Redwall MUCK Forum

With:
Grace
Dominik

Outside it was raining so rather than getting to run around the gardens the smallest hares of the mountain were having a more subdued break from classes by entertaining themselves indoors. A few of the older ones were playing board games. Some were running around with toys. A group were plotting the downfall of adults quietly among themselves. Grace was sat by herself drawing what looked like a dress that she was sticking ribbons and things to. Or at least she was trying to. A bow was currently stuck to her fingers instead and she was trying very hard to get it to stay on the paper instead of on her paws.   

It had been a relatively long day, though not one without its fun, amusing, and at some points somewhat frustrating moments. When the decision had been made for the leverets to remain inside, Dom had volunteered his services to keep an eye on them, a task that he had increasingly gotten better at the more he did it. The original plan had been to take them out to the beach due to their good behavior at the ball, and those plans were dashed when the weather changed. Alas, they still found ways to amuse themselves, and so Dom sits near the back of the room, watchful eyes on his charges as they all go about their various activities. Upon looking closer at him, one would be able to see that there are ribbons tied in various spots in his white fur, other spots appear to be colored with various shades of paint, and generally the large hare had been used for various types of art projects by the leverets. Still, judging by his expression, it didn't seem to bother Dom at all...he appears quite happy to be spending time with the young ones, not having to worry about any of his other issues for the time being.   

Grace probably put on a few of those ribbons herself. Since the ball she'd been a little obsessed with ribbons, dresses, dancing and music. She was getting frustrated though as instead of the bow sticking to the paper the paper now also ended up stuck to her paw. She was starting to get upset as she tried to unstick the picture without ripping the paper "Doooommm" she finally whines out the name, looking for help.   

Dominik's ears perk as he hears his name being called, and the large hare lifts his eyes as he recognizes the voice. Pushing himself up from his position seated on the floor against the wall, the buck makes his way over towards where Grace sits with her art project. He looks over the situation carefully, looking from Grace, to the paper, to the ribbon, then back to the paper. Reaching down a paw, he rests it against the paper, so the little doe would be able to shift things around without the paper itself shifting. He also reaches up and removes a ribbon or two from his arm, so that she'd have extras in case she needed them. "Drawing is looking very nice, leetle Grace. Am liking ribbons, color is very pretty," he nods, giving her a smile as he places the extra ribbons down beside her. "If paw is sticky, use vater to clean. Dry, then paw vil not be sticky, yes?"   

Grace just assumes he'll solve everything and holds her paws out with everything stuck to them until he gets the paper on the table and she can carefully get her paw off. The ribbon stuck to her other paw is then solved by rubbing it against Dom's arm to stick it there instead "It's a dress for the next ball" she quietly informs as she's picking glue out of the fur on her paws until Dom suggests washing her paws "Oh" it's like she didn't even think of that possibility. She gets up to go to a bowl that's left out for messy dibbuns o clean up with before she returns, drying her paws on her dress "When do we gets another party tah dress up in?"   

Dominik's eyes go a little wider as he is informed of the intention of the drawing. "Oooh, am seeing! Is a very nice dress!" he compliments. allowing Grace to deposit the ribbon on his arm, joining the pawful of other ones already stuck there. He's like a walking craft board! He chuckles as she realizes that she can use the bowl of water to wash her paws, and once she does, the large buck gives her a smile at her question. "Hmm. Is not sure. Vil talk vith Lord Ciocan, vil see if ve can't have something just for all of you, here, since you behaved so vell at beeg party." He gives her a nod. "Vil still take down to beach, too, ven veather gets better. Did not forget." He deposits himself there beside the area Grace is working in, glancing over at the rest of the room briefly to make sure things are still going smoothly and no fights have started yet.   

Grace starts to smile again when he says he'll talk to the badger. To her that means they'll probably have one at least once a week now "I can't wait tah eat all that food and go dancin' with dad again" it might have been a surprise to most of the mountain that Greg can actually dance "Maybe we can haves it on the beach?"   

Dominik chuckles softly, the sound rumbling in his chest as his attention shifts back to Grace. "Leetle Grace is very good dancer, too. And can eat almost as much as Dom..." he grins. "Is mark of true hare, ven can put away so much food at vunce. Is very impressed." As she mentions the idea of having the gathering on the beach, the large hare hmmmms. "...is not bad idea. Vil ask this, too, but...also don't vant to get nice dress covered vith sands, no?" he points out. "Veather might not be good, either, like is today. But...cannot hurt to ask, so vil do, for leetle Grace." The buck smiles, before he seems to remember something. "Oh! Dom has somethink for leetle Grace. Vait here, vil get."   

Grace grins at the compliments to her dancing and eating skills "More yah eat then biggah yah goin' to get! If I can eat more than yah that must mean I'm goin' to grow up to be even biggah than you!" she appears to like this idea. There's also more grinning at Dom likes her idea of a ball on the beach. She shrugs at the mention of sand "Sand's everywhere anyway. I gots some in my toes right now" They live on a beach, it's hard to keep it out. She looks curious about whatever he's got for her but she sits and actually waits patiently for a little while "Ok..."   

Dominik soon returns, having only been gone for a few moments, and he makes his way back towards where he had previously been sitting, near Grace. He is holding something behind his back, and the large buck crouches down near the small doe, a huge grin upon his scarred muzzle. After waiting a few extra moments, eventually he holds out his paw towards Grace, and in it is held a small stuffed animal that is made to look just like a smaller version of Grace, herself...completely with the nice dress she had worn at the ball. All things considered, it is somewhat crude, the stitching a little uneven in places here and there, but generally it is impressive for a first try. "Here. Dom made for you, spent lots of time learning from Felicity how to do. Is finally finished, is hoping you like..." There is certainly a hopeful expression on Dom's face as he awaits Grace's reaction to the gift.   

Grace watches Dom leave and then shortly return, trying to figure out what he's got but she can't see any of it while it's behind his back. She tilts her head when it isn't immediately presented but before she can ask he pulls the toy out and she looks surprised. Despite the crudeness she can tell it's a hare and then the dress is a dead give away that it's her. She perks up with a big grin and quickly gets up from her chair to take it from him "You made me a mini me!" she quickly alternates between giving it a hug and then holding it out to look at it "It's like havin' a sistah!...But a good one" aka one who's not Julia.   

Dominik allows Grace to take the doll from him, and his expression says it all as she hugs it and smiles so widely. He nods his head eagerly, "Yes, made smaller leetle Grace. Vas hoping vould like! Now, can has another for tea parties, and for dressings up and things." The large buck's smile is just as large as the leveret's, especially when she says it's like having a good sister. He certainly feels proud that something he'd made is getting such a good reaction. "Is for times ven scared, too, so leetle Grace can has something to hug ven father or Dom isn't there to help," he nods, slowly. "Dom is still very sorry for time ven he scare...is trying to make up for, ven can."   

Grace returns to the table to sit back down and then give her mini version the seat next to her along with a bit of paper as if it's going to join in with drawing stuff "I like her cause I like me!" she grins again. Her ears twitch slightly and the grin turns to a smile when Dom mentions being scared. She'd only been truly scared once in a very long time and that was because of Dom "Yah ate cucumbah, yah were forgiven" she brushes past it and decides to stubbornly ignore that time. She instead brushes the dolls hair back and gives it some charcoal pencils to draw with.   

Dominik seems to accept this. If Grace is able to get over that particular incident, then Dom supposes he can as well. "Is good reason to like," he nods in agreement. "Leetle Grace is very easy to like!" he chuckles, before watching as Grace sets her new doll in a seat beside her and resumes drawing. A smile crosses his muzzle, "Vil leave you two to finish drawing. But, must promise you vil show Dom your drawings ven done, yes?" The large hare rises back up, reaching over to gently give Grace a pat on the head, as well as the doll. He heads back over to retake his spot over near the other side of the room, to resume his supervising duties. He appears just a little happier, in the process, as well.   

Grace seems happy to sit with the doll and share her drawings with it "Dom calls me little Grace so yah goin' to have to be...Littler Grace" she tells the doll with a firm nod. Another grin for Dom when she's patted and she quickly gets up to aim a big hug at his leg since that's easy to reach "Thank yah Dom" she says in a happy sing song voice before she sits back down to carry on drawing and chatting with the doll.

Featuring:
Grace (Spoofed by Greg)
Erg/Dominik

Salamandastron: Catacombs

Every dibbun had heard the news that Dom was back and there was a lot of demands to see him but for some reason the adults had been telling them that he had to do boring things like rest or stuff instead. None of them knew exactly where he was and raids of around the mountain had only resulted in check ups done by the healers, cleaning set by the cooks and several lectures not to run off. Well Grace knew something now and she hadn't told the rest of them. Sometimes dad complains about things to other adults and occasionally it's worth listening to. Grace knew where Dom had been hidden. A distraction caused for the dibbun keepers had allowed her to sneak off and down here to the caverns. She paused in the doorway. Not because she was scared of course, she's been here before but she didn't want dad to be down here and catch her. No sign of anyone though and she sneaks in, weaving her way quietly through the memorials until she thought she was far enough in for a quiet "Hello?"

Dominik is tucked away in the alcove he had chosen for his hideaway spot, the hare sitting in the corner, his arms resting on his knees as he stares off into space. He mutters softly, occasionally, seemingly having small conversations with himself. Perhaps even an argument or two. Every now and then, he turns his head to regard the toad skeleton that sits propped against the wall opposite him, and he mutters a few words to him, before his attention diverts back to staring into space. This pattern is interrupted with the sound of a small voice, and the massive white hare blinks in surprise. It didn't sound like any of the others, at all, and for that reason, the buck's curiosity is pricked. "Who is....?" his voice sounds out, not in the usual booming way, but more of a quiet inquiry. He stares at the entrance to the alcove to see if the source of the voice reveals itself.

Grace listens carefully and her ears perk at the voice. Is that Dom? Sounded kind of like Dom and who else could it be? She grins and skips over towards the alcove the voice came from "Is Grace!" she replies cheerfully before sticking her head around the wall and instantly she freezes at what she sees. Her eyes widen "Whhoooa!" she goes in surprise. No, it's not for the toad, she's barely even noticed Blorg yet "You gots all fluffy an' y'went white!" she cries in wonder, finding it so cool. She quickly hurries towards him, paws outstretched "I wants t'touch. Is it soft?"

Dominik's eyes fall upon the leveret, and his head tilts a little in curiosity, and perhaps also, amusement as well. Who was this odd little hare who seemed to be so excited to see him? The buck visibly tenses as he sees her rushing towards him, that internal instinct telling him to defend himself, yet something else steps in and says there is absolutely no need for it. So at first, a soft growl rumbles in his chest, before gradually fading away again as his icy gaze peers down at Grace. The buck stares down at her for a few moments in confusion, before eventually, a smile curls at the corners of his muzzle. "...yes," he finally replies, to her request.

