As soon as they arrived, Darlene could see why Stanley had wanted to go onwards to the next point. The Esquirel Lot, from a glance, wouldn't be considered the most glamourous of fanciest of places; it was small, with quite a few settlements cluttered closely or too far apart to look decent or organized. This was something Stanley undoubtedly criticized. But Darlene saw it as 'homey' and 'warm' in the sense, so she didn't mind stopping here at all. The only thing she dreaded was her husband's scornful remarks and the like, and the fact that he expected her to listen to him fully, as a dutiful wife should, in his opinion. She tried not to think of it then, though. After speaking with a few of the passing residents, the Warthoggs rode on into the settlement, until they finally came to a small lodging house. The mother warthog waited in the wagon with the little ones, as Stanley approached the entrance and knocked. It was soon answered by another fully grown male. He was a wolf; ruffled looking grey fur, head covered in wisps of wild brown hair, and his muzzle and chin misted in a stubble of rough whiskers, hinting a beard. The most noticeable trait, further still, however, were his eyes. His right one was a fine, velvety dark blue, yet his left was a pale sky blue, even moreso lightened by the odd 'film' that seemed to go over and around his eyeball. It was one of those hard not to stare at things, but Stanley managed to hold his state. "Good evenin'," he said, polite as possible. The wolf gave a nod. "-Likewise." "Ah hear from yon townsfolk they say you takin' in Southern passbys for a place ta stay for a night?" the warthog inquired. "Aie... you heard truth." That I be," the wolf answered. "-Well... mah wife and young children been on the road all day... might it be possible if ah fill the slot?" The host considered this. "Hmmm... sounds reasonable, enough." You may take your horses back, in the west stables, and we shall assist you in your belongings inside." We? Stanley wondered who else, but decided wisely not to impose. "-Thank yeh very kindly, good sir," he spoke. The male wolf gave a nod of welcome, and then shut the door, as the warthog went back to the carriage. He did as the host had bade him, and in awhile, the Warthoggs were indoors, and their canine host greeted them. "-Do forgive me for not introducing myself," he apologized, firstly. "I am Jonah Wolfe." Given an opportunity to say something, Stanley responded, promptly, "-Pleasure ta meet." Ah'm Stanley Warthogg." This is mah wife Darlene, and our boys, Dara and Graff." Jonah gave a polite nod. "-Likewise, assured." Please follow me." They walked along their host, into what appeared to be a lounge room. There were the others he had spoken of. There were a group of various canine and vulpine specied Mobians, whom he introduced as assistants and such. Then he finally walked over to a chair, where a female wolf sat, obviously his mate. "-And this is my wife Margaret." They all said greeting to her, and she smiled and did the same. She was a light tan-ish brown fur color, with blonde hair, soft eyes and a pretty face. She was also noticeably pregnant. Darlene immediately warmed up to her, in the sense of being the presence of a familiar situation and female friend. Stanley thought bluntly, that she looked ready to drop a litter. While Jonah drew Stanley over to discuss the matter of their belongings and luggage, Margaret rose to her feet and said gently to Darlene, "-I'll show you three to your room, if you'll come with." Darlene held Graff in one arm, as Dare's small little fist clung to her other hand, as they followed the she-wolf. She led them through a few small hallways and into a decent-sized space for the family to stay in. The room proved to be well kept and tidy enough, despite what the outside of housing around appeared to be. There was one large bed for the couple to stay in, and an average/small-sized bed for the little ones. As he was excited and Stanley wasn't present to chide him, Dara released himself from his mother and ran up and onto the bed mattress. Like any young child , he couldn't resist bouncing up and down a little on it. Darlene gave a gentle look at her son. "-Now darling, mind your manners," she told him, lest they impose to their hostess. "We're guests here." The female wolf assured her, "'Tis alright, Mrs. Warthogg." No harm in it." It's