Redwall MUCK Forum

Okay, first up:  Everyone just take a deeeeeeeep breath while counting to 3. Hold it for a count of 3.  Let it out slowly, counting to 3.  Let's do this a couple times until we feel a little better.

Okay. 

Okay.

I know everyone is probably dead tired of hearing about this pandemic, and I fully understand.  I also fully understand being afraid.  It's normal, and it's okay to be scared, especially with something we none of us have lived through. 

But I want this to be a comment thread where we can avoid talking about how scary it is and instead focus on practical things, as well as encouraging each other. 

Breathe...

~*~

My college has gone online-only until April 10th, at least.  My library is closed to patrons coming in.  So far I can get to the YMCA, but if that changes, I may start hanging out at the houses of friends because I don't have internet at home.  I will do my best to still get on at least once a week.

It's okay; let's try to not freak out.  I mean, just look at the small percentage of people who actually die from this and just try to not endanger those people.  I'm planning on continuing my life in as much of my normal way of doing things as I can, and if I get sick with anything, I'll just stay home. 

With my college closed, I don't know as of yet how it will affect my on-campus job as a tutor.  I'm hoping to get an update about it sometime this next week.

I am still planning on doing the ball in Salamandastron on the 19th, and I hope each and every one of you who has a hare on the Western Shores comes, too.  We can't infect each other through the internet, and we need to keep these things that bring us happiness and fun in our lives, as well as continuing to celebrate things, or we will go insane from the panic.  Please continue to come on, no matter how much fear the media tries to feed into us.  Please?

And you know what?  Some things are still okay.  I walked outside, and there were birds singing.  Spring is still happening, making everything pretty.  I still have my friends I can hang out with, even though the city my church is in has forbidden us from having services.  I still have my kitties who love me and help me stay sane.  There are things that are still okay.

~*~

Consider this the place where we can warn each other about possible internet access issues.

And remember to mention things that are still good.

SCENE:  Salamandastron Recreation Room

CHARACTERS: 
Hares:
Gregorian, male; Terrence, male; Zeldove, female; Zolomon, male; Felicity, female.  Various spoofs.
Badgers:
Ciocan, male.

LOG:
Technically it was Greg's afternoon off. That turned in to a few hours off before the kids were let free upon their parents which then was turning in to doing paperwork in his free time until finally it settled in to having a drink and playing cards on top of the paperwork as he ignored it for now. Sat alone it was relatively quiet in the rec room with most still on duty so Greg actually had some time to quietly relax and try not to think too much as he played a solo card game.   

Felicity has the day off, too! And since Julia is in school, she has a number of hours literally to herself to do with as she pleases. She's been sewing some because her little sister has hit a growth spurt and suddenly all of her dresses are too short. So it's time to let down the hems! The auburn-furred Runner now slips into the Rec room, a very battered haversack on her back. It has LAKEWOOD embroidered on the flap, indicating that it either used to be her mother's or her uncle's. Spotting the Smith, the Sergeant gets a slightly wicked little grin, and she comes up to him. "'Llo, Greg!" She then goes to give him a great big hug! She may be taking fiendish delight in making him uncomfortable.   

Gregorian's ear turns to acknowledge someone's coming his way but before he can finish his train of thought and look in his own time he's suddenly being hugged! He startles and looks surprised plus a bit confused "Ah!...Felicity?" an eyebrow raises but he does at least go to pat her on the back in traditional bro hug fashion and so that it might end faster "Wot has yah all excitable tahday?" he's more confused than anything. What's he done to get hugs?   

Success! Felicity grins and releases him. "Oh, nothin'....just thought I'd give m'friend a 'ug, wot!" She pulls up a chair to the opposite side of his table and plops down into it, setting her bag on the floor at her side. In actuality, she's been wanting to do something innocuous ever since he made Terrence hug her when she was crying (instead of hugging her himself) in order to make him uncomfortable. Making him confused is close enough. "I thought I'd 'eard 'twas y'day off, Greg. Whot're y'doin' sittin' 'ere wi' papahwork in front o' you?"   

