Redwall MUCK Forum

Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know I'm going to be taking a break until the recent events on here has cooled down.
I'm sorry Krisha, but I won't be able to join your TP with Atticus - good luck with it though!
Also, Dom, Greg, Varus, and Felicity can mention Terrence doing LP or sergeant-y stuff if they so choose, as for my spoofs have fun with them as well!

I'll be on hopefully once a week but I probably won't be rping much (unless bandit's up for finishing the two RPs we've done and have yet to finsih. I'm sorry dude that its been like six months since we've last done something like that )

Pvt. Dom (or his effects, at least...),
Cpl. Zolomon,
Sgt. Terrence,
and Mjr. Varus, hares.

In light of recent events, Terrence has taken a far more involved position in his squad. While the initial annoyance with Zolomon's behavior was strong, the sergeant has relaxed somewhat now that his patrol have been trained more or less to his liking. Currently, the sergeant stands watching one half of his unit do parade drills in the middle of the large room, easily marching in formation and in step. "Left face!" He shouts, and the hares follow suit.

Zolomon is somewhat doing some of the training moves and then he just sat down on a bench as if tired of the training session.

"About face!" Terrence barks, though his attention shifts. He hadn't seen Zolomon before now, and the sergeant hadn't had the chance to talk to the corporal for some. "Greenhill?" He says as he passes the group, "Make sure you all continue the drills, then go fo' break." Coming to stop in front of Zolomon, the bespectacled hare sighs. "So, how've you been?"

Zolomon looks at the Sargent and shrugs" Just...fine. Yeah ..still a bit..ya know  why on not telling me a thing. up and leave...no goodbye." And he rambles a little but then "Sorry sur... been distracted" He is still to do training just not outside for another couple weeks

"Fo' a damn good reason, Zolomon." Terrence doesn't ask if he can sit on the bench when he sits. "If I had my flask on me I'd offah it, but I don't. What she did, well, it's horrible, and I can't imagine how it feels." Throwing back his head he stares up at the rocky roof. "Dare say you need a break. Don't know what the brass was thinking expecting you to be alright and all that..."

"Do I heah trainin' in here?" There's that familiar, imperious voice of reason. Varus comes into the room. "Terrence! So glad to see you keepin' th' bloody privates in ship-shape, wot."

Zolomon salutes the Major and remains seated and quiet again as he been quiet most of the past couple weeks.

"Sah!" Terrence, alongside all the other hares in the room, salute, though the sergeant glances sideways at Zolomon. It's clear he's worried. "We need to talk ovah a drink tonight, Zol." He mutters to the corporal, "If anyone complains I'll take the blame as you'h sergeant, as I should've done earlier, alright?" Without waiting for a response the hare calls to the major. "I think they've been getting good enough to keep themselves in shape, sah."

Varus walks along the row of lower-ranked hares, as if inspecting them. He stops before one slouching private. "CHIN UP, Private! No slouchin', eh wot!" He turns away from the unfortunate hare, who breathes a sigh of relief. "Y' look awful, Zolomon. Good grief. Wot're y' doin' in 'ere? Y' look like y' belong in th' bloody Infirmary..."

Zolomon replies "Some...training, I can still do some training sur...well for me not train recruits and privates for another couple weeks and staying inside...." Its true he hasn't really changed his clothing much, ok a couple times he did, he also tripped on a knocked over training dummy earlier but was fine, just a sore nose. "Sorry...sur"

There's a moment or two were Terrence debates spilling Zolomon's secret. In the end, he does. "He's also been having a rough time since Zeldove left him without a bloody word, the faithless rat." The sergeant sits back down on the bench. "If I might speak my mind the badger lord and the rest of brass handled things very, very poorly."

Dominik was nowhere to be found, but his presence most definitely was felt in the form of the various scattered recruits in the training room who are nursing various bumps and bruises...more than likely from the rough and brutal training sessions the large hare had been putting them through. Things had been bad before, but as of late, they had seemingly gotten worse with the news Dom had received, which had soured his mood to the point of taking it out on the students...

Varus looks up to the ceiling and sighs. "It would be unseemly f'r me t' discuss such things. An' that's all I'll say about that." And he makes it clear that he won't discuss it, though he doesn't exactly tell Terrence to drop the subject entirely.

Zolomon speaks, "She should of stayed....I tried to find her...failed and forgot weapons and had the fight with this fox" He frowns, he likely hasn't had much sleep or eating as well as he should.

Terrence grits his teeth at the major's response but doesn't push the issue. Instead he goes to pat Zolomon on the back. "Look, mate, I'm sure we've all done plenty stupid things because of love o' what not. It's unfortunate that Zeldove caused so you much grief, but I wouldn't say its unexpected considering he' track record..." He gives a fake cough. "Ehem, I think you need a drink, eithah way." And so does Terrence. The amount of compliments he's had concerning Dom's 'training', if you could call it that, was more than he was willing to endure.

Varus harrumps. "Like I said, t'would be unseemly t' discuss it. I 'ave mah post t' considah, wot wot." He looks away. "Why on earth are 'alf th' Privates beat up? Terrence, yahr bein' entirely too rough."

Zolomon stands slowly and looks between them with a frown, his plan maybe a little  more training or maybe just get back to his room. Its clear he has not sleep much, stressed and the whole bad diet lately "I am...am..jus...gonn..." He gets out nothing else as he passes out right then and there.

"Am I indeed?" Terrence feigns offense. "And here I thought I was too soft. No," He says, more seriously, "That would be Pvt. Dom's doing. Strictly speaking I didn't ordah him to train them all yet that's whats been happening. I've been meaning to-" He cuts himself off as Zolomon stands, the sergeant rising as well. "Wait, Zol, I was serious about that bre-" And again he's cut off as the corporal falls not quite to the floor, but close. Terrence had caught him. "Greenhill, Reuenthal!" He barks, and the privates run over. "Get the good corporal up and to the infirm, quickly now!"

Varus frowns sharply, both at Terrence's revelation, and at Zolomon's sudden fainting spell. "It was mah ordah, I'm afraid. But it was s'posed t' be undah strict supahvision. I'll 'ave a word wi' Felicity. She's s'posed t' be th' one ovahseein' it..."