Grace has no sense of self preservation with the growl, seeming to entirely ignore it. She is absolutely firm in the belief that there is no danger whatsoever from the big play thing that is Dom. His agreement to the request barely has time to register before she's going to play with the fur on his arm since that's about all she can reach "Ooooo" she seems to approve. She suddenly starts bouncing a little as she looks up at him with an excitable grin "I want t'be all fluffy. Can I? Can I? Can I? Pleeease?"

Dominik lifts a paw to his muzzle, concern in his eyes that someone will hear the leveret down here with him. "...shhhh, leetle vun. Is loud. Vil bring others..." he replies softly, his voice a whisper. He watches her as she plays with the fur on his arm, the fur broken up in spots here and there with pink burn scar tissue. The large hare blinks at the question as he stares at Grace in confusion as he tries to understand what exactly it is she is asking. "...vat....is fluffy...??" he finally rumbles, his ears perking. "Is me? Is...fluffy...?" He points a paw at her. "...you...is not this...?"

Grace notices the burn scars but lets face it her dad is a walking bag of scars and works in a forge, she isn't concerned but merely runs a finger over it when she spots it "I don'ts remember 'at one" she says a little more quietly, at least heeding the warning. Her ears twitch and he gets a look of confusion when he asks what fluffy is "Y'don't know fluffy?...Y'must! It's...it's fluff! It's all soft an' well, fluffy!" she shakes her head quickly at the question of whether she's fluffy and she pushes her sleeve up to compare her tiny arm next to his "No, look. M'furs all short an' stuff. That's no fluffy, it's...fuzzy" she nods firmly "It's got t'be long an' soft t'be fluffy"

Dominik stares down at the energetic little doe, the massive hare unable to help himself from smiling down at her. There was just something endearing about her, something that the buck is able to connect with much easier than those who he'd encountered before. As she puts her tiny arm next to his to compare, he looks back and forth between the obviously large size difference there, giving a soft grunt. "Hmmph. So...vat leetle vun saying is, Erg...is fluffy? And fluffy...ees good?" He tilts his head in that innocent-looking gesture, the large hare probably the least intimidating that he's ever been, despite all the scares and his giant size.

Grace goes to lean on his arm and practically hang off it so she can sway around in a general refusal to ever stand still for more than a minute "Uh huh. Fluffy is good...Wha's a Erg?...An' wot are yah doin' hidin' down here? The sitters said y'couldn't come an' play an' t'let y'rest but da' said y'were down 'ere instead"

Dominik slowly extends his arm out so that Grace can swing freely from it, like a giant trapeze bar but with white fur. "O...K. Fluffy...is good..." he repeats, in reassurance. "Is good, then." The buck smiles, normally a fearsome expression...this time, however it is a warm smile. As she asks what an Erg is, the buck lifts his other paw to point to himself. "Am Erg," he responds, his paw lightly touching his chest. "Is Blorg..." he points the paw over towards the toad skeleton sitting against the wall. "Blorg is...best friend." He shakes his head. "Not hiding. Is live...down here, now. Is good place, for Erg. Dark. Quiet. Erg...happy."

Grace swings happily from the arm as they talk. Her head tilts as he says he's now called Erg and then Blorg gets an even more confused look as she tries to wrap her brain around this new information "Did y'...marry the skeleaton?...I 'eard y'change y'name when y'get married an' y'supposed t'marry y'friends" clearly logical. She finally looks around as he says he's living here "Hares don't live down 'ere, just die an' haunt the place. Y'should come up an' live in the classroom instead, then y'can play with us again. Y'can sleep in the cupboard with the board games, it's good fer hidin' in" well, good if you're her size.

Dominik's expression shows his confusion at Grace's word, the hare blinking down at her for the longest time as he attempts to make sense of what she is saying. "Er. No...Erg is not...marry. Vat...is skelaton?" he repeats the odd word, not seeing a skeleton at all when he looks at Blorg, but a fully formed toadlike figure. "Is friend, but not...marry..." Dom watches the leveret as she swings on his arm, and he draws it in to bring her closer to him, something that would likely give Greg a heart attack if he were to see it. Lowering his head so that he is nose to nose with the small doe, his scarred muzzle breaks into a smile. "Erg like...leetle vun. Leetle vun is...funny. But...not fluffy." Something he learned today, it seems. "Erg...is not hare," he explains. "Erg...is toad-slayer." Seems simple enough, right? "Not sleep in...cup...board? Vat is...board...games?"

Grace stops swinging for a moment as he asks what a skeleton is. She gives him a firm frown that just demands he do what she says or fear her tiny disapproval "Y'need t'come live in the classroom. Y'need the lessons more than me" the swinging starts again as he moves his arm "I'll be fluffy! I just need t'find out how t'do it" the swinging stops again when he says he's not a hare now. She dangles there, confused "Hares kill toads...an' y'still look like a hare" she suddenly looks concerned "Do y'not want t'be a hare? Y'don't 'ave t'leave again if y'not a hare do y'?"

Dominik gives a firm shake of his head. "Erg...cannot live...in...class...room. Not know...vat is. Erg is fine, down here. Is...dark. Erg...like," he reasons. "Leetle vun not fluffy, but vil be. Hmmm..." he ponders this for a few moments, before his gaze returns to the leveret dangling from his arm. "Yes. Kill toads..." The hare appears slightly confused at something, "...am...hare?" He points to himself with his free paw. "Erg look...sort-of like...leetle vun. Leetle vun is...hare. So...is Erg hare?" This is something that seemingly blows his mind, judging from the look of confusion etched upon his face. He scratches at an ear with a paw. "Erg...not leave. No more toads. No more...swamp. Not need, out there. Erg find toads...in here." He gestures towards the area they are in. "Vil leetle vun...help Erg find toads?"

Grace frowns a little. She's sure he knew what the classroom is, he's been there "Classroom is...a room where y'learn stuff an' play when it's wet or cold outside" she's even more puzzled that he doesn't know he's a hare. She finally lets go of his arm to hop back to the ground "'ave y'got big ears like these?" she points at her ears "An' big feet like this?" she hops on one footpaw so she can show the other to him "An' a little tail like this?" she quickly spins all the way around to end up facing him again "Then yer a hare! Y'the biggest hare inna whole mountains!" she does a little hop as she spreads her paws wide with a little grin. The question about toads makes her look thoughtful "I ain't ever seen any toads in the mountain...except yer friend" her ear points at Blorg "Hmm but I know other stuff y'can do!"

Dominik gives a nod as Grace explains what a classroom is. "Hmm. Erg not need learn, Erg...is fine vith vat already know. Is fine outside, in vet or colds. Do not need...class...room..." he decides. As the young leveret proceeds to show him all the things necessary to be a hare, he watches intently. "Yes, has beeg ears. Has...big feet?" He sticks out a leg and wiggles his huge toes in front of Grace. "Yes. Has...tail. But, not so leetle, like leetle vun." He peers back over his shoulder and down at his tail, before his gaze returns to Grace. "So...Erg is...beeg hare, beegest in...mountain?" He seems to find this idea quite appealing. "O...K. Erg...is not toad-slayer, Erg is...hare. Like friend." He smiles down at Grace warmly. "Vat...is other things can do?" he asks, with a tilt of his head.

"Y'didn't know wot a classroom is or tha' y'were a hare, y'needs learnin'...but we can teach y'" Grace grins, the dibbuns can teach him all the important stuff. She quickly looks around again before deciding the area was somewhat lacking in activities and leaning around the wall to look at the entrance to the caverns "We can play games an' oh, raid the kitchens! Y'have t'learn how t'raid the kitchens again. Y'can reach the top shelves where they keep the biscuits" her ears perk when she faintly hears one of the dibbun sitters calling her name out in the hall. If dad finds out she was in here he won't be happy. She quickly looks back at the big hare "Y'meet me by the mess hall tomorrow an' we'll get all the grub y'can eat!" another little grin and she starts to dash off. Stops, runs back, goes to give him a quick hug "'m glad y'back" and then she's off again, going to sneak past the sitter in the hall so she can turn up somewhere she'll get in less trouble for hiding in.

What starts off as a training exercise ends in an invasion of toads!
Involved:
Gregorian
Cera
Zolomon
Terrence
Isla
Dominik
Felicity
Varus
Map: https://imgur.com/a/oQF5eL4

The hour was early, the day was grey and chilly with a threat of rain later. They'd marched out at first light, before breakfast unless anyone was smart enough to get up extra early for it. Across the beach and through the dunes Greg had marched the group until they came to the edge of the swampland between the mountains to the east and the shore to the west. "Form up! Stand tah attention!" the Sergeant roars over the crowd to get them lined up before he runs through the warnings and instructions "Before yah is the swamps! For the green-ears among yah who've nevah had the pleasure of wandahin' through them pay attention tah where yah step and don't wake the frogs. If yah get wet make sure yah dry out again or yah will become one with the swamp and start rottin'"
On to instructions "Yah have been assigned yah groups. Each group will be given a map. On this map yah will see some crosses. Yah job is tah pick yah route, safely navigate yah way tah those five points, collect yah teams' marker" he raises up a loop of cord with a numbered rock hanging from it "And reach the camp amongst the rocks in the middle of the swamp before nightfall"
"Now, I would love tah have yah out here all week until yah hungry, homesick and good and lost but we'll be doin' the best we can with our limited time. Yah will each have one set of rations and a canteen of watah, this is not a picnic, that is all yah gettin'. If yah brought an extra snack with yah then give it up now. Yah don't have tents or beds out here. When yah out on patrol yah can't just skip back tah the mountain for a drink. Yah have all been taught wot's safe tah eat so if yah hungry yah'll have tah find food. If yah cold yah'll have tah make sheltah and start a fire"
"Officahs will accompany yah. They are not there tah help. They are there tah keep yah from doin' somethin' stupid enough tah get yah killed. The first team tah collect their markahs and reach the camp will be awarded with tents for the night but it will only be the first team and yah all have tah be there tah win. Any questions?"

Cera listens closely to the directions, she has not been in the swamps before  but has heard of them,  ok maybe she was a few feet into the swamps and decided...no way and didnt go further.She frowns as it's clear she will have to go much further this time.She at least knows some  skills on finding food, though not in a swamp so much as normal woods, but she knows some plants so..it will help, she hopes.

Zolomon nods.He tilts his head "Frogs are around too? I bally well have heard of toads..nasty things supposely...so be careful and don't sink in  like quicksand, got it Sargent G"

Terrence, one of the NCOs tagging along to make sure the privates don't do something stupid, stands at the rear of the group. He frowns at the private-first-class, but otherwise stays quiet, adjusting the straps of his pack as he does so. In his paws is a simple spear.

