Hey! That situation sound oh-so familiar ter me! It's called the parental circle of punishment! It's happened ter me maybe oh say...a million times...Well, good chapter Lobo! I'm happy ter see s'more from yeh! Next week I'll be back up. Sorry fer the maybe thousandth hold up this month. Keep it comin', buddy!
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No probs DE mate. :D I'll just be glad ter get yer back. :D And glad yer enjoyed the chappie, and I dunno 'bout you, but I think it's kinda funny that Stranger's bein' all parental. :D
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Oh I don't think it's strange! It's his innate sense! Can't change a thing 'bout that. All older people with a child always act parential. That's why Stranger's doin' this! Wouldn't you???...:crafty:
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woah itsa gooood:happy::D wonder what's going to hapen next... interessting chapter Lobo:) now I'm curious 'bout what's going to hapen next:D
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Oddworld Just Got Stranger
Sorry this took so long, man I hate writer’s block…:banghead:
Guard Duty And Grounded “Where’re we goin’ Bailey?” Loki asked from behind the human, she was older now, looking about six years old by human reckoning, but she was still smaller then Bailey, only coming past her knee. Bailey still couldn’t get over how fast Steef matured, Alika had been right, they had very short childhoods. Apparently their aging slowed when they became young adults about Haigar’s age and then they matured at the same rate as humans did. Bailey had actually found out that Stranger was in fact only about ten years old. The idea was kind of weird… and now Loki was only three and a half months old and she was already the mental age of seven years younger then Bailey. She’d also found out that Steef lived a lot longer then humans did, their life expectancy being about three hundred years.A couple of months later “I dunno.” Said Bailey in answer to Loki’s question. She was heavily armed, as she always was whenever she went out, and though she seemed at ease, the human was wary, she took her job very seriously. After that first time when she had retrieved Loki from the minion creatures Bailey have several times now gotten Loki out of trouble. So much so that she was considered by most as Loki’s personal bodyguard/babysitter. “We’re not going anyway.” Said Haigar smiling, walking behind Loki. “We’re just walkin’.” The human and the two Steef were walking through the snow on a mid morning ramble. They’d been going for these walks for a while now. It was something they just did together. Just as the Seer had predicted Loki and Bailey formed an instant friendship and Haigar too. They did a lot of things together, the three of them. These frequent walks were just one of them. The trio had become inseparable and one was never seen without the others. “We’ll know when we get there.” Added Bailey. The bantering exchange was a ritual the three friends always had when they went on one of their rambles to nowhere in particular. The trio continued walking until they came to a huge crack in the land, it looked like a vaguely slimmer version of the Grand Canyon, but just as deep and so long it passed out of even Haigar’s vision range. An old rope bridge spanned across the canyon. Bailey, Loki and Haigar stood side by side on their side of the bridge. “Whoa.” Muttered Haigar, staring across the gulf. “C’mon, let’s go check it out.” Bailey enthused, Loki’s eyes shone with excitement, but Haigar was more cautious. “I don’t know…” he said uncertainly. “Aw, c’mon blue.” Bailey wheedled. Haigar sighed but Bailey could see the hint of a smile of his face. He liked it when she called him ‘blue’. “Alright, alright, we’ll go. But any sign of trouble, we leave.” Bailey nodded eagerly. And then, without further ado Bailey began crossing the bridge, Loki in tow and Haigar behind. They crossed without any incidents and soon reached the other side. Fortunately adrenaline at the prospect of an adventure had blotted Bailey’s fear of heights, coupled with the fact she hadn’t actually looked down. The far side of the ridge was much like the side they’d been on, endless plains of white snow with the occasionally clump of trees, hunching together as it trying to escape the weather. The thrill and exhilaration dulled somewhat. But Bailey stubbornly set her jaw and marched on. Loki and Haigar floundering in the snow trying to catch up, having an extra two limbs did have it’s downsides they discovered. They eventually caught up with Bailey quite a ways from the bridge. To be fair it was only because Bailey had come to an abruptly stop on a rise of snow. This did not concern the hot, panting Steef when they arrived either side of her, until they saw what had made Bailey stop dead in her tracks. A sprawling camp spread before them, below the high drift of snow. Black dots marked tents and red flickering lights heralded fires, there were several moving dots as well. A lot of them. “Hell’s teeth.” Hissed Haigar. “Stone The Crows.” Bailey agreed. “We should get out of here.” Bailey nodded in agreement, the trio began backing away, down the snowdrift and back to the bridge, but suddenly a cry went up from the camp and even from their vantage point, they could hear what the shouting was; “STEEF! GET THE STEEF!” “Uh oh…” whispered Bailey, “RUN!” roared Haigar and all three of them broke into a sprint, “Hai- Haigar!” Bailey panted, “You gotta warn the others!” Haigar had been keeping pace with his slower friend and sibling, but at Bailey’s call he nodded and vaulted into a gallop, speeding away, towards the bridge, which was still a long way away. Bailey and Loki continued wading through the deep snow as best they could. Bailey couldn’t help thinking it had been easier on the going journey then the return. But finally they stumbled out onto the rope bridge. It shook alarmingly and shed some on the snow on it’s planks. Bailey stopped, leaning against on of the support posts, panting. She looked back. Their pursuers were only a few minutes away, “Go, go.” She shooed Loki across the bridge, gasping for breath and followed. They were half way across when Bailey saw the group of Steef on the opposite ridge, she gave a strained sigh of relief. Archers pulled back their bowstrings and with a hiss a volley of arrows sailed through the air and with a clatter and thunk hit their targets. But the invaders on the other side had their own ideas. A sniper in the group levelled his gun and fired. Bailey heard the bark of a gun and threw herself down, grabbing Loki’s hindleg and pulling hard, the young Steef hit the deck just as a streamline bullet whizzed over their heads. The bullet, missing the sniper’s target hit one of the bridge posts on the other side. It severed the rope tied to the post and the fibres began unravelling… Bailey looked up and spat snow from her mouth, she heard the snapping and saw the rope unravelling. And groaned. “Oh crap. LOKI! STAY LOW AND MOVE!” Loki obeyed and began scrambling along on her belly, Bailey rolled onto her back and drew her gun, she fired twice and the sniper fell. But the damage was done. The rope to the other support post was slowly unravelling as well. She looked to the furthest side and saw several Steef arrows embedded in those posts and the rope was unravelling over there as well. “Not good. Definitely not good.” As if to demonstrate the confirmation of the doom-ridden statement the