Watching the two privates carry Zolomon away, Terrence nods. "I understand. Though Dom's been getting roughah recently - admittedly I've been more occupied with the corporal and dealing with how he more o'h less isn't in my patrol anymore," There is a clear hint of irritation at the last part, "So I've had my paws full."

Varus sighs. "Tha's why I'm havin' a word wi' Felicity. She's obviously shirkin' 'er duties an' not keepin' an eye on Dominik. I 'ate t' 'ave t' reprimand 'er, especially so soon aftah she was promoted..."

Terrence pales. "Ah. Well." He mutters something to himself. "Sah, if I may perhaps don't be too hard on he'?" With a wince the sergeant continues on, "I mean, well, it's Dom - I doubt he'd listen to anyone anyway... And I probably should've said something to him..."

Varus raises a paw. "Oh, believe me, Dominik's gettin' a long lecture, too. I'm this close t' suspendin' 'im, eh wot. 'E just doesn't know it  yet. The Patrol is s'posed t' be bloody well tough, but tha' doesn't include beatin' our Recruits 'n' Privates 'alf t' death..."

"Ah. Right." Terrence lets an award silence fall between them for a bit. "Well, alright then. Of course, sah, if Zolomon ends up like the last hare who was in house arrest and gets moved to the damn homeguard like Zeldove, I'll gladly take Dom into my patrol. That way I can yell at him." He chuckles, slightly, though there is genuine fear of what he said about the corporal.

Varus chuckles drily. "I 'ave no doubt that y' will, wot. C'mon. Let's get a drink, then. I'll see wot I c'n say t' the brass. I'm just a Majah, but y've seen mah medals, eh wot. I command a certain respect from 'em, regahdless..."

Terrence dips his head, standing. "Thank you." The sergeant pauses for a moment, staring at the place Zolomon dropped. "It's a pity he couldn't join us - I think he needs a very stiff drink and some talking to that isn't just reprimand, but oh well. Shouldn't be surprised he passed out again."

Varus hmmms. "Tha's due in no small paht because I turned down a promotion back in th' day, because I preferred t' remain in th' field, rathah th'n sit be'ind a desk." He shrugs. "Then o' course I retired when I felt I'd done mah paht." He claps Terrence on the shoulder. "You'll be a Majah someday. 'Eed mah words. Don't let 'em put y' be'ind a damned desk."

The prospect of being a major seems more terrifying than anything else. "I try not to think too fah ahead fo'h that very reason." Terrence says, "And I've got enough to deal with as a sergeant. Plus desk work can't find me as I am, not unless I pull some stunt like certain hares."

Varus shrugs. "I think there's little chance o' that, Terrence. Y've got a long career ahead o' yahrself, wot. Don't y' worry 'bout that..."

"Eh, hopefully." Terrence replies, "Though," He falls quiet, thinking for a moment, "Though I have been pondering why I'm here. It certainly isn't fo'h the uppah brass and all the mistakes they and ou'h deah badgeh lord have made, no sah-ee. But that's me whining about things I have no say in, so please excuse me fo'h that."

Varus fixes the younger hare with a look. "I should caution y' wot y' say, laddie buck. Jus' remembah. Anyway..."

"You'd be right to caution me," Terrence lets out a sigh, "Though I daresay I'm not the most afraid of what will happen. I do happen to have more skills than soldiering, so exile would be perfectly fine if a bit lonesome at first, and it's not like they have the guts to execute me..." Another sigh escapes him before the sergeant raises his a paw. "And before you say anything, I get that I should nevah say anything like this and sow discontent in any of the corporals o'h privates o'h recruits. O'h the bloody brass, fo'h that matter. I'm not that dense." He gives a humorous chuckle, shaking his head.

"Yahre one o' th' brightest soldiahs we've evah had," counters the Major, "Wi' a promisin' career. I won't let y' throw it away, eh wot. So I'll give yah as much leeway as I c'n bloody well manage."

There's a part of Terrence that wants to wink and joke, isn't that corruption in the ranks? But he restrains himself for now. "Eh, thank you, sah. I'll try not to be too radical myself, and I certainly will do my best to not throw this all way - unless I absolutely have to. Hopefully that will not come to pass." Putting his paws in his trousers' pockets, the sergeant looks down at the ground. "No, I've just frustrated with recent events and saying things I don't quite mean."

Varus looks at the Sergeant. "We've all 'ad those thoughts, at one time or anothah, but th'n y' think about th' defenseless creatures we watch out f'r. Th' Western Shore... 'Alyahd. Mossflowah. Redwall Abbey. All those beasts out there, f'r which th' name 'Long Patrol' means 'ope... An' th'n petty bickerin' an' rivalries fade away, eh wot..."

At the mention of Redwall Terrence scowls. "I will say I will nevah forget what happened in that cursed place, o'h how ou'h lord lost nearly all the hares that went with him. I can't imagine the name Long Patrol means anything there besides death..." Letting out a long sigh the sergeant calms. "Oh well. You're right. We'll do ou'h best fo'h those creatures, and I'll promise you that."

Varus frowns. "Tha' wasn't our Lord's fault. That wasn't. It was all our faults. Ovahconfidence, lad. Ovahconfidence. A mistake we've all learned from. Now, come. I'll tell y' 'ow brave yahr fathah was back in th' day..."

"Perhaps. And thank you, but I'd rathah speak about the living than him." Terrence sighs. "My fathah was certainly overconfident." Shaking his head the sergeant starts off for the door. "Do you play cards? I think I saw a deck in the rec room."

Varus hmmphs, and exits the room. "I play a mean paw o' pokah. Lonely days when I was youngah. Olivia doesn't approve, don't y' know..." his voice trails off as they move down the corridor.

Lord Ciocan, a badger,
Pvt. Dominik,
Grace,
Lt. Gregorian,
Julia,
And Sgt. Terrence, hares.

It was for once a sunny day though no less cold than all the others lately as a strong breeze comes off the sea. Greg has opted to take his lunch outside for some air and peace. Sat on the sheltered side of a rock though his food is left half eaten and forgotten as he stares down at the world, just thinking.

Terrence, meanwhile, had forgotten the hour. Rolling his newly freed shoulder the sergeant had wandered up to the crater to test his arms strength - though upon seeing Greg he waves. "Hello there, sah! Didn't think anyone would be up here, but perhaps I should've learned by now. Haven fo'h those who want to be alone up here, eh?"

