What the River Says

[Mercy Bell]

December 16th
17th Hour
Year LV

By most standards, it was quiet out. In truth, the valley was alive with sound. A misshapen 'v' of geese migrated overhead, honking the way only their species could as if they actually had something to say. At this particular bend in the river, the shallow edge was littered with rocks over which water poured in cloth-like, shimmering waves; this created a sound that was at once both a trickle, a mumble and roar. As the wind blew, the tall grass rustled against each other. Animals skittered in the underbrush. Tap-tap-thwack went a wooden stick against the ground, guiding a young woman who lived more deeply in a world of sound than a world of light.

Mercy was dressed for the season. The autumn chill had long set in, and against this she had bundled in layers of thick wool. Little bits of weeds and mud clung to her brown skirts, but beneath, her petticoats were dry and warm. That was all that she could really ask for. The stick scraped against a rock, but this one was higher off the ground. Startled, for she had not noticed it, Mercy looked down upon the large blur of white-gray at her feet. She reached out and ran her hands over it tentatively, feeling to make sure that the rock was properly vacant of sharp edges, before taking a seat and letting her walking stick fall to the ground beside her.

Ah, freedom. Fresh air. Coolness. There was a sharpness to the autumn air that made breathing it like inhaling needles, but it was pleasant, and that she couldn't explain. Pulling her bonnet from her head, she unpinned her braid from the back of her head and let it fall unhindered down her back. The cool air assaulted the crown of her head, and she shivered. Her breath came out in a light cloud of fog, but she couldn't see it.

Finally free for the evening, Mercy Bell simply sat... and listened.

[Maggie]

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Maggie;

The village and the surrounding area was blessed with a quaint day, the sun hanging high over head with only the occasional cool breeze. Leaves were slowly beginning to fall from the trees and there was a bitter chill in the mornings that forewarned of oncoming cold weather. It was a reminder for many to be ready to pull in the crops, ready the firewood and finish up the seasons work before Winter rolled in.

Maggie was not fond of winter – it was probably one of the most boring times of the year and the least comfortable. If you were outside of course. True the snow had its plus sides – you could make tunnels and it meant more mice to look for around the house. Plus it meant Yule was just up ahead. But on the down side it was just plain cold, and the forest covered in snow was just… eerie. It made her feel isolated and alone, like she was in a different world and cut off from everything she knew…

No, Maggie didn’t really like winter.

That didn’t mean she didn’t like autumn though. No, no! It was the best time to look for things to play with! Like dead grass rolled up in a ball or a pile of leaves to jump into. There were a lot of things to do and find now, even if she was a bir sad that summer was coming to an end. But that was life – seasons changed and they’d come back sooner or later. At least there were festivals even during the cold weather.

Tail held high, the small cream tabby made her way through the browning underbrush and onto the path, ears perked forward at the sound of a dull thwap. Odd, she didn’t expect anyone out here. Maybe there was trouble? Feeling a surge of excitement, Maggie’s pace quickened, her footsteps a bit heavier then they should’ve been. Not that she noticed. She wasn’t very good about keeping quiet. The cat arrived upon the ‘scene’ within a few minutes, and was half disappointed to see it was only a villager. Phooey.

Still, she was curious to see who it was, and moved forward to investigate further. Oh, it was one of the Bell girls – Mercy wasn’t it? Maggie wasn’t stupid. She could put two and two together. She could easily confirm the girl was Mercy Bell not only from her scent, but her appearance as well. Walking stick and pale eyes. Oh yes, this was Miss Mercy.

Moving towards her legs, Maggie gave a meow to announce her presence, raising her head slightly to look more ‘refined’. Or whatever her mother called it. She sat by the young woman’s feet, pawing at a stray leaf that clung onto her muddied skirts. She’d just have to remove that... She wasn’t distracted at all. Honest.

[Mercy Bell]

Mercy remained quiet, listening to an animal approaching. Whatever it was, it was coming quite rapidly; yet she was not afraid. She figured it to be a jackrabbit, what with all of the leaping and stomping and rustling. She turned her eyes to the burst of orange that had entered her little clearing by the river side, and couldn't hold in her laughter. The laugh burst out of her mouth all no its own, like birds tiring of being stuck up in a lonely tree. It left a smile on her face.

A sweet, twangy meow rang out, making a few lingering birds scatter from the brush. The sound was duller in the human girl's ears than it was in the birds'.Mercy reached down as a paw began to swat at her skirts, grasping widely and then finally taking the fuzzy little appendage into her hand with a gentle grip. She ran her thumb lightly over the top and her forefinger over the pads -- like a little kitty handshake.