been a long day's journey for your family, I hear?" The mother warthog nodded. "-It has." I just hope we won't be disturbing anyone's sleep." Dara should be quiet enough once we get him to bed, he's well behaved, just a little energy-venting at the moment, considering-" "-Understandable," Margaret said. "-However, I'm not so sure about this little one here," Darlene explained, carefully shifting the infant in her arms. "He seems to be tired enough; but like any baby at his age, he might be up at some time in the night, depending-" "-That's perfectly alright, ma'am, it's really no trouble," the wolf kindly insisted. Giving a rueful little smile, she added, "-I suppose I should be getting used to it, soon," referring to her soon-to-be born child. The female warthog gave her a reassuring smile. "-Your first one?" she asked. Margaret nodded, placing a hand on her heavily rounded front. "Jonah's very happy, as I am." People kept sayin' he wasn't fit to conceive a child." Her tone lowered. "-Not too many have much faith in him... because of his-" Darlene didn't need to hear the rest. "-I understand." The wolf glanced about. "-Well... I say it's awful cruel to lower a person just for how they LOOK, for the love of Pete..." "-I know, I agree," the warthog said, not mentioning the fact that her own husband WAS one of those people. "-I learned long ago when I met my husband that there's more than appearance," Margaret told her. "Yes, he might look a little 'grizzly' or 'gruff-ish', but beneath it all, he's a kind soul with a good heart." Others would be surprised, if they just gave him a chance." And I know he'll make a good father to our little one." The mother warthog admired the she-wolf's loyalty to her mate. "-Indeed, your husband seems a good man." "-He is." As does yours, Mrs.Warthogg," Margaret replied, politely. "He provides for us well," Darlene nodded, sincerely. At least THAT wasn't a lie. Their marriage was complicated in a matter of figures and involvement, and there were times when Darlene herself couldn't even explain it, considering she was somewhat simple-minded at times. Perhaps that's why she accepted the relationship and status as Stanley presented it to her; she wanted to be told what to do and to be taken care of. In many ways, her mind was somewhat infantile, with the exception of her knowledge of motherhood and certain common sense in the world. But when it came to a sense of orders and leadership, Darlene looked to Stanley, despite his abuse of it, not that she understood that his way was wrongdoing. The female wolf then spoke, "-I'll be letting you three retire, then... tis been a long night." I hope you'll be comfortable." "-We will, Mrs.Wolfe," Darlene told her. "Thank you for your hospitality." "-You're most welcome," Margaret responded. "-Good night." And she was gone, leaving the mother warthog and her sons. Having used up what little energy he had left, Dara sat and gave a loud yawn. Darlene looked to him, shaking her head. "-Oh goodness me... look at you!" How many hours past your bedtime it is, I don't even want to know... but I DO know that you should be getting to it now, darling." She first carefully laid baby Graff, still napping, in his basket, and she then took Dara up, and prepared him for bed. When he was snuggly tucked in, Darlene asked, softly, "-Sleepy, angel?" Dara slowly nodded. "-Where's Graff?" he wanted to know. "-He's sleeping in his basket, baby." You can play in the morning tomorrow, a little while before we leave, okay?" Dara agreed, "-Okay." Suddenly, a look of horror appeared in his expression, and he bolted up. "-Oh no!" Momma, where's Digger???" Did we leave him back-" "-Oh Dara, it's alright, of course we didn't leave Digger behind," his mother comforted him, as she stood up, and walked over to one of the bags. After rooting around in a few, she then came back, with a stuffed rabbit plush in her hand. "-See honey, here he is, safe and sound." Dara took the rabbit plushy, and hugged it tightly. "-Thank you Momma," he remembered to say. "-You're welcome, sweetie-pie," Darlene smiled warmly. She leaned over and kissed his forehead, brushing back his bangs. "Now get some sleep, we've got another big day ahead of us tomorrow." Dara snuggled up comfortably on his side, cuddling his bunny in his arms, and sunk his face wearily into the soft pillow, dreamland already pulling him inside.