Gregorian sits with his arms folded, it's almost like he's judging the world. His ear turns to the voice but he recognises it so he doesn't have to look "Mm, except no one is evah alone up here for long...Yah can't fault the view of course. Yah hidin' out too?"

"Not intentionally, no." Terrence replies, sitting down on a rock. "I've just been sick of staying inside so much. Like you said the view's great. Sure beats the training room's walls, as well."

Gregorian hehs and nods slowly "There is only so many stone walls a hare can look at before yah start tah feel buried...I suppose that might be different for hares who grew up here though. How's yah arm?"

"Well, even fo'h a hare born here it can feel like I'm being buried alive..." Terrence mutters. Then, stretching his arm out and swinging it left to right, he says in a brighter tone, "It's rathah good, actually. I went to the infirmary fo'h the last time this morning to get all the bandages off. It healed with little to no problem, so I got lucky I suppose."

Gregorian chuckles quietly, a small smile finally appearing "Broken free from the healahs at last. If I had a drink tah share we'd celebrate...or if I had a pile of work tah hand I'd give yah it. See? Yah are lucky"

Terrence laughs. "Well that's good to heah. Glad I caught you with you'h paws empty then." Still grinning the sergeant slides down the rock to rest his back against it on the ground. "Technically I still have the day off, leastways until you tell me to do something, of course."

And naturally, any peace that may have been present as Greg and Terrence converse is utterly shattered as the sound of a pawful of little voices can be heard shouting and carrying on in the passageway leading up towards the crater. "Hey, I wanna be first!" "No, me! I'm th'fastest, I wanna get there first!" "No, me! Me! C'mon, stop shovin'!" "No, you stop shovin'!" Not too long after, another voice is heard, booming up the passageway. "ENOUGH!" After this, the other voices immediately quiet down. "Is plenty of room for all. If vant to see top of mountain, get in straight line...vait for Dom. Vil be there in moment." After a pause, the voice is heard again. "Is okay, go ahead now." And with that, a small group of leverets burst into the crater, immediately making a beeline for the edge, of course, where they likely shouldn't be, all of them chattering and carrying on. Soon enough, Dom appears as well, the large buck looking utterly exhausted, but still with a smile upon his face. "Get avay from edge!" he calls over to them. "Vind vil blow you over, then vil not be any more trips to mountaintop, or beach..." He seemingly hasn't spotted Greg or Terrence as of yet, his attention focused on his charges.

Gregorian waves a paw at Terrence "Ah, take yah day off. There'll still be plenty tah do tahmorrow" any further thoughts are disturbed by the sound of many small hares approaching, a sound Greg instantly recognises but this time he does look around "Eh?" for a second he was concerned they were on their own until he hears Dom yelling "Well, there goes the quiet" he mutters before the dibbuns suddenly burst outside. Dom might not spot them but some of the dibbuns do see the other adults and Grace among them instantly changes direction "Da'!" she jumps, hangs off Greg's neck for a moment in a hug while he's still sat down and then spots his half finished food and drops back to the ground "Can I have yah cheese?" she asks, already taking it off the plate without waiting for the answer. Greg doesn't object but is more concerned by the dibbuns near the edge "Dom? Wot's all this?" he points at the dibbuns and finally gets up "Back from the edge now"

With a sigh Terrence watches the chaos unfold around him. "Daresay leverets are a change of pace from privates and recruits, at least." Standing he catches one young hare from tumbling head over heals down the slope. "No you don't!" With the leveret safely back on the crater the sergeant arches an eyebrow at Dom, asking, "So, what brings all of you up here?"

Dominik gives the other two an apologetic look as he eventually spots them, seeming a little relieved that Greg happens to be there...one more set of eyes to keep an eye on Grace, at least. And Terrence proves valuable as well as he saves the leveret from slipping over the edge of the crater. Said leveret gives Terrence a raspberry, before hurrying off to try his luck at climbing a nearby boulder. Dom sighs, "Is sorry. Did not know you vere here, vould have taken them to other places if known." The buck hurries over to retrieve another of the Dibbuns as they move back in the direction of the exit. He sits them on his shoulder, as he plops himself down with a tired sigh. "Vanted to go outside, but...could not take to beach, so...brought up here. Figure it good enough, is basically outside, yes?" His head moves to the side as the Dibbun tugs hard on his ear, and he lets loose with another sigh, though he appears to be happy, all things considered. "Ouch. Is ear..."

"I don't know, the similarities tah recruits are numerous" Greg mutters back to Terrence before he also moves to nudge a few of the dibbuns back from the edge to safer spots "Yah not handlin' them all on yah own are yah?" he asks as he automatically plucks a dibbun up who's walking towards the edge, turns them around and ushers them back the way they came "Lets get them ovah tah the gardens perhaps. There's a few more walls tah keep them safe"

Terrence stares down at the half squashed raspberry now in his paw. "Well. I suppose that's true." He does his best to hide tossing the raspberry over the edge so as to appear to eat it. "But at least leverets aren't armed with pointy sticks alongside thei'h lack of sense."

Dominik gives Greg an exhausted smile and a nod to his question. "Yes. Volunteered to do, did not count on so many. Vas going to take Grace, and couple of her friends, but...everyone else heard an vanted to come, too. Could not refuse those faces," he chuckles. "So, here ve are. Ooof!" The small doe on his shoulder continues to yank and tug on his ear, the buck's head tilted to the side as a result. Another leveret runs out of nowhere and takes a flying leap right onto his lap. Dom oooofs, blinking. "Hiiiii Mister Dom!" the little one squeaks, before giving Dom a hug. Dom smiles and hugs back, before another small hare starts climbing up his shoulder. "Am like own personal mountain, it seems. Is fun to climb." Giving the two another look, he nods to Greg's suggestion. "Might be better idea, yes. Oh, and Grace is talking to Dom again, so...is good thing." He seems quite pleased at that particular development.

Gregorian plucks a dibbun off a boulder and puts him on the ground again as he's gesturing the rest to move towards the gardens "First thing yah need tah do with dibbuns is learn tah tell them no" he's doing a quick mental headcount as he talks. He pauses though and looks back to Dom at the news Grace made up with him "Really...she didn't tell me" he frowns. That concerns him. Grace meanwhile is distracted! She's busy trying to eat the remainder of her father's lunch while at the same time trying to ward off three hungry dibbuns who want some too.

