[Meta] Welcome to the South Swamp

[Hopscotch Shop]

This thread is a meta roleplay. Your rabbit may join this thread if they paritipcated in the Come from Away Meta and chose to venture to South Luremire! Please ensure you are checking this post for the most recent update to thread conditions and what is going on. For each 100 words you rp in [Meta] threads you will receive a meta store ticket. You may not also make a seasonal roll.

Shale was terrified. Utterly and completely. She was questioning her own sanity at this point. How exactly had she been talked into coming back HERE? She'd been banished for goodness sake! Her eyes here huge and she looked from dripping tree to dripping tree. The swamp didn't change much, season to season. It was always wet, humid and full of bugs. A huge fly landed on her nose and she tried to bat it away with a paw. But truly, the bugs were the least of her worries.

For some reason she'd led a whole group of rabbits to this place. Including Giants! She's brought Giants into her once home. Ugh, what had she done! She took a quivering breath and looked at the group that had followed her. "Look, you'd better all be quiet. We were banished from this place, and now we're back with GIANTS. This isn't going to end well ..."


Current Events: What's That?

​

 

[DarkHeartedSorrow]

Earth Shatter was less visibly shaken than shale, but she was undoubtedly uncomfortable. When Shale's head turned left, Earth Shatter's turned right. She half expected the elders to sniff them out as soon as they crossed back into the tangled trees. She was certain the elders would at least have eyes on them soon. They couldn't remain hidden for long.

The further they walked the more she pressed her body closer to the ground. If she was low, maybe they'd see her last and she could escape. "Shale I think we made a mistake. Even if they're quiet, it's hard to miss a Giant. This is going to be so bad."

wc: 111
twc: 111

 

[Naberius]

Shiver's giddy excitement had begun to wane as the group made their way south. The guilt of recommending such a risky plan weighed her down - as well as the thick mud they had begun to trudge through that stuck in wet clumps to her fur - leaving her trailing along behind her merle companions.

"It's going to be so bad," She whined, dragging her paws along, "When the elders skin us you can tell them this whole plan was my idea. So I can die first."

"Um," Hemlock whispered, side-eyeing the rather grim doe beside him as he picked his way through the brush, "Excuse me - just so we can be prepared - is there anything else you can tell us about the rabbits that live here?"

If he and the other "giant monsters" were, well, giant monsters, it called into question exactly what sort of creatures they thought were normal rabbits. He had thought it might be some small, harmless thing, but the closer they got the less sure he was becoming.

He cast a nervous look back at the group, looking for a sympathetic eye. Certainly someone else had concerns about this whole thing?

wc: 195

 

[stormflower]

Antheia could feel the nervous energy and downright fear coming from the Merle rabbits that lead them through the muggy swamp. She felt bad for them, but things couldn’t be that bad right? Their elders could see logic and reason?

She edged her way forward to the one they came to know as Shale of the newcomers that came to the pool. She spoke softly and kept her voice down. “Shale, you’ll be ok. You all will, we won’t let anything bad happen to you guys. I’m sure we can talk to your elders and maybe you can stay here if you want but if not you can always come back with us! I promise you will be safe.”, she smiled at them all hoping to help ease the tensions they were all feeling but at the same time she couldn’t imagine what they were going through knowing they were potentially returning somewhere they weren’t wanted. It didn’t seem right, it wasn’t how things were supposed to work.

Abraxas was on edge the second they left the edge of the lands they knew as their home but now in this humid air and spongy grass called a swamp....he really didn’t like it! He thought he had seen everything but this was different for sure! Everyone was on edge, everyone except Antheia, she seemed like a kit in a flower field. She was excited for the adventure. He saw her face fall as Shale and there others spoke on their fears and nerves being back in their home lands, everyone was on high alert. Abraxas stayed toward the back of the group, guarding the rear just in case.

His attention peaked when Hemlock asked an important question though, he he himself had been wondering. He nodded to Hemlock in agreement before speaking himself. “Yes, we should be prepared to meet resistance. We should know more about these elders of yours.”

WC: 317
TWC: 317

 

[Absolutiones]

Sage hopped along behind his merle guides. As they approached the soggy muck that was the swamp, he was also starting to second guess his decision to come along. Flicking away yet another annoying bug with his ear, he wondered if this was really the place the spirits wanted him to go. Did spirits really live in such a murky place? He supposed they had to if that blind rabbit from before had brought them up.

