Redwall MUCK Forum

SCENE: Black Rose base: holding cells

LOG:
Texo is pacing in his cell and finally sits down again but he does know someone is next to him as he tries to peer into tje small window between the cells, its still fairly dark as light only shines in either when a door is open "Ello?"

A creepy, insane-sounding laugh sounds out from the cell next to him, then something muttered, unintelligible, then another chuckle.  It sounds just like Blisa's voice, but.....why would she be laughing and talking to herself in her dark cell?

Texo frowns and backs off "Blisa?"

The laugh can be heard again, then, "Yes, yes yes yes, that's my name, isn't it?  And the darkness know, yes it does..." and she trails off into another fit of laughter and then more mutterings that cannot be understood.

Texo frowns "Blisa...tis me..Texo...remember me? " Not that he spoke to her very often but he did some.  "Umm...I am sure someone will rescue us...well someone"

Blisa is sitting up against the wall, staring at nothing (well, it is pretty dark in here, but it's mostly 'cause she's crazy that she's staring at nothing).  "Rescue?  Rescue.  Will Daddy rescue me?  The darkness lies a lot.  Have you seen the apples?  Maxx lost them...."  then another chuckle.  Then a sigh.

Texo frowns "Umm if there is any in here....its too dark to see them lass"

Blisa starts laughing again. "Dark...dark, dark, dark.....the darkness everyone sees...." her words fade to a mutter, interspersed with giggles and cackles.

Texo frowns "Umm...miss...you ok?"Ok worried now "Its been quiet but I am sure we will be rescued, right ?"

Blisa pauses in her lunatic ramblings.  "Rescued?  You think so?"  She sounds a little more in touch with reality as she asks that.

Texo nods as he stays where he can hear her and she hear him "I am hoping so....yes"

Blisa sighs. "Yes....yes....me, too......hope is like light, but the darkness is heavy, so heavy.....dark and scary.....death is dark and scary...." She shifts in her cell. "I wonder if there's Basil in here....." meaning her snake, but she said it like she's talking about the herb.

~*To be continued....*~

In which Kate learns priorities, Quinten scolds a bunch of jerks, and Felicity learns how to party

SCENE: Salamandastron wine cellar, then the beach nearby

LOG:
With the sun setting, all the good bucks and does were getting ready for bed.   
And then there was Kate.   
Tiptoeing her way past the guards, the chubby hare maid glided down the last set of stairs into the wine cellar. Her long ears twitched, listening for signs of movement. Certain she was alone, Kate grinned deviously and began to work, moving quickly through the rows of win barrels and kegs of beer while pushing a small cart infront of her.   

Felicity is a good doe. She obeys the rules, tries to not offend anyone, and strives to be the best big sister that she can be. But she is also not ready for bed. All the fights and battles she has experienced have started to take their toll, and right now she just wants to forget. So she is wandering the Mountain, just observing and noticing things about her home that she's never noticed before. The guards, recognizing her and knowing that she sometimes has to wander, let her pass with naught but a smile and a few kind words. The Runner smiles in return and heads down to the cellars. She's going to count the barrels and see if that helps....   

The doe opens the door to find a chubby hare maid struggling to lift a barrel larger than even her belly into a small push cart. Kate, while trying to get under the barrel and lift it into the cart with her back, glances up as the door opens. "L-lissie?" She gulps, but tries to smile nervously, "Quick! Lend me a paw!"   

Felicity's eyes widen as she sees her friend struggling to do something that's probably illegal. "What on Eahrth are y'doin'?" She rushes forward and helps the other maiden, mostly so she doesn't hurt herself. "Why are y'takin' wine, wot?"   

"I ain't stealin' nothin'!" With a great deal of effort, the hare heaves the wine onto the cart. Kate leans against it, taking in deep breaths before popping her back. "I'm just... relocating it is all."   

Quinten walks in, holding a lantern up higher and stares at the cart, the wine and the two hares standing next to it, "Just wot is going on in here?" he asks with a frown, "Explain yourselves at once."   

Ewan has found his way down here, he looks up and frowns as aimless walking is not always wise and he has yet to be down here for much at all.

Felicity places her fists on her hips after she has finished helping her friend. "Okay, fihrst off, that's a double negative, so y'literally just said that ye're stealin' somethin'. Second..." but then the librarian shows up. The Runner scowls at her friend, as if to say, 'Thanks, now I'm in trouble, too!' before turning to the older male hare. "Well, I was just wanderin' around, like I have t'do a lot. I have nightmares and 'orrible visions sometimes 'cause o' the battles I've been in, and I've found walkin' for a while and lookin' at details and things 'elps calm m'mind. I dunno what Kate's doin'," she adds, gesturing at the chubby haremaid.   

The chubby civilian hare gulps, her fur bristling.   
Busted.   
"Q-quinten! Sir!" Kate began to bite her lower lip. Think fast fluff ball, or the party is doomed! "I'm just... relocating some wine here. Because it's... um, gone bad! Too bitter. C-can't have it spreading to other barrels, right? That can happen, right?" She chuckles nervously.   

Quinten sets the lantern down and folds his arms, tapping his footpaw, "Really now Kate, and where is your requisition order? Or perhaps the Quartermaster has started moving things in the middle of the night?" he shakes his head and takes a step to the side and points to the door, "Put that barrel back then out the pair of you, you can both explain yourselves in me office why you where stealing vittals wot," he glances at Ewan as he wanders in, "Ewan, good evening, odd place to go wandering."

Felicity fluffs up slightly. She wasn't stealing! She thinks for a moment, then sighs. She can totally see how it seems like she was, though. "Aye, Majah, sah. Aftah I 'elp this nincompoop put the barrel back, will y'look at m' 'Ealer's note? I actually do 'ave one that gives me permission to be wanderin' around aftah light's-out, and y'can check w' th' Infirm if y'think 'tis a fake." She goes to grab the barrel, giving the other hare a horrible glare that she had BETTER help if she values anything.

