Jeice walks into Squirrely's and joins Atrueheart and Webby at a table. Squirrely brings over another round of drinks and leans over and whispers something in Atrueheart's ear and slips a key into her hand. Blushing furiously, Atrueheart nods with a little giggle. ''Ummmmm... not that y'all aren't good company but...'' Atrueheart mumbles. Jeice and Webby both burst out laughing at the blush on True's face. ''Don't worry none True!'' Jeice laughs. ''He's not through with his shift yet and we'll let ya go in plenty of time to get all dolled up for him.'' Webby giggles ''Got plans do ya True?'' Wiggling a bit in her seat Atrueheart burst out ''Well, it was a long adventure and voyage back here!''

Kenny smiled happily as the little chipmunk family greeted each other so affectionately. He wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to settle down with a family of his own. Finding a lady who would be willing to put up with his research might be a bit difficult though. Not only was he a bit untidy, but the occasional alchemical experiment the resulted in an explosion tended to be off-putting. Scratching at his beard, (which was growing back as scruffy as ever, after having to shave during their adventures) he headed into Squirrely's Saloon with Blanco bounding happily ahead.

Shikuyim sighed at the antics of the young creatures all around him. Having had thoughts of maybe him and Sna'ee taking off again for the great unknown, he sighed and mumbled to himself: It's good to be here. Maybe I will hang around this place for a while and brush up on the local flora. I could use some remembering with my poultices and concoctions. All around him buzzed the happy sounds of friends and friends to be. The old man pet his squirrel and sighed. I guess this will be home for a while.

Kitcher and Donner watched the happy reunion of the chipmunk family with happy tears before retiring to their room for some well deserved rest. Both travelers were tired, but Kitcher was exhausted, her ankles were swollen again, she was retaining water as her pregnancy progressed. She was tired of adventuring and wanted to go home. She loved her new friends dearly, but she was feeling an acute need to make her nest back on Terra. She rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes.

As if on cue, her 'lurking device' made a vibration on the night stand next to their bed and Kitcher sat bolt upright and answered it. She was pleased to see Master Sparkles Wheezle, Prime Minister of the Woodland Council on the view screen, "Ah, Kitchee! How's my little granddaughter? How's you're handsome pirate? You two children ready to come home? Cousin Frieda is offering you a position up at Healer's Hall as well as an apartment large enough for you and your family when you are ready."

It didn't take the two youngsters long to gather their things, dress in their traveling garb and say their good-bye's to Squirrely and his staff. After many hugs and kisses, Donner and Kitcher took each other's paws and left the Offtime Saloon for the last time.

The 'lurking device' is an extraordinary piece of technology, it functions mostly as a communication device similar to today's smartphones, but it also has proximity sensors, a cloaking circuit, ( hence the term 'lurking device' ) a DNA scanner and a single-point Einstein-Rosen bridge generator. Once Kitcher and Donner were out on the road where they first came to this world, Kitcher signaled Master Sparkles that they were ready to come home. In an instant, a two meter glowing sphere surrounded them and they vanished.

In their place stood a tall, young, pure white male weasel named Tanner. He blinked a few times and tucked his 'lurking device' into the inside pocket of his vest. He took a sip of water from his water skin to counter the effects of teleportation, looked at his instructions one last time and then set off toward Squirrley's Off Time Saloon. If his father and mother were correct, he would have arrived just as they had left, four years ago....in his time line.

(OOC : Introducing Tanner Wheezle, Donner and Kitcher's oldest son. Donner and Kitcher are still married, they have had three litters, 12 offspring, Kitcher is Lady Frieda's private secretary and functions as a mage of sorts. Donner is a spy for the Watcher Corps and answers directly to General Leastweasel. Tanner is a journey-level marksman and swordsman. Kitcher is still cute as a button and Donner still talks weird. )

Reaper drags her tired butt into Squirrely's after the shuttle back and plops down in an oversized chair - lighting a smoke and waving for a whiskey.

"Well - that was certainly something," she muttered to herself - dreading hauling her luggage back up to her room at the inn. She'll just sit here for awhile and relax. It is nice to have everyone back together again though - even if the griping has already started. She can hear chattering away at a very cranky as well as the soft sounds of mumbling something under his breath - probably a complaint about her and the other girls.

Spring wanders into the Saloon. She's one of Nutsy's newer detectives and more or less a stranger in these parts. She wonders if she'll see any familiar faces...or if any of her sister Meddlesome Madams have arrived yet. ()

Spring is not one to drink--unless it's Southern Sweet Tea or Lemonade. But she does love to watch people. So she grabs a book and slips into a quiet corner and sits down to watch.

