---

Dunes
You stand in the middle of rolling hills of sand as the sea wind blows through your fur and blisters your skin. To the west is the sea, a blue streak in the far horizon. To your right is marsh and swampland.
Exits: [T]owards the [T]rees, [T]o the sea, [U]pshore
With:
[DYN] Nivik
[DYN] Marie

---

Nivvy uncurls himself, mmphing softly, his tail flicking from being snuggled up against the mouse as he goes to his back, "Auh...nn." His eyes squeeze close, and he murmurs, "Bright."

Marie was lying on her side, back to him, until the tail moves. She rolls to look at him, chuckling quietly. "That's because it's midday, sleepyhead. Didn't you notice when I got up to go bathe?"

He mmphs, and opens an eye experimentally, before squeaking and flicking his tailtip up to cover 'em, "Naw...when 'm safe, I sleep deep..." He stretches his legs, and oofs, relaxing, "My sleepin' schedule isn't real set."

Marie chuckles again. "I got up at dawn to eat something and bathe. But you looked so comfortable, I couldn't help but join you again. I didn't realize I'd fall asleep til midday." She reaches out to poke his stomach lightly. "Very snuggly, indeed."

Niv acks at the poke, and laughs softly, squirming slightly. He's just in his trousers at the moment. "Ah, sorry...usually I stay still when I wake up, but t' light made me move." A soft snicker.

Marie smiles, sitting up and tying the strings at the neck of her shirt shut, closing the neck to a more decent position, instead of the breathing space she'd given herself while asleep. She turns to rummage in her bag, searching for the vest-jerkin she'd folded away. "Did I talk in my sleep at all?" she asks, making a mess of the mostly-organized bag.

He shakes his head, sitting up and stretching out, "Hmm...not that I know..." He gives a playful little pout as she ties her shirt up, going for his own. It might be a good time to point out that he's not completely un-scarred. He has a couple marks that look like arrow wounds, and possibly a bit of a cut from a knife. Nothing major ever, but more by luck than anything else.

She pulls her jerkin on, edges flapping. "I have a feeling I'll need to head into Halyard sooner than I thought. This shirt is not exactly opaque." The unevenly dyed material has clearly been washed and worn so many times that the fabric is wearing thin. "And I'll need something heavier as the fall comes upon us."

The squirrel, naturally, looks over at the statement that it's not opaque...then coughs, and looks away, "Well, fortunate that the light isn't strong in here, eh?" A chuckle. He wriggles into his shirt, and starts re-wrapping his footpaws, "Yer right, though...I might hafta make a new coat, or a liner fer this one."

Marie sees his look and laughs. "And a moment ago you were complaining about it being bright..." She pulls a cloak out of the bag, looking it over. "I think I can make do with this for now. Probably a wool liner come winter. I'll need to see what my coin will get me."

Niv chuckles, tying off the wraps at his ankles, and starting on his pawwraps, grinning, "Well, the light has its upsides an' downsides, now doesn't it? Don' worry about coin, I got extra."

Marie shakes her head. "Not a chance. I pay my own way. Besides, you only met me... two days ago? How do you know I'm not here to steal everything I can?"

He smirks, "'Cause you just completely turned the offer down. 'Sides, I kinda get the feeling you're an honest beast. An' it'd be a right nasty life of mine if I didn' trust anybeast, wouldn' it?" He stands up, and stretches out, wincing a little as his back pops.

Marie shrugs, nodding. "T'would be. Do you know your way around Halyard? I've passed through it once, but that's about it."

Nivik chuckles, and shakes his head, "Naw...don't know anything of the sort. Only been 'roundabouts the mountain."

Marie nods. "Well, sounds like we'll be explorin', then. Worst comes to worst, I can head towards the mountain and barter for some cloth."

Nivik grins, and nods, "Yeh. Similarly 'ere...I sorta require more layers 'fore winter, or I'll stab things." A snicker.

Marie nods. "I just need to fix up what I've got. I was a little busy this past season to be looking towards winter. Most of my clothes are rather old now." She sighs, stretching. "Shall we visit the village? Or eat?" She jerks a thumb at her sack.