She laughed again, releasing the paw and outstretching her arm to give the orange blur a good pet. There was nothing cloudy or unclear about touch; cats were always soft.

"You have a mew like a giggle, Maggie-cat," she said, now sure of the feline's identity. The majority of the village couldn't identify each and every cat by their voice, but there were more than might be expected. A lot of outsiders were impressed by this; but Mercy didn't think much of it. They lived in such proximity to the creatures, why shouldn't they? It was as natural as being able to recognise a human voice. Once you got used to each cats' meowing, you had a good chance of telling them apart.

"You are a bit far from town. Then again, so am I," She held her hand down then, stationary, so that Maggie might have the option of self-petting. "It can get so stuffy inside, and there is so much to do. I think..."

She turned her head to the strip of blue that covered most of her sight when she looked at it. In the past, her brother had braved censure to try to teach her to swim. For her own safety, he said, in case she ever walked into it. He didn't really understand how the other senses kicked in when some of the others kicked out. She could feel the water droplets from the river settle on her skin better than she could see or hear it. And she could swim fine. She just... wasn't allowed.

"I think I want to go swimming." She stood up, unwrapping her shawl and beginning to unbutton her dress front. "Do you see anyone looking?" She asked the cat, quite uselessly, as she was sure enough that there wasn't anyone to be undressing already.

(I posted this on the wrong account at first. -_- I have no brain.)

[Meriwether Strangeway]

A tree house would be the best place to live. That’s the conclusion that Meriwether had come to. On the fringes of the woods by the open land there was a large pin tree with a frequent but unusual tenant in it. Meriwether sat about half way up the tree on three planks of wood that her Papa and brother had secured up there for her. Beside her was a worn out basket with stick dolls and a telescope made out of a cornucopia with the end cut off. Though it wasn’t like the tree houses deep in the tropic woods that she had heard about from traveling tradesmen, it was still her own little haven that only special people knew about.

Taking up the makeshift telescope Meriwether surveyed her ’Kingdom of Izzie’ that lied next to the ‘Ocean of Wether’. The jackrabbits were as skittish as always, the field mice were ‘harvesting their crop’ for winter, “Good little workers you all are.” she pronounced to the mice who perked up at the sudden faint noise from above them. Continuing her scan she saw an outsider crow trying to break into her kingdom and some of the little birds of the royal army fending it off, “Huzzah! Another war won!” she proclaimed while saluting the smaller birds. Gasp! An intruder! In the center of the ‘telescope’ hole was a small figure walking toward the river.

Brandishing a twig she had snapped from the tree she swung down from her post and crouched down into the grass. Halfway between the tree and the intruder was a small hill that Meriwether’s orange head stuck out behind it. Squinting her eyes she zeroed in on the figure of a girl with a stick. “Mercy!” she called out excitedly. Throwing the stick sword to the ground Meriwether hoped up and ran as fast as her little legs could take her older friend.

Tripping on the grass once or twice she finally made it up to the youngest Bell girl. Besides her family, Mercy was the girl in the village that Meriwether look up to. Though most other girls looked up to Mary Bell, Meriwether choice Mercy because…well she liked her better, and Elizabeth gave her an odd feeling. Smiling brightly up at her with a toothy grin Meriwether noticed Mercy being half-dressed, “What are you doing?” She asked curiously tilting her head to the side, “Oh! Evening Miss. Maggie!” She said just noticing the tabby cat before turning her attention back to Mercy.

[Maggie]

__________________________

Maggie;

Maggie had to look away from the leaf as the girl grasped her wiggling paw. She gave a mew as if asking what Mercy was doing. The cat wasn’t too bothered by this gesture – she didn’t mind being touched. Rather it was the fact she was being pulled away from disposing of that rescaling leaf from Mercy’s skirts. She wasn’t going to remember it though. Her train of thought didn’t stay on one thing for very long.

The cat gave a murr of content as the girl ran a hand over her head, relishing the feeling of fingers running through her fur. It was a simple gesture. Touch was important to cats and humans, maybe made even more so as the Guardians took forms as both species. Whatever the reason, it was a delight Maggie took advantage of at any opportunity. Whether it was by rubbing herself up against someone’s legs or pawing at their clothes – she was sure to get at least one good scratch a day.