Kate seems to shrink a little, "But... but sir..." Kate sighs. There was nothing to it. She was doomed. DOOMED! There is no way she could ever concince an old stick in the mud to help them steal... relocate wine to a beach party.   
"Yes sir..." There was no need to take Fel down with her, "But it was her idea." Unless of course, it meant she didn't get ALL the blame for this.   

Quinten flicks his ears, "Don't be calling me major young lass, look up yer ranks and etiquette, quill-pen crosswise through me insignia means I be tha Recorder lass, ya don't address me as major, me rank be ceremonial. It'll be a bad day fer us all if there be cause to call me Major and have me handing out orders," he taps his foot waiting impatiently, "And you Kate, I expect better behaviour from those hares who help out in my library," he waits patiently for them to put the barrel back then removes a letter from inside his tunic, "As punishment you can help me fullfill this 'ere requisition order, two barrels of tha finest strawberry fizz for tha party happening on tha beach," he looks over his glasses at them both and smirks, "If you do good at tha task aye'll think about letting ya join in and not send ya both on a watch n' watch atop tha crater."

"IT WAS NOT Y'LITTLE PERFIDIOUS MONSTAH!"  is Felicity's undignified shriek as she straightens in a rage.  "I don't even drink wine...wait, whot?"  She stares at the Recorder after they get the wine back to where it goes.  Blinking, she starts to look...panicked.  Not thrilled, not ecstatic, not pumped.  Panicked.  "Pahty?  Whot on Eahrth...what would I do at a pahty??  Wha--"

THWUMP.   
The chubby hare next to Fel let's her jaw drop before collapsing head long into the cart.

~*~

The party on the beach was in full swing. Those talented enough on the flute or fiddle provided music for the hares dancing like wild beasts around great bon fires. Hares of all ranks were dressed in swim ware and comfortable tunics, drifting between the dancing to the snack table to fill their bellies full of food and wine before hitting the 'dance floor' once again.   
It was... paradise for those wanting to cut loose.

Quinten stands by the large table and trestles set up with the barrels and other drinks from the cellar. The recorder nods, watching Felicity and Kate lever the last firkin into place, "Now lasses, no more stealin, ya think a party this big wouldn't be noticed by His Lordship or tha others? Thar be no need to steal vittals on this mountain, so fer tonight ye both enjoy tha dancing but I want ya both in my office tomorrow, you got me some essays ta write wot."

Felicity has been looking increasing terrified with every step they took out here, and now her breathing is fast and rapid.  After helping put the drink in place, she hugs herself, rubbing her arms with her paws anxiously.  She looks way beyond nervous.  She looks frightened, in a way that she's never looked around her friends before, not even in battle.  "Can....what d'ye want the essays to be on?  I....could go....an' work on mine now!  I think I'll do that..." she turns to go, not even waiting to hear what the Recorder has to say in response to her question.  She is the only one who is still in uniform, not having even known about this party, and some of the other young female hares are now staring at her, whispering and pointing.

Kate glances between the recorder and her friend. Was she really this nervous about getting into trouble with the recorder? Kate got into trouble all the time and look where it got her! She was just fine! Mostly...
"Quinten, sir." The russet hare sighs, "I have something important to tell you. I..." She looks up suddenly, squinting as she peers across the party and the sandy beaches. "I... I... will take care of that essay as soon as I can! Yes sir!" She laughs nervously before reaching a paw for Fel's arm. "Come on Lissie! Can't be having all the fun myself, Wot! You'll be fine after you get some wine in you!"

Quinten is frowning at Felicity and moves around to stand in front of her as Kate catches her arm, he crouches down and reaches out to touch her shoulder, "Come on Felicity lass, wot is it? You're not getting this worked up over a party I can tell that... something else be troubling ye lass?"

Felicity stops when her friend catches her arm (and the Recorder blocks her path).  Her name can be heard from the group of young haremaids, then....laughter.  Tears start to trickle down the Runner's cheeks.  "Can I just go?  Please?  You 'n' Kate are the only ones who want me 'ere...."  There are a few others, but she hasn't seen them here yet...mostly because she's not looking.

The laughter comes from other hares near the fire. "Blazes, who invited the den mother, wot?" "She didn't bring her bratty little sister did she?" "Who wears their uniform to a party?" "Yep, ate... too many... treats... going to... urk!"
And other such whispers can only barely be heard by the other hares simply due to their overly large ears. Kate doesn't seem to notice though, "Oh! Nonsense! I'm sure we can find someone here who wants ya to be! Like... uh..." She glances about the crowd, eyes drifting to one particular sand dune every so often, "Um..."

"Me," Quinten says standing up full and turning to glare at the nearest group of gossiping girls, that shuts them up pretty quickly once they recognize him. He's in his uniform after all, "I always enjoy hanging out with a forthright lass who knows her own mind wot wot and if anyone has a problem with that," he grins softly, "Then they can deal with me... you hares should know better, show some manners or so help me I will make you regret being so rude."

Felicity's tears start in earnest when the harsh words reach her, and she just shakes her head.  "See?  I told y'both..."  Then the Recorder does his bossy thing, and the Runner tries to tug away from her friend, looking like she's gonna bolt.  No way she can deal with this.  Right?

Kate bites her lower lip, glancing between her friend and the group of gossip hares as they shuffle off to make fun of some one else.   
This wasn't going how she imagined it. A little fun, some drinking, not having lissie have a small freak out about a party! Kate had PLANS dang it.   
Glancing at a sand dune just beyond the light of the bon fires, Kate sighs. "Alright, we can head back inside... who needs a party with food... and wine... and... social interactions." She sighs again at the last part.   