Nivik hmms, and thinks, before shrugging with a chuckle, "'Tis up to you. I'm fine either way. Y' do much stichin'? I'm rather fond of it...'d do more if I were better, might make coin that way."

Marie grins. "I used to make money that way. That's how I managed to live alone since I was four or five. I haven't in more recent seasons, simply because I didn't need to. But it's far cheaper to buy the materials and make it meself, rather than paying the cost of the labor as well."

Nivik nods with a chuckle, "Yeh, agreed. Not t' mention it gives ye somethin' ta busy your paws on when yer mind's troubled. 'Ve found it's a good way ta keep sane."

Marie nods. "Well, I've eaten, if it was awhile ago. How about we head into Halyard, see what we see? If we decide we're hungry, we can always get something there." She stands, a painful thing to watch, as she slowly gets one bone at a time off the ground and upright.

Nivik doesn't watch the entire time, moving over to lend a gentle paw, speaking, "I know y' don't want help, but I don' care so much."

Marie accepts the paw, given the logic. His paw seems to steady her, but her muscles are complaining nonetheless. "Thank you. Let's be off before I sink downwards again." She takes up her staff, leaned carefully against the canvas of the tent so she can take it without bending over.

Nivik mmphs softly, and follows close, "Yeh...looks like it's painful for ye ta move, even." He cracks his knuckles, and twitches his whiskers, chuckling as he shakes his head, "'M an awful beast. Let's go."

---

Western Shore
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The hot golden sand stretches north beyond the horizon. It seems as if you are walking on an endless beach, except that the tip of a mountain peeks over the southern horizon. The fresh, salty air stings as the ocean winds challenge you. There is nowhere to go to the west, for the sea merges with the sand. If you look carefully out over the water, you might just spot a ship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exits: [S]hack, [Sh]allows, [U]pshore, [D]ownshore

---

Marie sighs as she heads around the shack. "It's just when I get up in the mornings. Stiff from sleeping, and staying in one position too long."

Nivik mms, and nods, "Yeah...there's a solution ta that. But suggestin' it would support t'e line of veiled flirt comin' from my muzzle lately." His whiskers twitch, and he sniffs the air, obviously trying to be nonchalant and unobtrusive and not look awkward. XD

Marie smiles at him. "Flirting is a way of life, and I happen to love that particular lifestyle. Just suggest whatever it is. You don't need to be embarrassed about it." Her eyes glance up at him for a moment, but for the most part she watches her path, focus on keeping her feet from sliding too much and unbalancing her.

Nivik nods a little, his ears swiveling as his cheek color, "Massage works, y'know? Works the tenseness outta the muscles, doesn' it?" He gives a smile, and flicks his own tail, "'M a bit fond of flirtin', as well...but I'm outta practice, lately, an' it 'asn't produced much in the way of results over the last few seasons. Disheartens a beast." A snicker.

Marie chuckles, throwing a grin in his direction. "I've found rather the same. I would greatly appreciate a massage if you are open to giving me one. I'm not sure I'd call that flirting, but I can see how it easily could become such." She pauses so she can look over at him. "I look forward to it."

Nivik grins back, and gives a nod, "M' paws tremble at the chance t' begin practicin' the art again." He flicks his tail, looking back to her with a smile, "We're gonna hafta watch all this mutual flirting."

Marie snickers. "Why bother? It's far more fun if we don't." But she does start moving again, towards the town. "As long as we're both aware that's all it is: flirting. Then there really won't be a problem." She stops talking for awhile, saving her breath for the annoyingly tiring process of walking on the shifting sands.

---

Halyard Village: Dirt Path
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Halyard Village ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A relative-sized dirt path, this somewhat makeshift road runs from the main
square of the village, through the forest - which borders the trail on both
sides - and opens out onto the sandy shore. Shallow wheel-ruts run parallel
along the path, and they are more often than not filled with murky water.
There is even, at one point, an abandoned and rotting wagon pushed off to the
side of the road, and it has obviously thrown a wheel at some point in the
past. One might want to watch for bothersome rocks if they come wagoning this
way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Exits: Up Path to [V]illage [S]quare, [B]each

---

Nivik nods as he listens, giving a soft chuckle, "Aye, s'pose yer right..." He hmmphs softly, and looks around.