Her ears gave a twitch at the sound of her name, pleased that the girl remembered her, even though it could have remained unspoken that they knew who each other were. Guardians and humans grew up alongside each other in the village. They were all like a giant family – an awkward, not always functional family, but a family nonetheless. At least in this Guardian’s eyes it was.

Maggie looked up expectantly as Mercy’s hand stilled, tail swishing back and forth behind her as she waited for the girl to continue. When she didn’t, Maggie rubbed her cheek against Mercy’s fingers, urging her to continue. Instead of continuing, her hand disappeared from Maggie’s ability to reach. The cat jumped back as Mercy stood, blinking owlishly as she questioned her.

Tilting her head, Maggie peered from side to side, as if checking the area for any suspicious happenings. When she didn’t see anything the cat turned to give a meow but was drowned out by a sudden yell behind her. Jumping, Maggie sprang up on top of the rock Mercy had just been sitting on, only to see Meriwether rushing towards them. She calmed instantly and let her bottom rest on the rock beneath her. Whiskers twitching, Maggie gave a meow of greeting in return.

Ah, Meriwether. She didn’t know too much about the young Strangeway, but was pleased to have a younger village inhabitant with them. Following Meriwether’s gaze, Maggie’s ears perked up in alarm. What was Mercy doing? She gave the older girl the best type of questioning look a cat give, not entirely comprehending why the girl might taking her clothes off. In this weather no less! Was she going crazy or something?

[Mercy Bell]

Mercy gave a cry of terror as her name was called, clutching her unbuttoned dress to her chest. She swung her head around frantically in the direction it came from, her heart pounding -- and let a big sigh of relief as she saw the approaching blur of red hair, too low to the ground to be any of the older Strangeways. Mercy shifted oddly as Meriwhether came to a skidding halt, still holding her dress to her awkwardly. "Uhh..." She ground out, unable to think straight. The little girl had given her quite a fright. Still, she smiled, for she liked the exuberance of Meriwhether. While most of her family associated as infrequently as possible with the Strangeways, Mercy had had many an occasion on which to tend to sprained wrists and torn-up knees and to develop a great liking for the youngest. She didn't like the girl's older siblings, as they gave her quite the same feeling as being around Mrs. Strangeway. What a horridly odd woman.

"I am going to go for a swim," She said, trying to sound as matter-of-fact as she could. "In the river," she added, uselessly, sounding once again awkward. It was an odd position -- after all, it was hardly the best of propriety to be stripping down to one's knickers in the open air -- but they were all girls, right? Even the cat was a girl (though she doubted Miss Maggie cared for a dip in the river).

As such, with a slight blush but a lifted chin, Mercy pulled her dress off, leaving her in only her white shift and stays. She began to unlace the latter with a practiced hand, her head bowed as she worked at the laces down her back. When that was free, she backed up to sit on the rock she had just occupied -- only to stop as she turned and spotted a familiar orange blur occupying her vacated space. So she lifted her leg instead, shivering against the cold, to pull free one stocking, and then lifting the other to pull free the next.

"If you aren't going to join," She said, finally starting to feel appropriately mischievous, but her teeth were chattering loudly, "I suggest you keep a good watch.

[Meriwether Strangeway]

“A swim?” Meriwether looked over at the river that seemed dark and cold. If it was cold being on land and dry, wouldn’t it be freezing in the water and coming out wet? And even if it was summer wouldn’t it be dangerous for Mercy, especially with no one around but a cat and eight year old? She knew that Mercy could see a little but still she didn’t know if she would be able to judge distance well or if she was about to swim into a current. Meriwether looked at Maggie with an expression that asked the cat if she thought this was alright. She usually wasn’t this cautious but she didn’t want Mercy to be in possible danger…and it was cold. Maybe, she should go get her sister, then there would be someone more able to help and waiting with warm clothing.

When she looked back at Mercy the older girl was already in her undergarments and shoes. Stroking Maggie, Meriwether was about to voice her suggestion when Mercy spook first. Her last stroke may have been a bit to rough, because she all sudden seemed insulted that she would suggest if she wasn’t going to join that she should sit and be a watch out. Meriwether was never a watch out! She was always apart of the action, another trait she had gotten from her hunting father. “If your doing it I’m doing it to!” She said in a matter of fact way. The previous reasons for not doing this were completely forgotten as she pulled her shoes and stockings off then stripped down to her breeches and little shift she wore during the colder months for extra warmth.