Isla is /ready/ for this. She lived on the road her whole life, she has travelled in the worst of circumstances, she has slept in ditches and burnt out buildings, woods, and desert... But that feels like a lifetime ago, and she always had help. There was always song and dance... The Long Patrol is different. This isn't the circus. "Yes sah!" She parrots back when appropriate, adjusting her canteen against her hip and glancing nervously at the other hares, hoping that this map will be all she really does /need/. She doubts it, somehow, as she reluctantly pulls a wrapped pastry from her pocket and hands it towards the Sargeant.

Gregorian turns his steely gaze to Zolomon at his question "Frogs and toads. If yah close enough tah tell the difference then yah too close and likely about tah get shot or taken for their dinnah" he leave the gathering of food to one of his handy helpers as he's busy looking stern "This will be a propah test for those of yah who don't get out of the comforts of home and the Halyard tavern enough" he gestures for the maps to be given out to the groups "Split yahselves in tah yah groups. Figure out where yah goin' and get tah it. This is a race!"

Cera nods as she listens"Yeah tons of fun this is...when would we ever be in this dump?" Ok she had little sleep so she is grumpy today and she hates the  swamp or even normal mud really.She glaces at the map quietly.

Terrence leans on his spear, watching the privates and recruits splitting up. Giving small chuckle at how /thrilled/ they all are, the corporal  heads to stand by the nearest group. "All righty then," He says, "I'll be coming along to make sure you lot don't go and end up ears deep in the muck, wot."

Zolomon nods, he might be a privare first class but he hasnt had any real surival training"Umm ears deep in.."His footpaw sinks and he backs up "In this stuff sur....ya likely be too late ta help"He frowns at the muck around"Wouldnt want a vactions here thats fer sure wot"He grins, always the funny one

Dominik seemed to be one of the only ones in the group actually excited to be outside the mountain and partaking in such a taxing and strenuous activity, and so the large hare is eagerly and impatiently pacing about, back and forth, as he listens to the barked instructions carefully. Some of the others may not have been used to the conditions they would be subject to, but to the towering, intimidating hare, it would be nothing but a cakewalk. "Ah, yes. Dom has qvestion..." He raises a paw. "Vat if...ve make it back too early?" He grins, the buck not lacking confidence, if anything else. With everything he'd been through since arriving at the mountain, he's certainly seemingly earned it.

Picking groups! This is something Isla can do. Looking at those gathered, she anxiously eyes Terrence - he's the corporal for her unit, but just overseeing this. So, another familiar face will have to do. Dominik - he's big and strong, which is a good balance to her own lighter and brainier style of fight and survival. The recruit angles towards the big hare. "Allo, Dom!" She greets, under her breath, careful not to speak out of turn and get in trouble. She once lost a toe to the chill of a Northern winter - she can deal with the swamp, Isla thinks to herself as she angrily slaps at a bug on her cheek.

Giving a small wave to Isla as she comes over, Terrence looks around at the others who have yet to get into groups. "Come on, hurry up you lot, we haven't got all day!" He calls, adjusting his spectacles. They have a small string attached them that links back to his tunic.

Gregorian directs his attention towards Dom as the paw is raised. He snorts at the question and about manages not to smirk as he's trying to be strict "If yah get everythin' and get tah the camp before noon I'll see tah it yah get a special prize...Arrive aftah dark though and I'll have yah doin' extra chores!" this seems to spur a couple of groups to quickly head off already and decide they'll figure out where they're going on the way.

Cera looks at the map and  sighs, she  tilts it and then grumpbles as one recruit mentions its upside down.An eyeroll and she fixes it, to her it looks not that much diffeernt, "Wot fun..."She then trips over some sort of vine, a chuckle and then the recruit gets a stromg shove into some gross mucky mud, luckly its not the deep kind but that uniform is not clean now."HEY she pushed me..."Another eyeroll "Cry baby"

Zolomon looks over and frowns "I say..we should  not be too loud,Lets see..first  item ta find is...close I think"He does look up at the path a fair amont to avoid areas and can feel under his footpaws when it sinks more and when its more soild.

Dominik spots Isla heading over in his direction, and he greets her with an eager and welcoming smile, wiggling his ears at the doe. "Isla, hello! Is good mornings, yes? Velcome to Team Dom." He hops from footpaw to footpaw with a nervous energy, having been up long before the time they had been instructed to meet here. He hadn't slept much as it was, and now that he'd had an excuse, it only seemed to make him oddly more alert and raring to go. Watching her slapping at her cheek, he chuckles. "Insects are liking you. Is because you are so sveet." He gives her a wink, before turning his attention to Greg. "Special prizes, yes. Vil remember. Vil see you soon, sir." The large buck takes a look at the map, studying it carefully even as others begin to set out. "Let them go. Vant to make sure is going in right directions. Speed vil do no good if getting lost, yes?"

Isla exclaims, "Thanks! But call me sweet again and I'll pluck out yer whiskers one at a time." Isla gives a wide grin at Dominik - and it's hard to tell whether or not she's kidding. However, The threat of extra chores is enough to spur Isla to action. Looking at those in her group - Cera, Zolomon, Dominik, and Terrence looking out - she puffs out her chest in a show of confidence and nods once. That confidence is shaken when she watches Cera blatently shove another recruit, a frown deepening. But she isn't of the rank to say anything, instead, she says: "We should probably start moving West." She suggests. "We can follow the lake's edge to that first 'X'... Right?" She takes a tentative step in that direction, waiting on a group affirmative. "

"And for the love of all that is good," Terrence mutters to the hares closest to him, 'team Dom' as its been labeled, "Please try not to do anything /that/ stupid, wot." Having seen the shove, he walks over, shouting, "OI! PRIVATE!" Then, quieter, though clearly peeved, he stares hard at the one who pushed the other into the mud. "You bloody well do that again, bucko, and you'll be carrying this here recruits pack. Do I make myself clear?" The corporal offers a paw to help the receipt up, still looking at Cera. "Though some good news for you, you can have mine right now." He shrugs the straps off, holding the bag out to her. "Go on, Cera. Don't ever do that again, you hear?"

Dominik laughs, the deep, booming sound echoing within the swamp and bouncing off the trees, more than likely scaring away any wildlife that was nearby. "Vil remember. Leetle angry Isla is best Isla for mission. Dom vant to keep remaining viskers, so no more of the sveet. Is promising." He makes an X over his heart, before giving Isla a grin. The little altercation catches his attention, and the large buck's expression shifts to a more serious one, his voice getting a little louder. "Vil not be having this nonsense on team. Focus on mission, and mission only. Dom vatch leverets back at mountain, is not job to do out here." He stares hard at the offending recruits, eyes narrowing, before turning back to the task at paw. He gives Isla a nod of confirmation. "Yes. Is good idea. Head vest, near lake." He readies himself to set out as well.

Zolomon looks around, studies the map and avoids another sink hole of muck as he sighs but they may be close to one of the first  things to find as he scans the area.

Since one voice affirmed her plan, Isla's steps gain gumption. She's going towards the lake, and she hopes that the others are going as well. The recruit makes the tactical decision to avoid Cera entirely as she forges forward, her map clutched in one paw, though there is a little knot of relief in her stomach that the corporal did say something. Where is the sun? She puts her back to it, and follows her shadow forward through the treacherous swamp growth. She's already sufficiently muddy, which isn't a problem - it's kind of nice. It reminds her of dibbunhood, getting dirty just for the sake of it. If it wasn't so warm and smelly, this would be enjoyable. She slaps another offending insect. West, west, west.

Terrence doesn't answer the hare maid now carrying his pack beyond a quick glare over his spectacles. He turns back to the others, thankful they seem to know what to do. "Righto, Dom, Isla! Lead the good way!" Using the spear as a walking stick, the corporal is ready and following after them.

Cera mutters something, she would turn around but thats not a choice she can make ready, she kicks a rock as she looks around.The list of items is looked over as she sighs a little.

Gregorian handles a few additional questions and he sees the argument but Terrence seems to have it under control. With a satisfied nod he steps off, going to follow a path he knows will be dry enough to follow and let them figure out where they're going while he's off to hang around in camp and organise.

As more groups head off the disgusted sounds of hares accidentally stepping in a deep bit of mud increases. The closer to the lake one gets the wetter and softer the ground gets. The markers are hooked on a pole that they've somehow got right by the water's edge in the swampiest, foulest smelling bit they could find. The obvious solution being to wade through it one group was cautiously trying and had got a head start until one hare stepped in what looked like a puddle and found it was far deeper than it looked. One leg up to the knee in mud they were having to get their group to help pull them out already.

One major advantage Dom seems to have is his height and strength. What would be deep mud and water to others isn't nearly as treacherous to the large hare, and he strides across the ground in wide steps, occasionally having to pull his footpaws free of the muck with a sucking noise, but he generally doesn't seem to be having quite as difficult a time of it as some of the others. "Is only mud, not sure vat problem is..." he calls out, that little grin upon his muzzle returning. "Is thinking Dom vil retrieve markers, yes? Give to Isla to carry." He nods at this plan, as he searches out the first of the markers. Finding it, he begins to make his way towards it.

Ears standing start as he hears the noise from Cera, Terrence glances back at her for a moment. Not sure on what was said, he turns back to the others, using the end of his spear to test the ground in front of him, never stepping foot into the muck. "Be careful about cleaning your feet when you come out of there, Dom," He says, peering at the large hare, "And be careful to not sink any further..."

Squelch, squealch, squealch, squuuuuuealch! Isla's boots are sinking deeper and deeper with each step, and she finds herself needing to use her paws to yank her legs out of the muck one by one. This is not getting them anywhere fast - and Isla doesn't want to lose this race. She casts her gaze around, making note of the tree-cover... She could use that branch, there, to climb up and then crawl across to /that/ branch, there, and then sidle along and avoid a lot of mud... With an affirming nod, Isla pauses to share this plan with her team. She doesn't trust Dom's weight in the deeper mud, no matter the ease he has now... Best to have plan B. "I think we cin make it to th'point by climbin'. Avoid all this muck, yeah?" She frowns at the junction of branches she has in mind. They would allow her to get /close/, but not directly over the marker. Still, it's an advantage... The doe starts climbing, grunting at the strain.

Zolomon says, "I say when would we ever  wander inta here...didnt even hardly go this route when they went ta the abbey, mainly took de river..lot blooming better too""

The trees dotted about the swamps are a gangly sort with a lot of roots spread all over. They're more likely to topple over in the soft ground than break but they're strong enough for a hare to climb at least. More than one or two at once may be an issue which is a problem because the other group, having pulled their friend out of the mud, are watching Isla, getting ideas and heading for the trees too.