Marie wanders closer to Halyard before she's ready to talk again. "But who knows..." she adds to the earlier conversation. "I don't know many beasts my age, as I've spent so much time wandering. I know older beasts, who are settled in one place, or the kits who're in one place as well."

Nivik twitches his tail, and chuckles, "Well, a bit of serious flirtin' doesn't entail stayin' in one area, per se. 'Tis actually rather convienent ta travel with a companion." He looks about attentively, smiling, "Ah...at least there's forest roundabouts here, like any civilized region!"

Marie laughs at this. "There are several civilized regions without any green. You're just homesick."

Nivik sticks his tongue out at the mouse, "Homesick nothin'. I love home, but I'm just treesick. Can't stand bein' somewhere wi'out trees fer very long."

Marie points a finger at him with a mock laugh. "Wussy squirrel..."

Malica stumbles towards the town her right arm nothing but a bloody stump and her body is covered in many deep wounds, Her left arm is cut up to a point as well and is held over her left eye, She seems to be weakening from the blood loss of her stump and her face is screwed up in agony, The wounds look fairly fresh and her clothes is just barely hanging off her slender form.. This vixen seems to have been through alot recently..

Nivik laughs, and play-growls, "Watch it, ye...I'll show you what's what." He blinks as the vixen stumbles in, and mutters softly, "Oh...bloody..." He pats Marie on the shoulder, "You head in town...lemme see if I can bandage this'n up."

Marie turns to look at the vixen, clearly disliking the idea of leaving. "Is there anything I can do?" she asks at last, trying to lean on her staff less and make it look like she was feeling better/stronger.

Malica trips and falls and a scream issues from her lips as her stump hits the floor, She starts to curl up into a fetal position..

Nivik blanches at that scream, and shakes his head, "Naw...this is a field medic's job. I need ta get 'er patched real quick an' there might be cutting an' bloodletting an' a helluva mess. I'll meet ye later." He starts to scramble over towards the vixen.

Marie looks towards the vixen, then sighs and heads into town, not really given much of a choice. There's not much a frail mousemaid can do in a situation like this.

Later on...

---

Halyard Tavern: Main Room
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Halyard Tavern ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Warmly lit by torches along the walls and lanterns set upon the many tables
scattered around the room, the main room of the Halyard Tavern is an often-
populated area. One corner of the tavern is taken up by a stage, about a
foot or two higher than the rest of the floor, where live entertainment
performs, while circular tables, both large and small, are set up in front
of the stage, spreading out into the center of the room. Meanwhile, around
the perimeter of the tavern, booths are set, and, of course, the obligatory
bar rests against the far wall, a bartender or barmaid always on duty.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Exits: [O]ut to [E]ntrance
With:
[IC] Malica
[IC] Nivik
[DYN] Marie

---

Nivik ahwells, and sips his liquor...bad squirrel...leaning back, "Well, all we c'n do is hunt an' kill the worthless beasts."

Malica pffs "I don't even carry weapons."

Nivik shrugs smoothly, swirling his glass a little and taking a sniff of the substance in his glass, "Hmmn...well...I meant 'we', like, in decen' beasts an t'e like."

From the booth in the corner, where she was sleeping, comes Marie. She blinks sleepily, surprised at the change in the light. She hadn't been that exhausted by the travel... had she? Anyway, she sees Nivik and the unknown (and bloody) vixen, and heads in their direction.

Nivik's wrists actually have a little dried blood on them, as well as his coat. His paws are clean, though! He hmmns softly, "Well...anyways..."

Marie stumps over to the pair, leaning heavily on her staff. "That had best not be liquor, my dear Nivik." She gives him a mock-stern glare. "Though if it is... perhaps I should take care of it for you."

Nivik blinks at Marie as she makes herself known, coughing and flushing softly in his cheeks, "'S only m' first of the night...just a smidge of apple brandy..."

Marie raises a very elegant eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. "Just a smidge?" She sighs, moving to take the seat next to him. "Keep it that way." She waves at the barkeeper, calling. "One of the same. Double." Her head turns slowly, neck making popping noises, as she looks at Malina. "You look a fair sight better."

Malica chuckles at that. Malica says, "Yeah, Thanks to him."