Gregorian raises his eyebrow a little more before he shakes his head with a hint of amusement on his face. Just a hint of course. It's easily missed "Wotevah makes yah happy" his discomfort is rather mood dependant. Currently he seems fine and nothing has already made him uncomfortable so hugging, provided it's brief, is apparently accepted. Just once though. Singular hug permitted. Multiple may push it. He glances under his cards at the papers "Eh, the day off became the aftahnoon off but yah know, no one evah tells the work tah stop pilin' up because I'm takin' a break...Wot yah got there?" he nods at the bag.   

Felicity will definitely hug him again when they're both off duty. She has no problems being annoying sometimes with her friends. She picks her bag up. "Oh, this was m'mums, from before she married Dad. I use it t'carry my art." She opens the bag and pulls out a sketchbook and a box of drawing pencils. "Drawin' is one o' th'thin's I like t'do t'relax."   

Ciocan walks in about now with a sigh, a couple hares following him"But tis a jolly well good idea say wot?" The other hare nods "Yes..fun, and relaxing and..good food cant forget the food"An eyebrow is arched "And no uniforms...even dress ones..."The badger sighs and shrugs "Fine, but dont look for me to attend it"   

Gregorian sets down his current hand of cards as the sketchbook is pulled out and he peers over at it "Hmm? I didn't know yah drew" he's clearly curious to see her work but it's hard to miss the badger in the room. Given Greg's off duty he only offers a casual salute for his Lordship and he doesn't stand up "Sah" he looks puzzled by what he's overheard though "Wot's happenin' now?"   

Felicity grins. "Aye, I love t'draw..." she trails off as the badger comes in. "Whot's this all 'bout, sah?" She looks between the other hares and the Lord of the Mountain. "I'm all f'r fun an' not 'avin' t'be in uniform an' eatin' scads o' good food!" Her paw is resting on her sketchbook, ready to start showing off her drawings once the conversation returns to it.   

Ciocan just goes to sit down, he may as well as the two hares seem super excited "A Ball....like a jolly dance and fun and his Lordship said ok...so we can like plan it!" "It will be jolly well great!"   

Gregorian looks surprised at the idea of a ball "Oh..." that didn't sound very enthusiastic. He tries again "Oh! How...excellent...that will be" he fails. His tone sounds more like dread.   

Felicity is a bit more excited that her 2 friends, but she, too, seems to have a bit of dread. "Oh, a Ball! That sounds fun, actually, 'specially if th'leverets 'ave theih own little pahty so we parents an' siblings don't 'ave t'worry 'bout 'em. Oh..." she glances down at her outfit, which is a much-patched pair of leggings and tunic. "Oh.....but I only 'ave dresses that are fancy...."   

Ciocan gets a drink "Isn't A Ball..fancy...sort of...?" He decides to slip off as the two over excited hares that came with him seem to be getting to him right now, One hare hmmms "I don't think his Lordship is coming." The other one shrugs and grins "But a Ball!"They giggle, yes these two hares are for sure super excited"Oh she is right we need..something to wear that's just the best".."For sure top notch"They go to discuss this at a table,ever so often one will get more excited than the other.   

The enthusiasm of the two hares just increases Greg's dread "With those two organisin' it we'll have half the mountain clamberin' for frills and sequins" he mutters once they're out of hearing range. A heavy, irritated sigh and he flops back in his chair with a frown. There's a pause before another heavy sigh and he seems to have given up the fight already and accepted that he's doomed "The tailor in Halyard retired and his son's nowhere near as good...apparently" he rolls his eyes to the ceiling, mentally cursing the source of his knowledge "The best dressmakah runs a bed and breakfast out of her home, I'll give yah directions"   

Felicity shakes her head. "No, I don't need any moh fancy clothes. I 'ave all m'mum's old clothes, an' they fit...." she decides to not add that she's a head taller than her mother ever was, with proportionately longer arms, so the skirts and sleeves are all a bit on the short side. "Besides, I'll be too busy makin' Julia an' 'er dolly matchin' dresses t'even think o' goin' t' 'Alyahd. I'll just 'ave t'live wi' it.....it's just....skirts make me feel...." She hesitates as she tries to think of something other than 'exposed' or 'uncomfortable'.   