Dominik pauses to give Isla's plan a good think-over, and eventually he gives her a confirming nod. "Hmm. Yes, is good idea to avoid muds. Vould climb, but...is not good climber. Too heavy, branches vil break ven try." He makes his way back towards more solid ground, the large hare's lower half beginning to get sufficiently muddied. He, like Isla, doesn't really seem to mind this...they were outside and actually doing things, and that automatically makes Dom happy. He gives a nod to Terrence at his advice, as well. "Vil not sink." He'd also left his sword back at the mountain, figuring the large blade would more than likely weigh him down even more. Traveling light...that is definitely the way to go. As he watches Isla climb, he heads over and reaches up to give her a boost, to get her just a little higher in the tree so she wouldn't have to exert so much effort.

"You'd wonder into here, Private, if you were balley well ordered to." Terrence says, unamused. "Think of it as this: if you know how to make it through all this, you can make it through most things, eh?" The corporal frowns as hares start climbing. Though having gone a long way around the patch of mud, Terrence stands nearby, still dry, looking Dominik over. "You won't sink, eh? Still better safe than sorry."

Cera asks, "sinking be death right now so how close are we to finding wot we need already?""

"You will definitely sink!" Isla laughs, though there's obvious effort in the words as she hauls herself (and her pack) up into the branches, with a boost from Dominik. It's a tricky maneuver, but she carefully picks her way from branch, to branch. Judging her footing, slipping a few times. She's inching closer to the marker, her tunic darkening with sweat already. A biting remark rises in her throat as she hears Cera and Zolomon's complaints, but she has been in training enough to have the discipline to bite her tongue. She doesn't reply, but that self-control won't last long. The branches don't take her all the way to the marker, so it'll be another drop into the mud... Hopefully she doesn't sink. "Here goes nothin'." The recruit sighs, lowering herself as slowly as she can... She makes it! Without sinking or falling or otherwise maiming herself, at least. But that reward isn't in her paws, yet.

The other hares meanwhile start clambering up one of the trees "Come on Dom, toss 'im up the tree too!" one jokes, nodding at a private who's scrambling up. They are a bit quick to lose patience though and another start climbing after him. Still at the bottom of the trees though the hare with the very muddy leg yells at Isla "Hey! Recruit! Bring ours back with yah too!"

Terrence comes to a stop a little ways from the tree, leaning once again on his spear to watch their antics, impressed by Isla and not so much the others. "If I were you lot, I wouldn't be so quick to pile up on that, wot! Never know when a branch'll snap, 'specially considering how much you lot eat, wot wot!"

Dominik grins up at Isla. "But only so far. Up to heres..." He motions towards his knees..."Not up to heres..." He points towards his chest. The large hare glances over at Terence and nods. "Yes. Safe, alvays much better than sorry." He turns his attention back to watching Isla as she clambers across the branches, the hare following her from below, there to catch her in case she happened to slip. Once she manages to make it with no incidents, he gives her an encouraging cheer. "Woo! Is almost there, Isla!" He does make sure to watch where he is walking, making sure to avoid the deepest spots and trying his best to remain on the firmest ground possible. He shoots a hard look over at the catcaller, before giving him a smirk. "Vant to make it to branch, or end up in top of tree?" he calls back, before turning his attention back to watching his teammate and assisting whenever possible.

Zolomon stays below, he is not a tree climber and yes too many are on one branch or two as he frowns backing up a little.

Cera chuckles, she is getting the hang of this trip now and studys the area..so far no troubles other than  gross muck and bugs  everywhere,,

"Suck m'scut, Lackley!" Isla shouts back with a laugh, now doggedly pushing through the mud near the markers. It's hard to keep her head in the present; she remembers a time, after a horrific storm further South than here, their cart became lodged deep in the muck. It took all of them to haul it out, and when they were finished, the entire troup looked like mud monsters. They had performed an impromptu children's play as their muddy alter-egos, and had collected a large amount of coin and good graces because of it. The teen smiles to herself at the thought, struggling forward against the oppressive muck. Her canteen is covered in the stuff now, and it's going to be miserable the next time she takes a sip... But that's a worry for Future Isla.

The corporal sets off again, and, for the first time, accidentally steps in the mud. His leg immediately sinks downward, and, with several curses and a lot of struggling, Terrence manages to pull himself out with a plop, hauling himself up onto the dray patch with his spear. "Blasted, bloody- bah!" The hare mutters darkly to himself.

Zolomon is close to one of the items and might even see it as he points it out "Is that one of the  list items?"

Dominik continues to watch Isla making her way towards the marker, the large hare really not able to do much until she manages to retrieve it. As Terrence gets himself stuck briefly, Dom looks in that direction in preparation to head over and give him a paw, but he seems to handle things just fine himself. He watches the other groups struggling nearby and simply grins, with a shake of his head. This swamp area would likely never be the same again after the contingent of hares is finally gone, that's for sure.

Cera is close "Is wot an item..."Her back and shoulders hurt, she has two packs after all and is  far from having a good day today.She  looks  that direction and  smiles "Yeah..and we like need to get it"

Terrence makes his way slowly towards Cera, having noticed her discomfort. "If you have one bag on your back and the other on the front, that should help a little, wot." He's far more careful in testing the land with his spear point, prodding the squishy earth several times with each step.

The marker, a big stick stuck in the mud by the water sits there as Isla gets close. The mud just bubbling slightly as it's disturbed. On the marker are a bunch of loops of cord with numbered rocks attached.

Snatching the strung rock, Isla holds it aloft with a victorious grin before beginning the difficult wade back to her team.

"Ah come on! Be cool!" The hare hereafter named Lackley yells back at Isla before their own accompanying officer sighs faintly "I don't think that would be in the spirit of the task" he calls out before glancing at Terrence as he is the fellow supervisor "We're goin' tah be at this all day"

Leaning the spear against his shoulder, Terrence gives a small clap as the marker is retrieved. "Good for you, wot!" He calls to Isla, before turning to the other officer. "Yes, yes." He says with a chuckle, "That's why I packed a few more extra vittles for myself, wot wot." He winks, "Though I might not need them at this rate." He turns to Cera, offering a small apologetic smile. "That's why that thing's a bit heavier, wot. Sorry."

Zolomon grins maybe they will win and get back first, he hopes so anyways

Cera is not having fun, she tried to  climb and fell onto her bottom and torn a sleeve as she screams and kicks a paych of weeds and pouts. "I blooming hate this  place!!!"

They got a thing! There's alas no fanfare but the mud does a little victory bubble around Isla as the movement stirs things up and lets out some truly awful smelling bubbles of gas. One down, four to go. The question is which one will the go for next?

"Complaining won't do much good, let me tell you, wot." Terrence says, raising an eyebrow at the pouting hare. "Just slows you down, it does." He goes back to the others, saying in a cheery voice, "Righto, lads and laddies, were to next, wot?"

Zolomon nods "Lets go and  lass..tis best to be quiet in de swamps"

The other group of hares 'Boo' quietly as Isla gets the thing before they try climbing a tree again but all piling on at once makes it creak and they quickly back off until one has the bright idea to knock it over on purpose, towards the marker to make a mess of branches as a bridge "Yah might have got the first one but we'll catch up to yah!" Lackley yells as they get to work.

"Can't believe ya cin still talk smack with all my dust in your mouth!" Isla calls back at Lackley, rejoining the group. "Where next? We cin swing th'further route t'get the one on the other side, then loop back so we don't cross our path... Or jus' get the next closest one?"

Cera shrugs, her map  bit sort of is covered in mud so its harder to read but luckly each team has a coupy copies so its ok.

Terrence is waiting for the recruits and privates to pick a direction, and he impatiently tap his spear as the other group starts making a bridge. "If you lot don't get moving, I say, you'll soon be eating their dust, wot." He looks pointedly over his spectacles at each of the hearts around him. "So where to?"

Nilear, fighter recruit, kind of on the short side, has been along with the group but largely silent. He stares at his map "I'm all for goin' south around the lake. It says hills down there. Hills sound dry" he reasons.

Cera says, "Yeah..wot he says, lets get going  and win, wining is good and the sooner we get done the  sooner we can like rest and forget we were even in this place."

Isla is caked in mud, but the upside is that the mud keeps the insects off her. So she isn't going to complain. "If we're down fer a swim, might be able t'just cut right across... But..." She eyes the dark lake waters. "Dunno what might be /in/ there, yanno? Anyway... I hate doublin' back, so I say we take th'one on the other side of th'lake. But I chose last time." Thankfully, fur hides an embarrassed flush. She's only a recruit, she shouldn't be the one making decisions, here. She's glad for the next bit of helpful information. With a nod, she starts walking towards the hills, gritting her teeth at the difficulty in wading through mud. To the hills! "Maybe we bally well /should/ swim. This mud is no joke."

Terrence nods, moving to stand behind the group. "Well, you should get going, then, wot!" The corporal, far more confident in his group than when they first started, has one thing to say before he goes into a more paws-off role. "Don't swim, please. As Isla said, you never know what type of fish or other nasty creatures can be lurking in the depths, eh? And your gear'll be ruined quicker than in the mud, wot. Plus," he adds, "Being wet'll make you a beacon to the little blighters nipping at us..."

Zolomon asks, "Fish that bite are in the swamp?"

Nilear wrinkles his nose at the idea of swimming "The mud's foul enough, I don't even want tah see wot decides tah live here" he's quickly off though, trying to hurry through the mud towards the hills in the distance. He does look back at the corporal after Zolomon's question though. He might not want to meet the local wildlife but he is curious.

Cera frowns "I hope not.."And now she  doesnt want near water,just in case as they make thier way to the hills

Slapping his cheek were a bug landed, the corporal responds in an irritated tone, "Maybe, but I was referring to these bloody little horrors, wot! Anyway, I think you lot can manage something, eh?" Terrence drops back a few paces from the main group, still testing the ground his spear end and not saying anything more unless he has to.

"Walkin tis!" Isla nods to Terrence, adjusting her pack and going for her canteen. It's very muddy, and she spits gunk, pulling a face. "Urgh!" She continues walking towards the hills, struggling with the mud. But she's light and quick, and uses rocks and branches and trees to navigate wherever possible!

Zolomon sis till careful of the swamp muck and goo as he walks, and they are seemingly almost to the hills as he grins "Look alive, de next item is in sight almost"

Nilear flicks an ear at the bugs when they're mentioned "Well, I was tryin' tah ignore those" he mutters before suddenly going "Eek!" sharply as a bush in their path stands up and looks surprisingly like a hare underneath "Wot ho chaps!" the bush greets cheerily "Here tah warn yah of the great balog! He's in the hills, guardin' yah marks. If he catches yah he'll make yah stay tah help with lunch and" the bush looks grim "Yah won't be able tah eat any of it" back to cheery again and the bush waves them off and disappears to go make other groups job "Best of luck!" amongst the hills was one of the cooks making lunch for the officers. Though they'd given him a hat with horns on so clearly he was actually some sort of monster. Sala cooks obviously make excellent guards though and the little pile of stones on cords was sat next to his fire.

