Unusual Encounters:

Chapter Ten: Walt Wallaby and Elias Acorn

Suggested by raphlover2012

It started out as a usual day for Elias. He had quite a few- the usual overwhelming amount- of issues and things to get to.

The strange thing was that he had some strange meeting with a stranger named Walt Wallaby to do…strange enough. He didn't really remember how that came up, but it was well enough for him. Just another usual day at the castle.

When at last that moment of the day came, he sat down at his desk in the small 'Acorn conference room' and awaited the visitor. He couldn't help but wonder what the meeting could be about. He sort of wished he would've asked someone else, but alas it was too late anyway.

A tall brown marsupial came through the meeting door, interrupting his thoughts. "G'day, your highness."

"Good day. Walt, correct?"

He nodded shortly and took a seat across from Elias at the table.

"So, what brings you here, Walt?" He put his hands together on the table, his usual position for conducting business.

"Well, you've heard of the Downunda Freedom Fighters, yes?"

"No, I can't say I have."

"I'm their leadah. We usually go on missions and such to help our continent of Downunda, yeah? Most of the time at least. Except this time 'round we're in need of help of a few…reinforcements ya could say. That's my main business here."

"Oh. I see." Elias thought of the problem at hand even before he knew of the details. At the time, he was very short on any reinforcements he could lend. The kingdom was still mending from the past battles, and anyone able to fight was still crucial to them.

Still, he would have to hear Walt out. "What is the need for reinforcements in Downunda?"

"We recently took on a…rather large battle in Downunda. Another big round a robos, you see." He paused to see the response of the other, but Elias showed no visible emotion to this. "Anyway, we bit off a little more than we could chew in trying to fight 'em of on our own."

"I hate to sound rude, but wouldn't that be your fault for not thinking this through?" Elias asked, biting his lip as he said so.

"I 'spose so." Walt looked down at his pouch momentarily, hoping to find some reason for a redeeming quality. He looked back at the ruler, donning a small look of confidence that he hoped the ruler would notice. "That is why I thought this harder through. See, I coulda went to Downunda, found someone to help there, but we're short on any fighters, yeah? So I heard that your fleet is one a the best. I mean, I know that you just got through with the past battle here, but that just means that you're all battle-ready, still."

"That's true. But my kingdom can't afford to lose anyone right now." Elias appreciated Walt's faith in his people, but that wouldn't mean he got an easy in. Not at all.

"Ai, I see." He looked contemplative at the situation in his mind. Where could he go from there? "We would not need too many. Not even half of the fleet, y'see. Just a small bit a help. We'd do our absolute best to lose no one."

"Yes, but that's not much of a guarantee. I just…I don't think I could bet that right now." He stood up, feeling a bit guilty for ending so abruptly, but at the same time he felt it was better that way.

"I understand. Well, thank you for your time, your highness." He stood up as well, beginning to make his way for the door. The thoughts swarmed him that he didn't know where to go from there. He wondered if he could have been more persuasive. He wondered if he would disappoint his fellow Downunda Freedom Fighters…or Barby.

Elias stood silent for a moment, still not expressing any emotion visibly. It was true that he should spare his fleet any possible harm. It was true that he'd probably made the best choice for his kingdom. At the same time, refusing to aid Downunda would break any future alliance, and that would be good for his kingdom too. Perhaps. Perhaps he could…

"Wait a moment."

Walt turned around in the doorway, foot already out in the corridor. "Yeah?"

"Would fifty be any use to you?"

"Fifty?" He raised his eyes. For a moment Elias thought he would refuse. "That would work."

Elias strode over to him, Walt turned to face him. They shook hands on it.

"Just be careful. All of you."

"We will. Thank you, your highness!"

A/N: I haven't seen anything that said Walt had an accent, but I decided to add it for speech difference. I couldn't find much information on him, but I have seen him a few times in the comics. I've seen Elias as well in the comics, but as usual they may not be perfectly done. The goal is to get better with character portrayal- including anyone in the comics. : )