Marie nods amiably. "Glad to see he's worth something," she tells the other female, across the squirrel. "I'm Marie. I'm sorry I couldn't help you earlier. I'm not all that good for much."

Nivik chuckles, leaning back to put his chair on two legs. Looks like a double might be rather much, he's got a ten ounce short tumbler of the stuff. A smidge nothing. ^.^ He takes another drink, letting it rest in his muzzle for a moment before he swallows.

Malica offers her paw "I'm Malica."

Marie reaches in front of the leaning Nivik to shake the paw with her own smaller, scarred one. "Pleasure. I hope he's been behavin' himself?" She obviously can't help but poke some fun at the squirrel. When the barkeep comes back with her drink, she grins. Clearly a glass not made for a mouse, the brandy shines through the glass. Given her state of unsure strength, she uses both paws to lift the glass. "Mmm." A gold coin flips onto the counter. "Wonderful."

Malica nods "He has." She chuckles.

Nivik smirks at the mouse, and shakes his head, "Hon, unless yer a hardcore drinker, I wouldn' polish that off...it'll knock you flat."

Marie laughs and takes a fair sip. "You'd be surprised at what I can drink. You just pay attention to your own, why doncha? You're the one who needs to."

Nivik mmphs, and chuckles, setting it down and pushing it towards the fox, "I'd better stop now, then..." He grins, "If I work up a buzz, I migh' decide t' misbehave wi' ye."

Malica snorts "Wouldn't want that now would we?"

Marie elbows him. "So much for the gennlebeast, huh? Keep your misbehavin' ta yourself. That's not somethin we need ta hear about in a civilized township." Slowly, the level of brandy in her large glass lowers, about a quarter empty now.

Nivik raises his paws in a surrendering gesture, snickering as he takes shots from both females, "'Ey, I'm a gennlebeast when I ain' 'arborin' liquor in m' belly. 'S why 'm stoppin' now, y'see?" He huffs theatrically, crossing his arms over his chest, "'Xplain 'ow 'm bein' responsible, an' get m' tail chittered off m' butt."

Malica chuckles and coughs up a bit of blood again she sticks out her tongue with a yuck, noise.

"I'll give ya more than that if'n ya don' stop complainin'," Marie tells him over the rim of her glass. Turning to look at Malica's cough, and manages to knock her staff from it's place leaning against the bar. "Darn..." She hops down from the stool after carefully setting her glass on the counter, but the bending over is not as easy as it should be.

Nivik sticks his tongue out at the mouse, and grumbles, "I need a drink."

After taking forever to lean down and pick up her staff, Marie gently shoves it in the squirrel's back. "Water is good enough for you."

Nivik winces, and jumps a little, mmphing and rubbing at the small of his back, "Ow...not if ya keep pokin' me with that stick, it won'!"

Marie jabs the staff into the air in front of his stomach. "You hush. A gal's gotta protect herself from misbehavin' gents like yerself." She gives him a prim smile as she climbs back up on her stool to start drinking her brandy again.

Malica chuckles and closes her eye.

Nivik pulls a face, "Well, if'n I'm gonna be accused already, I might as well finish m' drink." He leans over to retrieve it.

Marie jabs him in the stomach, as threatened, but not with her staff. That's fine where it is, leaning against the counter. "Not a chance. Do I have ta get the 'keeper ta kick you outta here?" She's funning, but the look she gives him is less so.

Malica starts to stand and winces as she puts weight on her left leg with the gash..

Nivik snorts and wrinkles his nose a little, rubbing his stomach, "Fer what? I 'avn't done anything!"

Marie raises an eyebrow again. "Leave the drink alone," she tells him quietly. "You got tipsy with one hare-sized ale." She looks up at Malica. "Should you be moving around?" She's had more than her fair share of injuries, and to her it looks like Malica should be in bed for awhile.

Nivik mehs, and shakes his head, "Tipsy isn't drunk...all I did was giggle a l'il." He does leave his drink though, sighing softly as he leans back, looking at the ceiling.

Malica stays on the stool "Seems like I shouldn't.

Marie pokes Nivik (gently this time) and nods at the vixen. "Please tell me she should be in bed a few days."

Nivik mmmmms...and nods, "Yeh...she definately warrents bed-rest."

