One- A late Night

Ford Pines, Captain of Queen Carla's Guard, grinned as he and his particular squadron returned to Moon Haven, stronghold of their people and residence of the their ruler. Their patrol had been a huge success, as usual. They had had a nice little skirmish with some enemy Boggan troops and had had the pleasure of messing with the resident stomper once more.

It was a tenacious and particularly goofy specimen, a male determined to find out about their whereabouts and the like. They had managed to set him on a trail that would lead him running about the forest all night, and on the completely wrong side at that.

Damn it was good to be a Leafman.

With a nod he dismissed his soldiers for the night and made the way to his Queen's chambers. He found her talking with her favorite advisor, his twin brother Lee.

"-and just because the Boggan leader has the hots for ya doesn't mean we can just be all nice and relaxed tomorrow, the day you choose the next ruler of the forest! Especially since skirmishes and small battles occur between our peoples despite the "truce" you two declared when he came to power!"

Lee threw up his hands, each laden with six fingers, in exasperation as he spoke to his Queen and his (and Ford's) childhood friend. For her part Queen Carla let out a laugh as she sat at her desk, it was an open sound that had graced both private and public settings alike.

"Really Lee, the way you talk of King Down's kind attention is too much." She said with a knowing grin.

Ford scoffed as he entered the room and respectfully bowed, "Please, we all know he wants ta have a chance at ya. And Lee is right, we should keep our guard up."

Queen Carla rolled her eyes good-naturedly at him, "I've told you before to stop bowing Ford. For the last hundred years I've tried to get both of you to stop."

Despite the current topic of conversation both brothers grinned before saying in unison, "And we will after tomorrow."

Ford walked closer and clapped his brother on the shoulder as way of greeting as he continued speaking,

"Until then, I'll show ya my respect as my incredibly attractive and benevolent ruler and tell ya that there will be a massive escort tomorrow. No exceptions, your highness.

Hell, if you ask me we should just have a squadron go out and pretend to stop for a drink while a pod is picked up and then taken back to you."

Carla shook her head with a sigh before finally nodding and getting up out of her chair. She walked about the pair as she spoke, walking in a way so that her lovely legs were showcased by her skirts. She couldn't wait to return to wearing short pants again, she hadn't gotten to wear them since becoming queen,

"Alright, alright. Boys I understand your concerns, really, but there is a proper manner of doing these things. I must arrive in person to choose a pod, I have to feel for the right one. As chosen by the forest. And we must have the proper open celebration, with everyone in attendance.

Including the Boggan King Thistle Down, who is just as interested as keeping the balance as I myself. Despite the actions of individuals of his kingdom.

But, there will be as many Leafman soldiers and protocol as you like. Is that acceptable?"

She turned to them and raised a brow, a wry grin on her face.

Lee and Ford shared a look before nodding at her.

Queen Carla grinned, "Wonderful. Now both of you, out! It's late and we should all be well rested for tomorrow."

She walked over to the twins and quickly placed a kiss on each of their cheeks.

"Good night boys."

With smirks Lee and Ford bowed and said "Good night you highness!"

"Honestly, I will not miss that. Now out you two!"

With chuckles the two men made their way out and down the hall to their own quarters.

"So, how did patrol go?" Asked Lee as he walked.

Ford grinned, "Oh boy, we ran into that stomper again."

"Really!"

"Oh yeah! Let me tell ya all about it!"

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Fiddleford McGucket sighed tiredly as he wandered home. According to his watch it was just past 5am. He had been running about the forest, chasing his research, for the last ten hours now.

He was just about to collapse. He barely had the energy to unlock and open the door to his home, an old and rickety thing out on the outskirts of civilization. It was surrounded by lovely woods.

Just the way he liked it.

He quietly closed and relocked his door and began to rub his neck as he wandered down the hall. He let out a small yelp when a lamp in the nearby den suddenly turned on, filling the dim home with light. He looked over and with little surprise saw his ten year old son, Galen, sitting in a chair. He was dressed in pajamas and help a deep frown on his face.

"And where have you been? You said you'd come back by 5 in the afternoon yesterday. But it's morning! You said you'd be in time for dinner. I had made grilled cheese sandwiches!"

Fiddleford felt guilt settle in.

"I-I'm sorry son. B-but I found some evidence of-"

Galen cut him off, "I don't care. It's so late it's early, we're both tired and you need sleep. Go to your room and we can talk about it later."

"But I-"

"No buts dad. You need to start taking better care of yourself! Look at you! All skinny and sickly with bags under your eyes and an overgrown mullet! If you don't try to at least look sane they won't let me come visit anymore! I don't want to be stuck with mom and her new boyfriend in California all summer, I want to be here with you!

Now go to bed! You can tell me what you found later."

Fiddleford felt himself deflate even more than he already was, but all the same he smiled. The irony of this scene wasn't lost on him even at this stage of sleep deprivation.

"Alright, alright. Later. Good night son."

"Good morning dad."