"Well, that's fo'h sure the same as with recruits, now isn't it?" Terrence laughs, hanging back to herd any stragglers down to the gardens. "You do this often, Dom? Watching the leverets, I mean." He avoids dealing with Grace and the band of hungry dibbuns as that's Greg's problem. For now.

Dominik gives Greg a nod. "Yes, is something is learning fast. Is sometimes hard, especially ven there is so many." The buck chuckles, extracting the small doe from his shoulder and setting her down beside him. "And yes. Ve had talk in mess hall. Dom apologized, Grace accept. Is not sure vhy vould not tell, but. Now, you know. Must also apologize to Greg, as well..." The buck gives a heavy sigh. "Dom is sorry for vat happened. Is under control now, vil never happen again." To Terrence's question, he nods in confirmation. "Yes. Dom seem to be official vatcher of leveret, ven others cannot do, or is busy. But Dom does not mind." He smiles. "Likes them. They are fun, even though Dom gets lots of ear pullings." He slowly rises in preparation to head towards the gardens, and he waits for the others to get in line to follow. "HUP. All get in line, follow Dom. Going to gardens!" At the barked command, the leverets all fall in line, all fidgety but standing in one spot, in preparation to leave. "See? Dom can do," he grins to the others.

Gregorian considers Grace defending her stolen food to be her problem, he's not helping there! He frowns slightly at the apology, still concerned that he doesn't know things but Grace thought he might worry. She was right, he worries. Still, he nods once to Dom "Good tah hear it's undah control at last" he leaves it at that and helps with the dibbun herding "Yah should at least tell them tah leave yah with some back up tah help with them all. Yah can't watch a dozen or so dibbuns on their own. Yah lucky they haven't done a runnah yet"

Terrence thinks it best not to involve himself with Greg's and Dom's reconciliation, instead focusing on keeping the leverets going in the direction of the gardens. "Oh well. Suppose it might have to do with how short pawed the mountain still is?"

Dominik gives Greg a nod. "Can speak about at length at other times. But yes, Erg is asleep, hopefully for good." The buck makes sure to take a headcount as well as Greg assists in keeping the Dibbuns all in line. Once they are seemingly all accounted for, Dom gives them a smile and a nod. "Alright, all is here. Vil go down to gardens, now. Is better place to play, yes?" All the Dibbuns bounce up and down energetically and cheer, just happy to be able to be somewhere other than the classroom. To Terrence's question, he nods. "Is reason, yes. But, Dom vil not complain." He reaches down in attempt to life Grace and deposit her on his shoulder, if she allows it. "Vun who behaves most gets to sit up here. So far today, Grace is vinner." Not counting the theft of her father's food, of course. But that doesn't count.

Gregorian does not like that word 'Hopefully' but "Hrmm" is his only response to that and then his attention is back to the dibbuns. He relaxes slightly once they're in the gardens and away from the sheer cliffs. They can still cause trouble of course but hopefully it's harder to attempt a shortcut to the shore "I guess we are short on numbahs of course...and perhaps as time goes on more hares are pairin' off again and havin' kids..." Greg gives Dom a look when he says Grace is the best behaved "How bad are the rest of them bein'?" he jokes before glancing back to Terrence "How's yah date plannin' goin'?" because since he mentioned pairing off it was on his mind but he didn't want to ask immediately after mentioning kids. Grace meanwhile is greatly aided in her fight to keep the food when she's suddenly up on Dom's shoulder! Victory! She rests the plate on top of his head and reaches over to offer him a bit of celery.

Terrence manages to hide his surprise at the news. Grace behaving? The sergeant lets out a light chuckle. "Eh?" He's taken slightly aback at Greg's question. "Ah, yes. That. Going well, all things considered. There's not all that much left to plan, got a date set fo'h the, ehem, date."

Dominik chuckles and gives Greg a smile. "Hmm. Only vas talking about today." He winks, before he suddenly finds that his head is being used as a table of sorts as Grace sets her plate down there. He peeks up at said plate, before he accepts Grace's gracious offer of celery, taking it into his muzzle and chewing loudly. "Hmm. Thank you, leetle Grace." He reaches up a paw both to give her a light pat on the head, and also to steady her on his shoulder as they head to the gardens. "Dom vil likely not pair off, vil not haff kids. Vatching leverets is good enough, is like having dozen kids, already..." he chuckles. "Dom is giant kid, too. Need to take care of self first before bringing another life into vorld." His ears perk as there is mention of a date, but the large buck does not pry.

See! Grace is good! She shares her food. With Dom at least, none of the dibbuns are getting anything. She grins at the pat she gets but tilts her head at the conversation "But won't yah get all sad an' lonelys too?" she asks Dom while Greg is busy imparting wisdom upon Terrence "Well, it doesn't hurt tah have somethin' tah do tah fill the awkward silences. If yah do somethin' beforehand yah have at least one thing tah talk about ovah dinnah which isn't work"

"I've always been at least decent at avoiding the topic of work." Terrence winks, but nods soon afterwards. "But you're right. Problem is Halyard isn't exactly the place I think of when I think of fun. Too many drunken brawls and the like, wot!" And then his stomach growls. "Ah. I suppose I missed lunch now, haven't I?"

Dominik chuckles at Grace's question, the large buck giving her a curious but amused glance. "Dom has alvays been this vay, leetle Grace. Vould not be anything different from usual." He gives a light shrug. "Is also busy vith trainings and other things. Is not much time for other other things." It's not something he'd particularly thought about before...he'd honestly never really had much of a reason to. He shifts his gaze to Terrence. "Halyard is place to go ven vanting to break up, not ven wanting to get together." He smirks a little.

Julia has been in the group, her dolly tucked into her belt, as usual.  She's been semi-good (although she did kick one of the other leverets in the shins -- she feels it was deserved because he was being obnoxious), so she's a little miffed that she's not getting a ride!  She looks at the flower beds, then walks over to Terrence and staaaaares up at him with her big green eyes.  "You'sa takin' Lissie to somewhere's nice, right?"  Because her sister has obviously explained to the Dibbun why she won't be hanging out with her on an upcoming evening.