Malica chuckles "Probably should be for a month."

Marie glances to her other side, where her staff leans. "At least take my staff. I don't need it as much as it looks. It'll help you get around when you need to."

Malica shakes her head "Nah, I'll just find whatever passes for a infirmary here and rest there."

The main door to the tavern slowly swings open as the hideous remnents of a beast who was once called a marten slowly walks in. He takes a moment to look over the tavern and its ocupents with his hazzy blue eyes, but before long he slowly makes his way up to the bar.

Nivik chuckles softly and nods, stretching out. He looks over to the entrance, and erks, rubbing at the back of his neck.

Marie shakes her head. "Seriously, take it. I've got another." She glances at the vixen, calcuating the injuries. "You'll want it soon enough. Trust me, you won't wanna stay in bed."

Malica nods and reaches for the staff.

Nivik just watches, listens, and yawns softly.

Stevenson sighs lightly as he eases himself down onto a bar stool while flagging over the tender. "Double rum, if its not to much trouble."

Marie slides it in Malina's direction. She smiles at Nivik as she passes the walking stick over, catching sight of the yawn. "Sleepy? Maybe we should head back to my camp. I need to get some things before I come back for any period of time."

Nivik tilts his head a little, and hmms, "May'aps..." he shrugs, "'M good most anywhere. Maybe a bit fuzzy in mind atta moment."

Marie nods. "I dunno where there's a place to stay here."

Stevenson lets out another light sigh as he drops the proper amount of coinage into the barkeep's paw once his drink arrives. He takes a quick drink before rising up from his seat and making his way over to an empty table.

Malica holds the staff in her one paw and looks to Marie "Thanks."

Marie nods, smiling. "You're welcome. Good luck with the healing. It takes awhile, and it's not exactly the most fun thing in the world."

Malica blechs "Don't think living with one eye and arm will be the most fun thing in the world."

Marie nods simpathetically. "At least you won't be falling apart. Once you're out of bed, the world is a lot nicer, wounded or not."

Malica nods "Yeah."

Marie looks at Nivik, then back to Malica. "I'll probably see you around here. I need to buy some things before I can get back to my wanderin'."

Nivik chuckles softly and nods, "'Tis good to be up and about."

Stevenson finishes off the rum with another, longer swig of the glass. Setting it down on the table, he slumps back in his chair, leaning his head back to stare off at the ceiling with his light blue eye. He lets out another sigh once more.

Marie eyes her own glass, which slowly drained to less than a quarter of it's original double quantity. "I'm not sure if'n I should finish that before travellin' back..." she mutters.

Malica nods again "Any chance I can get you to find a new set of clothes for me? I'm afraid I can't repay you though.. They took my money when they did this to me."

Marie looks at Nivik, then nods before he can say anything. "I'm sure we can figure something out."

Nivik nods in agreement, chuckling, "Yeah...I believe so."

Malica smiles "Thanks."

Thunk. The otter's arrival is no mystery, with his heavy step and the swagger of broad shoulders. Dyne kicks the door closed behind him, giving an indignant sniff before pacing inwards in the room, making a beeline for the bar counter with a grumble on his throat. He pulls himself into a barstool and sets his falchion up on the counter with a solid clack, resting a palm on the cap of a bended knee. "Some'n dark and heavy," he grunts out, to no one in particular.

Marie looks at Malica. "Not a problem. I'll be around in the next day or so to buy cloth for myself. I'll try to find you then, see what you're interested in."

Malica shrugs "Just something less.. err ragged."

Stevenson tilts his head further back until he gets a good view of the new entry, though upside down in his sight. "...How troublesome...", mumbles the marten to himself under his breath as his hazzy gaze turns back to the ceiling witch interests him so.

Marie laughs lightly. "That's easy enough. I'll see what I can do." Her eyes go up and down Malica, estimating the size of the vixen most likely.

Dyne turns in his seat to observe Malica and Marie's conversation, an eyebrow quirked but only a passing interest reflected on his face. Whatever. He turns back to the bar when the drinks arrive, clucking his tongue and tossing a wayward wink as he lifts up the mug and sips it. "Yeh yeh, stick me wit' a tab. I'll be here fer a while yet," he mutters in reply to the tender's request for coin.