“You keep good watch Miss. Maggie, okay.” She commanded rather then asked and pointed a finger at the cat. A whole shiver went through her body and her teeth started to chatter as loudly as Mercy’s were. But she wasn’t going to back out, if Mercy could do it she could to. “R-Ready?” she asked looking up at her as another shiver made her stutter.

[Maggie]

__________________________

Maggie;

Maggie swiveled her head in alarm to Mercy’s cry of terror, her resembling a large orange, fuzzy snake as her hair stood on end from top to bottom. Miss Mercy had quite a pair of lungs on her! Shaking slightly, the feline ran her tongue over her chest, trying to calm herself down again as the older girl tried to explain what she was doing to the younger Miss Meriwether. By the time Maggie had finished washing herself Mercy was lifted her leg up to free it of it’s stocking, causing the cat to jump in alarm again. She’d only just registered her explanation of shucking off her clothes. Swimming? In that river in this weather? The girl was absolutely insane!

She mewed allowed this thought, which of course was of course heard nothing more as a mew. She couldn’t speak to them in their language as a cat – that would be just as crazy as Miss Mercy was being. Her thoughts were cut off as Meriwether’s hand came to stroke her, and her comprehension on the subject all but blurred as she purred against the younger girls hand. Everything was fine until Miss Mercy had to go and say something. Maggie didn’t catch what she’d said, but whatever it was Meriwether had taken offence to it, and because of that her last stroke had been less then gentle.

Giving a startled sound Maggie sprang from her spot on the rock, legs flailing slightly in the air before landing with a dull ‘thwmp’ on the cool ground beside the rock. Hmph. Some adventure this was turning out to be. The cream tabby shot the two girls and indignant glare over her shoulder, looking quite sulkily out towards the underbrush. She got a few pets, yes, but they all ended too soon, or too roughly. And now she was being given the responsibility of keeping watch while Miss Meriwether and Miss Mercy went for a dip in the river. During Autumn. In the cold.

Oh yes this all made perfect sense.

Besides her better wishes not to stay, Maggie made a rather grumpy feline face and jumped back up onto her perch on the rock. Sitting down slowly, she curled her tail over her paws, watching the two human girls with a mixed look of exasperation and curiosity. How they were going to take this Maggie couldn’t fathom. She disliked water – or rather cold water. Or even more specifically water during cold weather. She’d fallen in once before (or maybe twice, she couldn’t always remember clearly) and good gracious she never wished to relive that moment… Not even for a weeks worth of mice.

Shivering slightly, the cat gave a whine of a meow, as if asking why she had to keep watch. Why couldn’t they go for a walk or something? Or better yet pet the cat again. Whichever. As long as it didn’t involve water for goodness sake! Humans sometimes.

[Mercy Bell]

Mercy had to hide her smile behind an expression of stoicism in order not to chuckle aloud at Meriwhether's sudden change of heart. There was a muffled sound of ruffled clothing, and Meriwether was moving rapidly. Mercy was sure that she was undressing quickly, so as to prove her bravery. She couldn't hold back her smile, grinning into the cold as her breath came out in front of her in barely-visible puffs.

She turned back, finally, to face the river, and inched her way toward it tentatively, suddenly doubting the merit of her idea. Maggie made a harsh mew of complaint behind her, and Mercy almost turned back on the excuse of sparing the cat's feelings. But it was a challenge, now. A dare. Her smile came back. Meriwhether would just have to chicken out first.

"We will be fine, Miss Maggie. Just make sure that no men come about and spot us. Or any of the older folks, for that matter." She stepped forward one more tiny little bit and gasped as the freezing water enveloped her feet.

"Oh! Oh, goodness, gracious, oh my, eeee..." She made some very quiet incoherent sounds for a moment as she stepped in a bit farther, so that she was in to mid-calf. After awhile it wasn't so bad, because her body from there down was numb. THe occasional upward lap from the rippling river on her drier parts still made her such air through her teeth, though.

"Alright, Meriwether. 'Tis not so bad. Once y-you, uhh... let us jump in together, at once, and get it over with." She turned to Meriwhether for agreement, hoping that the little girl wouldn't push her in first. Maybe Meriwether would do that to someone else, but she assumed she was the safest of any in the village from such a prank.

[Griffin]

Griffin liked a lot of people in the village; he was fond of just about everyone who had time to play a game or spare something to nibble on. But, of them all, he had a special place for little girls. Small children in general had the best games and required the most protecting—making them the favorites in his eyes—and small girls had less of a tendency to pull ears and tails than young men. So, when he had come across young Meriwether running around, brandishing a stick, he had followed eagerly. What had she spotted that was so interesting? He tried to scent it on the wind, but the breezes weren’t in his favor.