Gregorian hehs "We're short on fancy places tah visit in the area, Dom. Halyard is at least out of the mountain. There are some nice places ovah there if yah know where tah look" his voice is calm and educational. His eyes though say shut up Dom or you're going to mess with Terrence's head. Grace seems to consider Dom's words carefully "...So I won'ts ever get lonely cause I never hads nothin' but Da' gets lonely 'cause 'e 'as me?"

"Considering last time I was in that town I was shanked, I think there's some truth to that Dom." Terrence laughs, "Perhaps we can break up some brawls and bond ovah smacking vermin about." Seeing as there's no reason to not tell Julia anything, he nods. "I'm planning on it. O'h at least as nice as Halyard can offah, of course - unless the LT there is right. Anyway, I need to go hassle the cooks fo' leftovahs, I think." As he turns to go he says, over his shoulder. "I'll extricate myself now - I'm hungry. Good luck with the leverets you two!"

Dominik shifts his gaze over towards Julia, the buck giving her a smile. "Julia gets second place today, vil get ride on shoulder vunce Grace's turn is done..." he offers. "And ven kicking in shin, remember to kick higher." Dom giving kicking advice to Dibbuns is likely not a very good idea. He gives her a wink, watching as she wanders over towards Terrence. Chuckling, his attention shifts back to Grace. "Everyvun is different, leetle Grace. Am not going to say that you vil never get lonely...even vuns vith big family get lonely, sometimes. But, if your da' ever gets lonely, it is not because of you. I am sure you are reason for him NOT feeling lonely, as matter of fact." Sorta of confusing, perhaps. But hey. It made sense to him. He catches Greg's look and gives him a sheepish shrug and mouths the word 'sorry..!'

Julia nods once, then looks up at Dom.  "Okies, I kicks 'igher next time.  But 'ow 'igh?"  She is so distracted that she doesn't notice Terrence leave, but when she does, she pouts.  "'E left!"  She goes to tug on Greg's pants leg, looking between the 2 adult bucks with a slightly worried expression.  "Is Toowence gonna marry Lissie so's I has a big bruvver agin?"

Gregorian sighs heavily "Yah are not tah kick fellow hares" he says loud enough for the group because someone has to be the adult here. He looks a little sorry for Grace. He doesn't burden her with these things but she notices "Ah dahlin'. He's right, yah make everythin' bettah" he takes the plate from Dom's head as he gives Grace a quick kiss on the cheek "Now why don't we let Julia have her turn and yah come ovah here" he says as he swings his daughter off and up on to his own shoulders. He looks back down to Julia afterwards "Well, that's up tah them but not right now. Yah'll always have yah sistah though, no mattah wot"

Dominik gives Greg a nod of understanding and thanks as first he reaches over to remove the plate, then pluck Grace from his shoulder and place her on his own. "Yes, Greg is right. Leetle Grace alvays brightens up day. Dom is happy to know." Dom cannot help but hold in a laugh at Julia's question, the large buck snerking a little at least. Clearing his throat, he reaches down a paw in an offer to lift Julia up onto his shoulder as it is vacated. "Come up here. Dom vil say, is like brother to Julia, yes. Really big brother." He grins to her in amusement. "No matter if marrying or not, vil alvays be so."

Julia allows the huge white hare to place her on his shoulder.  "But I useded to has a bruvver, but Davie died.  I don'ts even know 'im.  I wants anovver bruvver."  She pauses for a few moments, then goes to hug Dom around his head.  "I wuv you, Dommy."  She looks puzzled, though.  "But hows cans yous be my bruvver ifs you not Lissie's bruvver or 'usband?"  She obviously has not encountered adoption yet.

Settling in on her dad's shoulders Grace listens intently to the conversation "Can I have a brothah too?" she asks innocently. Greg's eyebrows shoot up "Heh, ah, no dahlin'. There's just tah be the one of yah" giving dibbuns ideas is dangerous "But, erm, sometimes family isn't just who yah related tah. Yah friends can becomes just as close as a brothah or sistah tah yah" he hopes that might work on both of the dibbuns.

Dominik listens quietly to Julia mentioning having a brother who died, and he gives her a nod in understanding. "Dom had brothers, and sisters. Died, too. Knew them a little better, maybe, but...probably not as vell as should have." He gives her a smile. "Vun day, Dom is sure Julia vil have brother again, but...until then...Dom is, vil alvays be like brother." He nods in agreement to Greg, thinking he described things rather well. "Yes, Greg is right. Leetle Grace, and leetle Julia are friends, but also...remind Dom of sisters, too. Do you vant to be Dom's sisters?" he asks them with a hopeful smile, the buck blushing and seeming quite pleased as Julia hugs him around the head, his eyes and half of his muzzle covered by small paws.

Julia thinks really hard about that.  "So......Dommy cans be my bruvver in my heart 'cause 'e's my friend?"  She smiles and snuggles down more, basically draped across the huge buck's head as she continues to hug him.  "I coulds be you sistew.  Does dat make Lissie you sistew, too?"

Ciocan has decided to get some fresh air and heads to towards the gardens, he slows when he learns it's a bit... crowded and seems to rethink his plans on where to sit for a little while.

There's a pause where Grace considers everything before suddenly looking excited "So I cans have a brothah!" she grins at Dom "Yeah, yah can be my brothah...And I guess tha' makes Julia a sistah...I'd like tah have a sistah too I think" she's slightly more cautious about that idea because this is probably one of the longest conversations they've had where they haven't fought. Greg is just helpless as the family apparently grows but Grace is happy so it's fine. He spots Ciocan pretty quick but he's not saluting because Grace is sat on his shoulders. He nods a greeting though "Sah"

Dominik hadn't really thought about things the way that Julia put them, and so he scrunches up his muzzle in deep thought as the Dibbun clings to his head and drapes herself across it with her hug. "Hmm. Vell, Dom is supposing so, in same vay. Lissie is Dom's friend, too, and so is like sister." He smiles, peeking an eye open as he lifts a paw to gently pat Julia on the head. The large buck just seems to melt at her words, and his eyes even well up just a little, though he quickly lifts a paw and wipes it across his eyes. "Yes. Dom is brother in Julia's heart," he agrees, his smile spreading across his muzzle....especially once he also hears Grace's excitement as well. "Dom is happy to have two of best sisters vun can have." He gives Greg an amused look as he sees his helpless expression. Dom glances to Ciocan and nods to him as he enters, as well. "Sir."

