Sailing Away RPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Primrose Bolger · 02-21-2005, 02:20 PM

Sassy wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t really like Falco . . . and for two very good reasons she thought. He didn’t like her and had wanted to send her back all by herself . . . and he was mean to Sondo. Sneakingly mean and outright mean, too. And despite what Sam had told her about Falco being a fun companion most of the time, she just couldn’t think how she might see him in this way.

On the other hand, she quite liked Sam. And she’d listened carefully to what he’d said to her.

Now he was walking toward Falco, having urged her to come with him. She scuffed her feet in frustration and chewed on the edge of her bottom lip as she watched his retreating back. ‘Go on Sass,’ she told herself. ‘You can hang behind Sam.’

Her little feet hurried to catch up with her friend. She hid behind him as he spoke with Falco, and once, when Falco glanced her way as Sam moved about, she nodded at him in a non-committal manner. Her face carefully neutral . . . or as neutral as a spirited little eleven year old girl can keep her expression. Sassy’s eyes flashed as Falco looked away, and he resumed talking once again to Sam. Careful to keep quiet she looked at him quite pointedly. ‘I’ve got my eye on you, Falco Brandybuck,’ she thought to herself. ‘Both of them! No matter what Sam thinks of you.’

Nurumaiel · 02-21-2005, 04:16 PM

Falco looked from Sam to Sassy. On the one hand, there was Sam, with a smile as kind as Bingo's had been. On the other hand, there was Sassy, and while her face showed no open emnity, he could guess exactly what she was thinking about him. And why shouldn't she? He had been rotten to her brother. That is to say, her brother had been rotten to him, so he had left.

There was a twinge of his conscience, and a realisation that he tried to stomp down. It was becoming plainer to him with each passing moment that he, Falco Brandybuck, had been the one in the wrong, and that it would be his duty to apologise. He would not apologise. He was not wrong.

He turned to Sam, smiling that faint smile once again, and this time it had a rueful look about it.

"I'm afraid I don't have any food, Sammy," he said. "Reggie and I ran out of food some time back, and even if there had been some food left... I lost my pack."

The tones in which he addressed Sam were very comradely. He had always been annoyed at the other lad's grouchiness, but since that first day when the hobbits were all sent floundering in the water, and Falco had pulled Sam out, and the latter had thanked him most graciously... well, Falco didn't feel quite so annoyed with Sam now. Least of all now, when he was giving him a warm, kind welcome!

As for Reggie... Falco had been fully intending to make Reggie feel his bitterness at the desertion by remaining coldly silent towards him, and every so often casting him reproachful glances, but Bingo's words had sent the plan from his mind. After all, Reggie had been the only one to follow him the first place. And they had been out of food.

Falco was not at all prepared to apologise, but he was feeling kind-hearted enough now to give a shaky smile and say: "It's nice to see you again, lads."

Firefoot · 02-21-2005, 05:14 PM

Sondo was taken slightly aback by how warmly Falco was received by the others. Sure, it was one thing to be friendly to him, but this? One would think Falco had been separated from them accidentally rather than striking off on his own, abandoning them all. Sondo said nothing, however; he did not care for another argument, and if he started it, they might side with Falco this time. What they would do, he wasn’t sure, but ultimately he wanted them united, and with him as leader. Still, he couldn’t help but wish that they were at least a little bit more hostile... like Sassy, he thought, noting his sister’s attitude. While not openly unfriendly, she was certainly the least welcoming of the bunch. Falco had noticed it, too, as had some of the others. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. He had an idea.

He put a scowl on his face and directed it at Sassy, as if annoyed with her for not being more welcome. It was easy enough - he had plenty of practice being angry with her. “Sassy,” he said gruffly, “Come with me for a moment.” He didn’t say it loudly, but sometimes the lower voice drew more attention. He knew the other hobbits had heard, whether they acknowledged it or not. For a moment Sondo thought Sassy would refuse (how like her! he thought. Just when I really need her.), but at a look from him she followed after.

A little ways away he murmured, “It’s an act. Play along.” He took her far enough so that he knew they were out of earshot, by not out of view. Everything about his posture and gestures would suggest he was giving her an upbraiding.

