Dealing with Children and Small Animals...*Action Sequence - 18th November 1005

[not_a_clotpole]

This multiverse thing has resulted in any number of bizarre encounters.

This evening's encounter requires him to accompany a small girl to the Forest of Balor just outside Camelot.

The sun had almost set by now and Arthur debated the wisdom of this.

The kid, Stephanie, was about to be deterred and no self-respecting person would allow a small child to wander into the forest unaccompanied, so here he was.

He could only hope that only deer and badger would be wandering around in the woods tonight.

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[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She spun around to that sound.*

What was that? *She stepped a little closer to the sound..curiously but cautiously.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur pretty much leaps in front of Stephanie, because it sounds like a wolf to him...

He draws his sword and holds it at the ready. Wondering if he should yell something, try and draw whatever it was out. But he usually hunting with a group, he was kind of lacking in back up right now.

"Keep still..." he whispers.

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She hid behind his legs timidly, peering around to try and see what it was. When he says to keep still, she does.*

What is it? *She whispered.*

[not_a_clotpole]

"Not sure," Arthur whispers back...it's hard to see clearly in the twilight.

He levels his sword at the bush in question and gives it a poke.

The growling increases in volume and rustling becomes louder. He's seriously hoping it's a dog...although even if it is the noise it's making doesn't exactly indicate it'll be friendly.

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*As the growl increases, Stephanie trembles a little behind him. She doesn't recognize the growl and it scares her.

She hears the growl coming a little closer. A larger creature coming out of the bushes with sharp teeth.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Well, Hell, it'd have to be a wolf wouldn't it?

He swings his sword, which is sadly lacking in shinyness (and thus scariness) in the dim twilight.

But the wolf does at least since the sword slashing the air and the wolf backs up.

"All right...here's what we'll do. I'll hold it off and you run back to Camelot.It won't follow you there."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*Stephanie had never seen one of these creatures before and backed up a little.*

I'm not leaving you by yourself...*She said bravely. She stood her ground and frowned at the creature.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Kids these days - or the days to come or whatever! - no way does Arthur want an injury or worse on his head.

"Don't worry about me...I'm a skilled swordsman." He assures her. "Really...I'm just going to scare it off -" Or kill it, which ever one works - "and I'll be right behind you."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She made out like she was leaving but hid behind a tree and watched him, getting ready to use her skills if needed.

She feared the animal but feared him getting hurt more.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur stands ready for the creature to pop out...

There's another rustle of bushes and another growl and then...

A wolf! (Arthur had told Merlin there were wolves in the woods.)

It's a very smart wolf though, at the sight of Arthur's sword it decides the best course of action is to get the Hell out of there.

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She clapped her hands as the wolf ran away, and then remembered he thought she had gone back to Camelot. She tried to creep away now he wasn't in danger. Snapping a twig under her foot.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur jumped and spun around, sword still at the ready.

"Who goes there?" He shouted, then suddenly shook his head.

"Stephanie, is that you?"

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She had been busted and she froze.*

No?...*She stayed where she was.*

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur has to laugh, he rolls his eyes and comes over, looking down at her.

"It looks a lot like you...sounds a lot like you as well."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She doesn't have time to hide before he's standing looking down at her. She swallowed hard.*

Nope..not me at all...*She looks down, realizing she's slipped up.*..okay..it is me...

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur's laugh isn't exasperated right now, he's thoroughly amused.

"You know...you remind me of Merlin, my manservant, he never leaves when he should either."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*When he laughs, she sighs relieved.*

You're not angry? *She giggled a little bit with him, before getting distracted by a couple of fawn that had appeared not far from them.*

[not_a_clotpole]

"No," Arthur shakes his head, how do you get mad at little kids anyway? (If he ever has children in the future, they're going to have it so easy.)

"Although I hope you see what I mean when I say the forest can be dangerous."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

But the wolf ran away...he was scared of you.*She said quietly.* Are they always afraid of you?

*She played with her hair a little as the fawns bounced away.*..it is dangerous though..if I had been out here by myself...

[not_a_clotpole]

"Well...the rabbits usually are, but I've never run up against a wolf before. We hunt during the day and they only come out at night."

He frowns. "Yes...it wouldn't have been...well...I wouldn't have been a very good host if I'd let you do that."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She looked down at her feet for a bit.*

Can wolves ever be friendly? I'd like to pat one..if they weren't so scary..

[not_a_clotpole]

"Wolves? I doubt it." She wants to pet it, obviously she missed the razor sharp teeth.

"There's dogs though...I could show you my dogs."

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

Are they like wolves? *She turned and started dancing childishly towards Camelot again, putting him at rest a little.*

[not_a_clotpole]

"Well, they can growl like dogs and they look pretty fierce."

They're hunting dogs in fact.

Arthur breathes a sigh of relief when Stephanie heads back to Camelot and he follows on the alert in case their backs present a tempting treat.

The dogs sleep outdoors near the stables, a few of the older ones are napping, but the younger are still up and greet them with wagging tails.

[need-no-help.livejournal.com]

*She giggled and skipped over to the dogs, reaching out to pat them.*

These are much nicer than wolves...*She turns to Arthur giving him a smile.*

Do they have names?