Quinten shakes his head, "Felicity, you must not listen to such people, you are a hare of the Long Patrol, you are stronger then all of those gossipy wastes of space," he gestures to the party, "You are a hare, you are a social creature, ignore those who whisper and embrace those who talk to your face and just enjoy yourself"

Felicity had started to walk away, to be honest.  But she stops, turns to the other 2, then glances at the fire, her face still scrunched up because she's on the verge of weeping.  "They've nevah liked me.  I've nevah felt welcome."  She wipes her tears on her sleeve and sniffs.  "An' I don't really know what t'do at a pahty."  But she's listening to her friends now!  That's a step in the right direction, right?

The chubby hare reaches for her friends paw, trying to coax her back to the party. "Listen to the old hare, for once. Come on. I'll show you what to do at a party."
She turned, staring longingly for a second across the beach. She had plans... wonderfull plans... but somethings were a little more important. "Ok! First thing we do is set up the wine, then we see how much food we can shovel down our gullets, and dance it all off so we can fit in our armor in the morning. Come on Lissie! Let's tear up the joint!"
And so the party went.
To the south, stretched over a solitary sand dune over looking the party, a lone shadow slinked his way down the sand, before scurrying back towards Halyard...

Quinten leaves the two young hares to it, turning away to head back toward the knot of his friends the older hares trusting to Kate to make sure Felicity has a good time and relaxes.

Felicity smiles slightly and lets her chubby friend lead her off.  While she does refrain from the wine, she eats lots of food and even dances.  She's actually pretty graceful, all things considering.  She actually does have a good time....for the first time in a long time.  And was that a group of  young male hares watching her?  Maybe life can be good, after all....

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

So, there's been some debate about distances and such on the MUCK, and someone (who as far as I'm concerned shall remain nameless unless they 'fess up) mentioned rules that the players here 10 or more years ago made up.

Literally only like 2 or 3 of those players are still on here RPing.  Most of us have been members for 6 or fewer years, and so had no say on those rules when they were made.  And we may not agree to them.  So I'd like to propose that we chuck those rules and agree to only a certain set of rules about distances and what is allowed technology wise and such.  And those rules would be defined by what was consistent in the book series.

Now, I know there are some inconsistencies within the series, especially between Redwall and the other books.  But when distances or species sizes are consistent, we can use those as our rules.  So such questions as, "How long did it take characters to get to Salamandastron from the Redwall area?"  "How big were snakes or birds?"  "Could golden eagles really carry of people and eat them?"  would be answered by what the series said (this is probably where http://redwall.wikia.com/wiki/Redwall_Wiki will come especially in handy!).  We can be creative.  We can explore "what ifs?" ICly and in OOC RPs.  But we all imagine the characters a little differently (I imagine them around human size and about the same size; other people imagine them as being regular creatures who can talk; I don't imagine them with hair like humans have; other people do; etc.), and if we want rules to go by for how our characters interact with each other and the world around them with species sizes and distances, I think we should go by what the book series as a whole says, ignoring the discrepancies.  We can even throw the TV series in, if y'all want!  But for important things (mainly the distances between 2 points), I think we should follow the rules Brian Jacques himself set.

HOWEVER, I would like to say that this does NOT apply to OOC rules.  So still:
No go-moding/auto-hitting/spoofing-other-people's-characters-without-their-permission, and if someone calls you out on that, don't justify or excuse it, just stop and move on, striving to NEVER do it again. 
No being a jerk, and if someone is consistently a jerk and won't stop no matter how little they are spoken to and how much they are avoided, Otter gets told and nobody starts an in-game fight. 
Don't intentionally provoke people. 
Be nice to newbies (we ALL were new once). 
Treat other people the way we want to be treated.
Don't do to others what we want them to not do to us.
And so forth.

The IC rules the older players made worked for them, and if Otter wants us to follow those rules, then I will do so.  But if it's not backed up by the way it was in the books.....then why should we obey them (unless Otter says to since it's his website)?

Happens the same day as this log: http://forum.rwmuck.org/viewtopic.php?id=771

SCENE:  Black Rose headquarters: Holding cells

CHARACTERS: Ormaz the stoat.  Blisa the cat.

LOG:
In the coldest, most miserable cell of the Black Rose base's dungeon, light enters the room for possibly the first time in seasons as the door opens.  Ormaz stands, outlined there by the dim torchlight from beyond, and with a grunt he hurls a small figure into the room.  Bound at the wrists and ankles, the beast in question is a miserable sight. Surprisingly, Ormaz enters the cell as well, shutting the solid door behind him after a moment's consideration.

Cold.  Damp.  Dark.  That's all Blisa is aware of as the blackness she's in swirls into consciousness.  She groans, her migraine from before now a hammering, splitting headache far worse than any she's had since that awful day when she got her concussion in the first place.  Her green eyes open, everything blurry in her sight.  "Wha...." she croaks, her throat dry and tongue parched.

"Hello there," Ormaz whispers softly.  Softly, and dangerously.  "I wasn't sure if you were awake or not, but now I know." The cell is almost completely dark again, the only light source being the torchlight from the corridor seeping in through the gap between the cell door and the ground.

Blisa's eyes pop open, then she sits up, scoots back, and stifles a shriek.  "Who....where....Ormaz!  You...you must be Ormaz!"  She stops still and glares up at him, but it's clear that she's on the verge of a panic attack.  "What.....what do you want from me?  Are....are you going to torture me?"  She's trying to be brave.  But it's hard.