“Listen closely, Sassy,” he said softly. “I can tell you don’t trust Falco. Neither do I at this point, though they do, seemingly.” He gestured off towards them in case any were watching. “But I can’t act upon those mistrusts. It’s my job to keep them all together and get us home. But you - you’re ‘just’ the little sister that isn’t even supposed to be here in the first place. They probably expect a wrong word from you, and that mistrust doesn’t seem so out of place coming from you. They don’t pay as much attention to you; they’ll probably say things around you that they might not around me. I’m not so sure that Falco isn’t up to something - you may have noticed, he hasn’t apologized yet, or even said anything to me except the general greeting to everyone.” Sondo knew he was running a risk by confiding in Sassy like this, but based on the others’ reactions to Falco, he didn’t trust any of them with something like this. “I want you to keep an eye on Falco for me, let me know if he does anything that seems suspicious, okay? And, please, be discrete about it. If they suspect... just don’t draw attention. If you need to, wake me up during your watch at night. Okay?”

Primrose Bolger · 02-22-2005, 03:11 PM

As Sondo was talking to her, Sassy grew a little irritated. Here he was wanting her help and saying all the wrong things. Did he really think she wanted to be reminded that she was ‘just the little sister’ and that she wasn’t really supposed to be here at all. Sometimes he was so annoying!

The sincerity of his request did sink in as he talked on. And she began to soften a bit, because in her heart she agreed with him. Falco was a sneak, big rat. And she was going to keep her eye on him anyway. Her impish nature, however, was not going to let her agree to Sondo’s plan so readily. He was her big brother after all. And how many chances did she get to make him squirm a little. A mischievous twinkle glinted in her eyes as she raised her grimy face up to him.

‘Well . . . I could help you. ‘Cause you’re right, no one really takes too much notice of me. But . . . why should I help you?’ She put on a sour face and planted her hands on her hips. ‘What are you gonna do for me?’ She let him stew a bit, then threw out an offer.

Sassy pulled her little sling from her pocket. ‘You know . . . when we lost the raft and all got dunked in the river, I lost all my nice round stones for my sling. And we’ve been walking along so fast, I haven’t really had time to find many new ones.’ She pointed with her chin toward the area beyond their little camp. ‘Four eyes are better than two, Gran always says. And it wouldn’t take as long to get more stones if you came along.’ She looked up at him expectantly. ‘So . . . fair trade? You help me first, then I’ll help you . . .?’ She started toward the outskirts of their camp. ‘Come on!’

Boromir88 · 02-22-2005, 07:18 PM

Day after day Rory continued to slowly plod on with the rest of the hobbits. Reggie and Falco were now back, like I didn't see that one coming, he thought to himself. Sondo may not be the best lad for the job, but he only saw Falco's attempt of leading, ending rottenly. It was not surprise, to Rory, when they both returned.

It seemed like weeks had gone by, but it was only a few days. The path was rough, and slow. Rory had not had a good meal since the first couple days of their journey. Everyone was counting on Sassy and Bingo to bring back some food for them, but so far, it's been little success. Rory had to count on whatever berries he could find, if any.

He then looked down at his shirt. It was so worn, and stained, he couldn't tell what color it was supposed to be. He tucked in his shirt, since his pants felt much bigger. Oh what I wouldn't give to be back at Brandy Hall again. Back in the warm beds, and waking up to the smell of bacon and fried eggs. He came back to reality. Just like the previous days before, he began to slowly trod on, barely being recognized.

Kitanna · 02-22-2005, 07:38 PM

Marroc was happy. All the Hobbits were together again. Reggie had returned first and now Falco. Marroc sincerly hoped they could all get along this time.

"Glad you came around, Falco." Marroc said patting him on the back. When Falco first left Marroc was annoyed at his arrogance, but seeing Falco standing there, looking tired and hungry, he thought how humbled the young hobbit looked.

It seemed Marroc was not the only one happy to see Falco. Bingo and Sam had greeted him with warm smiles. It was Sassy who was the most annoyed with Falco's return. She probably still saw him as a traitor. She had every right to, but Marroc hoped that her mistrust subsided soon.

Sassy had been pulled aside by Sondo. He was giving her a little talk, no doubt about her attitude toward Falco.

Marroc looked away from the brother and sister and back to Falco. "You should rest a bit Falco, you look too tired to stand."

Crystal Heart · 02-23-2005, 12:24 PM

Sam smiled, but he could see that Falco was not his regular self. He placed a hand upon the young hobbit's arm and looked at him concerned.

"You should really rest. You do not look well, Falco. Are you alright?" Sam asked concerned.

Sam's mind whirled with memories. He was unsure if everything had truly had, but he realized that this journey had changed him. Changed him in such a way that he would never be the same again. He owed everything to this journey and he was truly, deeply thankful that he had taken this journey with these hobbits. To him they would always be his closest friends, united through this journey's bond. Sam had never felt a feeling like it in all of his life.