Isla laughs at the bush that appears and disappears with its cryptic warning. "So we bally well don't want t'get caught." The recruit nods, eyeing the cook. "So, a stealthy approach, then?" She whispers to her team, nodding at the rocks. "I'll make a distraction, an' one of you can go for it!" Without a better plan in place, the hare shrugs off her gear and leaves it in a safe dry place, takes a deep breath, and takes of /running/ into the hills. "BALLY HOOOOOOOO!" She shouts, ducking and dodging and racing away from the fire, in the hopes that the cook will abandon their post and the rocks the group needs to be snagging!

Felicity has been tagging along silently, mostly there to help make sure the Privates and Recruits don't get themselves killed by eating stuff that's not actually food.  Raising an eyebrow at the dressed-up hare, she comes quietly up just in time to see Isla dash off.  "Isla! We're s'possed t'agree first....oh, for th' love, don't run off by y'self!"  Groaning, the Corporal scowls.  "S'pose I oughta go aftah 'er an' make sure she doesn't get killed by drownin' in a 'idden mud pit...."

The cook/monster looks up sharply at the noise and lurches forward to protect stone markers with a ladle. He figures out the game when Isla runs off though because he knows he's going to have hares distracting him but he's supposed to be a big scary monster so he's got to play the part! He remains civilized long enough to take the soup off the fire but then he gives chase, clutching his hat to his head as he runs after Isla with an angry "Aarooooooo!"

Cera is getting better at avoiding troubles and  hidden dangers fairly well"We need those stones so we like...win"

Zolomon keeps an eye out for anything or anyone else, its too quiet to suit him and he sighs "Come on we need ta do all this while tis still light out"

Isla is running. "GE' TH'BLOODY ROCK!" She yells over her shoulder, taking a hard turn and slipping on a patch of moss. She hits the ground and takes a face-full of mud. Sputtering and spitting, she scrambles upright again, looping back towards the group. She sees Felicity hollering and chasing after her, and just shoots a tired thumbs up. She really hopes that someone in her group goes and gets that rock!

Felicity knows that they're only supposed to supervise and make sure nobody actually dies, so she goes ahead and chases after Isla, easily catching up to her and keeping up with her (seeing as how she and Zolomon are the fastest hares in the Mountain).  "Y'supposed t'make sure all y'party agrees b'fore y'run off!"  Her footing isn't as steady here as it is out on the sands, and so that's becoming a bit of a bother to the Runner.

Cera goes to help get the rock as well, a grin as she so SO  intends to grab  at least one rock!

Zolomon trips a hare thats clearly from the other team and just grins at them and chuckles,"Watch ya step lad..slippaery here huh?"

Nilear looks highly surprised as Isla disappears off running and that it works and the cook chases her. He snaps out of it when everyone starts talking though "Well we're not goin' tah get them and win if yah two keep standing there! Get the rock an' scarper before he comes back!" he hisses the words out before sighing with a little relief as Cera grabs one "Right, leg it! Two down, three tah go chaps"

Back from her successful distracting mission, Isla is out of breath and somehow muddier than she was before. Gathering her things, she nods at Cera with the rock in paw. "Good... Job.... You lot..." The recruit pants, a grin on her face. Two down! She is eager to keep going, and following the lake edge seems to be the best bet to get to the next one quickly. She points this out on the map, and walks with the others. Almost done!

Zolomon keeps focused as they are doing well, but its also  slowly getting dark as they walk along and  get close to where some woods are, he hmmmss softly as he is  slightly away from the others, then he is a runner so he can get clues to the others as he scouts ahead a little tp get a better look at where the next marker stone is and grins, maybe he can get it and surprise them all and  be a saved the day hero as he goes to creep to the stone, his focus only the stone.

Nilear gives both Isla and Cera a grin and thumbs up each "Team work!" and with that it's on to the next on by the woods. The woods is essentially a treasure hunt. There's just a sign nailed to a tree saying 'Good luck finding it. It's been hidden well' and they have to search for it. As it's turns out it's hidden in a hole between some roots and with Zolomon's headstart and finding it before the rest of the group even gets there they might catch up some time...Except Zolomon's not there when they arrive. The woods appear deserted. All that's to be found is some drag marks and some webbed footprints.

Felicity is grumbling quietly as she glares at the mud splattered on her legs from her run.  When they (finally) arrive at the tree roots, she notices the webbed footprints because she's had the training needed to keep in mind that you could die at any time...and also because she's still upset about having to run after Isla to make sure she didn't find a mud pit.  Freezing, the Corporal draws her sword as she hisses at the others to be quiet.  Pointing at the webmarks in the mud, she starts to scan the woodlands around them, hoping her fellow hares are actually listening to her.

Cera follows and frowns, "Wot?" She whispers as she sees the drag marks and blinks and the web marks.."Umm....wot the...?" She treis to whisper best she can, wait who is missing? Or maybe its some  trick of the other team.

Nilear looks alarmed as Felicity draws a sword and he immediately starts looking around all over the place as he inches closer to the others and pulls out his own sword "Wot's goin' on?" he whispers. The woods seem quiet until the silence is broken by a loud CROAK. The toads are hiding, blending in with the trees but there's a quiet hissing laugh coming from at least four spots. They apparently find the hares funny.

Felicity mutters a curse under her breath.  "Well, that's just bloody great."  Her sarcasm oozes like the mud around them.  "Shoulda thought o' th'fact that woods tend t'be warmah than out in th'open.  Try t'go back out th'way we came...carefully."  She urges them to go, keeping herself between them and the toads (hopefully).

Cera frowns and looks  suddenly worried she has heard stories of  toads and frogs and lays a paw on her saber as she tries to stay brave, come on she tells herself you  survived a  siege and basically doom day  in Mossflower and this  scares you "I..I wanna go home....can we now...please?"

"But we didn't finish" is all Nilear can mutter. It of course doesn't really matter now but he's just a recruit, he's had lots of training but very little real danger. He does as he's told at least and edges back the way he came, slowly moving towards the edge of the woods. From the woods there's slowly more and more laughter and it gets louder as the hares back off until finally one of the toads throws a rock at them. They of course find this hilarious and more rocks are quickly thrown followed by a few spears as a dozen frogs and toads all have their fun trying to scare the hares and hit them with the rocks.

"We're prob'ly 'bout t'DIE an' y're worried 'about WINNIN'?!"  Felicity growls in a low voice, shuffling behind those under her care, blue eyes blazing as she keeps a watch for attack.  As soon as the first rock is thrown, she gives one of the sharpest commands she's ever spoken: "RUN, BACK T'THE MEETIN' PLACE, NOW!!"  She turns and flees, keeping the Recruits and Privates ahead of her (which is hard since she's a Runner by nature, and her body was built to go fast), glancing over her shoulder to make sure they're not being followed.

Cera rowns "Die? I..I dont wanna die!!! I  still have things I want to do in life..."She whimpers now "I..I have to tell Private Konnor I love him...."WHat the? ok then...well thats for SURE important "Yes run..."A spear barely missses her and one recuit faints and she catchs them, oh joy two packs and now this!! She hates today why didnt she just over sleep and get yelled at later!

Nilear is just trying not to panic, he knows life and death trumps the trials really but his mind just went to being disappointed about losing instead of facing potential death. He eeks as the first rock is thrown and doesn't have to be told twice, he's off running as fast as he can until he looks back and sees Cera with a fainted recruit and springs back to help carry them away "Declarations of love latah!" he yells as he runs but suddenly changes direction towards the slow winding river to the north "There's a crossin' on the map! The camp's by it! There's hare's there!" it's closer than the starting point at least. The toads do chase them out of the woods but they don't go far beyond the trees, just throwing things until the hares are out of range after which a couple get the hilarious idea to grab the limp Zolomon from where they'd stashed him, hold him up above their heads and dance around laughing and taunting in some other language. This brings on more laughter from the group.

Felicity urges the other hares onward, quickly changing direction.  "Oi, all o' you!  Follow 'im!"  She orders, pointing to Nilear and silently promising herself that she's gonna suggest nametags for everyone whenever they do this kind of training thing again.  She glances back and sees Zolomon being paraded around, and something snaps within her.  She pauses where she is, takes as deep of a breath as possible, and screams as loudly as she can, "EEEULLLAAAALLLLIIIAAAAA!  PATROL T'THE FORE, WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!  EULALIA!!"  Then it's back on the run, vowing that she'll return to save her fellow Runner, so help her!

Cera frowns ass she goes faster and trips over something, skinning her knee..joy! Two packs and a limp passed out recruit can slow you down  easyly.

For his part, Terrence had been half-paying attention the hares' antics from were he was some yards away, until the toads appeared and start chasing them. "COME ON!" The corporal bellows, waving his spear franticly. "FOLLOW ME! It's pretty solid this way!" He remains in place, intending to take the rear of the fleeing hares. Until Cera trips, of course. He runs forward to her, offering a paw. "Here, let me take my pack back, wot! And get moving!"

A couple of the toads venture out to try and catch the stragglers with nets as Cera trips but then Felicity starts yelling and they know that war-cry. They know what the patrol hares are of course but the war-cry is a promise of battle. The mood in the woods changes instantly from laughter to anger and they charge regardless of the cold. Spears ready to attack, nets ready to capture. Only the two with Zolomon stay behind and drag him back off in to the woods.

Cera looks behind her and eeps as she barely missses a net...the poor passed out recruit she was carrying is taken away! She sighs ...not her fault! Ok maybe it is a little as she runs faster now

Felicity turns and stands her ground a distance behind the other hares.  She knows she basically just invited the battle, but she also knows any decent and sober hare within earshot will come to their aid.  As the toads advance, the Runner screams her warcry again and meets an amphibian as he closes on her.  Ducking under his spear, she goes to stab him in the skull, trying to give the Recruits and Privates enough time to escape and bring back help!  She quickly loads her sling in her left paw, keeping hold of her sword in her right paw and using her loaded sling like a flexible club to bash a toad upside the head as she stabs at another with her blade.

And as all the other hares turn and begin to head in the opposite direction, fleeing from the sudden onslaught of toad attacks, there is one who appears to be going in the wrong direction...which is in the direction of the toads. Not heeding the warnings of his fellow Patrollers, the massive hare can see one thing and one thing only...his companions being attacked. This does not sit well with him, to say the least, and the crash of his footpaws is heard as he barrels towards the attackers. His attention laser-focuses on the two toads with the nets who are out in front of the others...perhaps this was not their lucky day. Lacking his sword, it still didn't seem to matter as Dom's paws immediately thud into the first toad's belly. Pushing him off to the side, the other is met with a footpaw to the face, which completely knocks the toad flat. Dom's eyes are burning with rage, and he lets out a loud bellow, avoiding the flung spears and nets as he heads towards the other attackers.

