bigapplesauce | A thousand points of copper light [open to multiple]

Current Music: May 6th, 2013, morning

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A thousand points of copper light [open to multiple]

Daine wakes up with an unfamiliar weight on her chest and her mind ablaze with copper fire. For a moment, that's all she can see even after she opens her eyes, but a few blinks bring the world into focus… or they should. But her view has been obstructed by a mound of off-white fluff.

Daine, Daine, Daine! Sarge has, from the sound of things, been repeating her name for some time. Perhaps that's what woke her. Daine, they're everywhere! He doesn't sound upset, just excited, but it's still enough to wake her fully. In a moment, she realizes that the unfamiliar weight on her chest is, in fact, a rabbit. And that there's another rabbit on her desk, and three more huddled under the bed where Sarge can't reach them. Molly probably could, but the terrier is sitting over by the door.

I can smell more outside, she says.

"It's all right," Daine says automatically, mostly for the benefit of the rabbits beneath the bed. Sarge might not mean them any harm, but his enthusiasm can be daunting, especially for prey animals. Moving slowly so as not to spook the creature on top of her, she carefully lifts the rabbit off of her chest. "Odd's bobs," she mutters. This is far more fur than she thought a rabbit could have. Daine sits up and finally takes a proper look at the creature… and finds it impossible not to grin. If she couldn't tell it was a rabbit by the feel of its mind, she'd never believe it. It looks like a toy.

"Hullo," Daine says, brushing some of its fur aside until she uncovers one of its eyes. "What's your name?"

Puffbucket, the rabbit replies, quite seriously. I think I'm lost.

You're not the only one. That came from the auburn animal atop her desk. From beneath her bed, there's a timid chorus: Us, too.

"All right, let's get you all up on the bed. Don't worry about the dogs, they won't hurt you." She first sits on the floor to coax out the three beneath the bed, whose names turn out to be Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur; unaware of the reference, Daine accepts the names without blinking as she lifts them up to join Puffbucket. The rabbit on the desk introduces herself as Agent Scully, which does strike Daine as an odd choice (why call a rabbit 'Agent' anything?), but she merely shrugs and puts her with the others. "You'll be safe here. I'll go get you some food, all right?"

Broccoli? Puffbucket asks, lifting his head.

"I'll try," Daine promises. Truth be told, she mostly just wants an excuse to leave that won't upset them. They will be perfectly safe in her room - but the same can't necessarily be said for all the other rabbits in the base. And it feels like there might be an awful lot of them.

Instructing Sarge and Molly to stick close, Daine opens her door and peers out into the hallway. "Oh, my," she murmurs as she takes it all in. There are at least a dozen rabbits out in the hallway, some huddled together near the wall, and others lolloping along the stone floor like low, mobile clouds. "They really are everywhere."

[OOC: Consider this Daine's open rebel base post. If you'd like to have any of your characters bump into her here at some point during the day, have at it!]

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"Aly! Aly!" Secret whispers into Daine's ear, plainly delighted by this new and exciting development. The fact that Aly and her darking are about to join simply make the novelty even better. "Aly come!"

And appear Aly does, opening the door she shares with Daine. It takes one glance around the room to discover no respite from her floppy, hoppy problem and she sighs. "They're everywhere!"

Secret's warning prompts Daine to step back into the room, though she leaves the hallway door open. "They're out in the hallway, too. It feels like we've got a couple hundred of them, all told, but they're scattered all over the base." She frowns thoughtfully at the quintet on her bed, one thumbnail finding its way into her mouth as she considers how to handle all this. "They're normal rabbits, at least." Assuming the rift dropped them off, they should probably be thankful the creatures aren't hovering or breathing fire or somesuch.

"Well," Aly says, chewing slightly on her lower lip and trying to get an appraisal of the situation. To her Sight the rabbits read simply as rifties, as Daine has said. "This is new."