Gregorian tilts his head and looks her over "Huh...I thought yah mum was on the shortah side" he nods along to the last bit "Aye. Dressin' up fancy is not my sort of thing but it was my wifes. She loved this stuff though she'd have tah spend half of them convincin' me tah dance. Yah learn tah compromise sometimes"   

Felicity looks flustered. "Oh....Mum was. Short'n I am. But....th' dresses still work...I think....." She scowls darkly at him. "Well, y'bettah come t'this one, laddie buck, sah!" Her awkwardness is evident right now. "If only t'protect me from the ninnies who're always mockin' me 'cause I'm raisin' m'sistah. Oooh, I bet they're gonna be theh in full force, flirtin' wi' all th'bucks an' actin' like they're all 'igh an' mighty 'cause they're families 'ave been at Salamandastron since th'time o' Lady Cregga...."   

Gregorian raises an eyebrow at her again "Hrm. Forced intah these things by a doe. Apparently times don't change that much" he starts to frown again as she describes the mocking does "Mm. They're still botherin' yah then...I wish I knew a way tah have them leave yah alone. I can make their lives hell in uniform but it won't make yah friends...I'd take havin' a partnah ovah flirtin' with a crowd any day though...I don't even come from hares, yah family have been here longah than mine"   

Felicity crosses her arms, scowling at the table top. She starts fiddling with her sketchbook and pencil box, straightening them in an attempt to make herself feel better. "They're just a bunch o' jerks.....wish I could make 'em all leave me 'lone," she finishes softly. Then she looks utterly confused and looks up at him. "Wait, not from 'ares? Whot's /that/ s'possed t'mean?"   

"They are and one day they may grow out of it but yah'll have a good head start on them" Greg agrees before smiling faintly when she asks "Ah, me and my sistah were found by ottahs on their rivah when we were just babes. They looked of course, asked around the area but we nevah did figure out where we came from or wot happened tah our parents. We stayed with the ottahs, they became family. Perhaps not in yah traditional fathah, mothah, family but I got a whole lot of aunts and uncles. I come from ottahs" he snorts with amusement "And I'd like tah see yah jerks try tellin' me that's a bad thing" he finally nods back at her sketchbook "Now, yah want tah show me some drawin's?"   

Felicity smiles. "I think 'tis lovely, Greg. Family is family. May'ap I c'n meet some o' y'fam'ly someday, wot!" She smiles down at her sketchbook and opens it to the 3rd page. "The first couple o' pages are scribbles o' Julia's, but the rest are mine." She turns the book around so the drawings are right-side-up for him. They're pretty good. You can actually tell who each drawing is of. On this page are sketches of Zolomon. As they turn deeper into the sketchbook, the drawings will be of Terrence, Julia, Grace, Ciocan, Dom, Felicity's family members, and Greg himself. There are also some mice drawn throughout. "I like t'draw m'friends an' fam'ly. I see 'em ofetn enough, 'tis good practice."   

Gregorian chuckles "There's a couple of them in Mossflowah but the rest are far tah the south where I come from" he might go on but he gets distracted by the drawings "Huh, these are good. Ha, yah got Grace tah stay still long enough tah draw. There's a feat" he strokes his beard at the first drawing of himself as if reminded what he looks like these days "I recognise the hares but not the mice"   

Felicity laughs. "No, I just drew y'daughtah an' m'sistah from mem'ry. No way could I get a leveret t'sit still!" She points to each of the mice in turn. "These are friends from Redwall. Y'got DoraRose, Gatekeepah and fearsome Warrior. This is 'er 'usband, Leon. 'E was th'Mastah 'Ealah o' th'Abbey. These are their twin children, LilyMoore an' Caleb. Lily's th'Bellringah. I've been t'Redwall once, an' DoraRose an' Leon 'ave visited Salamandastron in th'past." She turns another page to reveal some sketches of ships at sea, and some sea birds doing various things. "Thank y', Greg. I love t'draw, so I'm glad I do a good job o' it."   

