Justice Is Best Served Cold || 1x1 w/ Mai-Ling

[ticked tabby]

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[JK341]

As Nelly and her comrades follow Vallerie across the rough terrain, they could feel the wind growing stronger, angrier, whipping and swirling around them and stinging their eyes as they try to stay focused on Valleries darkened figure in front of them. "I sure hope this is worth it, and that we aren't being led into a trap or anything of the sort!" Nelly thought. "Come on, lads, try to keep up, we all have to stay together, here!" She called out. Behind her, Sunpaw and Courage were huddled together as they trudged along, trying to share what little warmth they had with each other. "How are you doing over there, Miriam?" Courage asked, "Come over here and join us. The more warmth we share, the better our odds that we can hold out until we get to wherever we're going!" Sunpaw added. Nelly glanced behind her to see the three of them all grouped together, "Sheesh, you guys didn't have to take that so literally, did ya? Eh, nevermind what I just said, make room for me, too!"


"Now that we're all in agreement, how about we get some shut eye? I've had my fair share of action for one day." Toby grumbled, curling back up beside of the flames to try to get comfortable again.

[ticked tabby]

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[JK341]

"How much farther?!" Nelly called out to Vallerie, but she didn't respond, almost as if Nelly hadn't said anything at all. "Hmm, maybe the wind is blowing too loud for her to hear me?" she thought, it felt as if they were going to be out there all night. "Hey, I think I see something up ahead." Courage said, squinting his eyes to see though the blowing gale of ice and snow. Then it appeared, a small glimmering light in the distance. They all picked up the pace a little, both eager to reach the source that the light was shining from with the hope of some warmth once they get there, and also because they were starting to fall behind Vallerie a bit.

"Well, here we are." Vallerie said as they came to a stop. In front of them stood a large cottage, it's candle light glittering against the freshly fallen snow. Further behind it was a second similar looking cottage. "Brush the snow off of your jackets and come in, oh and one more thing. Be aware that we do NOT tolerate any trouble makers here, understood?" She said with an assertive tone of voice. "Y-yes....yes of course!" Nelly replied, as they all stepped into the warm cabin, the delicious scent of stew welcoming them inside.

"Avalon, I have returned, sister!" "Oh, good, I was starting to wonder what was taking you so long! Um, who might I ask are the others that you have brought with you?" "They appear to be some weary travelers that got caught out in the storm, don't worry, I have already warned them that they should behave themselves while they are here." Vallerie replied.

Avalon let out a small sigh, "Ahh, Vallerie, must you always be so suspicious of everyone? My apologies if she gave you too much trouble." She said to Nelly and her friends, "Please, make yourselves at home, there are a couple of spare rooms in the back that you all can use for the night. I have just finished a big pot of stew if you all are hungry." She said with a smile. "Ohh yes please!" Sunpaw spoke up. "Aye, count us in, too, were quite famished!" Nelly added.

[ticked tabby]

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[JK341]

"Oh, thank you so much for your hospitality!" Nelly said between slurps. "I'm not sure if we would have made it out there if we hadn't crossed paths. Ahh this is delicious!" "You're certainly wecome." Avalon replied with a smile. "We understand how difficult it can be for those who are not used to the extreme hazards that this area presents, so we're glad to offer such services to those who happen to be passing by."

"Out of curiosity, may I ask why you two chose a place like this to live?" asked Courage as he was blowing on a spoonful of hot soup before sluping it down. "Yeah I was wondering that myself, certainly things would have been much easier for you two down in the valley?" Sunpaw said.

"Hmm, yes, I suppose that it could be a bit more convinient, however my sister and I simply could not tolerate the warmer climate. Our family bloodline consists mostly of a race of dog that was native to a land with arctic conditions such as these. We did try living in the valley for a while at first, but after I suffered an incident where I collapsed from the summer heat, we both decided to move up to these mountains, where our thicker fur wouldnt be such a burden on us."

"Ahh I see, quite understandable! Glad that you found a place that you two could call home." Courage replied. "I have finished preparing your rooms for the night, whenever you are ready. Each room has enough space for two of you each." Vallerie said as she rejoined everyone back in the main den. "I'm returning to my cabin for the evening if I am needed for anything. Oh...and remember what I said earlier." She says while casting a serious glare towards the group before heading out of the front door. Avalon rolled her eyes after Vallerie left. "She takes things a little too far sometimes, but she means well. You are all free to go to your rooms as you please now."

"Thank you again." Sunpaw said to Avalon. "Well, I suppose I will take this room on the left side of the hallway with Courage." "Sounds good to me." Courage replied, he then padded inside to place his gear over in the corner of the room. "Well I guess that leaves you and me then, Miriam, I think we should go ahead and turn in for the night." Nelly said with a yawn.

[ticked tabby]

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[JK341]

"Aye, you're certainly right about that, Miriam." Nelly said. "Never in my life did I ever think that I would find myself back up here again." She sluggishly removes her armor and bags and places them nearby her bed and plops onto the mattress, however she doesn't go straight to sleep right away, instead she continues to sit up, looking outside of the window. "Well, looks like the storm is over." Nelly said as a beam of moonlight suddenly pierces through the window pane. The retreating clouds reveal a stunning light show, an aurora of bright pink and green hues slowly dancing across the star filled sky. Nelly then lets out a half-hearted sigh, hanging her head with her ears drooped down. "If only things could have been different....." she murmurs to herself.

[ticked tabby]

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[JK341]

Nelly's ears perk up ever so slightly at the sound of Miriam's voice. "Eh, I guess you could say that, friend." Nelly said in a low voice. She then turns to face Miriam, the fur on her face highlighted by the moonlight shining in. "To be honest with you, I've been dreading this quest ever since we've heard about it back in Oakdell. I know....I'm the commander and I could have chosen to not come up here at all, but when duty calls, who else would be there to answer, then?" She then sighs again before continuing. "If you can promise me you won't tell anyone else, I'll share a secret with you right here and now. Something that I've kept buried in the back of my mind for years that not even my own comrades know about."