"They're going to take a lot of feeding," Daine murmurs, prompted by Puffbucket's inquiry as to where the broccoli is. Louder, she adds, "There ought to be some spare rooms we can keep them in for now. If we can at least get the ones in the hallway sorted, that'll save folk tripping over them." Of course, the number of rabbits in the hallway will doubtless start rising as rifties begin banishing the creatures from their private quarters, but at least it'd be a start.

"I suppose I'll be going to Chinatown. I'm still flush from allowance," Aly says, not troubling Daine with a reminder that her funds are augmented by walking dogs and picking pockets. "You can get a lot of vegetables there for your dollar."

That is, if she can even get out the door. Carefully, she scoops up a few of her fluffy new friends. "Lead the way."

Daine hums thoughtfully. "What we really need is hay. I'm not even sure where you'd get that in the city, though they must have it brought in for the carriage horses."

Before she leaves, she silently reassures her collection of rabbits that they're fine up on the bed. Having them up there doesn't bother her, so there's no point making them leave just to have them crowd into some other room with the others. Once she's in the hallway, she tentatively sends out her magic, reassuring the nearby rabbits that the dogs are perfectly safe and asking them if they wouldn't mind following her. Some still huddle in dubious groups, nervous about Sarge and Molly, but most of them start to hop over.

"Okay." Daine starts down the hallway, heading in the general direction of Yuri's cage. She won't have to go nearly so far, though, before she starts coming across empty rooms and dead-end hallways where the rabbits could gather without being underfoot. By the time she reaches one, there's a respectable crowd of about twenty-five rabbits behind them. "Why don't you head in here," Daine says aloud for Aly's benefit, pushing the door open so the rabbits can wander in and investigate their new quarters.

"Goodness, it's like a river," Aly says, watching them flow down the hall after Daine like some kind of bunny piper. With so many of them, it's more an undulating, fluffy mass rounding the corner and it takes more of her Da's training than it should to keep her from stepping on one or being bowled over.

"I'm not sure where to get any hay, but some vegetables might be a good place to start?"

Daine nods, shooting Aly a grateful smile. "Oh, yes. Better than nothing, for sure." Leaning against the doorway, she keeps half an eye on the bunnies streaming into the room. "I'll ask one of the higher-ups about hay - to put on the ground, if nothing else - but I could also get rabbit food from the same shop where I get the dogs' food."

Somehow, one or two have ended up in her arms again and Aly pets their ears and noses idly, trying to plan. "Ought someone stay and watch over them while the other leaves?"

"I'd best stay." Daine looks at the river of rabbits and runs a hand through her hair. She has a busy day ahead of her. "I can help keep them calm, at least, and try to get them out from underfoot. Secret knows where the pet food store is, anyway; he can tell Trick."

Aly nods and gently deposits her two hangers-on into the crowd. "No one's going to be troubled if we rent out this room, are they?" Aly asks, casting her glance around the empty room. "Will they be comfortable?"

Edited 2014-01-21 00:49 (UTC)

Daine sighs a little as she looks over the room. "Some bedding will have to be on the list of things to get, but at least it's dry, and warmth won't be a problem." Most of the rabbits are set for fur. "And I think they'd rather have the rabbits here than scattered all over the place." That's what she's hoping, anyway. If the higher-ups had any plans for this room, they're doubtless going to be put on hold until the rabbits are sorted out, anyway. In the meantime, she's counting on a lot of rabbits in a smaller area being less troublesome than having them spread out through the whole base.

"What sort?" Aly asks, already committing the list to memory. "I'll be off and see what I can do. Tell me through Secret if there's anything else that needs knowing."

Daine considers that for a moment. Wood shavings would be a mess, getting all tangled up in everyone's fur, and hay won't be easy to come by. "Maybe there are some old sheets or towels around the base somewhere, or some newspaper we could shred." She's been here long enough to be over the idea of wasting precious paper.

Aly nods, squeezing Daine's shoulder, "I'll see what I can do."