Julia gets jerked a little as her ride nods, and she sits up and wave frantically to the badger.  "Hi!  Hi!  Hi!  Hey, Dom's my bruvver in my 'eart 'cause 'e's my fwiend!"  She then gives Grace a skeptical look, also noting how long they've been in the same group without trying to kill each other or whatever.  "Does we has to be sistews, though?  Maybe we can share Dommy an' not be sistews..."  Because children have a way of killing a mood.

Ciocan nods a hello to the group "Greetings" He says softly "I was out to get some fresh air...seems a lot of others  are as well."

There's another pause as Grace stares at Julia. She's trying to decide if she wants to take that personally. She suddenly looks down at Greg instead "Yeah, do we have tah be if Dom's our brothah?" Greg hehs and chuckles at the pair "No, yah don't. The great thing about friends becomin' family is that yah can choose them" it was probably good the pair weren't related. He glances back to Coican "Ah, the kids apparently wanted some fresh air too. Wot one does the rest will apparently follow though"

Dominik has also seemed to notice that the peace has been kept between Grace and Julia for most of the day they'd all been together. Definitely wanting to keep it that way, the large buck gives a smile to Julia. "But see, Julia, part of being sisters is that you vil not alvays get alongs, yes? Brothers fight, sisters fight. But alvays make up in end. Alvays be sisters, no matter vat happens." He chuckles as Julia waves to Ciocan and announces the recent developments. "Vil you promise Dom that you and leetle Grace vil try your best to get along?" Try to be good sisters ven together?" Greg's reply seems to be the opposite of his own, but both answers seem to be well meaning.

Julia's pleasure at Greg's answer is muddled by her displeasure at what her huge friend says.  "I twies to not bites hew.  We's not sistews."  She wriggles and climbs down Dominik as if he's a tree.  Crossing her arms, she stomps away, obviously grumpy at the thought of being related to her arch nemesis.  She melts back into the crowd of leverets playing in the gardens.  She'll be fine soon, and head inside with the rest.

Ciocan nods "Young ones do like to get into mischief at times and sometimes will follow one around." He smiles at the younger hares. "But yes family doesn't have to be someone related to you, friends can be family as well"

"But I didn't do anythin' tah her!" Grace protests after Dom's explanation. Greg rolls his eyes and immediately turns "Alright! Time tah take this plate back tah the mess hall and check for leftovahs" which means he's taking Grace with him and not staying to have her further escalate the fast approaching argument.

So, thirteen days late posting this RP from February Fifteenth but hey. I'm back from my impromptu break, now; as for where I was, let's just say RL got hectic for a bit.

Lt. Gregorian,
Sgt. Terrence,
and Pvt. Zeldove, hares.

Zeldove frowns and was beginning to wonder why she volunteered for this, oh yeah to be nice and it was to be a couple hours, of torture so far. "Because...its impossible..." The leveret starts wailing, as she sighs and speaks "You're a hare..." Then louder cries and a hiccup from the  leveret as Zeldove looks defeated. The leveret is clearly upset "I wanna be badger when get bigs..." Zeldove just groans, "Ya can't be a..." ...and the response, "Yous mean!!!"

Gregorian is fresh out of a training session and headed for some food. Of course he'd heard the crying child long before he got in the door, he's just relieved it's not the whole lot of them that are upset "Havin' problems Zeldove?" he questions as he's heading towards the food "Why would yah want tah be a badger lad?" he questions the dibbun on his way past.

Arm still in a sling, Terrence was only recently discharged from the infirmary. Sitting across the hall from the wailing leveret and the volunteer he watches the exchange with a rather tired expression before standing and grabbing his half-full mug with his good paw. Just as the sergeant was coming over to try and maybe salvage the situation Greg passes by... "Ah, hello there Lieutenant. And you as well, Zeldove." He looks at her then to the crying young hare and, kneeling down in front of the leveret, asks, "Say, what's you'h name, lad?"

Zeldove nods and gives a salute, "Surs...." The young hare has calmed "I...Bastein....and badgers be tall and strong and 'fraid of nutting..." Zeldove just smooths out her uniform "His parents had to go somewhere couple days so I volunteered to watch him those couple days since I am on Home Guard now"

Gregorian nods once to Terrence as he starts piling up a plate "Sergeant. Enjoyin' yah freedom?" her gives the dibbun a chuckle though and looks down at the tiny hare "Yah know, every bit of that describes a hare too. Yah don't have tah be a badgah tah be big, strong and fearless. I know yah already goin' tah be all those things when yah grow up"

"Bastein?" Terrence repeats to himself, mulling the name over. "Sounds like the old Badgeh Lord's name, Sebastian, doesn't it?" Giving Zeldove a nod to indicate he heard her, the sergeant looks up at Greg with a wry grin. "I certainly am, sah." Turning his attention back to the leveret he adds to what the lieutenant said, "Besides, being a badgeh here means more work than the rest of us, eh? It'd be like chores and school and all that every day. I can't imagine anyone really wanting that, now can I?"

Zeldove decides to get some  lunch, looks like some vegetable soup and rolls, and some fruit. She gets the leveret some lunch too "Ans he likely has a lot of paperwork." The leveret makes a face at paperwork "Why works on papers, that boring..." He smiles at Greg "I  gonna be  warrior and keep all the bad beasts away from the good beasts"

Gregorian takes his plate over to sit with the group and nods long to the mention of paperwork "Oh certainly, the Badgah Lord gets the most papahwork in the mountain. He's always busy too so he doesn't get tah have as much fun as us hares" he chuckles again "Yah'll make a good fightah one day if that's wot yah want tah be"

"He has a point, you know." Terrence laughs as he stands from were he was kneeling. Setting the mug down at Greg's table he looks back at the leveret. "Can't really argue the fact that most of it is boring, but doesn't change the fact badgehs are always saddled with papahwork the most!"