"I haven't decided  yet, quite frankly," Ormaz says conversationally.  "Perhaps if you give me a good enough reason why I shouldn't," he continues, his gaze hardening in the dark.  "Then I _won't_, say, flay you alive and nail whatever's left over to the gates of your town."

Blisa is shuddering slightly, but she manages a scoffing laugh.  "A good enough reason?  Ha!  Please.  I've used that threat on some of the vermin in my village.  We both know that there's nothing that I can do or say to change your mind."  She looks definitely frightened, but defiance is rising up, too....as well as something else, something that her bodyguards and Bandit would recognize right away, but almost no one else would.

"I'm glad we understand each other then," Ormaz says, almost cordially.  Then the anger and contempt returns in a snarl.  "However, you are somewhat mistaken in that you perhaps think I won't follow through on it.  You are no bargaining chip. You are carrion. You are _dead meat._  You just haven't realized it yet.  Your life is over. It belongs to me now. And I will end it at at a time of my choosing, either when you fail to amuse me any longer, or when your potential usefulness expires.  Understand that? You. Are. Mine," he ends in almost a roar.  "And I will take great joy in showing all those you ruled how I utterly destroyed you, piece by piece.  How long, then, will they have the will to fight on?"

Blisa gasps and scoots back into the wall.  Then that mysterious facial expression takes completely over, and her eyes go unfocused.  Her fear and defiance are gone, and are replaced by....a smile.  A crazy, unfocused, maniacal smile, all her teeth showing.  Then a chuckle starts deep within her, and it rises in volume and intensity until it is a full blown belly laugh.  The Chieftain throws her head back and laughs.  She's not being defiant.  She's just been pushed to the literal breaking point.

Ormaz blinks a few times, almost recoiling in surprise,  "What...what is this?" The words escape him in a low hiss.  He considers shutting her up with a punch to the face, but finally decides against it, opening the cell and striding quickly out, slamming the door behind him and locking it.  His paws are shaking slightly, so he conceals them in the sleeves of his tunic. A few moments later, an echo of a shout of "What are you looking at?!" drifts down the hall, and then there is only silence.

Blisa's laugh quiets down into a low chuckle, and she starts muttering strange things.  She isn't making any sense, not because she's not speaking clearly, but because her words are not what a sane creature would be speaking....this is going to be a harrowing captivity for her enemies.

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

Also, since y'all who play the baddies are on more often than I can be, just know that Blisa is either sleeping or laughing and saying creepy things (yes, even while she's eating).  If she acts any differently, it will be while I'm on.  So you have permission to have your characters say that she's acting in that creepy way.  But no spoofing her!

http://radio.rwmuck.org/?&location=Blac … ain%20Area

SCENE: Redwall Abbey, Garden of the Late Rose

LOG:
Krisha is in the rose garden, alone and right now most are avoiding her right now as she has already growled at a couple novice and slammed a door in another's face and now she is out here...alone and sitting on the bench staring at a rose in her paw.

DoraRose, herself in a grumpy mood because of various things, has been told of the badger's grouchiness, and so, still in her black fighting outift, has come looking for her.  Because when a badger is upset, it may be best for a seasoned Warrior to be the one to talk to them (unless another badger is available, of course).  "Krisha?"  She walks into the Rose Garden.  "Oh, there you are.  Do you wanna talk about it?"  There could be many things making them both upset, so the mouse decides to let the future Dibbun Caretaker start them off so she doesn't have to guess which thing caused the metaphorical explosion.

Krisha takes a deep breath and then sighs, the fur under he eyes tearstained "How could he...HOW COULD HE!! He didn't even tell me, me his wife he was going...ok he did say he thought of it and then I find out from somebeast else!"

Ah, so the whole 'group of people leaving for Salamandastron with almost no warning' is what has the badger upset.  DoraRose can understand that.  It's one of the many things that has her ticked off, too.  "I'm sorry, Krisha.  They left when I was off-duty, or else I would've made Xander come tell you bye."  The Warrior sits on the grass near the badger, looking up into her face.  She is sad and grumpy, too.  Yay.

Krisha sniffs and looks at the flower she was holding and throws it to the ground and..stomps on it and snorts. Its so odd to see her upset like this as she takes a couple deep breaths " I should go find him and slap him and then come back.."

DoraRose raises and eyebrow, but says nothing about destroying the rose.  "I've wanted to do that to Leon a couple of times, myself, if we're being honest.  But even though it seems like a good idea, it would only put you in harm's way, give Xander something else to worry about, and leave one less beast to help take care of the Dibbuns."  She smiles slightly and adds, "And I won't let you out, anyway, even though I agree that male beasts can be infuriating at times."  She stands and goes to rest a paw on the badger's arm.  "Krisha....I'm sorry.  I don't know how to help or really what to say.  I'm upset, too.  Forgive me."

Sinway yawns having just woken up from his nap, the otter makes his way at random around the grounds of Redwall abbey, feeling rather cooped up and restless at the moment. Soon he finds him self in the garden of the late rose looking at the two beast talking. it takes a few minutes for the groggy otter to make his way to the pair and he calls a greeting to the pair "hello, hope i ain't interruptin' anything."

The mouse walks away from the badger and over to the otter. She looks grumpy, but also like she's trying to not be. "Hi...well, I don't know if you were, but it's okay." She sighs and rubs her forehead. "I don't believe we've met. I'm DoraRose Strongheart, Gatekeeper here at Redwall." She extends a paw to shake.   

Sinway takes the paw in his own the tattoo on his paw showing clearly "'tis a pleasure to finally meet ye, me names Sinway Redrose, former novice of the order, and currently one of the new members of the Defenders......" he trails of at that last word maybe because of what happened to them "i have heard yer name a few times but never got a chance to meet ye."