Running to catch up with the youngest Strangeway’s short but rapid stride, he looked down at the water and purred at what he saw. The ever-lovely Mercy was, for whatever gifted reason, disrobing! His eyes, however, soon shot to the other feline in the area; Maggie. He backed up, keeping hidden and hoping he hadn’t been spotted. Spending time watching a beautiful young woman take an autumn swim while being stroked by kind young hands? What a reward!

But Maggie might not see his intentions so well. He flattened his ears to his head, burying his pale coat in the grass. Only the tip of his tail twitched to signal he was still alive, so concentrated was he on weighing pros and cons. When Meriwether decided to follow the older girl’s lead, he stiffened. That was less fun. Still, what else had he to do until nightfall?

Deciding to be a big boy and get over it, Griffin tensed his muscles. Some cats would sneak down quietly, hoping not to be caught. Others would politely announce themselves.

Griffin was not some cats. Griffin was not other cats. He was a Guardian of Benevolence, descended from great protectors and always able to make an entrance! Leaping like a creature possessed from his hiding spot within the bushes, he streaked down towards the water’s edge with the loudest caterwaul he’d ever let out, using his long legs to jump the last foot or so and land near Maggie.

“Nice evening, no?” His green eyes were bright with laughter, pupils wide in exhilaration.

[Meriwether Strangeway]

Dipping her left foots toes in the water a sharp chill streaked through her body and goose bumps rose all over her. Her foot shot up out of the water and she stood there balanced like a crane. It was freezing! Even Mercy was making incoherent sound as she sloshed past Meriwether. This was insane! What could have possessed her to come up with this idea in this weather when the water in the morning would have a very thin layer of ice on the edges? To Meriwether there was only two times to play by the river, in the summer when it was a refreshment from the hot days and in the winter when it was frozen over and one could glide around on it. Between those times the river could be harsh, whether it was current or the temperature.

But Meriwether wasn’t a girl to back down from a challenge and she slowly made her way to Mercy. Not to bad?! The little girls lips were already starting to turn blue by the time she caught to Mercy. The water was almost up to her knees and she was grateful for her brothers old breeches for giving some protection to her legs. Oh goodness this was cold! If her family saw what she was doing right now she was sure her brother would scope her up and her mother and sister would scold her, in their calm way, for doing such a silly thing. It made her wonder what Mercy’s family might think of her doing this. Surely they’d vehemently disapprove. Luckily there was just the three of them out here with seemingly no one else in sight.

“Yes…t-the faster the better right?” She said trying to sound sure in what she was doing. Looking up at Mercy she could see that she wasn’t enjoying this as much as she might have thought she would have. Still she wasn’t backing out, so Meriwether wasn’t. They were both so stupidly stubborn at the moment. “I’ll count to three and we jump okay?” she volunteered, “one…two…thr-EEE!” At the sudden wail Meriwether jumped with surprise and her foot slipped out from under her and she went screeching in the water. There was a large splash and in the middle of it was a stunned, drenched Meriwether.

She sat in the mud wide eyed for a second before angrily trying to scramble up only to slip again into the icy water. “KITTY!” she shrilled as she was able to flop over to see the new feline that had arrived loudly and made her fall.

[Maggie]

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Maggie;

Maggie watched the two girls make their way closer to the stream, eyes narrowing with concern was they dipped their toes in. She didn’t want them to go into the water. They might freeze or potentially catch a cold. She’d seen it happen before (and experienced it, but that was another story for another time.) and to just sit here and watch this fold out in front of her… Ooooh, why did they have to be so silly!

Having been so focused on her grumping she never noticed something rushing up behind her. When said something let out probably the loudest caterwaul she’d ever heard, Maggie understandably flinched. Well, yelp in surprise and almost fall from her perch would more aptly describe it. Ears flattening and hair bristling, Maggie whipped around with a yowl, trying to see who’d given her such a freight.

Her eyes settled on a rather proud looking tom, whose pale ginger fur made her instantly recognize who it was. Griffin – the Guardian the others talked about. He was the one her family warned to keep watch for, wasn’t he? The one who supposedly spouted, in her mother’s words; ‘The most foolish ideas a Guardian could even begin to think about.’. Cedric had a bit more colorful comments compared to their mother’s, but Maggie wasn’t even going to bother to recall those now.