The lead rabbit, Shale she had said?, had his full attention when she spoke up. Then the other natives chimed in about how bad their expedition was going to be.

"Come now, it's not going to be that bad!" Was he trying to convince the Luremire rabbits or himself? "We have the spirits' blessing on this journey, everything is going to work out in the end."

wc: 140

 

[Zakiax]

Buggy Bog remained behind the group, mainly picking up the rear,

that and he was quite hesitant with their return to Luremire. Buggy was not really keen on the whole idea of returning to this place, after all they were banished from it. Yet as others decided to return, he too had made that decision, as he felt some sense of loyalty to everyone he had traveled with so far.

The stench of the swamps filling his lungs caused him to become more alert. Ears poised he listened for anything that could jump out at them. Half expecting them to be attacked the instant they had crossed into Luremire. With a large group of Giants with them he absolutely positive the elders knew they had returned. It was that very thought that had scared them, after the harsh threats they had received when they were banished from this place.

"I agree," He spoke softly, trying not to speak over a whisper. "I don't think we should have returned." His hesitation was prominent now as he stopped himself. Buggy's head tilted back in the direction which they had come from, the temptation to return in which they had come from itching in his back paws.

"We should leave" he spoke the thought as soon as it crossed his mind.

Fading Bark hopped along with the group. He remained silent as he listened to the others as they spoke. They were asked to be silent and he hoped that these small conversations would not draw any unwanted attention. After all those in their group from this place seemed to be quite weary of returning. Most of them frightened, and he himself was not sure what he was expecting out of this journey.

One he did want to prove himself to his warren, that he is quite the strong capable buck, two he wanted to see this place that these strange visitors had once called home. It may be the last time he would be permitted to leave the warren for a while. He also wanted to return with a tale or two of his own, something he can tell the rest of his warren about when he returned since a lot of those who lived at the pool had remained there.

WC: 373
TWC: 373

 

[Hopscotch Shop]

Shale's ears flicked. These giants didn't seem to understand what is meant to be BANISHED. She turned to Antheia. "Other banished rabbits who've come back have never been seen again. The elders get rid of them!" She practically hissed through her teeth. There were a lot of places in the swamp one didn't want to go, and the elders seemed to know all of them. Plus she's heard some rabbits had even been taken over the North side!!! Their ends there could not have been pleasant.

All of the chatter seemed to have attracted the attention of ... something. Dense bush ahead and to the side of the little group was starting to move, and it sure didn't sound like wind. Shale froze. "Oh no ..."

 

[HeavenlySnow]

LeafFall was utterly fascinated by all the new flora she was encountering. Sure the environment was muggy and smelly but all these new plants were quite something. She smelled along the ground and investigated the low growing flora on the spongy ground. She nibbled some and it wasn't terrible. The pockets of water held even more interesting flowering plants.

After a moment, LeafFall's excitement over the new discoveries evaporated slowly as she realized how skiddish the merle colored rabbits behaved. She understood the "banished" word being tossed around. So these rabbits are risking themselves for a bunch of strangers. She wondered why they would do that when they could have just said no or given directions to the rest of them. Their lead rabbit suddenly stopped and said something that shivered down LeafFall's spine.

Panic Grass had followed the group against her instincts to run. It wasn't good that they had come back here after being banished. She was terrified of what the elders would do to her and the others if they're caught. Although, they surely had been the moment they entered the swamp lands of South Luremire. Panic Grass trembled like tall swamp grass in the breeze. As Shale froze and the grass moved, Panic Grass shrieked, "RUN AWAY!" and about leaped out of her skin.

 

[stormflower]

Abraxas felt the sudden change in the one known as shell and then one of the other Lumiere rabbits suddenly decided to freak out. She lived up to her name sake it seemed. "Calm yourselves!! Panic does no one any good! We are here for a reason! If it is a native they can take us to your elders and if they wish us gone then they can point us in the direction to the exit." He wanted to try and keep things calm, but deep down he knew how tense these strangers really were! He had to try and may who or whatever was there meant no harm.... Sure long shot, but one could hope right?

Antheia agreed with Abraxas and tried to keep others calm as the Lumiere rabbits seemed to let their fear take hold of them when something or someone seemed to have taken note of their presence in the swamp. She really hoped they weren't hostile or would at least listen to reason and take them to their village or whatever the living area was called for them and where their 'elders' and leaders were so they could get to the bottom of things and go home. Truth be told she was starting to get an odd feeling and the humidity was starting to disagree with her, or maybe she was just getting nervous as to what was to come.....