bridge swayed yet more alarmingly and jolted, plunging down a foot or two. Bailey rolled over onto her stomach again and curled her finger’s around the board, if she was right… The ropes on the far side snapped and the bridge collapsed on one side. The force of the bridge slamming into the opposite gorge wall threw Loki loose and she tumbled down, smacking into Bailey who grabbed hold of the back on her shirt with one hand and for a moment Steef and human hung suspended by one hand, then Bailey hauled Loki onto her back, Loki wrapped her arms around Bailey’s neck. “Hold…on…Loki.” Bailey rasped out and began climbing up the broken bridge, the déj* vu making her inconveniently dizzy. On the ridge Alika had her hands to her mouth, her arms wrapped around her son and her husband’s arm around her shoulder. Stranger stood, his muscles so tense he was shaking, he was only a hair’s breadth away of losing both his Bailey and his niece. But none of the Steef approached the bridge posts, the rope was so precariously clinging to the posts that the slightest movement could bring the bridge crashed down, plunging into the gorge. Suddenly with an abrupt and almost savage jolt, the ropes snapped, whipping away and the bridge fell. Alika screamed, Stranger’s legs buckled and he sank to the floor, mouth open in a silent scream of his own, Daimen’s eyes bulged as he stared, not really accepting it. There was a sharp gasp of the Steef surrounding them. And then silence. A silence that spiralled horribly and was more booming then any sound. A hand, reached over the brink of ridge, and then another. And then a young, scared but safe young Steef was shoved onto the ridge. Bailey hauled herself up and over right behind her, her arm muscles were strained and shook as she dragged her lower body onto solid ground. Completely exhausted Bailey dropped onto her back, eyes closed. After a moment of stillness, everything suddenly burst into action. Loki was suddenly crushed by her family, a sobbing Alika foremost. Bailey opened her eyes and sat up, she slowly got to her feet and moved away slightly, smiling faintly, this was for this family alone and she didn’t want to encroach on there time together. Besides, she had her own family to be smothered by… Something between a growl and a purr rumbled behind her, Bailey turned and was faced with Stranger. For a moment Bailey stood awkwardly, unsure and uncertain of Stranger’s reaction. Stranger swallowed a lump in his throat. He went down on his knees again and opened his arms; “C’mere midget.” He whispered, Bailey swallowed a sob and she stumbled into Stranger’s arms. Bailey found herself caught up into a tight hug of her own. “I’m sorry Stranger, I’m sorry.” She sobbed, “Don’t be angry.” “I’m not angry with yer liddle one, I’m not angry. I’m just so glad yer safe.” Bailey made a muffled sound of affirmative and nodded into Stranger’s neck. Stranger nuzzled his snout into Bailey’s hair. ¤§¤ Though it ended badly, what Bailey, Loki and Haigar had discovered prepared the Steef for any future attacks. The destruction of the bridge may have been a setback for the invaders but it bought the Steef time. It would take some time before the creatures found another route over the gorge. Bailey took responsibility for the whole scenario but the good outweighed the bad consequences so Bailey was only mildly rebuked. Even so Bailey wasn’t keen on venturing far from home after the whole bridge incident. And Loki and Haigar were happy enough to stay at home with her. It didn’t last. It never did, Bailey was a born troublemaker. Sometime later Bailey got into more trouble, although this time she fortunately didn’t drag her two young Steef friends into trouble with her. She hadn’t meant to get into trouble, really she hadn’t but Bailey seemed to attract trouble like pears attracted butterflies. But she really shouldn’t have climbed that tree. Maybe she wanted to have another glimpse of the view she’d seen when she’d been led to the human boneyard by the Steef soul guides, the only good memory she had from that journey. Or maybe she wanted to recapture some memories of when she had been in the Monsiac Lines in eastern Mudos. She thought about her ‘brothers’ Abe and Slick often, she still missed them immensely but she was happy where she was and she knew that when the time came she would see them again. So she had climbed the tree. It was tall and reminded Bailey of a pine, it had the needle-pin shaped leaves and the pungent smell that was reminiscent of pine. But she didn’t bet on the rotten branch. She’d climbed quite high and was happily swaying high up in the tree, when suddenly there was a brittle crack and the branch Bailey stood on began to bend alarmingly. Bailey fumbled to get a handhold, she failed and with a yelp she fell. Luckily – after being battered by many branches – Bailey hit a particularly large branch and her groping fingers managed to curl around and on hand locked onto the rough wood. There she hung, heart pounding and the blood sang in her ears. Her voice left her and her throat clenched and closed. Slowly she reached up with her other hand and clung to the branch above her, slowly, carefully she hauled herself up. She sat on the branch, panting and trembling, her eyes squeezed shut and her heart fluttering. Finally, feeling calmer Bailey cautiously climbed down. ¤§¤ Bailey managed to get home, stumbling and drained from the day’s ordeal. When she dragged her sorry hide into the kitchen she was greeted with sharp intakes of breath and shocked gasps and cries. Bailey didn’t know it but she was covered in cuts and scratches. Bailey swallowed and she sank to the floor. She woke up in bed a little while later. Stranger stood nearby, arms folded and a stern expression on his face. Bailey glanced up at him and winced. Stranger let a long breath out of his nose and shook his head. “Yer can’t keep outta a trouble can yer kid.” He said austerely, Bailey stayed quiet, “Whadda did yer git yerself inter this time?” he sighed, Bailey told him and Stranger was quiet for a while before she spoke; “Yer reckless Bailey.” He said with another sigh. Bailey nodded in silent agreement. “Well lil’ missie,” he said at length, the tone of his voice made it clear that he’s made up his mind, “I dunno what yer doin’ but I can’ts take it anymore.” He gave the human a severe look, “Yer grounded. Understand.” Bailey looked up sharply, Stranger, was grounding her? For some unfathomable reason Bailey found this comforting, her mother had never grounded her before, she’d just let Bailey run riot. She’d never cared enough to ground Bailey. Stranger had, Stranger cared. He cared enough to try and keep Bailey out of trouble. She nodded. Stranger jerked his head in a swift nod. He approached the bedside and kissed Bailey’s head, then he left her alone without a word. Bailey yawned and closed her eyes, wondering if being grounded was meant to feel this consoling. |
:lol: I loved the part when Stranger just flately said, "Yer grounded," Ahh, that made me crack up. And, IT'S 'BOUT BLOODY TIME YER POST I 'ERE! I should ground you! Joking. Well, nice ter see some of yer fic in 'ere, Lobo. I was beginnin' ter worry 'bout that. And, if yer read in me thread, blah, blah, blah...Yer get the idea 'bout my situation, I bet. And I sincerally apologize ter you. I hate's it when me mom don't point out the other small details in 'er explanaitions. Well'p best be gettin' off from 'ere, Lobo. I'll see yer whenever the grass gets greener...