Opening the door as gently as he can, Terrence makes his way inside intent on getting a drink. The sergeant pauses in his quest when he spots Gregorian and Felicity, offering a smile and a left-pawed wave. "Hello there, you two." Continuing to go stand at the bar now he orders something and turns back to face the pair. "So," he says, glancing briefly at the sketchbook in the doe's paws, "Mind if I intrude and ask what's that?"   

Zolomon walks in, humming to himself and is in a good mode.He grins as he walks over to the others "Did ya all hear about de Ball? It sounds fun.I like fun...we need fun around here right? "   

Gregorian chuckles "Memorisin' them does sound easiah than havin' them sit still" he leans over to look at the mice as they're pointed out. He's got a table, a little under half a drink left and a pile of paperwork he's been ignoring under a set of cards "Ah, abbey folk" he nods in understanding. At the mention of the master healer he does ask "He wasn't around durin' the plague was he?...I suppose it was a very long time ago" he gets distracted as Terrence appears and he gives the sergeant a nod "Intrude away" he lets Felicity actually answer the question though as he relaxes back in his chair and grabs his drink. Another quick nod for Zolomon's appearance and he sounds less than enthusiastic about the ball "Yes, we heard...simply ecstatic about it." sarcasm!   

Felicity frowns. "Plague? I don't think so. I don't remembah anythin' 'bout a plague." She turns and smiles at Terrence. "Oh, 'tis m'sketchbook. I love t'draw as a way t'relax." She becons him over as she turns the page, revealing a picture of Dominik on the beach with all the leverets. She wrinkles her nose. "Aye, th'Ball. Oh, I'm sure 'twill be fine," she aims this at the Smith. "'Twill prob'ly end up bein' fun, actually, s'long as none o'th'Recruits get it into theih 'eads t'staht a food fight, wot!"   

The expression on Terrence's face morphs from a grin to dread a soon as the corporal mentions the ball. It turns to laughter, however, once Greg speaks. "First time I heard of it, and I agree with the lieutenant here - absolutely /thrilled/." Drink in paw now he makes his way over to get a better look at the drawings. "These are rathah good..." Taking an empty seat at the table the sergeant relaxes into it with an easy smile. "Dare I say you've jinxed it now, Felicity."   

Zolomon smiles "I shall take Zeldove...I heard Ciocan mention the ball and asked if he was jolly well going and told him he jolly well should and then he made me do 50 push ups..."He frowns "Anyways..."Change the subject yes..."Speaking of Zeldove...me and her are engaged now!"   

Gregorian grunts and mutters over his drink "They're hares. If they're throwin' food instead of eatin' it I'm disappointed in them already" he doesn't look convinced by the suggestions that it'll be fun but is saved from comment by Zolomon mentioning the badger "He can't just stay in his room if there's a party in his own mountain" it's not fair, Greg apparently doesn't have this option. He glances at the others when Zolomon mentions the engagement "Yes, I heard about it from her. Congratulations" he already knows so he's past being surprised this time.   

Felicity looks at her fellow Sergeant. "Whot's tha' s'possed t'mean, laddie buck?" Pursing her lips, she leans over and murmurs, "Aye, 'is Lordship can't jus' stay in 'is room. 'E needs comradeship, too. May'ap we should talk t' 'im an' try t'convince 'im t'go." She abestnly flips to the next page of her sketchbook, which shows toads. Lots of toads. Apparently they've gotten to a few pictures she's done to try and stay sane after her captivity in the swamps. She looks up at her fellow Runner in surprise. "Wait, whot? Really? Well, congratulaitons!"
   
"Meaning now that you've said so recruits are bound to start flinging instead of eating." Terrence smiles wryly, but he is not beyond the shock like Greg is. At the moment the corporal announces his engagement Terrence was taking a sip of his drink - A surprised snort escapes him a moment later and ends up causing fit of coughs. "Isn't that's a bit, well.." He coughs again, collecting himself. "I suppose good fo'h you two then, Zolomon?"   

