Redwall MUCK Forum

SCENE: Redwall Abbey's Entryway

CHARACTERS:  Shiska, a female newt.  DoraRose, a female mouse.  Various spoofs.

LOG:
It was a cold day out in Mossflower, snow still lay on the ground and there was a biting wind. It was a day for hiding inside in shelter and yet a group of merchants seemed to be braving the weather and dragging their cart towards the abbey though it was struggling a bit in the snow. As they were dragging it out of a ditch one of the group ran on ahead, the squirrel quickly reaching the gates "Hello! Little help!"

Redwall Abbey, the great beacon of security in Mossflower, is only made more beautiful by the snow.  Light shines warmly through the windows of the main building, visible from the road as a strong-looking female mouse opens the main gate.  Her fur is brown, and her eyes are sky-blue.  She is dressed in a black tunic, sweater, leggings, and boots, with a mottled green/brown/grey cloak over the whole ensemble.  Adjusting her red hat with one mittened paw, she grips the handle of her bastard sword hanging from her waist in its scabbard more tightly and looks over the squirrel's shoulder.  "Oh, of course.  Why are y'all even out in this weather?"  After making sure some guards were, well, guarding the gate, the Warrior heads out, tucking her orangs scarf more securely around her neck.  "Do you need any help getting your cart inside?"

The squirrel huff a light sign of relief at the warm welcome. There was no where in Mossflower quite so hospitable as the abbey. The squirrel turns back to the road, going to lead the way back to the cart "Yeah, might need a 'and with the cart but if y'got one of those healers handy we might need that too" he explains as starts to walk back "We found some lizard thin' half buried in a snow drift, looks beaten t'hell. Meself I reckon it's dead t'be honest, it's cold as ice but Slim swears he saw breathin' and I ain't got the heart t'tell him I think he's seein' things"

The mouse listens, then spins around and calls out to the guards, "Hey, can someone go get Angela?  We have a lizard out here!"  As she turns back around the pitter-patter of running feet can be heard in the Abbey as one of the guards dashes off towards the main building.  The mouse Warrior looks grim.  "A lizard thing, huh?  What was it doing, wandering around in this weather, I wonder?"  She stalks over to the cart and goes to grab the handle of the cart.  "Here, let me help.  Once we get the cart inside, I'll probably have to rush the lizard to the Infirmary.  I'm DoraRose, Gatekeeper of Redwall, by the way," she adds.

The squirrel can only shrug at the question "Only thing I could see it doin' was laying in a ditch, which I doubt it wanted to. It had a spear, might have been robbin' beasts on the road?" he shakes his head and seems to have no hope for the creature regardless. He gets behind the cart to start pushing as he introduces the gang "Name's Thorn, that's slim Jack" a mouse "and tall Jack" an otter "Lizard's 'ere" he flicks over the edge of a blanket on top of the cart quickly to show what is actually a one eyed, completely still newt.

DoraRose peers at the creature in the cart.  "Well, hopefully we'll be able to help it."  Nodding to each of them in turn, she then grabs the cart's handle and starts tugging it out of the ditch and towards the main gate.  "Pleased to meet all of you.  Once we get inside, I'll make sure a Novice will help you get to our guest rooms.  You're more than welcome to stay as long as you want."  She then falls silent, trying to conquer the stubborn cart.

The squirrel is quick to cover the newt lizard thing back up with the blanket and get to pushing again "Better chance that yer healers can do somethin' than anyone else" he says as the cart rolls free of the dirt and reluctantly starts moving again "Spot t'rest until the weather turns would be appreciated. We got a few wears t'sell and pay our way with. We know yer abbey don't charge but y'can call it a donation" the cart does try to get hung up on the slightest bump in the road but keeps moving until it's finally within reach of the abbey gates.

DoraRose stays silent until they finally get inside the Abbey.  "Well, you don't have to, but we appreciate any help we receive."  An elderly female mouse who looks remarkably similar to the Gatekeeper and is wearing clothes similar to the Warrior's (although she's wearing a green dress instead of black fighter clothes) is standing nearby with a male squirrel and a male albino otter, who are both wearing habits of Brothers of the Order and nice, warm-looking scarves, mittens, and hats.  The older mouse scowls.  "Where's the lizard beast?  The more time it stays out 'ere, the less likely it'll survive." 