DoraRose smiles and shakes the otter's paw gently.  But he should still be able to feel her strength.  "Well, I hope those beasts have been saying good things about me," she jokes.  "It's good to have more members.  I am sort of a part-time member, myself."  Her demeanour hardens slightly as she crosses her arms in front of her and sighs.  "And after what happened here recently....." she shakes her head.  "War is coming upon us, I'm afraid.  And with the kidnapping of the Chieftain of Ferravale..." she trails off again.  It seems that this tragedy has struck her particularly hard.

Sinway does feel it which makes him grin, giving his own firm squeeze before letting the paw drop "hrmm, nothing really been said about ye other then yer name and that  ye be the gatekeeper." he sighs at the mention of all that has happened "aye, so much has happened, i just return a week ago, hopin' to rejoin the order.....only to find there is vermin hordes and slavers about, i join the defenders, and before i get a chance to meet everyone or go to the base, it's gone and half the defenders along with it."

DoraRose clunches her jaw and her fists.  As her blue eyes flash, anger and deep sorrow can be seen on her face, battling for control.  "Aye....all good and brave beasts, dedicated to helping those weaker than them."  She shifts uneasily from one foot to the other.  "All murdered by that no-good, dirty rotten scum named Ormaz."  She kicks at a rock, and it goes flying off towards the pond as she puts her fists to her temples.  "If Marek had only let me kill the scumbag, NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED!!!"

Up upon the wall top two beast can be spotted - a squirrel, with his tail swishing from side to side and a mug in paw, and a mouse, shifting nervously from one hind paw to the other, a spear in paw. They seem to be discussing something, but what that is can't be heard from the garden. A few moments more, and the two part ways, the mouse with the spear continuing along the wall, the squirrel stopping and looking outside the abbey for some time. He turns, leaning against the ramparts, letting his gaze wander over the grounds, until he spots the only otter and mouse left who he had wanted to speak to. And also hears the outburst. "Well then..." He mutters, as he starts his way to the stairs, taking his time to the Rose garden. He remembered it was best to avoid the gatekeeper when she was... upset. When John finally makes his way over, he raises a paw in greeting. "Sinway, Dorarose! Good day today, eh?" He calls, in a noticeably better mood than what his norm has been for the past few weeks.

Sinway winces a little at the increase volume "please don't raise yer voice marm." he says calmly his eyes follow where the rock landed shaking his head "screamin' about it ain't gonna do us any good." he turns back to the to dorarose before turning to the voice who called him seeing john he waves "it be a better day then the last few that be fer sure john." he waves to the squirrel before turning back to the mouse

DoraRose is furious.  Apparently nobody warned the otter about the little fact that this mouse has a rather short fuse.....that burns for hours at a time.  "I CAN RAISE MY VOICE AS MUCH AS I NEED TO!"  Is her very mature reply.  "My friends are dead, kidnapped, missing, or on a mission that they might not return from to try and get help that might not make it in time!  All because of yet another maniac who wants to take over the area and kill and destroy all who are in his path!  HOW CAN THIS BE A GOOD DAY?!"  She covers her eyes with her paws and bares her teeth.  She may or may not be stressing out right now.  Maybe she absorbed the squirrel's upset feelings, who knows

"Because miss," John starts, staying a little ways off, "Beasts here are finally taking heed of the trouble." Going over to a bench - one still out of arms reach of the mouse - he sits, taking a sip of his mug. "And now I actually got a night's sleep. Did everything I could for the situation." He sets the mug to the side, rubbing his face with his paws, adding, in a less cheerful tone, "Though it took too many deaths and horrible things for my liking for the danger to get through all the thick heads 'round here..."

Sinway just sighs and looks at the mouse a calm expression on his face as she keeps yelling "but what does yellin' do other then scare the little ones and risk causing a panic." he states simply seems her yelling doesn't effect his mood at all "it be ok to worry, but this doesn't help anybeast." the otter then moves over to join john on one of the benches "it be a sad fact john, but the abbey has the tendency to do that to folks, it so safe, warm and happy here that the outside world just seems to fade away." he offers a cheerful smile to john "glad to see ye're in a better mood though"

"IT HELPS ME FEEL BETTER!" DoraRose kicks the wall, then hops around making stifled grunts and mousey squeaks as she holds her now hurting foot. Sitting on the grass, she rubs her toes through her boot and glares at the ground. After a few moments, she adds in a very much quieter tone, "I'm sorry....too much of what's going on, all the tragedies and kidnappings and murders, has reminded me of what was happening around the time of my husband's kidnapping and subsequent murder. I'm just...." She's scared for her friends and remaining family, but she can't quite say it yet.

Sighing, the squirrel nods. "To be frank it's all been reminding me of the last time Redwall fell..." John shakes his head, taking another draft from his mug. "The utter disorganization up 'till the bells were rung, most beast not having clue when they really should..." He nods again. "Aye, it's all troubling - and there's a part of me that thinks what's been done is too little too late. I told the abbot we should've dealt with the group of vermin way back when, before they got real dangerous." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "And now - well, now we couldn't do that if we wanted to. Too few skilled beasts, and too many of the enemy. Bloody well could've use Xander around a little bit more... Bah."

Sinway stretches a little sighing to dorarose "because things like that happen." he points out when she hurts her self "the emotions ye be feelin' there be nothin' wrong with feelin' them, but if ye let yer self be controled by them things like that happen." he turns to john "ye know the abbot would of never let ye do that, he is a good kind squirrel, always has been......all we can do now is prepare and wait......and of course hope xander and his group make it there safely and are able to bring back a army of hares, and who knows maybe the badger lord him self, heard the mountain has one now."