Zolomon frowns "Ya ok thar sur....you should be carefull sur"He gets an ale and smiles "Yeah...but like no...wedding date or anything yet.Hmmms...who would bally well...do a ceomony though?"   

Gregorian frowns a little as he sees all the toads in Felicity's sketchbook. He can only hope she's started drawing happier things since. He glances at Terrence understanding that reaction entirely and he raises his eyebrows slightly at the sergeant in agreement. Nothing said though he looks back to Zolomon "His lordship, presumably. Highest rankin' beast in the mountain seems tah make sense"
   
Felicity picks up her sketchbook, sensing that the conversation is no longer lending itself to art showings, at least for the moment. She turns to a page and opens her pencil box, revealing 2 very clever trays that move out to give her 3 areas to store all her art supplies. Selecting a pencil, she starts to work on a drawing of her parents embracing. "Aye, I'd say th'Badgah Lorhd'd be th'one t'do it, wot! Kinda like the Abbot'd be th'one in Redwall t'conduct weddin's."   

Content with finishing his drink Terrence doesn't add anything more to the conversation, instead eying the pencil box with a raised eyebrow. "That's a rathah interesting contraption you've got there." After that comment, he falls quiet to think for a few seconds. With a deep breath, he mutters to Greg, "Srry fo'h this sah," An then his attention turns back to Felicity and the sergeant does his best to ignore the lieutenant and corporal. "Say, would you wanna get a meal o'h something sometime? As a date, I mean."   

Zeldove has finally gotten at least some time off, walks in and just sits at a table to get some relaxing in if she can.She looks tried   

Zolomon waves to Zeldove and frowns a bit seeing her just sort of sit off to the side "Zelly? Ya ok thar?"   

Gregorian spots Zeldove and raises an eyebrow as she doesn't seem to have spotted the group but he leaves that greeting to Zolomon. The eyebrow goes ever higher as Terrence apologises to him. He's puzzled. Particularly as he seems to be apologising for asking Felicity out. He frowns in confusion but ultimately shakes his head and finishes off his drink. He's fine. They're not focusing their attention on him, he can sit and watch them all be awkward with each other without being put in the middle of it.   

Felicity smiles and touches her pencil box. "Oh, thanks. I got it from a tradah in 'Alyahd. 'Tis really 'elpful f'r carryin' m'pencils." This explanation covers up her fellow Sergeant's apology, which would've hurt her feelings had she noticed it. So instead her only reaction is to be slightly flustered when she's asked out. "Oh! Oh, um...." She blushes up to her ears, even though she's smiling. "Uh, yeah, yes." She goes to rest a paw on Terrence's. "That sounds lovely."   

"Ah, good." The matter settled Terrence returns the smile, doing his best to stay above being awkward. And falls into another bout of silence. He hadn't really thought past this point, but nothing has gone down the tube so he's happy for the time bing. Briefly glances at Zeldove and Zolomon, he finally notices the two but keeps his quiet.   

Gregorian lets the awkward silence stretch for a moment until it starts to get uncomfortable and he raises his empty glass suddenly "Well, congratulations tah one happy couple" he points in the direction of the Zs with his ear before nodding at Felicity and Terrence "Good tah hear there could be anothah. Where yah goin' tah go? Or do yah need suggestions?" because trying to help is less uncomfortable than sitting there silently waiting for them to figure out plans themselves.   

Felicity had been expecting more. Like, where he planned to take her. This much is obvious. The Smith gets a grateful glance, and she gently shoves her fellow Sergeant. "Aye, don't leave me 'angin', Terrence. Where're we goin'? Is it someplace fancy, or just a picnic in th'gahdens?" She puts her pencil away and closes the box, then her sketchbook. The she fixes her date with an expectant stare.   