About an hour later, Stanley finally entered the room. It was late night, and everyone there was now preparing for bed. Obviously though, after having to put up with about an hour of self-restraint from speaking his thoughts, the warthog took no time in starting to go off to Darlene about what he REALLY thought. "-Where can ah even begin to speak on this place??" Stanley muttered, outloud. "Ah told ya we'd be better off goin' on for the extra hour, Darlene... this village ain't fit for wormsmeat." His wife paused, carefully thinking of an answer. "Stanley... I TOLD you the children at this age weren't fit for so much travel... they're EXHAUSTED, anymore traveling would be pushing the poor things." Her mate set his jaw. "Maybeh so... but still... to git put HERE of all places... perhaps if it weren't for that fogger of a wolf... Jo... whatever he be." The female warthog blinked. "-May I ask what is so wrong about him?" "Oh for Pete's sake woman, ya didn't see it yaself?" There be somethin ALL wrong about him... the mangy fur, the stubblin' excuse of a beard, and those eyes... CRIPES those eyes, Darlene, didn't yeh notice??" One be dark as night, and the other be filmed right over, all ghost sheet like... gives me the creeps just thinkin' of it!" That sort of look comes from ill breedin', Darlene... that one's no good, mark my words." His mate looked exasperated. "-Oh dear... perhaps he can't help his looks." His grooming, well maybe living here don't give much time to do so or we just happened to caught him unshaven... and as for having the albino white eye film, it's not his fault... many others before him have been born with the same defect." That's no right to condemn him from his right of being a decent person, Stanley." Honest to goodness." Stanley stared at her for a minute. Then he sighed, moodily. "Blimy hell, woman... whatevah then... forgit it." Trying to soothe his mood, Darlene stroked his shoulders. "-Oh Stanley... look at you, you're worn as any of us... let's try to get some sleep love... perhaps things will look better in the morning?" He rolled his eyes back. "Doubt it... but ya're right... hittin' the hay don't sound like such a bad idea." Showing one of his rare moments of affection, he turned around, embraced her, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. "Night love." "Rest well, dearest."
Sleep, however, was unexpectedly disturbed in the night, hardly two hours after they had all gone to bed. And surprisingly, it wasn't the Warthoggs' baby that broke the silence... Darlene, being a light sleeper, woke first, thinking it was the children. Seeing that they were still fast asleep and the sound was coming from outside the room, she sighed with relief. But she lay still, hoping Stanley wouldn't hear it. Her hopes, however, were short-lived. He stirred and grumbled, "-Wuhh... fer pity's sake... who tha hell is makin' all that racket?" His wife said gently, "-It's probably nothing, dear, perhaps some late night sentry coming in." Let's go back to sleep." Stanley snorted, ill-humoured. "-'Nuthin' you say?" Pish woman, I was dead to Mobius bafore they went an' woke meh with all that hullabullo they're up to." Fer the love of God, Darlene, this is ridiculous!" This place is already ah worthless shanty as it is, an' now we've got hooligans hollerin' at wee hours in tha morning while decent people are tryin' to sleep!" I ought ta-" "-Now Stanley, please, you'll wake the boys!" Darlene said desperately, trying to calm him. "I've got a better idea... how about I go and see what's going on?" You just try to relax, love... you've been driving all day, you need your rest." Her husband stared, stern-eyed and shifting his jaw. You could never fully tell how he'd respond to a proposition. Finally, he hissed, "-Aye... alright woman... if yer a willin', go on ahead." Though ah doubt ah able ta git any rest with all this noise." Knowing she should leave right then, before he changed his mind, Darlene quickly swept on a robe, composing herself, and scooted out the door. The female abruptly wandered through the halls, looking to where the fuss was coming from. She was nearly knocked aside or over by Jonah, who came rushing suddenly from around the corner. "-Oh!" she gasped out, in surprise. The wolf halted in his tracks, seeing whom he'd just about ran into. "-Mrs.Warthogg!" he breathed. "Forgive me please... I did not mean to startle you-" "-What's going on?" Darlene wanted to know. "-I'm so sorry, I didn't realize what loudness was being made... it's just... my wife-" Jonah stammered. The female warthog understood. "-You mean she-" The wolf nodded. "I just sent someone for the doctor, I know that much..." he said, distractedly. "But now what do I do??" I don't know, I-" Darlene could see clearly he was on the verge of or perhaps WAS panicking. Knowing this whole situation perfectly well, the warthog