Trick flows down her arm and becomes a bracelet, lifting its head up to peer at her. "Tell Secret! Secret tell Trick! Trick tell Aly! Aly get you things!" it promises in bright and happy squeaks. "Vegetables, bedding. All for friends."

"Thank you," Daine says, grinning at Trick as Secret flows out from her shirt sleeve and lifts a blobby little head. "I'll be sure to tell Secret right away if I think of anything else."

"Yes!" Secret agrees, nodding vigorously. "Darkings help, too!"

"Yes," Aly agrees, stroking a finger over Trick's 'head.' "Darkings are wonderful help." It makes her smile when Trick squeaks its glee.

"I'll be back before you know it."

Edgar, taking inspiration from his encounter with Sunshine, finds a box and fills it with as many rabbits as can comfortably fit. It's an exercise in futility since every turn of the hallway just reveal more of the base's fluffy new denizens. Almondine's three are still sticking to her like shadows and a handful of others follow their lead, hopping placidly along behind them like a caravan.

With a box full of fluff and a long train of the same in his wake, he sets out to find Daine. If anyone on the base knows what's going on with the rabbits, it'll be her.

Edgar might notice as he wanders along the halls that some of the rabbits are moving a bit more purposefully than others. Some emerge from side halls to converge into a little stream of fluff trickling deeper into the base.

Daine is sitting cross-legged at the end of one of the side hallways with two rabbits dozing in her lap. This particular side hall has several empty rooms, so she's propped the doors open and is directing the rabbits to make themselves at home. Many stop to sniff at her and exchange pleasantries, but she looks up when Edgar and Almondine appear.

"Hullo Edgar, Almondine." She offers them a lopsided smile. "I'd get up, but…" she gestures to the rabbits in her lap, then shrugs.

Edgar sets down his box, carefully tilting it so the rabbits inside can hop out and join their fellows. This seems to be a congregating point, so he sees no harm in letting them out here. He then steps over to crouch beside Daine and lay a hand on her arm.

Hi. Do you know what's going on with all of these? he asks, encompassing the rabbits with a sweep of his hand.

Daine huffs out a sigh. "I've no idea where they came from, but I expect the rift is responsible for bringing them here." She rubs a hand over her face, more bewildered than weary. The rabbits are numerous, certainly, but they're gentle creatures and inclined to be agreeable. Dealing with them hasn't been a strain. It's probably easier than dealing with all the two-leggers who are less than happy with their new roommates; she's happy to leave that job to someone else.

"Aly's out getting some food for them," she continues. "I'm just trying to get them all in the same general area instead of spread all over the base."

Edgar nods. I thought as much.

He pauses as Almondine comes over to gently snuffle the rabbits in Daine's lap. Her three charges follow, nuzzling against her when she sinks down to lie beside Edgar. Almondine turns her head to check on them, giving each a quick lick.

I woke up this morning to find those three, Edgar says, pointing to them, in my room. I think Almondine has adopted them.

Daine grins at Almondine and her charges, then reaches over to scritch Almondine behind the ears. "Well, if the rift doesn't take them back, someone'll have to start adopting them." There's an edge of concern beneath the humor, though; the rebels really aren't equipped to deal with so many animals, and she can't help worrying over what might happen to them in the long run. It's not as if any local animal shelters are going to be able to take in a sudden influx of hundreds of rabbits, either. She wonders, a little wistfully, if the TARDIS might take them. At least she has the room.

They're welcome to stay with us in my room, Edgar offers, leaning over to glance into the nearest room, the floor of which is a gently undulating carpet of rabbit. Things seem to be a bit full here.

He looks back down the hall as another small wave of rabbits hops toward them. Is there anything I can do to help?

"I've got five back in mine," she admits with a crooked smile. But there's no denying that having someone else help look after them would be a great help, and she briefly rests her free hand atop Edgar's. "Thank you, though. That'd definitely be a help." Glancing at Almondine's charges, she adds, "I doubt those three would be parted from her, anyway."