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Sorry mate, it's this writer's block, and it might be a while before I updates again. Anyway, sorry ter hear about yer computer, must be frustratin' but keep sending yer updates through e-mail and I'll keep it goin'. :D 'Till the grass is greener. See yer then. :D
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Whoohooo! that's a good chapter Lobo:D I also liked the part when Stranger said " yer grounded" :lol: last week I wondered what ya got in to if ya wasn't sending yer new parts in, but I read the last post and now I see what's yaking yer so long; some problems with the writers block, eh? :( well still looking forward to read more of yer amazing story;):cheer:
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Oddworld Just Got Stranger
Summer In The Mountains Winter passed slowly but eventually it loosened it icy claws and spring wormed it’s head out of the damp earth and greeted the sun. Plants began growing, the deciduous tress began budding.The Steef had also become more active, the whole of the underground Steef civilisation was swarming with activity like a bee hive. The whole place was in chaos, but there seemed method to the madness, one of which Bailey couldn’t grasp, “What’s happenin’?” she finally asked Alika, “Everyone’s all rush, rush, rush, what’s it all about?” “Winter has passed,” Alika explained, “We can go back to where we belong, among the growing things in the deep wilds.” Bailey wasn’t sure how to answer this so she took the statement mutely. So the Steef were moving back to their summer homes? Bailey wondered why they weren’t going back down south to the Mongo Valley. She’d ask Stranger later. “Bailey, could you fold the bed sheets for me?” Bailey nodded and went to fold the sheets and blankets. ¤§¤ “Stranger?” “Um?” Stranger lay with his eyes closed, Bailey leaned up against him, it had been a long day and everyone was tired. “We’re moving soon aren’t we.” “Yes, I guess we are.” “Why don’t they go back south? Sekto’s gone, they’re not in danger anymore…” “I guess…when yer’ve been afraid fer so long, goin’ back so quick is kinda hard.” There was a pause; “They’ve bin afraid fer a long while kid. They need time.” Bailey nodded and snuggled up to Stranger’s warm stomach. Stranger absent-mindedly stroked Bailey’s hair. Bailey yawned and closed her eyes, and she was soon drifting off to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day. ¤§¤ The next day did turn out to be long one with a lot of things to do and Bailey worked just as hard as the Steef; bringing and fetching and carrying, packing various things and getting stuff ready. She found out that when the Steef moved to their summer homes they didn’t take anything they couldn’t carry. They’d be back come mid-autumn. As a result they only took small things with them when they moved to their summer homes. Within a week - amazingly in Bailey’s eyes – her Steef family were packed and ready to leave. Bailey couldn’t believe it, when her and her mother had moved house when Bailey was eight years old it had taken over a month. “So…we’re leaving, tomorrow?” she asked as she flopped onto the floor of the front room there evening before they were due to leave. “Yep.” Said Haigar enthusiastically, “You gonna love it in the summer homes Bailey. I’ll havta show you all the secret places, it’ll be fun.” Bailey chewed her lip thoughtfully, “Won’t it be…dangerous…travelling on our own?” she asked. “Oh we won’t be travelling alone.” Said Daimen, “The tribe go together, there’s safety in numbers.” Bailey nodded but couldn’t help thinking that it would be a good time for attackers… Bailey yawned suddenly. Stranger chuckled, “Bedtime fer yer squirt.” “But I’m not…not…” Bailey protested sleepily, she yawned again and blinked slowly. Stranger chuckled again and picked her up. Bailey was asleep by the time he’d put her to bed. “Night kid.” He muttered, before kissing the human’s forehead and leaving quietly, softly closing the door. ¤§¤ “Wake up Bailey.” The voice was warm and coaxing but Bailey was having none of it. With a sleepy protest the human pulled the sheets higher and snuggled down into her pillow. “C’mon kid, I know yer warm an’ comfy but we gotta go.” “Bur it’s early…” Bailey mumbled. “I know kiddo.” The voice said gently and patiently, “But we still have ter go.” Bailey opened one amber-hazel eye. Stranger came into focus. He smiled, neon green eyes bright. “Mornin’ kid.” He said. Bailey yawned and stretched. “Mornin’ Stranger.” She yawned. For the first time Stranger realised how much he had affected the human. When they’d first met Bailey’s accent was precise, a proper British accent (not that Stranger knew that), but now he sharply heard the difference. She drawled more like him now and he suddenly recollected all the times Bailey had used his phrases. And he knew too that he’d changed as well; in more ways then one. They’d adjusted to fit each other. They’d each influenced the other in a hundred small ways; mannerisms, accents, how they saw the world around them…it just went on and on. Maybe that was what being a family was about, Stranger thought, they knew each other’s darkest secrets, and it was okay. They had altered their ways and habits to make life easier. Maybe that was what families were all about… Stranger liked this idea. A lot. Bailey sat up and scratched her tousled hair, Stranger chuckled as it stuck up in all directions. Bailey looked at him with one squinted eye. “What?” Stranger, still chuckling smiled broadly and shook his head. “What?” Bailey asked more insistently, grinning and poking Stranger in the stomach. Stranger growled teasingly and caught Bailey up in his arms and into a hug. Bailey closed her eyes and put one arm around Stranger, rubbing her cheek on his fur. Stranger purred and raked his claws gently through Bailey’s windswept mane and smoothed it down. “Love yer kid.” He muttered, “Love you too yer big lug.” Bailey answered. ¤§¤ “Er Stranger, sweetie, Bailey can’t breath.” Bailey choked as the Steef wound her thick, green Grubb scarf around her throat. “I ain’t riskin’ yer gittin’ sick again.” Bailey quirked a half smiled and rolled her eyes skyward. But she couldn’t be too hard on Stranger, she’d been just the same, making sure her Steef was protected from the cold and damp. “Fair enough, but yer don’t havta choke me.” She grinned and poked him gently. Stranger grunted but he smiled as he pulled Bailey’s woolly hat over her ears. He looked her over, scrutinising. Finally satisfied he sharply nodded his head once. Bailey had one her Grubb warmsuit, thickest shirt and pants, her dark, fingerless gloves, and her woollens. At her feet was her personal pack, with spare clothes as well as her southern ones and all her supplies and equipment. She’d wanted to carry one of the packs supported with wooden frames with the Steef’s belongings as well, but they hadn’t let her on the grounds she was too small. Haigar had grown so he had now had over two feet on Bailey so she couldn’t point out that he was just as short anymore. Bailey swung her pack onto her shoulders and trotted out after Stranger. The rest of the family were all wrapped up as well with their packs ready and waiting. Stranger swung his own framed pack onto his shoulders, he was also wrapped up warmly. Bailey stifled a grin as she recalled the memory of herself making sure he was as such. Daimen gathered his family around, “Everyone ready?” there were nods and a couple of exuberant ‘YES!’s from Loki and Bailey. Daimen chuckled and led his family from the Steef home and joined the throngs of Steef flowing out of the caverns to meet on the snow plains topside. Bailey looked back at the comfortable globe-shaped house that had become her home. Though she relished being outside and in the fresh air again, she would not have any qualms come autumn of returning here to this underground city where she felt safe from the world. But until then, she turned her back on the cavern, wherever her Steef family went, she would go too. Bailey took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Adventure was calling her name and she would answer it, with her new family by her side. She was the only human among a different race. And though she felt incomplete with out Slig and Abe, Bailey had no doubts, this was where she belonged. ----- That was so short I could cry… :crying: |
Moving, huh? Hrrm wonder what's going to hapen next Lobo:D liked the part when Bailey says "Love you too yer big lug.” hehe that made me laugh:lol: and don't ya worry 'bout the lenght of yer story, jus' look at mine when I send in a new part then I often send small parts in, a page or two beside I know yer writing much and that's Good;) I will probably send in a new part of mine today if I manage to write two pages:fuzemb:
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Awwww, s'ok, at least you give us a good bit of story when you do update. :D
And unfortunately, yer all gonna havta wait fer the next bit, see I've been bugged by the folks at fanfiction.net to update there so now I'm trying to write two stories at once :fuzemb: so updates might take a bit more time...sorry... :fuzzle: |
:lol: It ain't that short...It was good. That's what counts. Not like the quality of my attention span, that was good, Lobo. Need'nt to worry, good friend. I shall update soon. Believe me. Since I got an account on me mom's laptop, I can update sooner now. Ain't that great?!
Hmm? Fanfiction.net? I should check out the place. You've posted yer fic 'ere to that place? |
Hey hey matie! Glad you enjoyed it but as I said in the previous post, the next chapter might be a while in coming. :fuzemb: Sorry 'bout that...
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No worries. My update is comin' up in a few!