 

[Absolutiones]

Sage blocked out the rest of the back and forth. He'd said his piece and he would stick to it. They were already there with the spirits' guidance, there was no point in turning back now. Then there was a rustling in the brush and he froze. His ears flicked toward the sound and his body tensed. Even though they had the spirits' favour, that wouldn't stop them from getting hurt.

One of the banished rabbits screamed and leaped up, looking like she was going to make a break for it. It was very possible she had the right idea, but it was too early to say. Maybe it was a local rabbit or maybe it was something else entirely. There was only one way to find out.

The dyed buck watched the spot with bated breath, anxiously awaiting the disturbance to reveal itself.

wc: 142
total: 282

 

[Naberius]

Hemlock had stayed quiet, waiting patiently for an answer as the band of rabbits from his lands chatted and tried to sooth the frayed nerves of their guides. After Shale had spoken, however, he opened his mouth to protest the fact he hadn't received an answer from any of their guides - only more grim muttering among themselves - when the same thing that caught Shale's attention finally caught his own.
Though both his body and literal other rabbits yelled for him to run, he was frozen in place.

Shiver was in a similar state, practically clinging to Shale after Panic Grass shouted for them to run.

twc: 200

 

[Zakiax]

Buggy Bog paused when Shale stopped. "We are doomed" He muttered, beginning to despair. Why did they decide to return? From the start he thought it was a bad idea to do so, and now he was beginning to fear the worst. Returning after being banished from this place, bringing strangers to these lands, the elders were going to do unspeakable things to them, he knew it. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the end for them.

Buggy's Ears flattened back, waiting to see who or what might jump out of the brush at them. His paws twitched ready to hightail it back the way they came if things went south, there was no doubt in his mind that they would.

​

Fading Bark was trying his hardest to understand why these rabbits were so afraid of the elders, but their guides really did not give them a lot of explanation as to what would happen when they returned. All of them seem to fear the consequences of returning. He remained silent, watching and listening to their surroundings, his eyes fixated on the dense brush that had caught Shale's attention.

Preparing for anything he waited to see what would happen, he was unfamiliar with these lands and its inhabitants, he was a visitor here so he was curious as to what sort of things out side of these rabbits could live in such a wet and smelly place.


WC: 235
TWC: 608

 

[Ellanoire]

Shale's tried to stay stock still. But she was sure it wouldn't help. There were so many rabbits around her, surely they'd all be spotted. This was hopeless. A sad little noise left her mouth. The dense bushes seemed to part, and a very ... small ... rabbit emerged. Shale tried to press herself into the ground. An elder. This was the worst case scenario!!!

This was the very elder who had imposed Shale's banishment! She let out a long whine. Elders were not known for welcoming back rabbits who defied their punishments. Not in the least.

Dewdrip had been out foraging, looking for lovely spring shoots to eat. They were her favourite, and certainly the best part of spring. She'd heard some chatter near the boundary, and knew it was her duty to investigate. And now she couldn't believe her eyes! Rabbits that she herself had banished for having bad blood were back, here in her swamp! Her eyes almost bulged out her her head. And not only that, it appeared that had brought GIANTS into the swamp!!! She was stunned at the outrageousness of the entire situation. Rabbits simply did not defy their banishment! That was against everything the South stood for! You respected this land, and your elders! And to bring GIANTS, actual MONSTERS to this safe home???

The little rabbit locked eyes with Shale. "You have made a grave error returning here. You have ruined your own honour. I supposed this is to be expected of one with such contamination blood, but even for one such as you, this is lower than low. I will give you a single chance to rethink this blunder. Turn around and leave IMMEDIATELY or face the consequence of your actions. I will bring the entire force of the elders against you." Even the buzzing bugs of the swamp seemed to quiet after her speech, waiting for a response.

 

[Hopscotch Shop]

From the undergrowth many more small rabbits emerged, circling around the explorers. It was clear they had waited too long to speak up. It was consequence time. The group was herded deeper into the eerier swamp ...

Rabbits in this rp have been taken prisoner! Check Discord for an additional update! Remember to claim your meta shop tickets from this rp!
@Ellanoire @Zakiax @Naberius @Absolutiones @stormflower @HeavenlySnow @DarkHeartedSorrow