She doesn't have to consider his question for long; there's plenty that needs doing, and for the time being, she's basically stuck. "Water's the big thing right now. They'll need something to drink out of. Shallow dishes should work well enough, but I'm not sure what the kitchens can spare."

Edgar strokes his free hand over Almondine's head, giving her a small smile.

How about I check with the kitchen for what they can give up, and then we'll see what else we need?

Daine shoots him a grateful smile. Truth be told, she'd rather be dashing about and getting the rabbits what they need than sitting here, but until they're all somewhat settled and reassured of their safety, her sitting here is what they need most. "Thank you. It shouldn't take too much longer to get them here - the ones that will come, anyway. I expect I'll have to fetch some of them myself, though."

I'll see about dishes, and then I'll help you round up the stragglers.

Giving Almondine the sign to stay put - he won't be long, and he'll move more quickly without her and her three shadows - Edgar heads for the kitchens. It seems he isn't the first to come looking for water and food bowls, but he's able to get a large box full just the same. He returns to find Daine in the same spot, and sets the box beside her so she can see its contents. Almondine sits up to poke her nose into the box, sniffing around curiously.

I'm not sure how many we're going to need, but this should at least get us started.

Daine gives him a little wave as he heads off, then gently strokes the ears of her lap-rabbits as she considers her next move. Now that so many rabbits are here, it shouldn't be too much of a problem for her to go and track down the ones who aren't so willing to come on their own steam. Any creatures still en route shouldn't have a difficult time finding the place, after all.

When Edgar returns, Daine gently shifts the rabbits off of her lap so she can better examine the box's contents. "It's a good start," she agrees, pulling out a few shallow tupperware dishes and looking for good spots to place them. Normally she'd put them alongside a wall, but it's probably best to have them out in the open so rabbits can approach from all sides. She stands, then carefully picks her way across the floor and sets the bowls down at intervals. A few of the rabbits give the plastic experimental nibbles until Daine scolds, "Stop that; you'll make yourselves sick. These are not food."

Glancing back at Edgar, she asks, "All we need is water, then. There should be some of that in the kitchens, too. Hang on, I'll come along." Water is a lot heavier than plastic, after all. It'll just take her minute to get back out of this sea of rabbits without treading on anyone.

While he waits on Daine to navigate her way through the fluffy sea, Edgar bends down to pet Almondine.

/Stay here,/ he signs to her. /We'll be right back, and you can keep an eye on all of them./

He points toward the room, and Almondine glances that way before looking back to him. She gives his hand a quick lick and wags her tail gently before lying back down beside the doorway. The three rabbits around her rearrange themselves at her movement, burrowing against her and staring up at Edgar with wide, solemn eyes.

"Odds bobs," she mutters as she finally clears the doorway, though there's an undercurrent of concern beneath the exasperation. At the moment, she's just focusing on the animals' immediate needs, but assuming the rift doesn't just take them back, food and water will only be the first of her concerns. What are they going to do with them all?

"How's it looking back in the base proper?" she asks Edgar, taking his hand. The gesture has an easy familiarity to it, now. "Are folk upset?"

I haven't explored too much, he responds, but most people I saw were amused by it. Or sort of resigned, for those who've been here longer. There was a little irritation and frustration, but that was mostly from the base staff. He gave Daine a small grin. Like the kitchen staff.

"Goddess, I can imagine," Daine mutters, though she can't quite hide a smile of her own. "Well, they did just get a lot more mouths to feed. I s'pose the rabbits are rifties, too." And maybe they can't contribute anything to the cause but fur and manure, but at least they don't eat much (on an individual basis, anyway; a few hundred rabbits will take some feeding, though).

We'll take care of it, Edgar says. Maybe we can adopt them out? he teases.

The smile fades from his face as he takes a moment to study Daine. Having so many rabbits crammed into the base can't be easy for her. He gives her hand a squeeze. How are you doing? With all the new residents?

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A thousand points of copper light [open to multiple]

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