Redwall MUCK Forum

SCENE:  Salamandastron Infirmary: Recovery Room

CHARACTERS:  All hares.
Felicity, female.
Terrence, male.

LOG:
In the days and weeks since the main party of Long Patrollers left fo Mossflower Terrence had taken the opportunity to train the troops remaining at the mountain in the way he sees fit (.......even if he doesn't have explicit permission for those hares that are outside of his unit), and they've been coming along nicely. The sergeant, however, has been rather sullen and quiet beyond the drilling and practicing; the cause may be what he's checking in on. Just coming in from a drill that lasted a good three hours longer than expected Terrence's uniform jacket is hanging loosely from his shoulders to ward off the still warm hours of the day, yet he's mostly presentable besides this - even if he doesn't feel so. Arriving at his destination, he knocks lightly twice on the door frame of the infirmary recovery room and waits for an answer.   

A Healer opens the door and smiles. "Oh, 'llo, Sergeant. Come right in." She holds the door open for him, closing it softly once he's inside. One of the corners has been set up as a miniature living space, with a book on the table and a colourful quilt from Felicity's quarters on the cot. The haremaid herself, like usual, is sitting up in the rocking chair placed by the bed, staring vacantly at nothing. The Healer whispers, "She's been feedin' 'erself th' past few days instead o' us needin' t'feed 'er. That's good progress, 'tis!" She's trying to make the situation look better than it seems.   

"I see- good, good..." Terrence says distractedly, his attention already shifting from the healer to Felicity. Making sure to keep himself in her line of sight as he approaches by the rocking chair, fiddling with his cap. "Afternoon, 'Lissie." With a brief search around the room for an empty chair despite having been here many times before, the sergeant gestures to it when he finds one. "Mind if I sit?"
   
The Healer lets them be together, but she's nearby, just in case she's needed. Felicity, as usual, doesn't react....wait, except this time, does she blink a little? Do her paws flutter on the blanket over her lap? It's hard to tell, the movements are so small, they may never have happened at all. But she says nothing, doesn't make eye contact, just continues to stare.   

Terrence watches her for a few moments, his brows furrowed. Then, with a sigh and a shrug sits in the free chair - grabbing the hilt of his sword with a muttered curses after the scabbard gets caught on the arm. Safely adjusted, he leans forward in his seat to rest his elbows on his knees and still plays with his hat. "They say you're eating by yourself now, so I'm going assume you can hear me. Well, I always do, anyway," He sighs, "Or at least hope..."   

Still no response, but Felicity's ears give a twitch. It's just as faint of a movement as her possible paw flutter, but it may have happened. The Healer brings a glass of water and hands it to the buck, like she always does, then returns to her duties.   

With a thank you the buck takes the water, still holding his hat in his other paw. Terrence lets the healer leave before speaking again. "I suppose you already know most hares 'round here miss you - well, I do at the very least, and I bet you'h sistah does as well." Sitting the water class down on the floor next to the table he rubs his face. "I don't know really what to do, not now." He casts a brief glance at her and attempts a smile, adding, "But you are eating again, so I know you won't starve yourself, eh?" The sergeant chuckles lightly, though it dies out soon enough.   

Felicity blinks and moves a paw when he mentions the word 'sister,' but other than that, nothing. She was always so willing to help and talk to her friends before, but now, it's as if she's lost within herself. But the word 'sister' seemed to break through to her.
   
Terrence raises an eyebrow, taking note. "To be quite frank I don't know were you'h /sistah/," he emphasizes the word," Julia's got to. Hell, I don't think I've seen he'h in at least two weeks - but thats more on account of me avoiding the leverets and the mess more than anything." Shaking his head with a rueful smile he continues, "I suppose Julia has been in here to see you right?"   

Felicity stirs a little bit more, this time noticeably. Her gaze starts to roam, actually focusing on things, sort of. The Healer looks over, then comes beside the buck and whispers, "Actually, we 'aven't let th' leveret in 'ere yet -- we're afraid 'twould be upsettin' for 'er." The auburn doe starts to settle down again, her gaze returning to its previous, vacant state when she can't find what she was looking for.   

There's a moment or two were Terrence's mouth hangs open at the healer's words. Then his jaw tightens. "Excuse me, but how long has it been since we got back from that island? You mean to say not /once/ in the past couple of months he'h sister's seen Sergeant Felicity?" He throws his paws up with an incredulous laugh. "Bloody hell, mate, I doubt 'Lissie would be upset by a raving eagle flying in here, let alone he'h sistah."   

The Healer shakes her head. "No, 'tis Julia we're worried about. Imagine 'ow upsettin' it might be fo' 'er t'see 'er sistah not respondin' t' 'er. We're not sure th' leveret could 'andle it." Meanwhile, Felicity notices the word 'sister' again, and this time she stands, taking a few steps away from her chair, the urgency of the words being spoken making her react with an emotion (finally): worry. She may be worried about her sister.   

Terrence seems just about ready to reply when Felicity stands, and he jumps up in surprise (and tangles his scabbard in the chair arm again). As he extricates his weapon, he glances at the healer. "Perhaps," he mutters, then, clearing his throat, asks, "Lissie?" Perhaps the sergeant is hoping for too much, but still.   

The Healer steps back, but observes, ready to intervene if necessary. Felicity looks blankly at the buck, worry creasing her forehead. Then she looks around the room, stumbling over the blanket that had been on her lap as she walks in his direction, her gaze searching for something.   

"Lissie?" He repeats, tilting his head slightly. Terrence reaches out to help her when she stumbles, not sure what to do. "Healah," he looks over at the hare, "Has Dom been in here eithah? He could come with Julia - maybe that'll keep the leveret calm?" Another moment or so and the sergeant turns back to his fellow nco. "Daresay you've been scaring me Felicity." He says in a quiet voice. "I'll try and get Julia in to see you... I-" With a sigh he breaks off what he was going to say, shaking his head.

Felicity lets him help her, then she collapses and goes to lean on him, shuddering slightly. Her gaze is still roving, roaming, searching for something. But in the faintest of whispers, hoarse with disuse, she can barely be heard saying, "Julia." The Healer shakes her head. "Dominik 'as come in a few times, but 'e seemed unsure and left without sayin' anythin'. If y'think 'e could 'elp Julia stay calm, then I'll talk wi' th' othah 'Ealahs an' see whot they think."   

"Right, right -" Terrence is only half paying attention to what the healer says, instead keeping his focus on Felicity. "Lissie, don't worry. Julia'll be seeing you soon enough, even if I'll have to twist Dom's arm enough to get him to stick around long enough to get he'h in here, wot." The sergeant then tries to lead her gently back to the rocking chair, saying, "I'll go see what I can do right away - healah's opinions be damned, if they say no."

Felicity lets him lead her back to her chair and sits, eyes fading to their vacant stare again. Her blanket will need to be put back on her lap, and then she'll sit there and wait....for however long it takes. The Healer purses her lips. She may just let them break the rules and bring Julia in here, if it comes to that...

~*END*~

Will Julia be able to come see her sister?  Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!