"Ah. If it weren't so cold a picnic would be good." Terrence mutters, feeling mild panic rise up. He /really/ hadn't put much thought into this. "Perhaps someplace in Halyard?" After a moment or so regains his calm, looking to the smith as well. "I don't know that town all that well, of course, do you happen to know of any good spots there?"   

Zolomon has been quiet and seems to give up figureing out what is up with Zeldove and looks back to the others as he sips his ale   
Gregorian is helping! He scratches his beard as he's asked for suggestions but luckily he actually has knowledge on the subject "Well, I might have suggested the new place those folks from Mossflowah were openin' for a try but I don't know that they've recovered from the fire yet. There's a nice cafe near the market we tended tah favour"   

Felicity refrains from giving her date a LOOK, instead deciding to give him some grace. I mean, he's always been kind of awkward, especially around her. This is probably the first time he's asked anyone out, y'know? "Oh, yeah, I sometimes go theh. 'Tis nice. I like theih food. When should we go, Terrence?" Because the 'when' of the date is just as important as the 'where'.   

/That/ he can answer. Terrence raises his arm still in a sling. "As soon as I get this gull-wing off! So within the week, hopefully. And the cafe sounds wonderful." Looking down at the table briefly, he adds, "Of course, we could do it soonah, but I can't make any promises how well I'll be able to use a knife and fork with one paw..."   

Zolomon glaces over at them and smiles, he seems happy Felicity is happy as he stands "I need ta go check on a time to do some training with some recruits, see ya all later."   

Gregorian nods approvingly and glances away as Terrence handles the when part without any assistance. He leaves that conversation to them as he nods to Zolomon leaving "Congrats again"   

Felicity grins. "Sounds good. Wanna look ouh best f'r our first date, too, aftah all." She looks down at her sketchbook and strokes the red cover. "I'll needta know a few days in advance t'arrange babysittin' f'r Julia, too. Takin' 'er on a date would be so awkwahd, y'know?" She laughs, then sighs. "Wouldn't want t'take 'er t' 'Alyahd, anyway. Too dangerous."   

Rubbing his bandaged shoulder Terrence says, with a rueful smile, "Indeed. To be frank I also want my paw back in case of that dangeh, because right now I feel I'd be rathah unless in a fight!"   

Gregorian smiles faintly as he listens to the pair and just thinks quietly. Finally he shakes his head and hauls himself up "I'm gettin' anothah drink. Eithah of yah want anythin'?" he's not butting in to the conversation of dates more than he had to.   

Felicity smiles at the Smith. "That drink th'leverets like. 'Tis tasty, an' I know they 'ave it up 'ere. Thanks, Greg." She turns back to the other buck and nods. "Aye, sounds wise t'me. Y'focus on gettin' bettah, an' then we'll go t' 'Alyahd." She hugs her sketchbook close, trying to hide her excitement out of concern she'll look like a dork.   

"If you're offering, sah," Terrence says, "Some black tea with a spot of brandy." He smiles again at Felicity, dipping his head. "I will, hopefully. And hopefully everything'll go smoothly."   

Gregorian nods to the pair and leaves the table for the bar to order a round of drinks. He takes his time about it of course, providing some time for them to not have a third wheel just sitting there watching them but ultimately he does return with drinks as his paperwork just isn't going to ignore itself.

Felicity laughs. "Now y've jinxed it, Terrence! Don'tcha know th'first rule o' bein' a Patrollah? Don't eveh voice wantin' somethin' t'go smoothly, or else 'twill all go wrong." She's obviously joking. She's just gotten her drink when a leveret Caretaker peeks in. "Felicity, your sistah hit heh head." "Oh, no...." the Runner stands up, stuffing sketchbook and pencils into her bag. "I'll catch y'2 latah!" The haremaid runs out, taking her drink and haversack with her, worry helping her rush down the corridors of the Mountain...   

"Thanks, Greg." Terrence takes his drink, and he arches an eyebrow at Felicity. "Suppose so, but at least that way we /know/ it won't be boring." He winks, then waves her goodbye as she leaves. "Take care!"

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!