

“Thank you for seeing the light of reason here, Jarlsy. At least we can try to get you in better shape to fight,” replied a relieved Mary.

"Right you are, darlin'!" Todd gave that little grin he always gave when trying to sell a bill of goods. "Ain't that right, Fahari?"

Fahari finally spoke, interrupted only by a sharp elbow from the fox. "They will follow- however, they will keep their distance. For now."

"Guys." Wildfall cautiously stared at Fahari. "I don't think it's me you gotta worry 'bout not listening to reason."

Fahari turned her eyes on Wildfall. "Do not be concerned. Mr. Blackpaws has convinced me to be a … 'good kitty.' Much as it goes against my word to my Goddess."

“Thank you, Todd, for at least seeing my point,” said Mary. “Now I suggest we get Jarlsy back to some safe spot before they get any closer.”

There was another growl from the pantheress as she glared at Mary. "It is not that I 'see his point.' He has just convinced me that protecting Mr. Wildfall is more important than…"

Todd moved up next to Fahari- a task seeing how the foxbard wanted nothing but to be heading away from here at top speed. But he couldn't leave a friend behind- even if he'd joke and say it was because she had too good a… tail to lose.

"Darlin' leave this scum. We gotta get our injured to safety and regroup." He kept tight control of his voice, not wanting to growl though he wanted to more than anything. But that would only goad Fahari into doing something she needed no goading to do.

"He means me!" Wildfall called as Mary helped him get his balance. "It's okay, Mary, I can walk on my own."

“Fine! Don’t let anyone help you. You have always been bullheaded,” replied Mary as she picked up her belongings and starts walking.

"Hey!" Wildfall called teasingly. "Aren't ya gonna help me? I'm injured here!"

“You didn’t want any help so suck it up and move back to some semblance of safety,” Mary replied over her shoulder.

"And she says I'm bullheaded," Wildfall whispered to himself. "Sheesh."

Todd chuckled, but didn't say what was on his mind. "Not worth the beatin," he quipped, turning to Fahari.

"Comin', beautiful?"

Fahari fell in with the rest with only a slight growl.

"I am not 'bullheaded'. I am just… 'determined.'"

"Whatever you say, darlin'," Todd chuckled, "whatever you say."

"Todd, man," Wildfall joked, blocking out the growing ache in his head. "You gotta learn to poke the snake more. It's fun, trust me. Right Mary?"

"From what I hear Mr Blackpaws' snake poking skills are legendary… or are we talking about a different 'snake'?" A small smirk grew on Fahari's lips.

Mary looked over her shoulder and said, ”I think we have company coming. Looks like some really BIG rats getting closer.”

"Forget 'em," Wildfall assured her. "We're not that far from Degrassi; let's pick up the pace."

"I can delay them." Fahari growled, getting a snort from Todd.

"We both know what's gonna be involved in that delay, darlin'. Let's keep goin' like Wildy says."

“Yea we have to get Wilde to the Inn and get him patched up properly,” Mary replied. Wildfall was right, too. It didn't take them long to reach Degrassi and the Muri-Dan had backed off completely.

“I see the Inn just ahead. Now we can get Wilde to safety and healed up,” said Mary.

"Let's hit it," Wildfall said with a grin. "After we stop by that lil' deli that Lil Canadian girl opened up. I've been wanting to try that."

"The deli? Or the little Canadian?" Todd smirked, even getting a chuckle from the usually stern Fahari.

“Well by all means go check out the new girl, she might *heal* you faster than my medicine or bandages can,” snapped Mary as she headed to the Inn.

Wildfall just stared with a 'deer in the headlights' look on his face (not that this metaphor especially works in AIL). "You know, on second thought, she's kind of ugly and a bit of a pain, let's just go to the Inn so I can tell everyone how great Mary is doing in her training."

“Wildfall, while you all go check her and the deli out, you can get us something to eat while I will go next door to get some supplies to replace what I used in the field and what I need to heal your wounds,” Mary replied. “The sooner we get you healed up, the sooner we can be on our way.”

Wildfall sighed. "Do ya want me to help ya out, Mary?"

“That would be nice, Wildfall, but you go enjoy your food and bring me back something good and healthy. You can help me later after you have eaten and rested. Fahari, would you like to come help me? Maybe Todd can go with Wildfall to keep him from getting to distracted. Hehe.” Mary smiled as she replied.

Fahari nodded- almost bowed- and purred. "It would be my pleasure." Todd's answer to the unasked question of whether he was in for this was to head for the deli. Wildfall rushed to keep up.

And the archive keeps rolling! Although this one didn't win any awards, the voter did compliment the tension and overlapping conversations on this one, saying he wished he'd seen more of the latter out of the four. Well, maybe in future roleplays he will!

He said he enjoyed Fahari's role as a "reluctant ally" as well.

Although they didn't win an award for this one, they do pick up an award the next time the four are together again!