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Oddworld Just Got Stranger
Dur duh! And after waitin’ fer next to forever, here tis! Another chapter fer all yer luverly people. :D
Trek Finally the entire Steef tribe were gathered on the snow plain; Bailey, Stranger Loki, Alika, Haigar and Daimen among them. For a while they milled around uneasily, waiting for something to happen. Stranger and Bailey were especially nervous, this was a new experience for them after all. Loki on the other hand was too young to feel nervous and she was just excited.Bailey stuck close to Stranger feeling equal parts excited and anxious. As a result she fidgeted nervously, twisting the straps on her packs in her fingers. Sensing her nervousness Stranger put a fatherly arm around her neck. Bailey rested her head on Stranger’s ribs and put an arm around his stomach. She looked around for someone familiar and noticed that there was one Steef missing. “Where’s the Seer?” she whispered. “The Seer doesn’t come with us.” explained Damien who’d overheard her. Bailey was surprised. “All summer by himself? But, what does he eat? Isn’t he lonely?” Damien laughed gently, “Yes, I don’t know and no.” he answered, Bailey scowling mockingly. “Yes, he spends all summer in the winter homes, because he cant make the journey every year, sometimes he comes and other times he doesn’t. Maybe we should take it as a good thing, he doesn’t feel that the tribe is in danger for him to come along.” “What about being lonely?” Bailey persisted. “When I was a little girl I asked the same question.” Alika joined in, “I was told that the Seer went into a kind of hibernating trance, he doesn’t need food when he’s in the spirit world and he had those on the spirit plane for company.” “Isn’t that a long time to be in a trance?” Bailey asked, Alika shook her head, “No, several months to us could only be a few hours for him. To him we’ll be back in no time.” Bailey nodded, her questions satisfied, she leaned her head back onto Stranger’s ribs. “Whadda we waitin’ for?” she asked quietly, after a while. “I dunno.” Stranger shrugged. Just as he said it the clan of Steef who had up until now being talking quietly went silent as another Steef made his way through them to the head of the group. He was big, bigger then most of the Steef Bailey had seen, and he was dark, almost completely black with a thick, vaguely curly mane and dark brown, almost black eyes. Huge, red-brown horns sprouted from his head, arching up vaguely. At his side was a younger Steef, about Haigar’s age and height and this one Bailey recognised. “Oh look, it’s Chiron.” She said mildly. “But whose he with?” Haigar trotted closer to stand with Bailey and followed her gaze, “That’s his father, the tribe leader, his name’s Ixion.” Bailey suddenly had a mental image of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker…the picture made her smile. “’E’s big ain’t ‘e.” she said to Haigar, the young Steef nodded. Bailey went quiet as Ixion raised his arms to get everyone’s attention. “My friends,” he boomed, “Another year has passed and we leave our warm winter homes and go down into the valleys to enjoy the summer. Stay together and do not stray and we shall be sleeping under the stars tonight in out summer home.” A cheer went up as Ixion turned and began leading his tribe of the last Steef in Oddworld across the snowfields. Bailey walked with her family, wondering what summer amongst the Steef would be like. ¤§¤ The pace of the march wasn’t as slow as Bailey had thought, the Steef moved along at a comfortable but not ambling speed which covered ground pretty quickly. The route they took seemed to be the same as they had in years past as Haigar kept pointing out certain landmarks and told stories about the places and the adventures he himself had had when he was younger. It all fascinated Bailey but she couldn’t help but notice when they passed a certain path that Bailey knew all too way, the land began sloping down and Bailey looked back and up at the sheer cliff that rose to the right and behind the Steef marchers, to a ridge covered in gnarled trees. Where stones lay, covered in rotting leaves… “Bailey?” Haigar’s questioning voice brought Bailey out of her thoughts, she shook herself and blinked, “W-What?” she asked, she noticed that she’d stopped walking and that the Steef behind them were passing, Haigar and Stranger were a little ahead, waiting, both of them looking back with worried expressions on their faces. Stranger looked at Haigar and muttered something. Haigar glanced from Stranger to Bailey then nodded. Throwing a glance up at the ridge that had caught Bailey’s attention, the young Steef turned and trotted past the marchers to his parents. Bailey’s eyes strayed towards the ridge again. “Bailey.” Bailey turned, Stranger was looking at her, “C’mon kid.” He said in a no-nonsense voice. Bailey nodded and walked over to him. Stranger put an arm around her shoulder and guided her back to the family, but not before giving the ridge a dark look. “Stranger?” Stranger looked down at the human. “Did yer,” Bailey paused, uncertain on how to phrase the question, Stranger didn’t encroach on her silence, he sensed she needed a little time to think and didn’t need interrupting. “Did yer…tell Jorken…yer know…about what we found?” Stranger didn’t answer straight away. He stared straight ahead, keeping his arm around her. “Yeh.” He said finally in a quiet voice, “I told ‘im…” Bailey swallowed and nodded, feeling strong echoes of the feelings she’d experienced when she’d found the graves. “It’s ok.” Murmured Stranger, “It’s ok.” Bailey buried her head in Stranger’s fur. She nodded. The Steef tribe made it to the bottom on the long, gentle slope and came to the river that wound past the ridge cliff and made up the watercourse in the gorge where the old bridge that Bailey had helped destroy had been. Here they stopped awhile. The Steef took off their packs and settled down into small groups and talked quietly amongst themselves in muted conversations. Bailey, also set down her pack and watched the river, following the packs of ice floating along with the current. She glanced up at the sun veiled by grey snow clouds, the clouds were still thin and the thicker part of the cloud head was still far away, it wouldn’t snow today, maybe later tomorrow, if the wind kept up at this pace. From the sun Bailey deduced that it was roughly midmorning. Time for a late breakfast. She joined her small family and though they noticed that she talked little and ate less, they didn’t comment. She was off somewhere else they knew, and she shouldn’t be disturbed. Stranger kept glancing at his silent Bailey. She stared into space, seeing nothing, or rather, seeing something that no one else could. Eventually the tribe moved off again, Bailey following but still in silence. She mechanically stayed close to Stranger but her thoughts wandered and paused on other things, her mind turning them over gently as she examined them. She withdrew into herself and failed to take any more notice of the country around her. The ridge had brought back painful memories Bailey would have preferred to forget, but as things were, that didn’t look too hopeful. So she went into a depressive silence, thinking about nothing in particular. The sun was going down when the Steef stopped again, this time they stood on the ridge of a high cliff, below them was a broad vale, one that looked very familiar to Bailey, she peered over the edge. “Must’ve been where I ‘dropped in’ fer a visit…” she thought dryly. Slowly, one by one and following Ixion, the Steef filed down a steep and narrow defile, invisible to unseasoned eyes, that led down the seemingly sheer cliff face and into the vale. Bailey kept close behind Stranger and hugged the canyon wall, eyes firmly fixed on Stranger’s hindquarters. “Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t…” she repeated the mantra in her head, fighting down fear. She risked a glance away from the furry flank in front and her eyes were drawn irresistibly to the drop on her right. She gulped and made a choked whimpering sound, “Too late.” As vertigo hit her smack in the face and she swayed. With a muffled noise that sounded like ‘meep’, Bailey froze; eyes huge and round. Behind her Haigar stopped too; “Bailey?” he asked, “Are you alright.” Bailey whimpered and shivered. Haigar laid a hand on the human’s shaking shoulder, “Alright Bailey,” He said soothingly, “I want you to listen to my voice. Look straight ahead and just walk. I’m right behind you so you won’t fall. D’you understand?” There was a pause and then Bailey nodded very slowly. “Good.” Haigar smiled in relief, “Ok, now you can start walking.” There was another pause and then Bailey set off again. She stayed close to the wall and with Haigar’s encouragements she eventually got to the bottom of the defile and to the valley floor without anything happening. She breathed a sigh of relief, grinned weakly at Haigar of swore blind she was never going to use that path ever again, much to the amusement of her Steef family. |
YAAAAAY Update!:cheer::cheer::cheer: good chapt there Lobo I love it :D:D:D:D keep it going cuz I'll be waiting for more;)
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Thanks DS, might take a while though...stupid writer's block...:fuzemb:
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Ya ay ya ya ya! Read it on hotmail, purdy darn good! Ya! Update soon, and I'll do the same. :D
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Oddworld Just Got Stranger
Okay, it’s a few weeks after the last chapter, just so yer know. Sorry it took so long…urg, writer’s block… :banghead:
Like Deer In Summer Spring was in full swing. It was been about three weeks since the Steef tribe had arrived at the summer valley and already the little huts they lived in during summer were completed. Daimen and Haigar had helped Stranger to build a little one for himself and Bailey while Bailey watched Loki like a hawk.Bailey was just settling into life again when, a couple of days later, another aspect of Steef made itself known to Bailey’s complete astonishment. They shed their horns. One day Haigar and Daimen – and every other Steef male had their horns – and the next, Haigar didn’t. When Bailey saw him she just gaped. Eyes huge and mouth open, he looked so weird without his horns. “What?” Asked Haigar, “What’s wrong?” Bailey pointed at his head, “Aren’t you missin’ sumat?” she squeaked. Frowning Haigar patted his head, and then he broke into a grin and chuckled. “Don’t worry Bailey.” He said, smiling, “It’s perfectly normal.” “I didn’t know you shed yer horns.” “Only during spring, they’ll be back in a month or so.” “So, all male Steef lose their horns and re-grow ‘em?” Haigar nodded, “Does Stranger know?” “I’m sure he’s well aware.” Bailey wondered for a second what Stranger would look like with a full set of horns. The mental image only made Bailey think he looked more intimidating…in fact, all the Steef males were kinda scary. She’d never thought about it before, but Bailey really was afraid of these people. Well okay, maybe not afraid exactly, more afraid of that they could do. She respected them and she didn’t begrudge them that respect either. She suddenly felt somewhat lonely and she realised just how very small and insignificant she really was. Haigar must have noticed her abrupt change in mood because his eyes softened and he looked concerned. “Bailey? Are you alright?” Bailey looked up, “W-what? Oh, yes, I’m fine blue…I’m…just gonna find Stranger…” Without another word Bailey wandered away from Haigar, the young Steef watched the human leaving, the worry in his eyes increasing as he frowned slightly. He shook his head, he doubted he’d ever understand Bailey, however Steef-ish she was. He turned away. He had to find his uncle. ¤§¤ Bailey sat in a secluded part of the Steef summer valley. The forest grew behind her and a small stream trickled down some rocks and formed a little pool nearby. Bailey watched the water for a while, feeling unexplainably miserable. Without warning a shadow fell across the river and Bailey looked up slowly. Stranger’s neon green eyes blinked at her and he was frowning gently. “I didn’t do it.” Bailey said without her usual humour. She slumped her chin in her hands again and stared at the stream. Stranger quietly came closer and sat next to her. He looked sadly at Bailey, she seemed so miserable, he gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face and rumbled a purr. “Kid…what’s wrong with yer…Haigar said yer seemed upset.” Bailey didn’t answer straight away, she folded her arms across her drawn up knees and buried her head in them. “Nothin’…” came her muffled voice, “I’m fine.” Stranger sighed, “C’mon liddle darlin’ I know yer lyin’ ter me. I always know.” Bailey slowly looked up at Stranger. “Really?” she asked softly, “Always?” Stranger allowed a small smile to cross his face, “Yeh, always. Parents know stuff like tha’ about their kids.” Bailey swallowed thickly. Stranger stroked her head. “Yer know I love yer, don’t yer kid?” he asked, Bailey nodded, “Yeh. Yeh I know.” Stranger opened his arms and growled playfully, “Then give yer ol’ man a hug yer liddle punk.” Bailey smiled as she was swept into Stranger’s powerful embrace. She still felt rather small in the grand scheme of things, but she also felt protected and loved. So it was okay to feel small sometimes, as long as Stranger was around, well then, she was fine. “Love you Stranger.” She muttered and rubbed her cheek to Stranger’s jaw. She felt it vibrate as he chuckled. “I know.” Bailey made a contented sound and closed her eyes. Stranger pressed his nose to her hair and let out a breath. ¤§¤ Just as Haigar had said, over the next couple of days all the male Steef in the tribe lost their horns. It was sort of odd for Bailey, it wasn’t that hard to tell the males from the females, but it was getting difficult to identify Stranger. Before hand Bailey had always used his lack of horns to see him quickly, but now they were all hornless. It was all rather disconcerting really. She was even more anxious when she thought of when the Steef horns would all re-grow. She worried slightly that if Stranger’s re-grew as well then she would have even more problems spotting him from a distance, she was also vaguely worried about what he would look like. The prospect of the change scared the human slightly, although she didn’t know what worried her. Maybe it was something to do with familiarity, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t looking forward to it at any rate… Unfortunately, whether she liked it or not, the human had to face the change head on when it came three or four weeks later. It didn’t come gradually either, just like when the Steff shed, the horns re-grew over night, sprouting from their heads and curling into ram-horns. Bailey didn’t exactly take it calmly to begin with either. She came out of her room in the small, cosy hut, yawning and bleary eyed and went just outside where Alika was making breakfast. Haigar, Damien and another Steef, who seemed familiar but a stranger were already awake and sitting around the fire. They all sported impressive, curling horns that were varying shades of a ruddy brown. Bailey yawned and greeted them sleepily. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the three Steef males came into sharper focus, and she gaped at the third Steef, he was smaller then the other two, with pale hair and neon green eyes…the pieces slotted together and the penny dropped. Bailey screamed. She bolted back into the hut and threw herself into her room, securing the door. She pressed her back to the door and slid down to the floor, shaking. Stranger smiled at Bailey as she came out of the hut and greeted them, still tired. But then she’d gaped at him with something akin to horror and then she’d screamed, and run. Stranger felt his heart wrench and he scrambled to his feet and followed. His new acquisitions must have startled her, he thought. She was still groggy and the sight must have just given her a turn. But he swallowed painfully when he saw the closed door, and heard her terrified sobs… “Bailey?” he whispered, standing close to the door, “Bailey, honey open tha door. It’s me… It’s only me.” “Go away.” Choked the voice on the other side of the door. Stranger’s breath caught in his throat and he sank to his knees, it felt as if his heart was being ripped out. He heard pure, unadulterated terror in that voice. He choked back tears. Bailey, his dear little Bailey, was terrified of him. “Bailey,” he whispered hoarsely, “P-please, lemme in.” he stuttered, “I jist want ter, ter show yer.” No answer. “Please liddle darlin’,” Stranger pleaded, “It’s only me, I promise, I ain’t changed.” “St-Stranger,” whispered Bailey’s voice, “I’m…I’m scared.” Stranger felt another stab to his heart but he shuffled closer to the door and placed a hand on it. “I know, I look different kid, but I’m still me, an’ I still love yer.” The door gave slightly and opened a crack. Bailey peeped out. Stranger remained still and just let her look him over, watched how she stared at his red-brown horns. Saw the shock and fear fade, he let out a breath of relief. “See?” he said softly, “Still me.” Bailey swallowed and looked at Stranger, he was still the same, he hadn’t changed, not really, he’d just…recovered a bit of himself. She opened the door a bit more and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. A hand caught her chin and wrist and her hand was gently pulled away, her chin was lifted and Stranger wiped away the remains of the tears with his thumb. Bailey slowly got up onto her knees and moved so she and Stranger were closer. Stranger gently lifted her hand closer to his head and then let it go, Bailey looked at him questioningly. He looked unflinchingly back and Bailey reached up tentatively. Her fingers brushed the hardness of his horns and drew back slightly, but then reached forward again and touched them, running a finger along the curling shape. Eventually she drew back and looked at Stranger, she could see the pain she’d caused and felt her throat clog again. She looked down, one finger touched her chin again and picked her head up. “S’ok.” Stranger said gently, “S’ok kid.” Bailey swallowed and nodded, letting her herself droop again, with a sniffle she pressed her head to Stranger’s chest. Stranger’s arms came up and around and he hugged her, smiling in relief. With a strangled sob Bailey put her arms around Stranger’s chest. “M’sorry Stranger.” She whispered, “I…” Stranger stroked her hair. “It doesn’t matter. I understand.” “I love you Stranger.” “I know, I love yer too squirt. I may change, but that never will. I would never hurt yer kid. Never.” Bailey nodded into his fur. She heard Stranger’s voice and felt it rumble comfortingly in his chest, “I’ll always look after yer kid.” He said, “And I’ll never, ever stop loving you.” Bailey believed him, and felt safe. Nobody said anything when Stranger carried Bailey outside and sat down again, cuddling the young human to his chest. Bailey kept her eyes closed and buried her head into Stranger’s fur. Stranger stroked her hair gently, careful not to hurt his human with his claws. ¤§¤ Neither Stranger nor Bailey mentioned what had happened that day. If it ever was brought up, Stranger would growl and Bailey would shrug and say something along the lines of being caught off-guard before promptly cuddling up to her favourite Steef, refusing to say more. Stranger was worried to begin with, he hadn’t meant to scare Bailey so badly. But Bailey felt the need to be closer to Stranger again and he wasn’t about to push his Bailey away when she wanted a cuddle. |