Zeldove nods "And he was in the infirm a week, likely still has a bit of that cold or what ever it was....which reminds me, I am on a mission to get better food brought down to the infirm for anyone thar, be it an illness or injury...cause the food they usually take thar...is ...sorry it's gross even a healer wouldn't eat it and it was offered to them" The younger hare meanwhile smiles "Warrior...hee hee...warriors no do paperwork" This makes Zeldove chuckle and the younger hare then frowns "Warrior do paperworks?" The reply is "Some...but ya get more and more  the higher rank ya are"

Gregorian nods slowly to Zeldove "Workin' too hard that's wot it is. Thankfully he's doin' bettah again now...The food, well, yah best talkin' tah the cooks about that. I might not call their food gross if yah want their help though...It wasn't much different tah the food out here last I was in there for a stay but it's been sometime and the cooks have changed since then" he eats a little and smiles at the dibbun "Maybe a little papahwork but only the officahs get the piles of it"

Terrence, having eaten the infirmary's food for the past two weeks, shrugs. "I wouldn't call it a pleasant experience to eat in there, myself. On that note..." The sergeant goes off to get lunch for himself, coming back with a try balanced precariously in his good paw. He manages to get to the table before anything falls, luckily, and sits across from the lieutenant. "Zeldove," he begins, half-serious, half-joking, "I'd avoid saying anything overly negative about the cooking to the cooks. They're not the most forgiving..." it seems he's speaking from experience.

Zeldove frowns, "Yeah but...I mean beasts are supposed to get better in the infirm, right? Better food, still healthy but have flavor be good, right?" The younger hare seems to get bored and goes to talk to a recruit he sees come in, likely an older sister thats just the right age to be a recruit.

Gregorian is pretty used to the short attention spans of dibbuns when adults are talking so he just watches the them wander off just long enough to be satisfied they're not off to cause trouble. He looks back to the others "Hm, well, some focus more on wot's good for yah ovah taste. Yah can't recovah on cake alone. Used tah be they had a good balance. Medicine always tasted terrible but yah'd have something good tah take the taste off. The newah lot I guess has their own ideahs on wot they think is important...They probably haven't had tah spend time in the infirmary since takin' ovah the kitchens"

"Hmm. So you say..." Terrence mutters, digging into his food. "Honestly, if I didn't have to heah the word 'recovah' again in my life, I'd die a happy hare." The sergeant says rather deadpan as he continues eating. "I'm rathah thankful to be out of thei'h, no mattah the quality of the food."

Zeldove says, "Yeah infirmaries are no fun anywhere really, but needed to heal. I was told a story of a hare that ignored a bad gash to the leg...or side, either way he didn't go to the healers and tended to it himself, it got infected and by the time he DID see a healer...well he died a couple days later cause the injury got that bad"

Gregorian makes a note of agreement as he picks through his food "Mm. I think the memory of the abbey's infirmary ceilin' will be etched intah my mind forevah aftah my extended stay there. I undahstand their importance but if I can help it I'll nevah lie in their beds again"

Rubbing his still bandaged shoulder Terrence nods slowly. "Indeed. I'm lucky to have gotten out so early, though it'll be at least a couple weeks before I can even begin to try and use my arm again..." He snorts. "At least I won't have to spend any more time studying the ceiling as you say, sah."

Zeldove says, "You can catch up on paperwork maybe or do some sort of...light exercise and training, dont they have like recovery exercises?"

"Oh yes, please tell me yah well enough tah catch up on some papahwork" Greg jokes, with a hint of actual hope as it would cut his workload down "...Unless the healahs say yah can't. I don't know how much rest they've got yah on"

"Unfortunately, sah," Terrence does his best at raising his injured arm, "I'm right pawed. So I can't really write anything, unless you'h and the rest of you are fine with unlegible bird-scratches." Leaning back in his seat he lets out a sigh. "There are recommended exercises and the like, and I've been doing those - but thei'h rathah tedious..."

Zeldove hmmms "Well...guess you'rE lucky paper work is...well I rather do other things and Home Guard seems to have more paper work than regular patrol does"

Gregorian clicks his fingers "Drat it...I mean practice yah scratches because it could come tah that" he chuckles before there's a small sigh and he looks back to his food "Yah'll be bettah and back tah wishin' for a break before long" he glances back to Zeldove "Well, yah workin' undah the librarian, if there's anyone who likes papahwork for everythin' undah the sun it's probably him"

Zeldove shrugs "General Quinten isn't that bad...though when he is upset then yeah ...sort of a little scary, even if he does have glasses..." She sighs "Speaking of which I need to finish a report thats due in an hour...excuse me sur" She salutes and heads off to  do that paperwork she mentioned.

Terrence raises an eyebrow at Zeldove's comment. "Does it indeed?" The sergeant scrunches his nose, before both Greg's and Zeldove's words remind him of just who was in charge of her. "Ah. Right. The general does like work like that, doesn't he? You'll be buried soon enough by all it..." Once she leaves, he pokes at his remaining food for a moment or so. "Hmm..."

Gregorian snorts in mild amusement "A hare who surrounds himself with that many books is bound tah be a bit strange" he nods to Zeldove as she leaves and then looks back to his own food, allowing a moment of silence before he finally speaks up again "She seems tah be doin' bettah"

"So it seems!" Terrence replies, finishing what is left on his plate. "Though I can't help but view the transfah as a bit annoying. We have few hares as is in the fighting force..."

Gregorian:shrugs a shoulder "I might not be a permanent thing. Seemed tah start as a way tah straighten her out anyway...It's not like we're marchin' out from the mountain for weeks anymore eithah. I imagine if there's trouble we can get the extah help if needed"

"Well, alright then." Terrence says, "But as fo'h marching out - as soon as I get bettah I plan on taking the recruits and privates and anyone else I can convince to go march fo'h a few days north then back here. Plus, the corporal needs to learn how to lead small squads and all that..."

Gregorian hmms and munches on a little more food "Just don't make it a repeat of the toads, eh? Yah need anythin' for it? At least aside from a stamp of approval tah do it and all that"

There's a moment or two before Terrence responds. "It shouldn't come to that. Really what I need is fo'h every hare - recruits, privates, corporals - to all be kitted out fo'h battle. Speahs, packs, the whole nine yards. I want them to practice marching in formation; hopefully," He adds, quietly, "Even if we run into trouble we'll have an easy time of it..."