02-22-2005, 07:18 PM	#5
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Day after day Rory continued to slowly plod on with the rest of the hobbits. Reggie and Falco were now back, like I didn't see that one coming, he thought to himself. Sondo may not be the best lad for the job, but he only saw Falco's attempt of leading, ending rottenly. It was not surprise, to Rory, when they both returned. It seemed like weeks had gone by, but it was only a few days. The path was rough, and slow. Rory had not had a good meal since the first couple days of their journey. Everyone was counting on Sassy and Bingo to bring back some food for them, but so far, it's been little success. Rory had to count on whatever berries he could find, if any. He then looked down at his shirt. It was so worn, and stained, he couldn't tell what color it was supposed to be. He tucked in his shirt, since his pants felt much bigger. Oh what I wouldn't give to be back at Brandy Hall again. Back in the warm beds, and waking up to the smell of bacon and fried eggs. He came back to reality. Just like the previous days before, he began to slowly trod on, barely being recognized. Last edited by Boromir88; 02-25-2005 at 08:06 PM.

02-21-2005, 02:20 PM	#1
Primrose Bolger Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Bywater Pool Posts: 196	Sassy wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t really like Falco . . . and for two very good reasons she thought. He didn’t like her and had wanted to send her back all by herself . . . and he was mean to Sondo. Sneakingly mean and outright mean, too. And despite what Sam had told her about Falco being a fun companion most of the time, she just couldn’t think how she might see him in this way. On the other hand, she quite liked Sam. And she’d listened carefully to what he’d said to her. Now he was walking toward Falco, having urged her to come with him. She scuffed her feet in frustration and chewed on the edge of her bottom lip as she watched his retreating back. ‘Go on Sass,’ she told herself. ‘You can hang behind Sam.’ Her little feet hurried to catch up with her friend. She hid behind him as he spoke with Falco, and once, when Falco glanced her way as Sam moved about, she nodded at him in a non-committal manner. Her face carefully neutral . . . or as neutral as a spirited little eleven year old girl can keep her expression. Sassy’s eyes flashed as Falco looked away, and he resumed talking once again to Sam. Careful to keep quiet she looked at him quite pointedly. ‘I’ve got my eye on you, Falco Brandybuck,’ she thought to herself. ‘Both of them! No matter what Sam thinks of you.’

02-21-2005, 04:16 PM	#2
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	Falco looked from Sam to Sassy. On the one hand, there was Sam, with a smile as kind as Bingo's had been. On the other hand, there was Sassy, and while her face showed no open emnity, he could guess exactly what she was thinking about him. And why shouldn't she? He had been rotten to her brother. That is to say, her brother had been rotten to him, so he had left. There was a twinge of his conscience, and a realisation that he tried to stomp down. It was becoming plainer to him with each passing moment that he, Falco Brandybuck, had been the one in the wrong, and that it would be his duty to apologise. He would not apologise. He was not wrong. He turned to Sam, smiling that faint smile once again, and this time it had a rueful look about it. "I'm afraid I don't have any food, Sammy," he said. "Reggie and I ran out of food some time back, and even if there had been some food left... I lost my pack." The tones in which he addressed Sam were very comradely. He had always been annoyed at the other lad's grouchiness, but since that first day when the hobbits were all sent floundering in the water, and Falco had pulled Sam out, and the latter had thanked him most graciously... well, Falco didn't feel quite so annoyed with Sam now. Least of all now, when he was giving him a warm, kind welcome! As for Reggie... Falco had been fully intending to make Reggie feel his bitterness at the desertion by remaining coldly silent towards him, and every so often casting him reproachful glances, but Bingo's words had sent the plan from his mind. After all, Reggie had been the only one to follow him the first place. And they had been out of food. Falco was not at all prepared to apologise, but he was feeling kind-hearted enough now to give a shaky smile and say: "It's nice to see you again, lads."