Aww...A fluffy ending, but a funny beginning. Nice job, Lobo my friend! Continue, and get over yer writer's block! I mean it! NOW! (points a seldom, tight finger to Lobo)
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I can safely say I've gotten over the block fer now, YAY! HAPPY DANCE! :cheer:
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I read yer Story yesterday and it's still awesome... I send a pm to you, about the rest of the comments:) Looking forward to read the next bit:D
BTW err, have ya heard of Microsoft word? because if you want you can use that programe instead of writer's block, if ya have it...:goof: well I myslef is using that programe and it's never giving me problems. Just a tip though... I'm going to update my story as well today:p See Ya! ~DS~ |
Oddworld Just Got Stranger
I’ve beaten the writer’s block! YAY! :cheer:
Don’t Stop Me Now! Loki enjoyed being in the summer valley more then most. She was still very young by Steef standards, and liked romping in the grass and chasing butterflies with the other Steeflings. But there was one thing that Loki had quite a unique knack for. So unique that only she and one other person had it in the area.Getting into trouble. Although how she managed to do it when Bailey was twice her age no one had any idea. Though Alika worried about her youngest she never was too afraid for her. Bailey was a constant bodyguard. And she took her job very seriously…even if sometimes they both got into a lot bother… It was getting late spring when Loki once again got herself up to her ears in a mess. It was one of the rare occasions when Bailey’s attention had been diverted that Loki slipped away on her own and soon there was an uproar to find the missing Steefling. Although Alika didn’t blame Bailey for Loki being so devious Stranger insisted that if she went out to look she’d only get dragged into whatever Loki might have found. She was therefore put in her room and told Not To Move for Anything by Stranger. Bailey sat on her bed. Like she had many times she got up suddenly and paced the small room fruitlessly before sitting down again, all the time the same thoughts running through her mind. Where is she? What has she gotten herself into? Will Stranger and the others find her in time? This is all my fault. Finally Bailey couldn’t take it anymore. She couldn’t just sit here while Loki got herself hurt, or even killed. Bailey left the hut and stood outside the door for a moment. “If I was a small Steefling that gets into crud without trying…where would I be?” it only took her a moment to think of it and when she did she slapped her forehead. “Idiot! Why didn’t I go there first!?” with that Bailey broke into a run, knowing exactly where to look. Over the last few days Bailey had noticed that Loki had shown a lot of interest in the building of the hall at the far end of the valley. What it was for, Bailey hadn’t found out yet but it was being built like the huts but because it was so huge it took a considerably longer time and it was only getting it’s foundation finished at the end of the week. Building material and the scaffolding were scattered about the place and all the young Steef had been forbidden to go anywhere near it while construction was on the go. Bailey headed for the building site. She skidded to a halt when she reached it and looked around. “LOKI!” she yelled, “WHERE ARE YER!?” no answer. Bailey’s heart hammered, a thousand terrible reasons why Loki might not answer her appearing in her mind. She began to jog through the area. Searching and calling as she went. Finally she found the Steefling. Bailey stopped, pushed up the brim of her hat and gulped. Loki clung to a beam of horizontal scaffolding, a good fifty feet off the ground… “How in the dickens?” she muttered. She sighed, “Loki?” The Steefling quivered and opened one screwed up eye a fraction. “Bailey.” She whimpered, “Bailey, get me down.” “Alright, alright. Don’t panic. I’m a-comin’.” Bailey looked around quickly, but first she needed to alert the adults. She saw a pile of lumber nearby and scrambled on top of it. She wobbled precariously for a moment but soon found her balance and looked around for any Steef. Luckily she saw one, too far to recognise but a dark-furred one by all accounts. She put two fingers in her mouth and blew a shrill whistle. She saw the Steef stop and turn to look towards her. Bailey put her arms in the air and waved madly. “OVER HERE!” she yelled, banking on the Steef’s superior hearing to hear her voice. The gamble paid off. The Steef bellowed, shaking the ground and letting every Steef within almost a mile radius know where to come. The lumber pile shook under Bailey and she jumped off. She turned back to the scaffold. Now she had to get Loki down. She could tell by just looking at it that no Steef which was old enough to retrieve the Steefling could get up there and it wouldn’t hold a full- or even half-grown Steef’s weight. She sighed. It was up to her. “Okay Loki,” she called, “I’m coming up.” She saw the Steefling nod and looked around for a way she could get up onto the scaffold. A noticed that the horizontal beam Loki was on was held up by two diagonal struts at either end. That was no good. But between each pair of struts was another pole. It was completely vertical and sticking from them were lots of sturdy pegs. Perfect. Bailey looked back as she heard something behind her. She saw the search parties of Steef coming towards the site. She would have to be quick if she didn’t want Stranger or anyone else to stop her from getting Loki. Bailey darted over to the nearest pole and tested the strength of the pegs. They held. Quickly, Bailey climbed the pole. She was only half way when the Steef arrived. They crowded around the bottom of the scaffolding , murmuring and pointing and even a few gasps. It was only when Bailey heard a familiar voice did she pause. Stranger. With a great effort Bailey ignored her father-figure and kept climbing. After a while she reached the top and slowly, falteringly and wobbling a good deal Bailey managed to stand on the beam, her arms out, balancing her. She took a deep breath and took a step forward, and then another, and another. Her confidence grew with each step but she remained careful as she slowly cross the beam to Loki on the other end. As she reached the middle a wind began blowing. It snagged her hat and made her wobble even more dangerously. Suddenly Bailey slipped and she nearly tumbled off completely but she grabbed the main beam just in time. She hung by her fingernails for a few heart stopping seconds before she was able to haul herself up and carry on. Down below Stranger’s heart went wild in his chest, Bailey was so close to getting herself killed. Stranger had to exercise a lot of self control not to shake with suppressed adrenaline as he watched his Bailey performing one of the stupidest stunts she had ever done. When she slipped Stranger’s heart did a somersault and he was nearly sick but thankfully Bailey didn’t fall but scrambled back up onto the beam. Stranger breathed again. Bailey stubbornly continued her balancing act until she got to Loki. She slowly sat on the beam, one leg on each side. “Hullo kiddo.” She beamed. Loki opened one eye tremulously. “I’m sowwy Bailey.” She whimpered, “I promise I’ll never go when I shouldn’t again, just please get me down!” she wailed. Bailey waved her hands at the crying Steefling, “Hey, hey. Now need fer that kid, jist leggo of the beam an’ I’ll get yer down, okay?” Loki looked at the grinning human. “Okay.” She allowed Bailey to prise her from the scaffold and put her onto Bailey’s shoulders, they’d done it plenty of times but Bailey realised round about then that soon Loki would be too big to carry. She didn’t think too much on that now. She needed to concentrate on getting down. Bailey slowly stood and made her unsteady way to the other set of struts that were close by. There was a rope at that end with a flat piece of wood attached to the end. An idea began forming in Bailey’s mind. She reached the end of the beam without any difficulties and pulled the rope up to her hand over hand until the little lift was at their level. “Right, Loki I need you to sit on this and hold tight, okay?” Loki nodded, her eyes wide with terror. When she was on the makeshift lift Bailey began lowering until Loki hit the ground with a gentle bump. She was immediately smothered by her mother. Bailey meanwhile gave the rope a tug and swung herself on it. It took longer for her to reach the ground then it had for Loki but she did it without accidents. As soon as she was on the solid earth again Stranger was there. He took Bailey by the shoulders. “Yer okay?” he asked sternly. Bailey looked up at him and nodded. She saw the way Stranger sagged in relief very clearly. The Steef took her face in his huge hands and shook her very gently. “Don’t yer ever do that again, you hear me!?” he said, scolding. Bailey nodded. “Ah, c’mere you liddle monster.” Stranger muttered and gave Bailey a relieved hug. The Steef crowd dispersed, as Stranger led Bailey away with his hand on her shoulder and rubbed his face in a long-suffering way. “You kid, are gonna be tha death of me.” Bailey grinned and wrapped her arms around his stomach. “Nah, you’re going to live forever.” She said. Stranger chuckled and rubbed her hair. |
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Loved that bit! Wanna 'ere more, Lobo. You hear me, Lobo? More...(quivers in content) Oh! And I added a lil' more ter mine. Jist a little. Not enough to probably make you like me. |
I don't mean to double post in 'ere, Lobo. But...you're over-due fer an update, me friend. I'll continue to wait.