Gregorian nods slowly before there's a little snort of amusement "Remind me tah teach yah the hidden tunnel intah the mountain before it's time tah leave. We did somethin' similah when I was a recruit and vermin broke in and took ovah while we were out. Good practice of course. Fightin' in yah own halls"

"I see..." Terrence is rather serious as he speaks, "I'd hope the hares left here would be able to defend this place..." Then his expression shifts to confusion. "How in the world did they get inside? There's only the two - well, three if we're counting you'h secret tunnel - entrances. Maybe a lesson in defense might be needed as well...."

Gregorian shrugs a shoulder "Tah be honest I forget. Took them by surprise with numbahs tah get an advantage then took prisonahs I think. I didn't much concentrate on the tactics back then. I'd like tah think it was a once in several generation event"

"Hmmm." Now pondering how exactly it happened, Terrence rests his good elbow on the table. "I'd imagine if even just ten good fighting hares defended the gates the vermin would have a bad time of it... If they didn't do anything like sortie out the mountain o'h whatnot."

Gregorian scratches his whiskers as he's thinking "Well, if the recent incident with the ferret shows anythin' it's that when vermin tah prisonahs it makes the situation very complicated. Yes, good hares can fight of a lot but if they've caught one of our own they can't exactly charge in"

Terrence nods. "I suppose not, sah. Of course, I'd argue keeping hares from going alone places might be the best defense against that... The ferret prisonah was an odd case and honestly a mistake on my part to bring him heah. I certainly didn't expect a captain to be too careless with him..."

Gregorian shakes his head slowly as he finishes off his food "Yah can't protect against the world. There are goin' tah be times when a hare is alone. If I had tah go everywhere with a recruit stuck tah my side I'd probably hand myself tah the vermin" he chuckles before turning serious again "...The ferret was a slavah though. It won't have been the first time he took someone. It would have been good tah get more information about where these beasts he's caught have been sent...If it were up tah me we'd still be patrollin' Halyard tah keep this stuff out"

"That was my goal," Terrence lets out a sigh, "To question the vermin. But I didn't get the chance and neithah did anyone else, it seems."

Gregorian shakes his head again "There'll be more vermin involved and most of them won't tell yah a thing or they'll lie through their teeth. Don't take it too hard, he probably won't have given yah anythin' useful"

"Maybe, but I still feel we should've tried..." Terrence begins to stand, waving recruit over to take his dishes as he's not all that confident in carrying them one-pawed. "Anyway, sah, I'll have to take my leave now. I need some fresh ai'h!" With that, the sergeant leaves.

Mjr. Varus and Rt.Capt. Lucia, hares.

Immediately taking place after Bonetail's failed escape.

"Hmm." Lucia ponders his words. "They've yet to say anything like that about me, so I suppose I'm a bit more expendable!" She laughs, shaking her head. "Anyway, sah, if I may be excused I need a glass of wine aftah that. It was a rathah pitiful end, though - the fight I mean. I was hoping the stoat'd be above hiding blades in his sleeve but I guess not." With a sigh the captain, about ten or so seasons Varus' younger, salutes.

Varus laughs drily. "Eh, well, I retired already. They *re-hired* me." He returns the salute, but follows after the doe. "Eh, well, I figure we're both 'eaded t' th' Officahs Lounge, eh wot. We'll crack open one of Majah Dagda's stash of eldahberry wine from Mossflowah... I nevah tol' 'im I knew exactly where 'e 'id 'em all..."

"Oh?" Lucia raises an eyebrow. "Well, I did heah 'bout that. It was one of the reasons I recently put in a request to be rehired, hopefully to Mossflowah actually. Perhaps Dagda's wine can give me an idea of what I can expect."

Varus nods, as the two hares depart the dank and dark catacombs. "Oh, aye, y' should, y' should. I've read yahr record, eh wot. Tha' business wi' slavah pirate rats 10 seasons ago. Y' handled yahrself well, wot..."

"Bah," Lucia scowls at the memory. "I did, but I can't say it was all that thrilling. Slavahs are all the same. Cowards 'till cornered, like the stoat today. I don't like being able to cut through them like cheese, well, bash might be more appropriate..." She snorts, slinging her mace over one shoulder.

Varus mmms. "Yahr right there," he agrees. "Sorry buncha cowahds. Trade in th' sufferin' o' innocent beasts. Disgustin', wot."

"Perhaps, but still doesn't change a fact they're rathah boring to fight." Lucia shakes her head, laughing at herself. "Wondah what that says about me, considering that's what I seem to care about. Ha!"

Varus ehs. "It means yahr a fightah through 'n' through," he declares resolutely. Looking ahead along the corridor, he sighs. "Finally, th' stairs outta this hole... I've nevah cared f'r th' catacombs," he admits.

Nodding slowly, she shrugs. "I can't argue with that." Lucia says, glancing back towards the catacombs. "I personally don't mind the catacombs, but that's probably because I've spent more time than I should've down there."

Varus harrumps. "Mah parents are down 'ere... As are their parents, an' their parents, an' so on... But mah eldest son is down 'ere, too." He sighs. "'E shouldn't be. Bein' in th' Patrol ain't safe, we all know that... But when it's yahr own son... Puts things inna diff'rent perspective, wot..." He starts to mount the stairs.

That causes Lucia to pause for a moment. "As are mine." She lets out a long sigh, growing weary of the major. "And so is one of my sons. He's more o'h less the reason I've been down there recently. You aren't the only hare to have thei'h perspectives changed horribly. With all due respect sah, of course."

Varus shakes his head. "I'm sorry," he replies. "Yahr... Terrence's mothah, am I correct?"

Pursing her lips, Lucia doesn't immediately answer. "I... am." She says after a time, adding, "But he does what he wants."

Varus mmms, thoughtfully. "I undahstand," he says at length. "Mah son Adrian is too 'eadstrong f'r 'is own good..."

"So I've heard, actually!" Lucia smiles, glad to shift the conversation. "Of course, sah, if it isn't too much of a bothah now I think I might skip out of Dagda's wine." The one-eyed captain says, rolling her shoulders, "Unfortunately that fight seemed to take a largeh toll on me than expected, so I'll have to be off to bed..." With as sigh, she adds, "It really is cleah I'm not as young as I was, sadly... Anyway, goodnight." With a salute she disappears down the hallway, still carrying her mace.