Against her families wishes however, Maggie personally held nothing against the other Guardian. Truthfully she didn’t fully understand his ideas nor wish to really give them a lot of thought, but her views on him hadn’t changed much since he started talking about revealing their true forms. The idea disturbed her, even scared her really, but Maggie saw him as a good Guardian, and that was that. She was having second thoughts right now though…

Tail lashing the cream tabby gave an aggravated hiss at the new arrival. She wasn’t used to having her role switched. She was the one who snuck up on people and watched in an almost sadistic sort of glee as they jumped in surprise. Plunking her bottom back down once more, Maggie sent the cat across from her a glare.

“It was, until somebody decided to come out of nowhere and scare half the fur off me.” She sent back with a loud huff, tail tip twitching in annoyance. Stingy tonight, wasn’t she? Giving a grunt the smaller cat turned to look back at the girls, ears rotating in their direction as Miss Meriwether gave a cry. From the looks of it the younger girl had fallen and was now very much covered in mud. Wet mud. Maggie couldn’t help but give a shiver.

She kept her eyes glued on the two for a few minutes before realization dawned on her. The cat turned back to Griffin and promptly waved a paw in his face to push his head in the other direction. “Turn around, you! No peaking at the miss’s!” Her tone was scolding, but noticeably lighter then it had been moments ago. Maggie never was one to hold a grudge for very long.

[Mercy Bell]

Meriwhether volunteered to count. She decided that that was good, for she doubted she would ever say three. In fact... well, being rebellious was quite nice -- or at least the thought of it -- and she wanted to swim, but it was so cold, and it would be a miserable, wet, terrible trip through the field afterward before she could dry in front of a warm fire. And then, she being her, she would almost surely end up ill. She always did.

Meriwhether started counting and Mercy held up her hand at two, ready to call it off. But both girls were suddenly startled by a loud cry, and Meriwhether shrieked and went down. The sound had been odd and frightening, but not nearly as loud to Mercy's defective ears as to the rest of them. So Mercy didn't jump, merely turned her head, ready to wade back to dry land. A moment later water splashed up her legs, when she was least expecting it, and she yelped, jerking around and losing her footing as well. She went down in the watery, muddy mess right next to Meriwhether, and the stuff seeped right up her thin white shift. She sat for a few seconds with her mouth open, gasping for breath.

Apparently, by the little lady's cry, a cat was the culprit. Perhaps Maggie, but perhaps not. She heard a hiss, so... probably not Maggie. "W-w-w... h... who? She managed to grind out through her chattering teeth.

[Griffin]

Instead of looking properly humbled and asking the lady cat’s forgiveness, Griffin held his furry chin high with pride. His mission, he deemed, was at least a partial success. As two girls screamed and the sound of bodies hitting mud and water rang through the air, he realized he had been completely successful. His tail waved in satisfaction.

“A shame, to be sure,” he mewed innocently to Maggie. “Such fur is too beautiful be wasted on the ground.” He might have added more, but the angry shouting of Meriwether and chilled questioning of Mercy caught his attention. Looking towards them unabashedly, he took a moment to admire the pretty young woman. For all she had ghostly-looking eyes, the rest of her was nothing to scorn. Raising himself on his long hindquarters, Griffin stretched up straight and, batting a paw at the air as though grasping for unseen prey, gave a proud mew. Unlike lesser trouble-makers, this one was all about taking the credit.

Eager to reap his full reward, he moved forward to get up-close and personal with the older girl and give some comfort to the startled Strangeway (while averting his eyes, of course!) Before he could move even a pawstep, however, his fellow Guardian’s paw was at his face, forcing it away. He gave her a disappointed look before turning his back to the girls and sitting, curling his tail around his feet. Who wants to get cold and wet anyways? he tried to console himself.

“Maybe I should tell them I’m sorry; it would be the polite thing to do.” He said it casually, as though the suggestion was not fire to some ears. He could just imagine what Cedric or Deven would do to hear him say such things to their baby sister. Or Nolan, though Griffin had a lot of respect for the elderly Guardian; he’d fought alongside Boulder, back in the day.

“Not swimming with them?” The teasing voice added.