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Go Lobo:cheer: I read the story yesterday, but I forgot to reply, sorry...:( It's getting more n' more intense:D keep 'em chaptrs comin' :lol:
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intresting, keep working, i mean continue with the story
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Awww, thanks you guys.
Getting impatience are we DE? :lol: Maybe I should hold off and make you suffer! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA-choke, cough, hack-HAHAHAHAHAHA...oh forget it, I'll put another chapter up, just a mo. Ah, that's okay Dancin' Steef, and would you mind if I put some certain scribblings up when you're finished? :D And thank you Icarus, :bow: I certainly will and thanks once again for commenting. :D |
Oddworld Just Got Stranger
And yes, Darky, you can laugh at the title, good RP’in’ times eh? :D
The Reason Behind Nasty Rammers… Spring grew into summer and Bailey noticed that some of the male Steef, particularly those without female companionship becoming rather more agitated and violent the usual. They were picking fights and just generally being edgy. Though, Haigar became more depressed then angry and Stranger – thankfully – didn’t change at all.Lecture: Why Steef Have Extremely Huge Horns… Bailey at first thought that they were just restless but when she saw a couple of the males ramming each other and locking horns over another, female Steef, the human finally put together what they were up too. And she was completely fascinated. She would watch them fighting utterly awed, there was a lot of power in these…well, ‘cute and furry’ individuals. Of course the bellows were deafening and Bailey cringed at the though of being caught in the middle of two combatants, but from a safe distance they were somewhat intriguing to watch. Stranger found her watching a few days after this ‘rutting’ season had started. “Bailey?” he asked questioningly, “Whadda yer doin’?” “Watching them beat the snot out of each other.” Bailey remarked nonchalantly, nodding towards a big dark Steef and a smaller, lighter one who were butting heads like a couple of mountain goats. Stranger looked towards them and then back at Bailey, “Why?” Bailey shrugged, “I dunno, I just like watching ‘em.” There was a pause, “So when are you gonna get out there?” Bailey asked innocently, Stranger gaped at her for a moment, mouth open. “What!?” “You heard me.” Bailey watched him intently, completely unabashed. Stranger on the other hand suddenly looked awkward and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why would-” “Why not?” Bailey countered, interrupting him. “It s’not exactly fair that you havta be stuck with just me forever.” Stranger grinned and growled as he ruffled her already wild hair, “What if I like bein’ stuck wiv yer forever?” Bailey quirked a half-smile but Stranger looked suddenly sad. He reached out and stroked her head. “Hey, they’ll be plenty of time fer me ter find someone when yer all grown up.” There was a pause. “Humans…don’t live very long do they?” Stranger asked. “Compared to Steef…no…not that long.” Bailey said. “Few make it past a hundred.” “Two hundred years.” Stranger murmured sadly, “At least two hundred years ter find someone…” he sounded very depressed. Bailey looked at him curiously, “Stranger, somat’s botherin’ you.” “I don’t want ter outlive my kid Bailey.” Stranger muttered, “I don’t want ter be alone without yer. You’ll be long gone an’ I’ll still be the same…” the Steef faded off miserably. Bailey patted his hand, “You scared I’m gonna die Stranger?” she said, it wasn’t really a question but Stranger nodded. Bailey grinned and cuddled up to him. “Silly Steef,” she said, “I’m more then likely gonna outlive you by a very, very long time…if I’m unlucky.” Stranger frowned and rested his chin on Bailey’s head. “How’s that then.” Bailey twirled a bit of grass between her fingers, “Humans apparently don’t age in Oddworld, they just…continue…although I guess it could just be a matter of aging slowin’ down a heck of a lot… So,” she said sweetly, “When are yer gonna find someone, I need some kind of mother.” Stranger stopped but then smiled and kissed her hair. “Did yer know I love yer?” he said conversationally, “Stop changin’ the subject.” Bailey muttered but she closed her eyes and let it go. “I though yer’d get swamped actually.” She added after a pensive silence, “I mean, you beat Sekto and everythin’…” “But I ain’t exactly a ‘respectable’ Steef…” Bailey spluttered in amusement, “You? Respectable? Hardly…” “That’s what I said.” Stranger frowned slightly, but Bailey was off on a musing tangent. “But you get away with the whole ‘bad boy’ attitude if you ask me…an’ you ain’t exactly unpleasant ter look at…” Stranger’s expression became more and more like a carp. Eyes bulging and mouth open. He made a strangled sound. Bailey snickered. She put her arms behind her head and leaned back on his chest and went back to watching the fighting Steef. “The paler ones gunna win.” She said at length. “Oh really?” Stranger asked in amusement, “How d’yer work that out?” “I can feel it.” Stranger let out a sigh and relaxed, closing his eyes, feeling Bailey against his stomach. He thought about the day in the Bolamite nest. He hadn’t known what a human was back then. He chuckled to himself as he remembered Bailey’s first words to him and when she’d threatened him with a gun. He’d disliked her then. How quickly she’d grown on him. Stranger was glad she had, he didn’t know that having the squirt around could make life so much more enjoyable. Bailey dozed off before she saw which of the two fighting Steef won, she was just too warm and comfortable in the sunshine with Stranger. This life definitely agreed with her. She wondered fleetingly about Jolee and Meech. The Grubb said she’d look after him. Bailey let out a sleepy sigh as she descended into dreams. She hoped they were alright… |
i like it alot, it has a good feeling to it, and thank you for giving me a reason to use my brain.
you wanna hook up ;) just kidding. |
Aww...great chapter, Lobo. And yes...I did laugh at the title.