Another net is caught on Terrence's spear point, entangling it. The corporal lets the weapon go, drawing from his belt his blade, slashing at a nearby toad to detour it as he slowly falls back to stand by the other corporal. "Well, today's going south right quick, eh?" He mutters, grimly.

Cera is not the best fighter but whne one tries  to grab her she bites its paw and  jabs her  blade it its eye...ouch for the toad as she  runs further away!

All the yelling of course attracts other attention. The big ears aren't just for show! The camp is close enough that Greg and the small group waiting there know something's going on and have started heading towards the noise "Wot the hell did yah do?!" shouts the voice of Greg out of the distance. It's a funny sort of war-cry. Help is on the way though as the hares can hear fighting and charge straight for it. The captured recruit by Cera is swiftly dragged away back towards the woods while the other toads continue in their attempts to catch the rest of them. The injuries and losses on their side just seem to make them mad and the try to split the hares up and get in between them and the rest of the group. Trying to get behind them and attack from both sides. Dom has a different tactic. They try and keep back and start throwing things at the oversized hare.

Felicity doesn't reply and instead continues whacking and slashing at the toads, her face frozen in a furious grimace.  Hearing Greg, though, she shouts back, "'Twasn't our fault!  Y'lot promised the toads would be asleep!!"  Yes, blame the higher-ranking hares.  It's usually their fault, right?  She trips over a spear, rolls, and springs upright, getting a slash to the cheek as she takes the weilder of the spear out with a stab and a clobber with her still-loaded sling!

Dominik is rather limber despite his size, and he easily manages to avoid the projectiles thrown in his direction. The large hare even finds some grim amusement from the fact that they are trying to play it smart and attack him from afar instead of simply ganging up on him. Well, I mean, wouldn't -you-? The fact that he is gradually being cut off from the others doesn't really seem to phase him, and he picks up the occasional misthrown spear from the ground and flings it back into the group of toads. Rocks are tossed as well, and Dom really doesn't have much of a weapon aside from his own paws. Until he sees the small, half-uprooted tree nearby. Making his way over to it while at the same time ducking and weaving projectiles, the buck finally reaches said tree. Wrapping his arms around it, he tugs upwards as hard as he can until he finally manages to uproot the thing. He then proceeds to turn, using the tree as a battering ram as he trounces towards the toads unfortunate enough to be closest to him. Swinging the tree like a bat, Dom sends some of the toads scattering...others are sent flying back into the swamps as utter chaos reigns around him. He'd put himself in a dangerous position, being closer to the toads now, but all he concentrates on is seeing how many he can bat into the air.

The loud croaking from the toads can be heard on nearly every side of the hares, and, while several rush around to block off the hares' escape, some of the others seem wary of the noise in the distance from the main camp. However, that doesn't stop them for long, and the toads are soon on the hares again, replacing their fallen kin, with some going in between Dominik and the others, encircling the large hare though keeping a safe distance from him now. They're scared of the private, though not too scared that numbers won't boost their morale.

Terrence, for his part, has been doing a decent job of not being caught up by the spears, sparing a glance at Felicity. "That-" He jabs at a toad that got too close for comfort, "That might bite you back later, wot!" The corporal looks around, biting his lip. "OI!" He calls, "Stick close together and try to firm up in a tight group! If you have spears, try to point those ou-YOCH!" he gets cut off as a toad jabs him in the arm.

Gregorian doesn't have a huge force with him, there was only a few in the camp during the training but they've also got the first two groups to make it back to camp with them as they appear on scene to see the exact scale of the problem "Archahs! Careful with yah targets. Everyone else stick tahgetah and get tah the othahs!" he orders as they surge forward in a clump and try to get to the others that have been split off and join them up with the main group.

Felicity glances at Terrence.  "OI!  Y' 'EARD 'IM, GET IN A FIRMER GROUP, QUICK!"  She fights towards the other hares while staying close to Terrence, letting lose her slingstone at one of the toads attacking Dom, quickly reloading and turning it into a club again.  "Get y'speahs into a wall stickin' out!  Try t'keep th'monstahs back, wot!"

Dominik uses his improvised weapon to keep the encircling toads at bay, slowly turning in a circle as he swings it at the group who are encroaching upon his space. The space gets smaller and smaller as more toads arrive, and they seem to correctly realize the biggest threat and try to neutralize it. Dom can see that fear in their faces, and he cannot help but give a satisfied grin to himself despite his dire circumstances. Striking fear into the hearts of vermin is always number one on his list, and accomplishing that gives him a bit of satisfaction. "Take step closer, get tree in face..." he booms, his ears now flattened upon the back of his head. "Vil take as many of you vith me as I can. Who vants to try first?" The occasional net is thrown, which he easily sidesteps, though once the toads realize that they probably could throw multiple nets at once, the large hare likely would be in a bit of a spot.

As arrows and stones are loosed into the toads some are driven back, either turning tail and fleeing or jumping into nearby pools of water and muck to disappear in the dirty water. However, the majority are still in a frenzy. They croak and gurgle, waving their spears madly as they charge the smaller hare group, still some distance from the Sergeant. The toads who had circled around the hares to cut them off, however, start to realize they've been caught between a rock and a heard place, running away with little effort on the Patrol's part. But they soon join the main body of toads, adding to their numbers. Those around Dominik give ghoulish grins, rushing at him all at once with a cry of, "GLRRRG!" One does fall to Felicities well aimed stone, though, but it unphases the others.

Terrence manages to slay the offending toad, though his arm hangs loosely at his side. He nods in thanks to the other corporal for reinforcing his call. Sword still pointed out, he moves closer to the others. "If you have slings, try to use them as well - don't worry about aim, wot! Just harass the little buggers!"

The larger force of hares push forwards as fast as they can towards the others. Though a good chunk of their numbers are recruits there are at least a few seasoned privates and officers to keep the group from getting split up in the chaos. Greg yells orders when needed including "Dom yah blatherin' idiot! Yah cut off! Get back tah the group!" but he spends a lot of the time knocking the living daylights out of toads that don't get out of the way fast enough. He melds in with the crowd, one blur of weaponry flashing among many.

Felicity relaxes just a /tiny/ bit when the beleaguered hares finally form a circle. But her relaxation doesn't last long as she slings a stone at the toads near Dom. "Fight t'Dominik! Stay in formation, but move! Afore 'tis too late! EULALIAAAAAAAAA!!!" She shoots another stone, then another, keeping her sword out, just in case. The larger group of Patrollers has been slowed somewhat now that they are engaged in battle, but they are working their way to the smaller group of fighters, nonetheless.   

Dominik had accomplished quite a few impressive, and one might say even Herculean, tasks in the past, and had garnered a reputation for being one not to be trifled with or angered for any reason. Upon seeing the scene currently playing out in the swamps, one would understand this reputation, as the toads being to all rush at him at once. As they close in, it becomes increasingly difficult for the large hare to use the tree as he'd been using it previously, and so he is forced to abandon the weapon in the fight for his life. Still, he gets one good last use out of it, flinging it horizontally at the first line of approaching toads. Aww, he is touched...they are using an entire unit just for him! Now that his paws are free, he thwacks left and right, not aiming anywhere in particular, just striking out at the multitude of toads that are within his personal space. His footpaws come into play as well, as he leaps and kicks out, and toads fly left and right off of the rapidly growing pile that is closing in and beginning to subdue Dom. "EULALIAAAAA!" he bellows, struggling and fighting even as he is finally swarmed over by his adversaries. Still, he slowly rises once again, just a pile of toads lifting off the ground, before he finally is weighed down beneath them all.
   
Crawling over an increasing number of their dead comrades surrounding Dominik, more toads pile onto the hare, some casting their nets to catch him, while others try to beat him senseless with their spear ends, while still more simply try to stab him. The rest of the toads not in the withering mess around him turn towards the war cries, with some more fleeing here and there. Yet still the majority of toads are set on fighting what they see as trespassers and challengers, leaping over fallen bodies forward with their nets out and spears pointed.   

"EUALIAAA! GIVE 'EM BLOOD AND VINEGAR!" Terrence joins in, roaring as he lunges forward to skewer another toad. "Quickly now!" He barks out, looking behind him for a moment, "Let's start making an orderly retreat to the good ol' Sarge, mates!"   

Felicity REALLY wants to argue with that idea -- it seems nothing short of perfidious of them to abandon Dom under a heap of toads! -- but she knows arguing would only sow dissention and confusion amongst those under the command she shares with Terrence at the moment. "You 'eard 'im! Join forces wi' th' Sarge, then we can save our comrades as a largah force!" As stream of curses cuts off anything else the Runner was going to say as a stray rock clips her forehead and blood gushes into her eye. It's a pretty shallow wound, but facial injuries always bleed a lot, and so she is partly blinded. The larger group of hares is coming steadily closer, their war cries giving the Recruits and less seasoned Privates courage to keep pressing onward. The groups are coming closer together, so maybe they can save Dom here in a few minutes??   

Dominik is facing odds currently insurmountable even for the large hare, as he is piled on by his attackers. The nets entangle his arms and legs, and despite him struggling he isn't able to do much...especially once the toads begin to lay in with their spearbutts. Despite his struggle, Dom eventually crumples to the ground helplessly as he is thwacked relentlessly with spears, sustaining a few stab wounds here and there as well due to his inability to defend himself very well. The attempted help from his comrades was admirable, but there were just too many toads in one place for them to handle, let alone one hare. So their retreat is understandable...not that Dom would really be able to tell, anyway, in his current situation.

The toads throw back their heads and croak victoriously when the big private is brought down and they soon are dragging him away. Some are in clear awe of Dominik, even as they take him, and that may keep him alive longer than most if the worst comes to pass. The rest of the toads start to realize while they have superior numbers, the second group of hares headed by the one-legged long-ears might be too much so they start to try to get away from the hares. The small group with Felicity and Terrence, however... More toads start attacking them, tossing nets and small rocks into their midst, catching at least one private and slaying another.   

"Felicity, I don't think we can go after him," Terrence mutters to her out of the side of his mouth, quickly dipping his head to avoid a stone. "He's beyond our reach, and going after him will get yourself or the rest of us killed!" The corporal slashes a toad across his face as another recruit goes down next to him. "WE NEED TO MOVE BACK, NOW!" He roars out.   

Varus had intended to join this routine training exercise. Totally routine. So routine as to be boring. However, at the last minute, the Major found himself with a stack of paperwork. More recruit evaluations. Slightly more boring. By the time dusk is beginning to settle over the mountain, however, and the trainees are not back... They're hours overdue, after all, Varus and the badger lord are concerned. Displaying remarkable initiative, the Major handpicks 10 of the remaining hares in the mountain... The downside being that they're all unfortunately his age or older. Oh well, age equals experience, right? Varus and his merry band of old fogies march out into the waning sunlight, making double-time toward the Marshes.
   