[Meriwether Strangeway]

Meriwether’s back was met with another splash of that darn awful water when Mercy came crashing down beside her. Her whole body tensed up as it seemed to realize that it was drenched with water and covered in cold mud. The little girls anger dissipated a brief moment as she looked over to Mercy to see if she was ok. She was surprised but didn’t seem hurt. She probably was wearing the same look that Meriwether had had. Well this was a mess, and not an enjoyable one! If only it was summer though she’d be laughing so hard her stomach would hurt, but it wasn’t and she was irritated by the chilled clothing and hair sticking to her and the mud felt disgusting right now.

“It-t-t was Mis-mister. Griffin!” She mumbled out locking eyes with the proud looking cat. Usually those two got along perfectly. If she ever needed a companion for exploring or any other romping around by herself she could probably count on him. But oh how dare he do such a devilish thing! She just knew that he did it on purpose, for it was something she would have probably done also. Meriwether made a few more inaudibly grumbles before she couldn’t stand just sitting there any longer. With her teeth chattering loudly she dug her toes into the mud and was able to push herself up.

Once she was sure of her ground to grasp Mercy’s arm to help her up, “T-this is enough for me.” She said through pouting blue lips. Meriwether dug her toes more into the mud as she started to slowly pull on Mercy’s arm, hoping that she’d be able to give some support so that they wouldn’t slip again. She felt incredibly more heavier though with the mud caked unto her bottom and whole front of her thick shift plus it being soaked. At this moment she was glad that her family wasn’t as strict as the other people in the village. If they were she would have hidden her shift in the woods, clean herself off in the river, and then wait up in her tree resident until she dried off.

[Maggie]

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Maggie;

Maggie gave a loud snort, not easily swayed by the tom’s smooth words. She wasn’t particularly mindful of the ‘boundaries’ between the different genders. It was only when it came to the decency of the human female generation. Not so much for a female Guardian while in human form, but Maggie felt she had to keep the village girl’s dignity in mind should they ever expose themselves. However that worked out. It was simple reasoning to Maggie though and to her that was easy enough to follow. Other people would just have to figure it out the hard way. “Or much anywhere else for the matter, you can be sure.” she meowed back, tone still hinting towards a tart attitude. Her attention was once more pulled away by the girls in the river with another loud splash. She might not have been within splashing range but the cat couldn’t help but wince at the sound.

Ears twitching in worry, the cream tabby turned more in her sitting position to see the two girls better. Miss Meriwether was trying to help a rather helpless looking Mercy back onto her feet and (hopefully) back out of the water. The two were now soaked and covered in mud. Maggie wasn’t against being covered in mud – she had no qualms with getting dirty – but with a cool wind picking up and with the added chill of the water… She’d skip this time around.

The cat made a sort of grunting noise, affirming Meriwether’s indication of who the culprit was. Rolling her eyes, the she-cat looked over her shoulder and remarked dryly, “I’m sure they’d love to hear an apology once they’re clothed and dry.” Maggie wasn’t dense. Her lack in the ability to look before she leapt was not one to rely on, nor was she entirely knowledgeable on more… adult subjects, but she could scent out a sneak like a mouse underneath her paw. Usually.

Had Maggie the lips in this form to do so, she would’ve likely given a loud ‘pff’. “Oh yes, because swimming is ideally the one thing I’d love to be doing right now. Miss Mercy and Meriwether have certainly convinced me to dive right in.” And without another word the pale tabby cat sprang from her spot and towards the collection of clothing a little ways away from the rivers edge. She meowed towards the two girls, nudging the end of one of the skirts before giving a half-hearted attempt to drag it towards them. Maggie didn’t want to go near the water, but she didn’t wanted Mercy and Meriwether to freeze.

Ugh. What was a word Cedric might describe this situation? A conundrum maybe? One of those fancy words he seemed to pick up from mum and dad. Whatever it was, Maggie wanted the girls out and far, far away from the water please. Preferably inside a house next to a nice fire, maybe sitting on someone’s lap… Well, that’d be her, but they’d be inside too. Yes. Maggie would definitely go with the latter.

[Mercy Bell]

Alright, so she was muddy, now. Meriwhether was helping her to her feet, and when she finally stood, she could think of nothing better than sinking back down. How was it that now the water seemed warm? The breeze was hell, and she wrapped her arms around herself tightly to protect herself (quite uselessly). She listened to Meriwhether sloshing her way out for a few moments before saying, more confidently than she felt, "I think I will wash off first."