OOC -- Hey. I'm new everyone. Side note to MMM: Are any of my Nutsy team mates who aren't already in a team planning on doing WS? Should we stick together? :)

Squirrely comes over to greet Springjoy with the charming smile that has endeared him throughout the intergalactic nexus. He sets a plate of assorted cookies and small sandwiches down in front of her, and places a large glass of Southern Sweet Tea near her hand.

"Howdy, Miss Lady," he says in an warmly teasing manner. "Welcome aboard. You're in for a merry ride!"

the ws ping didnt work for me o.0

Atrueheart rushes through the front door and looks around eagerly for Squirrely. Spying him with a new customer she heads over to a table near the bar and sits with a twinge of jealousy. Squirrely turns and sees Atrueheart eyeing him and rushes over. Sweeping her up in a warm embrace, twirling her around, Squirrely says "It's about time ye got home sweetie! Did ya straighten them Marmots out?" Breathless from the spinning, Atrueheart clutches Squirrely tightly and waits for the room to stop spinning. Squirrely gently lowers Atrueheart to her feet and gladly accepts the hug. Looking deep into Atrueheart's eyes he sees her happiness to be home and the underlying exhaustion. "You been working too hard hon! Let me get ya some cider and you can tell me all about it." he says as he lowers her into a chair and walks over to the bar to get her cider. Motioning to one of the barmaids he whispers in her ear "Get Ms Atrueheart's room ready and make sure there's plenty of hot water for her bath." Then returning to Atrueheart's table he sits down, moving his chair closer, and hands the cider to her. After taking a deep draft Atrueheart grabs Squirrely's hand and begins to tell a tale of murder, greed and intrigue, spinning it in her own unique style.

grabs a seat near the fire and a warm cider

:)

Hmmmmm..... Glad to be back at Sqirrelys Armina (AKA Babs) searches the room for familiar faces wondering if any of her Foggiest Notions would make it to the WS this year. She quickly spots and heads in her direction, but wait over in the corner sipping a large glass of Southern Sweet Tea she sees another familiar face..... a fellow detective from her Meddlesome Madams Nutsy's adventure. Feeling torn Armina (AKA Babs) stops directly in the center of the room. Perhaps she has some serious thinking to do so completely changing her direction, she slowly makes her way to bar and sits down. Maybe if Squirrely can spare a few moments to lend an ear she can get some much needed input. Everyone knows bartenders give the best advice. Perhaps there may be a way to combine groups.

(OOC) No worries, my dear. I know you have an established WS group and have no expectations and won't be offended either way. :) You were lovely to take us newbies on for Nutsy, and I appreciate it! <3

:D We did have a funtabulous time, didn't we??

WE DID! And I'm still super happy with our results. Way to go! :)

A bard carrying a guitar draped around her back, noticeable bright red hair and a wide smile walks into the saloon then sits at the bar. Keeping her hands away from the nice polished wood, she waits patiently for Ingrid to finish polishing before ordering a glass of wine. Taking one sip, she sets the glass carefully on a napkin then reaches for her guitar and plays a soft, unobtrusive tune.

((OOC Needless to say, I'm sure about the Tanner storyline, I'm pretty positive that I will be role-playing myself and I will be seen often with young Wilhelmina Von Wachter, my younger cousin. By trade I am a Master Healer, I don't know what role I will be assigned once WS starts, but I'm hoping it is the same role young Kitcher had ( she sends her love by the way. Donner is in prison again... it's extremely complicated.)

Frieda and Wilhelmina arrived back through the Nexus from their ignominious debut as sleuths in the infamous "Marmot Murder" tired, dirty and in need of a few stiff drinks. Wilhelmina's idea of a stiff drink was a raspberry vodka sparkle and she quickly ordered one. Frieda had discovered the joys of single-male Irish Whiskey and ordered a double, no ice.

(( Send Donner my best, and that of my character Jean. We hope he wasn't causing too much trouble for you.))

enters the saloon, waves and smiles at Squirrely, lets him treat her with some ginger ale and strolls over to the piano to play some pleasant jazzy tunes for a while

Yes, we have a piano now.

Teislyn came through the door and looked around. It was nice to be in a comfortable and warm place again. She ordered a drink at the bar and decided to sit at a table near the piano. "Such a nice arrangment", she spoke to the lady playing.

Spring sips her sweet tea in the corner, thankful for the kind words and the cookies. It's warm in here, and it is such a nice feeling after traveling in the cold. Maybe even she could take a nap....