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Hehe Good work there Lobo:p I liked the title as well:lol: keep 'em chaptrs comin', buddy!
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Oh I feel stupid askin' this. I've read yer story from way in the beginning (and believe me, it's more funnier if you don't read it fer a long time) and Bailey mentioned "Or you'll what? Throw a wobbly?"
Now, I'm part british, but can you explain ter me what a wobbly is? :confused: |
Lol, that's okay, :D a wobbly's a temper tantrum. :lol: Funny mental images, Stranger having a temper tantrum...hee hee :D
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Ahhh...Somewhat I knew that. Jist wasn't sure of it.
And yeh. It'd be a Kodak moment if Stranger actually threw a temper tantrum of say...he not getting an Outlaw right. :D |
Oddworld Just Got Stranger
Urg, computer went nuts and then I ran out of inspiration and then when I did finish somat I was sick as a dog… :fuzemb: But at least I’m here now right?
Over-Protective A shadow fell over Stranger’s face and the Steef opened one eye.“Howdy Dai.” He muttered. His older brother grinned, “Chilling out Stranger?” he teased. Stranger grunted but smiled as he closed his eye again. “Yep.” “Bailey’s out like a light.” The older, darker Steef commented. Stranger opened his neon green eyes again and picked his head up slightly. Daimen was right, Bailey was snoozing gently against his ribs. Her hat had fallen off but she still had a very torn up green bandana around her forehead. He smiled as his mind went back to when she’d won the hat and his gut clenched when he saw the ragged hole in the brim. A hole caused by a stake… “Does she always wear that?” Daimen asked, bringing Stranger from his reverie. Stranger blinked, “What? Oh, yeh, she’s always had it, haven’t really seen ‘er without it since we met.” Daimen folded his legs and stretched out on his stomach. “You never actually said how you two met.” He said lightly, Stranger swatted at his brother, “Maybe because it’s embarrassin’, bein’ outmanoeuvred by a thirteen year old. Daimen had his eyes closed by this time and he laughed, “Now you have to tell me.” Stranger sighed and shook his head amusedly, “Fine, fine.” He muttered and began to talk. ¤§¤ “An’ then she poked me with ‘er gun and made fun of me accent.” Daimen chuckled, but before he could say anything, another, drowsy voice added, “Yeh an’ now I sound like ‘im.” Stranger and Daimen looked over to Bailey as she retrieved her hat before dropping head back onto Stranger. Stranger ‘hrm’ed and poked her. “Eh, no need to get moody wiv me.” Bailey huffed, her eyes closed. Stranger rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows at Daimen in a ‘see what I mean’ look. Bailey suddenly frowned and one hazel eye opened quickly. The human sat up, looking annoyed. The two Steef caught her expression and both were put on edge. “What tis it Bailey.” Stranger murmured. “Loki.” Bailey muttered and stood up. No sooner had she said it then a young female Steef appeared. It was Loki, she was about Bailey’s height now with her mother’s blue eyes but with extremely pale brown fur, nearer Stranger then Daimen or Alika. She’d grown quickly as summer had come around, shooting up from being only as high as Bailey’s knees to being taller the Bailey herself. As she approached the two Steef males and the human saw clearly that she was in tears. Daimen stood quickly, Stranger following suit. “Loki, what’s the matter honeycakes?” Daimen asked his daughter in concern. “Oh, Dad!” the young Steef wailed and fell into Daimen’s arms. “It’s not fair!” she cried. Stranger and Bailey looked uneasily at each other. “What happened?” Bailey asked. “I’ve been, Chosen!” Loki cried like it was the end of the world. Bailey blinked, “Chosen, chosen for what!?” Daimen however looked stone-faced. He held Loki’s shoulders and placed her an arm’s length away from him. “Who baby? Who’s Chosen you?” he asked sternly. Loki choked out a name and at first neither Daimen, Stranger or Bailey could make it out, but when Loki repeated it, they heard. “Karnan.” And she dissolved into tears again. Daimen hugged his daughter, talking quietly and soothingly. Stranger put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Dai, what is this?” he asked. Daimen looked at his young brother, his eyes blazing in fury. “We’ll go home, and then I’ll tell you.” He growled and half-carried a weeping Loki towards the huts, Stranger followed, Bailey waited a moment. Stranger turned when he realised she wasn’t with him. “Bailey?” Bailey shook herself. “Coming.” She murmured and jogged to catch up. ¤§¤ Loki had stopped crying now, only sniffling occasionally. The family sat around their hut fire, Alika prepared dinner, looking upset, while Daimen comforted Loki. Haigar when he’d heard his sister had been ‘Chosen’ by Karnan looked livid, his fist kept clenching and unclenching. Only Bailey and Stranger were clueless about what was going on and Stranger finally broached the subject. “What is this all about?” he finally asked in a quiet voice. Daimen spoke while he stroked his daughter’s hair, “Loki came of age this summer, traditionally she can get married and start her own family.” Bailey’s eyebrows shot up. “But, but, she’s only a baby!” she exclaimed, Daimen smiled slightly, “To you she still may be young, but by Steef standards, she older then you are.” Bailey blinked, and then, of all people looked at Haigar, Haigar blushed but grinned, “Yeh, I was way older then you when we first met…I would have found a mate by now…” he faded off and looked away. Bailey frowned slightly then turned back to Daimen. “But you’re right Bailey, even Steef would consider her too young, for at least another year or two, but it’s possible for her to get married now.” Stranger shifted uncomfortably. “And this Karnan, he doesn’t seem to care about that.” Daimen’s expression became dark. “No. He never has. He changes mates to some one younger every few years…he’s older then you Stranger.” Bailey looked outraged, “How can he do that!? How come you’ve let him!?” Daimen gave Bailey a look at quelled the human’s anger and made her cower slightly, “We don’t let him do anything Bailey.” Daimen said quietly. “These traditions go back a very long time…not all of them are so acceptable, but that’s just how it’s always been. And Karnan knows how to manipulate the old laws.” Bailey cocked her head. “How d’yer mean?” “When a Steef girl is old enough to marry, suitors fight for her, but if there is only one who wants her, well then he can get her without a fight. Unless one of the family will fight in place. But there’s a problem. But the combatants must be evenly matched, Steef honour,” he added to Bailey’s confused look. “Haigar and I cannot challenge him, it would not be a fair fight.” Bailey looked up at Stranger, “Can’t you do something?” she asked. Stranger looked at Daimen, “If there is something…” but Daimen was shaking his head, “As much as I appreciate your offer Stranger, it’s impossible. Karnan won’t fight any of us.” Daimen nodded to Bailey. “He’s only Bailey’s height.” Bailey growled. “I should go an’ gouges his eyes out.” She snarled savagely. Stranger put a hand on her shoulder. “Easy Bailey.” He murmured, but seemed to agree with the sentiment. Bailey became silent and talk during dinner was thin. Bailey didn’t seem to take any notice, an idea was percolating in her mind. But she would need Haigar’s help. |
'Bout bloody time, Lo-bo!
Hrm...got's a lil' confused, is this a 'I'll choose you to marry me,' kind-a thing? |
Sorry...:fuzemb: am completely ashamed of self. And no, it's a 'marry this guy unless someone else fights' kinda thing. :D I think Bailey might just go ballistic...even more so then now...eeee, nasty...
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GREAT chapter there Lobo! yeah that lil Karnan guy should really need some spankin' :evil::laugh:
~DS~ |
sorry for dubble post, the reason why is that I asked Lobo if I could make n' send in some pics of her characters on the story so... as I promised Lobo here are the characters of yers:)
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