began to set him straight. "-Well first off, calm down!" You're no help to anyone, in this state." Jonah swallowed hard, and nodded. "-Okay..." "-Now then..." Darlene started. "-You've got the most important part done; sent someone out." So for now, all you can do is wait for them to get back." But all the same, you standing out here ain't being much of use." How far along is she, by the way?" The wolf gave her a confused look, not understanding the question. "-I don't-" he started to say. Darlene blinked, "-I'm sorry, let me rephrase that." How long has it been since it started?" "-Oh... errr... I'm not exactly sure... I think around quarter to-" "-Alright then... long enough," the warthog nodded. "What you need to do is go back to your wife." Hold her hand and try to keep her calm, understand?" Jonah nodded, gingerly. "-Good." And I'll go out front and wait for the doctor to get here, alright?" "-Yes ma'am," he agreed. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate this, Mrs.Warthogg, you don't have to-" "-It's nothing, I'm glad to be of help," Darlene insisted. "Now go on!" The wolf took heed and rushed off. The warthog slowly made her way to the main hall, out the entrance. Walking out into the night air, she clasped her robe tight, keeping herself warm. Lowering herself down on the top step of the column, she gazed up above her. The sky which had been cluttered and smoggy a few hours before, was now a brilliant crystal clear blanket of jet black and blue, with stars ablaze in light, a display of shimmering natural beauty. Seeing this, Darlene smiled, feeling more at home, with the open view of the sky. No housing or towers in the villages were near tall enough to block a view of the night. Back in their old home, settlements were so small and far between, it was like a pioneer setup (which was why Darlene couldn't understand why Stanley called THIS place 'in the middle of nowhere'). The female inhaled deeply, taking in the peace and serenity of the silence and calm. This type of environment put her mind and heart at ease. Small, free, and quiet place. The thought of moving to the city, in a place of great things, many people, and only so much space to live and breathe, gave her spells, which she tried to put to silence, without much success. Darlene then was distracted by a light coming towards her. Realizing it was a carriage, that obviously was the called doctor, she rose to her feet. "-Right... being of use," she said, absentmindedly to herself, and drew out to meet the wagon.
About an hour later, Stanley finally entered the room. It was late night, and everyone there was now preparing for bed. Obviously though, after having to put up with about an hour of self-restraint from speaking his thoughts, the warthog took no time in starting to go off to Darlene about what he REALLY thought. "-Where can ah even begin to speak on this place??" Stanley muttered, outloud. "Ah told ya we'd be better off goin' on for the extra hour, Darlene... this village ain't fit for wormsmeat." His wife paused, carefully thinking of an answer. "Stanley... I TOLD you the children at this age weren't fit for so much travel... they're EXHAUSTED, anymore traveling would be pushing the poor things." Her mate set his jaw. "Maybeh so... but still... to git put HERE of all places... perhaps if it weren't for that fogger of a wolf... Jo... whatever he be." The female warthog blinked. "-May I ask what is so wrong about him?" "Oh for Pete's sake woman, ya didn't see it yaself?" There be somethin ALL wrong about him... the mangy fur, the stubblin' excuse of a beard, and those eyes... CRIPES those eyes, Darlene, didn't yeh notice??" One be dark as night, and the other be filmed right over, all ghost sheet like... gives me the creeps just thinkin' of it!" That sort of look comes from ill breedin', Darlene... that one's no good, mark my words." His mate looked exasperated. "-Oh dear... perhaps he can't help his looks." His grooming, well maybe living here don't give much time to do so or we just happened to caught him unshaven... and as for having the albino white eye film, it's not his fault... many others before him have been born with the same defect." That's no right to condemn him from his right of being a decent person, Stanley." Honest to goodness." Stanley stared at her for a minute. Then he sighed, moodily. "Blimy hell, woman... whatevah then... forgit it." Trying to soothe his mood, Darlene stroked his shoulders. "-Oh Stanley... look at you, you're worn as any of us... let's try to get some sleep love... perhaps things will look better in the morning?" He rolled his eyes back. "Doubt it... but ya're right... hittin' the hay don't sound like such a bad idea." Showing one of his rare moments of affection, he turned around, embraced her, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. "Night love." "Rest well, dearest."