Malica nods and says "Thanks again."

Marie smiles. "Get some rest." She taps Nivik's shoulder. "And we should do the same. You stayin' here?" She slides off her stool, leaving the last dregs of her brandy in the oversized glass.

Malica slips off the stool using the staff to support her.

Nivik looks to marie, and chuckles softly, "Eh...if I means I c'n finish my drink, yeh, I'll stay here an' find a corner ta sleep in." A grin.

Marie just rolls her eyes this time. "If you're gonna, go ahead. I'm leavin'. But my food's better than any here." She smiles at him, then Malica, then gives the rest of the customers a nod as she heads slowly for the door.

Manners? Nah. Dyne sets his mug down half-empty - always half-empty, mind you - and looks Malica's way as soon as she stands. He lifts his head, examining the bandages, and turns his chin up a bit, peering downwards at the vixen. "What 'n blazes happened t'you?" he calls out.

Nivik snickers, winking, "And yer company. I might stay sober an' come back t' yer camp later tonight. We'll see, eh?"

Malica shrugs "Attacked by a group of beasts."

Marie nods. "If ya come back ta my tent and yer drunk, don't expect any company," she warns, then pushes through the door.

And yet later on...

Marie is seated cross-legged at the opening of her tent, humming quietly as she goes over every inch of what clothing she has (that's not on her body). This seems to be a long dress of several shades of bluey-green, and the brown hooded cloak that's currently in her paws. There's a pair of royal blue leather ankle boots underneath the dress, keeping it off the sands.

Nivik pads up along with a long stick (a stave a new wood), blinking a little as he tilts his head, "Whatcha got there?"

Marie looks up, unsurprised at his entrance. "Cloak. Just checking to see if it needs replacing, or what. I want to know what I need before I go back into Halyard." She nods at the stave. "Whatcha got there?" she repeats with only a small smirk at the reproduced intonations.

Nivik snickers softly at the replication of his speach, grinning, "Well, t'e hares've let me use their javelins. Gonna start makin' my own...gonna see 'ow many is comfy ta carry wi' m' other gear, so I know 'ow ta size a 'oldin' bag."

Marie nods. "Fair enough." She tilts her head, inspecting him. "So... did you finish that drink or not?"

Nivik ahhs, and chuckles, paw going into an inside coat pocket, and tossing a wooden bottle, almost to small to be called anything but a flask, to you, "There ya go. Couldn't let it go ta waste."

Marie grins, then smiles winningly up at him. "You're a good boy after all, it would seem." She drops the cloak in her lap to catch the flask, nodding at the sand. "Join me?" she asks simply before tasting it and licking her lips. "Mmm. My thanks."

Nivik shakes his head with a chuckle, plunking next to you, "Mmm...I'm a beast that c'n 'old 'is liquor pretty well...but I never seen someone small as you go through near on a whole bottle o' brandy 'fore."

Marie grins, setting the liquor next to herself. "I've had practice. I used to win drinking competitions when I was six. Made quite a bit of money."

Nivik tsks, shaking his head, "Not good fer ye." A soft chuckle, and he stretches out, "Oof."

Marie rakes him with a casual glance. "Why the oof?" She smiles at his low position, debating about lying down herself. "You might want to brush yourself off and lie on a blanket instead. Far more comfortable."

Nivik lifts a footpaw, wriggling his toes, "'Cause I been walkin' a lot in this silly sand t'day, an' m' legs are a tad wee bit sore, yeh?"

Nivik doesn't really respond to the second item, looking rather cozy right where he is. It's obvious he won't sleep there, though, not taking off his pawwraps or even his coat.

Marie reaches out to tickle the sole of his footpaw. "Then you're more of a wuss than I thought." She straightens up proudly. "I feel fine." Total BS, but hey, she can try.

Nivik squeaks, and laughs, squirming a little and curling his mostly prehensile squirrel-toes, "Hey!" he rolls to his side, lowering his leg, and pokes your side, "Oh, sure...loads better than you did this morning, I wager, and you were plenty chipper then!"

Marie playfully bats at his paws. "I do, thanks very much. I've been up and moving now." She sighs, a happy sparkle glinting in her eyes. "I'll just make you carry me to Halyard next time, so I don't have to move tomorrow morning."