DoraRose sighs.  She knows that what the otter has said is true.  And she also knows that she has the Bloodwrath and really needs to work on getting a better hold on her outbursts.  "Aye, I hope help gets here in time," she says very quietly.  "Or else Redwall will fall, new Champion or no, and I can only imagine what will happen to us should Ormaz win."  She stands and dusts off her pants.  "I'm going to go find my daughter.  Excuse me....it was nice meeting you, Sinway," she adds over her shoulder as she walks off, limping slightly.  This is the time to spend time with family.  It may be her last time....

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

I apologize for any and all typos, and if I missed any poses.   

Also, please don't have your characters know anything about this little adventure.  Literally only Benar, Lacota, Krisha, and DoraRose know what happened down there, so please don't have your character know.  This was logged because 1) I am a compulsive logger, 2) if I didn't log, I might not remember or be able to find out what happened, 3) for posterity, and 4) so all the players who have Matilda's password will be able to quickly look up what she is supposed to do to prove that she is, indeed, Martin's next Champion.  SO!  Yeah.  You guys don't seem like the people to do use OOC information ICly, but I felt I should say it. 

And I also give y'all permission to, if your characters would be curious about this, have them say that, when they asked D.R. where she was during this span of time, she told them to ask the Abbot

CHARACTERS:  Benar, a male squirrel.  Lacota, another male squirrel.  Krisha, a female badger.  DoraRose, a female mouse.  Various spoofs.

LOG:
Benar is standing by the door from the kitchen that leads into the gardens speaking quietly to one of the novices on duty. The abbot is holding a long list of items and is ticking various baskets off as they are carried inside and off toward the larder or pantry. It seems he is helping over see the summer herb crop being brought in and stored.   

Krisha walks into the kitchens and upon seeing the Abbot she nods a hello "Hello Abbot Benar" She goes to place some mugs in the sink for washing before walking back to where the Abbot is.   

Benar looks up from his list, "Oh Krisha, hello there, I hope you are having a good day," he stops to look at a basket as it is brought in, "Oh Nutmegs, ok take those to the cellar actually, that is where the spice grinder has been set up," he looks up at the badger, "What have you been up too?"   

Krisha smiles " I was helping out with the dibbuns a little ealier today"   

Benar smiles softly, "How has that been working out for you Krisha?" he ticks off another basket, sending it on its way, "Are you enjoying working with Oz?"   

Krisha says, "I can see where the dibbuns can sometimes get outa paw but other times they behave and they have the treehouse now and seem to enjoy it""   

Benar says, "I heard about the treehouse, I am glad it got built. We used to have one when I was little, but the tree it was built in was cut down as it was dead." he smiles quietly, "It is very nice to see that we have managed to build one""   

Krisha nods "I think it needs pained still on the inside. Maybe we can get a couple beasts to help and let the dibbuns help too somehow as it is their treehouse, and it could be something to help cheer up some beasts around here and...well have something good to think on for a change"   

Benar says, "It would be nice to have something like that to focus on and I am sure... that is a fine job for yourself to organise Krisha as it was your idea. You, the dibbuns, lots of paint and paint brushes I am sure it'll be a lovely afternoon.""   

Krisha smiles "Do you think I could be in charge of something like that? I mean I could also ask maybe some novices to help or should I let the dibbuns decide how it should look as it is their treehouse?"   

Benar says, "Ask the dibbuns of course and I think you will do a fine job of being in charge," he strokes his chin, "Not the novices... I wouldn't ask that of them. Maybe some of our younger residents who are not novices, Lilymoore and others about her age.""   

Krisha nods "There is that..Kenya I think is her name, maybe she can help then she is one of the older dibbuns"   

Benar says, "Ah yes that would be good, I know Kenya is hoping to join the order. This would be a good job for her to help out with before she becomes a Novice.""   

Krisha smiles "Then I will think on doing this soon, on a sunny day of course"   

Benar says, "A nice sunny day would be best and it'd be good for us to have something nice to think about. Especially with all those slavers out there in the woodlands.""   

Krisha frowns "Yeah..I worry about that at times, notthat I will go out but I know Xander does and some of the Defenders. I just dont want to see anyone hurt, or worse..anyone"   

Benar says, "Well that is why I put a bar on the gates, I don't want people going out unececcsarily without a good reason." he frowns, "I still... harbour concerns about the defenders, considering who they were founded by... but those are personal""   

Krisha says, "Xander is in charge of them now and so far most members are woodlander, there is like one fox now though"   

Benar says, "Xander does a good job," he shifts and turns to look out the door, "Well that looks like all the herbs and spices are in, it was quite a bountiful harvest for the summer which is nice." he rolls up his scroll, "I am sure Lacota will be pleased to have a fresh stock of herbs, spices and other sundries for our stocks and supplies.""   

Krisha smiles "Its also good to know what we have in supplies. "   

"Yes, I *am* pleased." It's like he appears whenever his name is mentioned, this time from the direction of the cellar. "I can hardly wait to get this all catalogued..."   

Benar smiles at the Friar, "How is the spice grinding going?" he asks, assuming Lacota has just come from where the spice grinder is set up in the cool of the cellar, "We have a very fine crop of cinnamon, nutmeg and tumeric. It'll be wonderful to have such a good stock of things once again. So Lacota, i was just putting Krisha here in charge of taking the dibbuns out to paint the inside of their treehouse."   

Krisha waves to the Frair "Hello Friar Lacota, how is your day?"   

DoraRose comes into the kitchen, holding a paw over her eye. "Ow....hey, can I....never mind!" Upon seeing who's in here, she turns around and starts to walk right back out again!   

Lacota nods at Benar. "Yes. I have Novice Brad assisting me... Ah! Cinnamon, though! I can smell the cinnamon buns already... And the candied apples." The squirrel licks his lips. "They have a treehouse, now? I suppose next they want cookies and cake for their secret treehouse meetings..." He points a finger at DoraRose, and calls out, "Wait!"       