Felicity has clasped a hankie to her forehead wound with her left paw, thus rendering her sling useless. She stabs at toads who dare to get to close, a tear trickling down her cheek. "I know....but we'll come back. 'Tis what we do. EULALIAAAAAAAAA!!!" She fights ferociously, slicing through nets and knocking aside spears. "ADVANCE T'TH'REAR! QUICK, FIGHT Y'WAY BACK T'OUR COMRADES, WOT! EEEUUULLLLALLLIIIIAAAA!!!" The larger group of hares is close, yet with how many toads are here, so far away. But they are fighting their way closer, closer to the rescue.
   
Dominik isn't really in much of a position to do anything, as the unconscious and bloodied hare is encased in the toads' nets and dragged away with them into the swamp. He did indeed take some of them with him, however...as a matter of fact, quite a few, judging by the pile of toad bodies scattered about the area around where Dom had been cornered. It was rather impressive, that is, if one had time to really survey the whole scene instead of being accosted by more and more toads. Still, one cannot help but wonder if the toads are aware of what exactly they are about to put themselves through once the large hare awakens and realizes the situation. Perhaps it may have been better if they had just killed him on the spot.   

The toads seem to finally catch on that the smaller group is trying to fight their way back to the larger group, and so start to filter in-between the two, intent on getting as many hares as they can. The ones dragging Dominik are almost excited to bring back the 'great warrior' as they call him in their tongue. The smell of dead toads mixed with the already foul swamp fumes is revolting, yet the toads are clueless to it, their croaks getting louder and louder. A particularly big and ugly toad, with a large wart right between both eyes, lunges with his crude spear at Felicity with wolfish look. Another picks up a rock and tosses it right at Terrence.   

"O it's hard 'n' dry when the sun is high, an' dust is in yer throat! When the pours down, near fit t' drown, It soaks right through yer coat! But th' Hares o' th' Long Patrol, my lads, stout 'earts they walk wi' me, over 'ill an' plain 'n' back again, t' th' shores o' th' wide blue sea!" Varus leads his comrades in this old Long Patrol marching song, as they cross the dunes, ever southward. The sun is quite low in the sky by the time they near the marshes, and the sounds of unmistakable battle can be heard. "Right'o! There's blood 'n' vinegah t' be 'ad, boys! Sounds like th' trainees got in ovah their 'eads, wot!" One older hare, who only has one eye, one ear, and one leg, grimaces. "I 'ear *toads*, Varus..." "Aye, so do I... So, shall we?" The elder hares all draw their weapons, and yell, "EULAAAALIAAAAAA!"   

The rock connects with the corporal right on the jaw, and Terrence stumbles back, dazed. He blinks, spitting out a bloody tooth, managing to catch himself in time. The hare waves his blade wildly at the advancing toads, not really aiming for any of them, just trying to keep them away. Then his ears perk up, catching the warcry. "Seems 'elp is here, wot!" Throwing back his head, he lets out, "EULAALIA!" In answer to the veterans' cry.   

Felicity avoids getting stabbed, but catches a rock with her head and falls to the ground, unconscious. As she's netted, a Recruit who knows of her grabs her sword to take back to the Mountain, knwoing how important it would be to the Runner for her baby sister to get their family's sword. The Corporal has been captured! Blasted toads!
   
The toads have nearly wiped out the smaller group of hares by now, but the Sargent's group is fight fierce. Most of the toads are in the fray, striking out savagely with their spears and rocks - after they drag away Felicity, it seems they're no longer interested in taking more prisoners. However, some of the wort-covered amphibians hear the war cries from a new direction, and start croaking and pointing in the old hares' direction, panicking. Some turn and run, though most are too preoccupied with the hares in their midst.   

Terrence, still too dazed to fully react to his fellow corporal going down, tries to help her only to take another spear in his leg. He backs off, standing with the recruit who retrieved Felicity's sword. As the small group grows even smaller, they finally make their way to the sage's force. As the two groups merge, Terrence limps his way over to give tired salute with his rapier. "Good evenin', Sarge, 'ow are you?" The corporal says through a fat lip. Stumbling slightly with his left arm hanging uselessly by his side, he returns to fight alongside the other hares while the group waits for the aid of the 'old fogies'.   

Varus raises his sabre, and launches himself savagely at one of the retreating toads, killing the wart-covered beast instantly. Alas, he was a little too slow with escaping. In fact, all the stragglers are swiftly cut down by the older hares. Unfortunately, the bulk of the toad forces have got away. Those that remain are like shooting fish in a barrel. Pulling his blade from the toad he'd killed, and and cutting down another, Varus makes his way to the group of surviving trainees.
   
The toads, who had moments before been so sure of killing the troublesome long-ears, now croak wildly as they're cut down on two sides. They trip over each other to escape the patrol veterans, pushing each other down to give themselves more of a chance to escape the wrath of the hares. The surviving trainees and other hares seize their chance, surging forward with a yells of, "EULAAALIA!" and, "BLOOD AND VINEGAR!" The remaining toads are trapped between the two groups of hares, being dispatched easily.

Who:

Gaheris - Skipper of Camp Willow
Aqua - Camp Willow Healer
Taran - Camp Willow Cook/Guard
Sinway - Brother of Redwall
Baxtor - Camp Willow Guard
Hallow - Retired former Skipper of Camp Willow
Lee - Redwall resident
Konrad & Rosepaw - Lee's children

LOG:
The docks were bustling with activity with otters getting ready to leave. They had a ship, not just the usual rafts but a proper fishing ship small enough to travel the rivers and the last of the supplies were busy being loaded on board. The camp was in good spirits, it was practically like going on holiday.

Aqua tagged along, at first she wasn't sure of weather to or not, but in the end she decided she may as well go on the trip.She had her healers pack with her aldo. again just in case.   

Taran walked to the docks and sat down, for now watching quietly
   
Sinway walks onto the dock, his fiddle case hanging from his back, he carries a couple of travel sacks with him as well, behind him are two beast a Mouse and a Squirrel, he turns to them and smiles "as ye can see friends, i made it safely t' camp willow, so now ye can head back and let the abbey know i made it safely." once the two beast leave he turns back to the ship taking a few steps closer and offers a wave "ahoy mates, how are ye t'day?"   

Baxtor waves from where he is, seems he decided to be on the ship for now.
   
Hallow supervises. She's not much help at anything else these days but sitting there and watching everyone else do all the work but damned if she was going to stay home today "Hrm, ye could at least let 'em sit down, have a drink or somethin' if ye're goin' to walk them all the way out here Sinway" contrary to some rumours she's not dead. Just a bit battered, broken and very old.   

Gaheris has been loading stuff since yesterday. He's put things on the ship that he's not even convinced they need but someone put on a list so it goes on the ship "Don't just sit there mate, grab a bag an' 'elp" the Skipper yells from somewhere behind a crate of cloth as he passes Taran and carries on down the dock to the ship "Y'just in time mate, we're nearly ready t'see 'ow late we're goin' t'end up bein'" he calls out to Sinway because nothing happens on time with big groups of otters. He offers the crate to Baxtor since he's on the ship "Put tha' somewhere it won't get wet"   

Taran frowns, he slowly stands and decides he will help with something.He has been a bit quiet since he came but he is going at least.
   
Sinway looks to hallow and frowns "sorry marm." he looks to call them back but they are already gone "and i didn' walk them here, twas matilda, she be awful protective and wouldn' let me leave the abbey withou escorts." he sounds a bit sour about this "waste of there time if ye ask me, i can take care of me self on the small trip from the abbey t' here, guess i took it out on them with out meaning t'." he raises one paw that is holding the rope to two good size sacks "flask of october ale, provided by the abbey, should be good fer the journey, would of brought a berral, but i didn't see the point in draggin' one along." he turns to Gaheris "glad i made it in time, had t' wait fer someone t' be available t' bring me hear."
   
Baxtor smiles "This trip is gonna be great, fun and exciting....its been a while since we done this"
   
Hallow hehs "Probably take it personal if ye got kidnapped or somethin'. We'll have ta hold ye ransom when we get back" she's smiling, it's likely a joke. She finally gets up though it's stiffly and she slow to move towards the ship "Next time remember ye can loose 'em in the river, eh?" she winks, perfectly innocent and not encouraging messing around with abbey folk at all.   

Gaheris chuckles at Baxtor "Aye, if only it were every year instead f'every four...course then we'd probably never get anythin' done but it'd be more fun yeh?" Sinway gets a grin "Always welcome when y'come bringin' october ale, consider y'self bribed on board" he shrugs to the idea of having to wait for an escort "They're dangerous woods sometimes" that's why he keeps insisting otters travel together too.

Taran gets a couple things on board and then looks over the railing, he is not in the mood to swim right now, boat os fine for now.
   
Aqua looks over at Taran but decides to leave him alone for now, she looks around and smiles a little she had missed the last one they had and then ...well chaos happen, so some fun and relaxing will be nice.   

Sinway chuckles a little "aye, but i really don' wan' t' test t' see if me fiddle case be waterproof or not." he makes his way over and onto the ship finding a good place to set the sacks with the october ale down while keeping ahole of another sack in his other paw, most likely clothes and other such things "besides, i hate t' see what matilda would do if they lost me." he looks to gaheris "aye, bu' i have traveled alone way more then not, but i be a member of the order she says, but are dear champion forgets charter allows fer self defence, besides the one or two vermin i could of run into might not even bother a abbey beast." he finds him self a place to sit "bu' tis just the rambling of a otter who be used to bein' able to go where he wanted when he wanted t'."   

Baxtor looks over at Taran "Wot go ya all sad like, tis is a fun day, a party and just tons of good times ta be had lad"
   
"Ah, the boy will give ye a waterproof bag fer it, if there's anythin' we can still do better than yer abbey it's water workin'" Hallow says, already making promises for her son to keep as she shuffles on board ship with her walking stick and scopes out a nice box to sit down on.
   
Gaheris watches Hallow like a hawk, he's never entirely convinced she won't topple over and break something these days. He watches from a distance but just nods when she says he'll do things "Aye, sure, we can do tha'" he glances over to Aqua "We got everythin' the healers need? Y'might 'ave t'follow crotchety old otters around" he inclines his head towards Hallow "Best t'be prepared"   

Taran glares slightly at Baxtor and just goes back to looking at the river..ok bad mood now but least he is not punching anyone, a small sigh escapes him though.   

Sinway stands up and yawns a little "if ye don' mind me i will be goin' an' takin' a nap, had t' get up early t' get everything ready so i could make it here in time." he stands up and then goes to find a place to sleep
   
Aqua first nods to Skipper "All set skipper and yes.."She looks at Hallow and nods to the Skipper again.She then glaces at Baxto "Just leave him a lone..someone he knew died and they just had the funeral...ok...ok"She then looks around before making sure things are ok.   