Nivik smirks, and flicks his tail, "You say that like it's a punishment, mouse."

Marie shakes her head, grinning again. "Not for me."

Nivik snickers, "Nor me. Though I might pay ya back fer fiddlin' with my paw, there."

Marie winces. "Perhaps I'll pass on the ride, then." She rolls her eyes expressively, but pauses most of the way through the gesture. "But I will take you up on the massage."

Nivik laughs softly, and stretches out lazily, "Like I said...give one freely." A wink.

Marie sets aside her cloak, then stretches out as well. Without warning, she quickly rolls over and over, slamming into his side. "So there."

Nivik oofs, and blinks at her, giving her an experimental sniff, "Mmmn?"

Marie smirks, then gives him an innocent look. "My massage?"

Nivik ahhs, and snickers, "Thought you'd want that in the morning?" He chuckles, sitting up slowly and stretching, "Alright...limb, or back?"

Marie wriggles, testing the stiffness of muscles. "Back. And neck, if you can do that." She shrugs out of her vest, getting the outer garment out of his way. "Where do you want me?"

Nivik shrugs smoothly, chuckling, "Mmm, wherever you like. An yeah, I c'n do neck."

Marie sits up, then glances into the tent. "Howabout the blankets, so I don't end up with sand embedded in my face." She gets up, and indeed, she does a far better job of it than earlier.

Nivik flicks his tail to and fro, laughing softly and follows, curling his tailtip.

Marie lies down gingerly on the blankets, shifting until she's comfortably on her stomach, arms at her sides. "Just... let me know if I should do anything different," she says before laying her head down, eyes closing.

Nivik shakes his head with a chuckle, putting a knee on other side of your waist, forepaws starting to work gently at your shoulders, "Na...you're find. Might wanna cross your arms under your head, but your cheek on 'em. It's pretty comfortable.

Marie thinks about this, then murmurs, "Nah, not movin' now. M'fine as I am." She winces every so often, but says nothing as his paws do their magic.

Nivik laughs softly, and nods, paws seeking knots in the muscle mass under your skin, and working at it slowly and gently, not starting firm like he normally would, but slowly working his way up to the desired level of pressure...which makes the whole process take longer, but he's not complaining.

Marie remains still, lips only moving the barest fraction when she speaks. "You're good at this. You've earned yourself something to do every morning." The curve at the corner of her mouth suggests a smile.

Nivik chuckles, softly, tail swishing slowly, "Mmm, I've had practice, Oh Mousy One." He laughs, paws slowly moving down your back, gauging what pressure he can start at without gaining a wince for his efforts...the lead in stemming from a desire to lessen the pain he might cause, "Every morn? Be like havin' a mate all over again." He snickers.

Marie stiffens at this remark, unconsciously, though when she stiffens under his paws, she notices almost as soon as he's likely to, and forces herself to relax again. "If you can stand me that long."

Nivik catches that almost immediately, and chuckles softly, shaking his head, "I coul'...but 've known ye two days, as ya said...not propositioning or anything. Just sayin'." He snickers again, "'S been a while since I've been inna steady relationship anyways. Prolly all outta practice on the sweet words an' gestures."

Marie's lips curve upward in a smile again. "You're doing fine so far," she comments, sighing happily. "And I didn't think anything of the sort. I've just been... harrassed about my lack of relationships." Her words are getting slower, as the massage is slowly sending her to sleep.

Nivik mmms, and chuckles softly, nodding, "Harrassed by other beasts, 'r yourself?"

Marie wrinkles her nose. "Both." Her breath is starting to come slower. "That feels really good, Nivik..." she mutters, starting to slur.

Nivik smiles, listening to her sleepy words, his tailtip twitching, "Hmm...'s a shame. Yer a very nice mouse." He works his fingertips in a little more, and chuckles, "Sleep, mousey. Best relaxation for ye."

"Dun' tehh mi waa ta do..." she mutters, truly falling asleep this time. She's exhausted enough from the day of travelling across sand that she doesn't notice his movements any longer.

Nivik smiles softly, and gently pats her on the shoulder, moving off to settle next to her, stretch out, and simply drift off himself.

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