Sleep, however, was unexpectedly disturbed in the night, hardly two hours after they had all gone to bed. And surprisingly, it wasn't the Warthoggs' baby that broke the silence... Darlene, being a light sleeper, woke first, thinking it was the children. Seeing that they were still fast asleep and the sound was coming from outside the room, she sighed with relief. But she lay still, hoping Stanley wouldn't hear it. Her hopes, however, were short-lived. He stirred and grumbled, "-Wuhh... fer pity's sake... who tha hell is makin' all that racket?" His wife said gently, "-It's probably nothing, dear, perhaps some late night sentry coming in." Let's go back to sleep." Stanley snorted, ill-humoured. "-'Nuthin' you say?" Pish woman, I was dead to Mobius bafore they went an' woke meh with all that hullabullo they're up to." Fer the love of God, Darlene, this is ridiculous!" This place is already ah worthless shanty as it is, an' now we've got hooligans hollerin' at wee hours in tha morning while decent people are tryin' to sleep!" I ought ta-" "-Now Stanley, please, you'll wake the boys!" Darlene said desperately, trying to calm him. "I've got a better idea... how about I go and see what's going on?" You just try to relax, love... you've been driving all day, you need your rest." Her husband stared, stern-eyed and shifting his jaw. You could never fully tell how he'd respond to a proposition. Finally, he hissed, "-Aye... alright woman... if yer a willin', go on ahead." Though ah doubt ah able ta git any rest with all this noise." Knowing she should leave right then, before he changed his mind, Darlene quickly swept on a robe, composing herself, and scooted out the door. The female abruptly wandered through the halls, looking to where the fuss was coming from. She was nearly knocked aside or over by Jonah, who came rushing suddenly from around the corner. "-Oh!" she gasped out, in surprise. The wolf halted in his tracks, seeing whom he'd just about ran into. "-Mrs.Warthogg!" he breathed. "Forgive me please... I did not mean to startle you-" "-What's going on?" Darlene wanted to know. "-I'm so sorry, I didn't realize what loudness was being made... it's just... my wife-" Jonah stammered. The female warthog understood. "-You mean she-" The wolf nodded. "I just sent someone for the doctor, I know that much..." he said, distractedly. "But now what do I do??" I don't know, I-" Darlene could see clearly he was on the verge of or perhaps WAS panicking. Knowing this whole situation perfectly well, the warthog began to set him straight. "-Well first off, calm down!" You're no help to anyone, in this state." Jonah swallowed hard, and nodded. "-Okay..." "-Now then..." Darlene started. "-You've got the most important part done; sent someone out." So for now, all you can do is wait for them to get back." But all the same, you standing out here ain't being much of use." How far along is she, by the way?" The wolf gave her a confused look, not understanding the question. "-I don't-" he started to say. Darlene blinked, "-I'm sorry, let me rephrase that." How long has it been since it started?" "-Oh... errr... I'm not exactly sure... I think around quarter to-" "-Alright then... long enough," the warthog nodded. "What you need to do is go back to your wife." Hold her hand and try to keep her calm, understand?" Jonah nodded, gingerly. "-Good." And I'll go out front and wait for the doctor to get here, alright?" "-Yes ma'am," he agreed. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate this, Mrs.Warthogg, you don't have to-" "-It's nothing, I'm glad to be of help," Darlene insisted. "Now go on!" The wolf took heed and rushed off. The warthog slowly made her way to the main hall, out the entrance. Walking out into the night air, she clasped her robe tight, keeping herself warm. Lowering herself down on the top step of the column, she gazed up above her. The sky which had been cluttered and smoggy a few hours before, was now a brilliant crystal clear blanket of jet black and blue, with stars ablaze in light, a display of shimmering natural beauty. Seeing this, Darlene smiled, feeling more at home, with the open view of the sky. No housing or towers in the villages were near tall enough to block a view of the night. Back in their old home, settlements were so small and far between, it was like a pioneer setup (which was why Darlene couldn't understand why Stanley called THIS place 'in the middle of nowhere'). The female inhaled deeply, taking in the peace and serenity of the silence and calm. This type of environment put her mind and heart at ease. Small, free, and quiet place. The thought of moving to the city, in a place of great things, many people, and only so much space to live and breathe, gave her spells, which she tried to put to silence, without much success. Darlene then was distracted by a light coming towards her. Realizing it was a carriage, that obviously was the called doctor, she rose to her feet. "-Right... being of use," she said, absentmindedly to herself, and drew out to meet the wagon.