Baxtor frowns and backs up, he starts to ask who and decides not to as he is just here as a guard, so lets guard and keep an eye out for trouble   

Hallow squints at the Skipper. She heard that but she lets it go as attention seems to have moved to the other pair but she just nods at Aqua's description. She knows who that was "Time away might be well timed, nothin' beats lookin' at the sea when you're thinkin'...Everyone 'ere been ta the sea before?" she squints around, trying to judges ages.   

Taran turns around as the sea is mentioned, he runs a paw along the railing and speaks, "I...never been to de sea, my parents at the time didn't want to take me, said I was...too young" He is an adult now, just barely of adult seasons but an adult still."So its my...ummm first Hallowballo."   

Gaheris sighs faintly and looks to the sky with a little mutter as the mood down turns. Powering through! He smiles and nods to Aqua "Good! Then barin' any more stuff someone wants t'sell or trade comin' on board I think we've got everythin'! So, all aboard who's comin' aboard, everyone who's swimmin' we'll race y'there!"
   
Aqua says, "I will swim later...and it will be fun Taran, your see"She smiles, a good mood as she chuckles.She smiles "Maybe if one has some sort of rareer useful herb..maybe get some,otherwise we be good""
   
Baxtor grins "Never been ta one....oh your like it...games! Fun! Bonfires till late into de night...hot root contests!"   

Hallow smiles "Ah, it's a beautiful place and so peaceful. It's not like the woods at all where you're surrounded by the trees, ye look out at the sea and ye'll see as far as ye possibly can...an' the way the sun an' the moon dance on the waves, ah, ye just have ta experience it" she gestures a shaky paw to Baxtor "And then ye got the games and the other otters. We won the sailin' last time...an' the underwater fightin'...an' a pie eatin' contest!"   

Gaheris snorts "We won't more than tha', we rubbed holt Wakewave's noses in it" he says as he starts casting the ship's ropes off of the dock.   

Taran chuckles a little as he starts to cheer up. "Contests sound...fun"
   
Aqua smiles,"The whole event is fun"
   
Hallow turns her shaky pointing on to Aqua "But if ye go lookin' for herbs ye best watch who yer buyin' from. Flinchhook is a con, he'd tell ye his foot was a cure fer everythin' an' then he'd try ta sell it ta ye!"
   
Baxtor grins, "So how quick can we get to the shore mates?"
   
"Ahoy, mates!" Another otter makes his way quickly toward the group milling about. "Oy, thank m' lucky stars that I didn't miss th' boat. I 'eard ye were leavin' f'r th' 'Ullabaloo..."   

Gaheris just smirks and shakes his head at the chatter on the ship. He's just undoing the ropes when he pauses and turns to the sound of the new arrival "'ey! Y'got good timin', any later an' y'd be swimmin' after us! Welcome aboard"   

Taran waves to the new otter and smiles "Seems its an otter party so..why not"   

Aqua listens to Hallow and nods, she looks to see whom all is here and sees the one otter and smiles a little..swiming shouldnt brother any otter really.   

Baxtor chuckles "And de otters come from all over, ha ha ha!"He smiles as things are relaxed now and the weather seems perfect.   

"Couple of days probably" Hallow replies to Baxtor question about how long it'll take "We 'ave a ship an' we know all the tricks, it'll not take us long" She remains sat on her crate on the ship with her walking stick, all ready and waiting to be off.   

Lee holds up a paw. "Oy, one sec, please..." He turns around and calls out to two younger otters, "C'mon, 'urry up, you two! Can't y'see th' ship is leavin'? C'mon!"The older otter boards the ship, his two children following, and he takes a good look around the deck. "Ahoy, Skipper 'Allow! We're in fine company, indeed!"   

Gaheris of course waits for the youngsters to catch up. He chuckles lightly "Brought the whole gang I see" he looks to the woods once they're on board but not seeing anyone else hurrying to catch them he casts off "Anyone else will 'ave t'catch us up!" he says before he hops in to the water to follow alongside the ship as the crew navigate her out of the inlet.   

Taran chuckles, a couple otters are likely swiming that do end up a little late but seems they planed for it anyways. "I also think its my first boat ride too...but hey could be intresting"   

Aqua smiles "Just dont get all motion sickness and your be fine Taran..boats are not too bad, least on the river..now sea travel is not always fun"   
   
Baxtor asks, "The sea?We will be at the river and sea..where they meet, we could sail some on de sea and whats wrong with sea travel lass!"He grins a little."   

"Oh, I stopped bein' Skipper a while ago" Hallow says to Lee, holding up her permanently shaking paw as if in demonstration why but her age has been showing more since she retired due to the injury. She points to Gaheris just before he jumps in the water "Ye want the boy for that now. It's been ages since I've seen ye, who are these two then?"
   
Lee smiles at Gaheris, but then shakes his head. "Nah, not quite the 'ole gang... Me wife decided to stay at Redwall. They're, ah... Still workin' through Oz's death." Heard his two children over toward where Hallow is sat, his smile is quick to return. "Ay, it 'as been, 'asn't it? Y' remember me wife, Streamheart, 'm sure. Well, this 'ere boy's me oldest, Konrad. An' th' lass is Rosepaw. Kids, this is Hallow, former Skipper o' Camp Willow. Anyway... This is their first 'Ullaballoo, can ye believe it? Practic'ly a rite o' passage it is!"   

Gaheris continues swimming, quite enjoying just swimming down the river for a while next to the ship. He's not the only one but they'd left a couple of rope ladders over the side of the ship so they could get back out of the water whenever they liked.   

Taran watches the skipper and chuckles, he is thinking on swiming and may well do it for a while but maybe in a little while.   

Aqua has decided to stay on the boat, she isnt really able to swim too well..being with dibbun as she is right now, though not due till closer to autumn time.   

Baxtor just watches the sidelines and the woods, he smiles so far..so good, no troubles and thats just fine.He is glad of this and relaxes a little but still stays alert.   

Hallow smiles at the kids "Oohh, well it's lovely ta meet ye both, ye're in for a fun time, ye'll get ta play in the sea and there'll be lots of games fer the youngsters ta play" she smile back at Lee "I remember Streamheart yes, sorry she's not up to the trip this time" she looks around the ship to make introductions for the closest otters "This is Lee, he used ta be around the camp. That's Aqua, one of the healers. Baxtor there I believe is a guard and that's Taran, he grew up at the abbey. He's a very good cook"   

Lee nods to the others. "I believe Taran an' I 'ave met. Pleased ta meet ya, Aqua, Baxtor..." He frowns briefly. "I 'eard about wot 'appened t' th' Camp... Terrible news." While he chats, Konrad has moved to the railing. "How far are we goin', marm? Are we really goin' all th' way to the sea?"   
Taran nods "Yeah..grew up at teh abbey but Camp Willow is me home and yeah"He smiles "A cook and also a guard when needed"   

Aqua nods "Hello sir its nice to meet you and I hope a healer isnt needed too much, if at all on the trip but always good to have one."   

Baxtor grins and decides with a spalsh to swim for a little while
   
Hallow nods to the mention of what happened to the camp "We know of the troubles the abbey has had too. We persevere and live ta enjoy the better times" she smiles back down at the kids "All the way ta where the river meets the sea. Do ya both know what a beach is?"
   
Konrad turns away from the railing, while his sister continues to peer down over the side. "Dad's mentioned wot a beach is, but I've never seen one. I 'eard it's all sandy..." The older otter nods his head. "Aye, I just came back from a journey t' th' sea meself... Been doin' some travelin' the past few seasons."
   
Taran asks, "I bet the sea is nice, is it?""   

Hallow chuckles quietly "Oh it's lovely out there. There's so much sea ye'd never run out of places ta swim an' there's more fish than ye could ever eat" she nods to Konrad "Aye, that's right, sandy for miles. Ye can make sandcastles and maybe make some sand art in a jar ta take home"
   
"Sandcastles?" asks Rosepaw. "What else is there to do?" She seems really interested. Konrad nods as well, eager to hear more about what a Hullaballoo entails. Meanwhile, Lee stretches and yawns. "Don't think I've been ta one since I was about your age, Konrad... Me Da' took me... One o' th' last things me fam'ly did together..." He frowns, seeming to think of something painful.   

Taran just watches the river as they travel and is quiet for now, but listening to varies talking   

Hallow looks back at Lee "It seems like ages since I was there but I suppose a lot has happened since the last one, it'll be good tah see the other holts again" she looks back down to Rosepaw "They'll be lots of other dibbuns havin' their first trip to the shore too and we'll do games and contests like races an' pie eatin' contests and we'll have a big bonfire on the beach ta sit by"   

Rosepaw hmmphs a little. "I'm notta dibbun anymore," she answers, to which Lee replies, "Rose, remember wot yer Mum said about manners..." "But 'm not!"   

Taran glaces over and chuckles a little to himself and yawns, ok boat rides seem to make him tried it looks like."I might go get some sleep...."   
Hallow just laughs quietly "Well there'll be plenty of grown ups there too an' they'll be playin' about just like the kids" she gestures towards a door leading in to the ship and slowly starts to get up "There's probably lunch getting ready inside if ye'd like some?"   

Lee nods, and herds his kids toward the door. "Aye, lunch sounds great," he agrees...   

Hallow follows after the little group, into the ship to find wherever the galley is for some food and probably a nap.

The Hullabaloo is a party otters hold every four years across the summer. Every otter is welcome and many tribes and Skippers make the trip. It would be assumed that every otter knows when and where it is so don't have to be invited.

Non-otters can wander in if they want, otters are a friendly lot and happy for the company of anyone who's not there to spoil the party! Vermin may not be universally welcomed but there's probably some otters for instance from Halyard or ships who know some vermin enough to vouch for them so they're not completely banned. They are likely to get ganged up on if they try to start a fight though.

The Camp Willow otters will be leaving camp 2nd July. They'll travel by ship but otters can choose to swim and they'll reach the shore 4th July.
The Hullabaloo will be set up where the river moss meets the shore, they'll moor the ships there and set up a big bonfire and tents.

I can't be on to run things every day so I was thinking instead we could have a bunch of ideas for things to do and when people are on they can do whatever they want or if they like they can pick ideas from the list for something to rp out.

Ideas for RP:
Stories round the fire
Fishing
Making nets
Inventing surfing
Meeting seals
Fighting a shark
Visiting Halyard or Salamandastron
There is a lot of friendly rivalry between Skippers and their clans. This means there are many contests that can be done. For instance:
Hottest/best hotroot
Eating contests
Strength contests such as tug-of-war on both land and sea, throwing things, arm wrestling, spar fights, etc.
Obstacle course
Swimming races
sailing races
Bragging contests
Team games, I don't think football or anything has been invented in Redwall but they probably have something similar or they can invent something.
Card games
Betting on contests

This is only what I've thought up so far, I'll add to the list if I think of more but if anyone has any ideas for things to do please do post them or rp them!