Benar quirks a brow as Dora imediatly tries to leave again but doesn't interfere, "Well I think what is more likely to happen is raids on your kitchen by DAB, sorry," he is smiling as he says it however and nudges Krisha, "You'll do fine at looking after the children... now the," he shifts his robes and reaches for the wrapped package he left by the door table, "I really do need to go put this away."   

Krisha stays off to the side, she chuckles a little "Cookies may make the dibbuns have too much energy"   

DoraRose glares at the Friar with her uncovered eye. She says nothing, but she's obviously thinking, 'You ain't the boss of me!' But she does say, "Yeah, sugar seems to make the Dibbuns go nutso. And I think Lily told me that the DAB Ringleader was saying something about spicey pies, so I would suggest hiding all the hotroot." She's not showing what's wrong with her eye.   

Lacota nods. "Well, I have to do *something* for the occasion, or I'll never hear the end of it. You know how young ones are... Perhaps a few strawberry tarts... Just where is this treehouse, anyway?"   

Benar shifts his package, it is quite long and and bulky but he looks between Lacota and Dora and starts tapping a foot, "I am sure the Friar will put the hotroot someplace safe, thanks for the warning. Now what is going on between the pair of you? Lacota if you would be so kind as to help Dora with her eye and then... yes I think it would be appropriate if I had the Friar, the GateKeeper and..." he turns his eyes on Krisha, considering her for a long moment, "The future Badger Mother of Redwall accompany me," he smiles at the Friar, "I am sure Krisha will be happy to help with that."   

Krisha is curious of the package now, then it could just be something for storage as she nods "I would be glad to help with something"   

DoraRose looks at the Abbot in protesting innocence. "Nothing's going on between us! UNGH, fine," she lowers her paw to reveal a beauty of a bruise. "I was practicing my paw-to-paw with one of the guards and I ended up getting punched in the eye. I didn't want to talk to my grandmother about it just yet, so I came down here for a cool cloth. I have the feeling she'd see me going to the well and that would just end up being a huge mess." She squints at the Abbot. "What do you need help with? I'll fight anyone," she adds with a slight smile.   

Lacota looks confused. "Between us? Huh?" The Friar is rather clueless. "I just wanted to ask her about some things... Nothing between us, that I know of..."   

Benar smiles quietly and shakes his head at Dora, "We are not fighting anyone Dora... really now why would I of all people ask you to fight them," he starts toward the door then stops, "Now then let's see about that eye Friar if you would please then we can go."   

Krisha follows the group to where ever they are going   

Lacota grabs a piece of raw fish, and wraps it with a leaf of lettuce. "Here, DoraRose, hold this on your eye. It'll help with the swelling."   

DoraRose accepts the lettuce-wrapped fish and holds it to her eye. "Thanks...." She turns and goes to follow the Abbot. "Well, if some crazy vermin or whoever had attacked you, I could see you asking me to fight them so no other creatures get hurt again....."

Benar smiles at Dora and walks through into Cavern Hole leading everyone with him, "Well thankfully no one has attacked me Dora," he nods to the group of moles who have rigged some gear over the steps to the main hall. They have slid the W engraved flagstone out of place revealing a previously hidden staircase leading down, "A foremole, thank you for your help," he addresses the chief mole who tugs his cap, "Burr h'okay Abbot, tis our pleasurem, we'll waitum up 'ere fer you n yours to get back and make sure no beast stumbles into it." Benar nods and glances at the other three, "Thank you Foremole, Krisha dear, get that lantern would you?"   

Krisha nods as she gets a lantern and blinks "What is..down here..wait there is..this is under the abbey?" Well this is new to her.   

Lacota looks to Krisha. "Lass... This is no simple sub-basement." He knows it well from his reading up on Abbey history. "This is a tomb, but I'll let Benar explain further."   

DoraRose's eye widen. "Wait....is this...." she shuts up when she hears what the Friar has to say. Yeah, let the Abbot explain. She's too busy getting a goofy smile on her face. She may or may not freak out slightly down there, although what about is still a question. She'll follow the Abbot down when he goes....

Benar starts down the stairs, the light from Krisha's lantern illuminating the tightly spiralled staircase. The air is dry and still and the walls are large, foundation sized blocks of sandstone, "Indeed this is a very special staircase Krisha, only the Abbot can order it open and even then there must be a reason and usually only when ordered to do so," he pauses and looks up at the group, "This is the staircase to Martin's tomb.... and he has given me instructions but for this trip I need witnesses."   

Krisha nods slowly and stays very quiet, she has heard a couple stories of Martin the Warrior. She makes sure there is enough light and moves at a good pace so all see where tehy are going.   

Lacota follows closely. He's rather curious what these instructions are, but knows not to ask too many questions. "You know, I discovered another tomb at the end of a long tunnel in the cellar... Never bothered to explore it further, though."

DoraRose touches the wall as she descends. "Martin gave you instructions? Huh..." she sounds a bit skeptical, but is trying to hide it. Even though she has spent half her life here in the Abbey, and has even had visions in which Martin was speaking to her personally, she still has some pretty big doubts about whether his Spirit is actually here, visiting people in dreams and visions.

Benar says, "That would be Abbess Germaine's tomb," he says softly, "That is also another special place," he steps off the bottom of the stairs and turns to regard Dora, "Sometimes yes, he is always with us even now, especially here..." he points down the corridor, "We go this way it won't take long now.""   

Krisha nods as she follows, curious now of this place.   

Lacota huhs. "Abbess Germaine. Yes, I recall the name. I think I'll ask the foremole to shore up the tunnel I found, in that case..."   