That said, she took some time to hesitate, even though the numbness of her body where it remained below the water line was much more pleasant than the chill of her wet, filthy self outside of it. She turned, finally, and trudged down in the water, holding her breath against the cold until the rest of her went numb. And then her feet could no longer touch bottom, and she flailed a little. It had been a long time since she last swam; even so, it wasn't too hard to simply tread water, and she got a hang of it quickly. A smile came to her face as she got used to the water, and she gasped in a big breath, letting herself sink beneath the surface to wash the mud from her hair.

She would no doubt regret this little escapade later.

[Meriwether Strangeway]

Meriwether look perfectly like a river monster as she started trudging her way to the shore. All she wanted to due was to get back home and hope that her mother would let her wash herself off in heated water. Being chilled to the bone, and also realizing that the water seemed to some how be a bit warmer, she gave a great shiver and looking directly at Griffin with a scowl, “You naughty kitty! I should yank your tail for punishment!” she threatened as her nose started to run.

Meriwether sniffled a little and ran a muddy hand under her nose as she looked back, expecting Mercy to have followed her. Instead she saw the back of her going deeper into the water, “But Mercy it’s cold…” she pouted to herself. The ever adventurous-do-everything girl was easily defeated by the temperature and just wanted to be home by the fire drinking a warm cup of milk. Meriwether huffed and argued in her head, shouldn’t the water be at least at little warm its not like it was winter, the water makes it feel like it is.

“Wait!” she called out trudging back out after her. She decided it would be better to just let her stubborn side win over her better judgment, which was the usual for her anyways. If Mercy could do it, she could. Besides better to get in trouble for coming wet rather then wet and dirty from head to toe. Once she got to where her toes just barely touched bottom she could a deep breath and washed off her hands and face as quickly as she could, because the cold water seem to have knocked some of the breath out of her when she went under.

Her orange head bobbed out of the water shivering furiously. The rest of her body though underwater was strangely warm except when she moved her arms and feet, treading over to Mercy. Hr body was already completely numb, evidence by her sheet white face and blue lips. “We-e can swim n-now that we’re getting used to it…hu-uh?”

[Elizabeth Bell]

A call rang out over the field, and a figure could be seen several yards away. It was a female figure, with skirts hiked up in her hands so that she could run. Propriety was not an issue for Bess at the moment. Mercy was missing. The call was repeated, and this time the word could be made out:

"MERCY!"

Elizabeth was finally near enough to see that the objects int eh river were people. She felt panic. If it was men, she'd be in a very difficult spot. Then again, if it was Mercy and she did nothing, her sister might drown. Or fall ill, and die. Yet who was the other? She gulped. Would it be worse for Mercy to fall ill or to be caught swimming with a man? She sighed, and picked up her skirts again, continuing to run. She was finally close enough, and saw two cats, Mr. Griffin and Miss Margaret, perched on the shore. At least Miss Maggie seemed to have the right idea, dragging the clothes in a very insistent manner.

She stopped abruptly, her voice louder than she intended but as harsh as she could have liked. "MERCY!" She had run so hard, it almost came out as a half-wheeze. "Who is that with you? You come out of there this instant." Finally, she fell to panting, leaning forward and placing her hands on her knees. "You'll get the ague."

[Griffin]

Griffin purred at Maggie’s sarcasm, substituting it for a laugh. He wasn’t much for swimming either, but he suspected the river ranked right up with the beasts in the forest. At least she wasn’t lashing out and chasing him away; he would be content in her humor.

When Meriwether let him know what she thought of his fun, however, the tom’s tail drooped in proper shame. He had hoped a young soul like her would see his cleverness and enjoy his prank, even if it was at her own expense. But still, he knew she wasn’t likely to follow through with her threat and that, to be fair, he would be less than thrilled in her position. He would have to make it up to her, somehow.

Maybe you should tell her that you’re already making it up for her. Tell her you’re the reason she will sleep safely tonight and every other night for the rest of her years. His claws tested the ground in frustration. What was so wrong with that? Why was everyone blinded by superstition and foolish tradition? The fur on his neck was bristling.

He found himself at the sound of a new voice. Sheathing his claws, he looked up to see Mercy’s older sister approaching. “Oh, they’ll get it now,” he thought aloud. Sure enough, Bess’ harsh tone spoke of her worry, which would almost surely lead to many a stern word.

Not unwilling to be a handsome hypocrite, Griffin chose not to take the helpful route his fellow Guardian had in fetching clothes, but instead trotted over to the older Bell girl and rubbed himself against her, putting his head against her leg to try and get a fraction of her attention; it would help ease the sting of his previous unhappy thoughts.