02-21-2005, 05:14 PM	#3
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Sondo was taken slightly aback by how warmly Falco was received by the others. Sure, it was one thing to be friendly to him, but this? One would think Falco had been separated from them accidentally rather than striking off on his own, abandoning them all. Sondo said nothing, however; he did not care for another argument, and if he started it, they might side with Falco this time. What they would do, he wasn’t sure, but ultimately he wanted them united, and with him as leader. Still, he couldn’t help but wish that they were at least a little bit more hostile... like Sassy, he thought, noting his sister’s attitude. While not openly unfriendly, she was certainly the least welcoming of the bunch. Falco had noticed it, too, as had some of the others. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. He had an idea. He put a scowl on his face and directed it at Sassy, as if annoyed with her for not being more welcome. It was easy enough - he had plenty of practice being angry with her. “Sassy,” he said gruffly, “Come with me for a moment.” He didn’t say it loudly, but sometimes the lower voice drew more attention. He knew the other hobbits had heard, whether they acknowledged it or not. For a moment Sondo thought Sassy would refuse (how like her! he thought. Just when I really need her.), but at a look from him she followed after. A little ways away he murmured, “It’s an act. Play along.” He took her far enough so that he knew they were out of earshot, by not out of view. Everything about his posture and gestures would suggest he was giving her an upbraiding. “Listen closely, Sassy,” he said softly. “I can tell you don’t trust Falco. Neither do I at this point, though they do, seemingly.” He gestured off towards them in case any were watching. “But I can’t act upon those mistrusts. It’s my job to keep them all together and get us home. But you - you’re ‘just’ the little sister that isn’t even supposed to be here in the first place. They probably expect a wrong word from you, and that mistrust doesn’t seem so out of place coming from you. They don’t pay as much attention to you; they’ll probably say things around you that they might not around me. I’m not so sure that Falco isn’t up to something - you may have noticed, he hasn’t apologized yet, or even said anything to me except the general greeting to everyone.” Sondo knew he was running a risk by confiding in Sassy like this, but based on the others’ reactions to Falco, he didn’t trust any of them with something like this. “I want you to keep an eye on Falco for me, let me know if he does anything that seems suspicious, okay? And, please, be discrete about it. If they suspect... just don’t draw attention. If you need to, wake me up during your watch at night. Okay?”

02-22-2005, 03:11 PM	#4
Primrose Bolger Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Bywater Pool Posts: 196	As Sondo was talking to her, Sassy grew a little irritated. Here he was wanting her help and saying all the wrong things. Did he really think she wanted to be reminded that she was ‘just the little sister’ and that she wasn’t really supposed to be here at all. Sometimes he was so annoying! The sincerity of his request did sink in as he talked on. And she began to soften a bit, because in her heart she agreed with him. Falco was a sneak, big rat. And she was going to keep her eye on him anyway. Her impish nature, however, was not going to let her agree to Sondo’s plan so readily. He was her big brother after all. And how many chances did she get to make him squirm a little. A mischievous twinkle glinted in her eyes as she raised her grimy face up to him. ‘Well . . . I could help you. ‘Cause you’re right, no one really takes too much notice of me. But . . . why should I help you?’ She put on a sour face and planted her hands on her hips. ‘What are you gonna do for me?’ She let him stew a bit, then threw out an offer. Sassy pulled her little sling from her pocket. ‘You know . . . when we lost the raft and all got dunked in the river, I lost all my nice round stones for my sling. And we’ve been walking along so fast, I haven’t really had time to find many new ones.’ She pointed with her chin toward the area beyond their little camp. ‘Four eyes are better than two, Gran always says. And it wouldn’t take as long to get more stones if you came along.’ She looked up at him expectantly. ‘So . . . fair trade? You help me first, then I’ll help you . . .?’ She started toward the outskirts of their camp. ‘Come on!’

02-22-2005, 07:38 PM	#6
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Marroc was happy. All the Hobbits were together again. Reggie had returned first and now Falco. Marroc sincerly hoped they could all get along this time. "Glad you came around, Falco." Marroc said patting him on the back. When Falco first left Marroc was annoyed at his arrogance, but seeing Falco standing there, looking tired and hungry, he thought how humbled the young hobbit looked. It seemed Marroc was not the only one happy to see Falco. Bingo and Sam had greeted him with warm smiles. It was Sassy who was the most annoyed with Falco's return. She probably still saw him as a traitor. She had every right to, but Marroc hoped that her mistrust subsided soon. Sassy had been pulled aside by Sondo. He was giving her a little talk, no doubt about her attitude toward Falco. Marroc looked away from the brother and sister and back to Falco. "You should rest a bit Falco, you look too tired to stand."

02-23-2005, 12:24 PM	#7
Crystal Heart Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rohan Posts: 568	Sam smiled, but he could see that Falco was not his regular self. He placed a hand upon the young hobbit's arm and looked at him concerned. "You should really rest. You do not look well, Falco. Are you alright?" Sam asked concerned. Sam's mind whirled with memories. He was unsure if everything had truly had, but he realized that this journey had changed him. Changed him in such a way that he would never be the same again. He owed everything to this journey and he was truly, deeply thankful that he had taken this journey with these hobbits. To him they would always be his closest friends, united through this journey's bond. Sam had never felt a feeling like it in all of his life.