DoraRose is still following, and is grateful that the darkness hides the look on her face. Well, that and the fish peice that she's holding onto her eye. "Germaine? Wasn't she the first Abbess? She knew Martin." She touches the wall again. "How far down do you think we are?" She sounds slightly nervous. Nothing like being buried under a humongous building and who knows how much soil to set the Warrior on edge!   

Benar remains silent, letting the others talk as he drifts along, his habit whispering quietly against the flagstones. He finally stops before a foor, the stout timbers and banded iron looming over them, "We are here... now before we go inside," he turns to face the others, "Touch nothing, take nothing unless I hand it you and... remember he sleeps here," he reaches out with one hand and without even looking depresses an iron stud set in the door which causes it to creak softly and start to swing open on balanced hinges, "Abbess Germaine is buried at the foundations, at the heel and strength that raises the abbey so strong above us to protect and shelter." he turns to look at the room beyond, "This is the tomb of Martin the Warrior, this beneath the centre of all is its heart."

Krisha blinks, she is unsure of weather to even speak and just simply nods and keeps the light so all can see where they are and where they are going.

Lacota mhmms, quietly, as he steps through the door. "Many, many seasons ago, Matthias, our second greatest champion after Martin, discovered this tomb during the time of Cluny the Scourge," he explains to Krisha. "Martin's Shield was here, and Matthias recovered it..."

DoraRose nods. Touch nothing. Gottit. Like the museums in Roma. Touch something and you get kicked out. And possibly flogged, depending on your age. "Oh, I think all the Champions were pretty great," is all she says.

Benar steps inside and pauses before the sarcophagus he then bows to it and moves forward, "Martin's shield... yes..." he lays his package on the floor and unwraps it, revealing a burnished round shield emblazoned with the bells of Redwall and a large M and... the sword itself. 'I am that is' is written along the double edged blade, the red pommel stone gleaming softly in the light from Krisha's lantern. "Have a look around if you like."   

Krisha looks at the blade and shield..."Whoa....that is....wow." The light is placed where it can cast all around the room.   

Lacota lets his eyes adjust to the dim light. "You know, Martin visited me in a dream once... Back when I was temporarily blind... That was before your time, Krisha..."

DoraRose looks at the sword and smiles slightly. "Been a few seasons since I've been this close to the sword. Flicktail, the Champion before Magramba, sent me the sword at Martin's urging. I used it in battle to help free Mossflower from a maniacal tyrant." She looks around the room, then at the sarcophagus. "I wouldn't want the responsibility being Champion requires." Then her brow furrows. "Wait....why doesn't Magramba have the sword?"   

Benar stands up and steps up to the sarcophagus and places the sword down so it is lying lengthways along the body of the mouse effigy and slides the sword hilt between the clasped hands of the statuary where it fits perfectly, "Magramba... has stepped down as Champion to spend more time with his family and mossflower," he turns to Dora, "He brought these to me and Martin told me where to put them," he picks up the shield and holds it out to Lacota, "This hangs on the back of the door, once it is in place I will tell you why I need you here."

Krisha nods "So...Martin is..chooseing a new champion soon then?" She is then quiet again "Sorry..didn't mean to speak out..just curious"

Lacota very carefully, reverently, even, accepts the shield, and he looks down at it in his paws, studying the design. "So many seasons of history right here..." Nodding to the Abbot, he approaches the door, and hangs the shield in its proper place, brushing a paw over the surface and turning back to face the others. "I'll admit to being highly curious why I was needed..."   

DoraRose raises an eyebrow, but just sits on the floor and leans back against the wall (after making sure there's nothing she might mess up on accident, of course). "Well, I'm glad I came to the kitchens when I was needed, and I hope Magramba stays safe out there. But why would you need me here?" She is genuinely surprised. Who, her? Why would she be needed for something so important?

Benar tucks his hands into the sleeves of his robe and smiles, "We are all here for a very important reason. A... new champion is coming, Martin has told me so, but not shown her to me. We will know who she is because she will know where the sword and shield are," he touches the sword, "Only we four beasts in all Mossflower, in the world know that the sword and shield have been returned to this tomb," he looks at them, "When the time comes... when a beast asks to retrieve the sword from the Tomb beneath Cavern Hole... then we will know it is her so here and now I swear you all to secrecy, none may know what we brought down here."   

Krisha nods "I wont tell anyone of this, no one at all I promise."   

Lacota nods his head solemnly. "My lips are sealed. Not even the the rest of the Elder Council will know... And if asked, I was in the cellar for this entire afternoon..."

DoraRose listens solemnly, then nods. "Aye, I won't tell anybeast, don't worry. At least, not until this new Champion has revealed herself. If anybeast asks where I was, tell them to ask me, and I'll tell them to ask the Abbot. So that'll be fun." She shifts and rests her head against the wall. "You're sure the new Champion is a female?"

Benar smiles and moves toward the door and the corridor, gesturing everyone to follow, he turns and bows one more time to the sarcophagus, "Thank you Martin," he whispers to the still air then looks at his companions, "Oh yes, I know that much... she comes, now let us leave it does not do to linger here."

Krisha nods and gets the landren and will led the way back out of the tomb and tunnel when its time to leave, she will paulse when needed as well.   

Lacota nods, and turns to exit. "Female... This shall be interesting, I think."   

DoraRose tries to stand, but instead falls. Sighing heavily, she actually manages to stand upright and follow her friends out the door and back up into Cavern Hole. "Well, hopefully she comes soon. I have a feeling we're going to need her..."

Benar stops outside and makes sure the door shuts and locks and then leads the way back up to Cavern Hole, he then waits for Foremole to replace the floor tile and then it is as if nothing ever changed, "And we are done, thank you my friends for joining me."   

Krisha nods "You're welcome Abbot Benar"

~*end*~

Thanks for reading!