The squirrel pulls the blanket out the way a bit again but he tries not to completely expose the creature to the elements "Right here, not sure if it's already too late for it though" it is hard to tell that the newt is still alive, she's cold to the touch and they'd have to look really closely to see she is breathing but like her heart beat it's at a very slow pace. She looks tribal, her clothes are roughly made, she's covered in symbolic tattoos and somehow has small pointy horns made out of stones. She's missing an eye and a finger, there's some deep wounds on her chest but nothing looks fresh, the wounds are all at least a few weeks old.

The elderly mouse, squirrel, and otter spring into action.  The otter unfolds a large quilt and goes to gently, firmly, and quickly wrap up the newt and carry her off towards the main Abbey building.  The mouse turns to the merchants.  "'Ow long 'as it been since y'found 'er?"  The squirrel goes to check the newt for any signs of life, any at all.  DoraRose silently closes the gates, letting the Healers do their thing.

The squirrel quickly glances at his fellow merchants "Err, a few hours I think? It was half covered in snow though, I think it had been there a while" the newt shows no sign of waking up as she's moved but there's a very faint, slow heartbeat. She still lives, barely.

The squirrel Healer looks grimly at the otter and the elderly mouse.  "The cellars?"  The other 2 Herbalists nod.  "Aye, if we 'eat 'er up too fast, she could be permanently injured.  C'mon,"  the old mouse leads the way to the main Abbey building, and the other 2 follow.  DoraRose gestures for a Novice to come over.  "Do you need help getting your wares inside, or would you rather leave them in the cart?  And you can keep your cart in the orchards during your stay here."

The squirrel merchant just looks surprised that the lizard thing is even still alive. He receives a little nudge from Slim Jack the mouse who's grinning like a loon just for the possibility it might live "Told y'". Thorn the squirrel just shakes his head "We'll leave 'em to it then" he glances back at Dora "Erm. I think we'll be alright with the cart as it is for now, I say we warm up first, emptyin' it can wait"

DoraRose smiles at the guests.  "This way, then!  There shoudl be some tea to be had, and perhaps even some scones or something."  She waves for them to follow her and heads to the Abbey building.  Tea time actually starts soon, so the merchants will get a little feast in delightful warmth, with the promise of scrumptios supper later.

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

SCENE: Redwall Abbey Open Ground

CHARACTERS: Oz, a male badger.  DoraRose, a female mouse.  Ace, a male hedgehog.  Various spoofs.

LOG:
Oz was out in the open ground today as he listened to the dibbuns play in the freshly fallen snow. He leaned on his staff slightly and grumbled about ice and how annoying it was as he was beside Sister Ginny, a couple novice keep an eye on the dibbuns and one...novice seemed to join in a snowball fight or was...wait no the target of said snowball fight.

DoraRose comes out of the gatehouse, dressed in her dress, tunic, and apron, with a cloak, hat, mittens, and scarf adding warmth.  She walks over and watches the Dibbuns, then, smiling slightly, bends down and scoops up a double pawful of snow.  Standing back up, she packs it into a ball and lobs it with terrific aim at the poor, hapless, set-upon Novice!

The novice gasps and just looks ready to give up and go inside as he mutters "Done with this" and is inside soon. The badger sighs and listens to some ahhhs and one giggle and smiles a little.

DoraRose makes another snowball and lobs it at a Dibbun!  Because who said that she has to be a good example today?  Walking a little closer to the other adults, she calls out, "Good day, Oz, Sister Ginny!"  She forms another snowball, probably getting smacked a few herself, and chucks it at another Dibbun.

Oz smiles "Greetings Dorarose, how are you today. I would be careful there is some ice in places saddly, to which I disliek greatly"

DoraRose grins and starts making another snowball.  "Oh, I guess I'm okay.  I once heard that spending time with young ones heals the soul, so I decided to come out and help you with the Dibbuns."  She tosses the snowball from paw to paw.  "Who should I throw my snowball at, do y'think?  And thanks, I'll keep watch for ice patches.  Are you sure you want to be out here?"

Oz nods as he starts to walk over to a crying dibbun who fell facefirst in the snow "I am fine..." And then his footpaw finds ice and he falls onto his bottom and frowns, a couple dibbuns  walk over "You okie Papa Oz?" asks one and the badger nods "Yes, just slightly sore but I am ok" The dibbuns smile and go back to a snowball fight, but a couple start to build a snowman.

DoraRose drops her snowball and rushes over to help her friend back up.  "Like I said, are you sure you want to be out here, Oz?"  She says this gently.

Oz allows any help up, he also uses the staff to help himself stand "I am with the dibbuns most of the time and they are out here and so should I be. The ice wouldn't...well maybe it still would be a problem even if I wasn't blind, otherwise I grew up in a place with snow and ice." The 2 dibbuns making a snow beast are making what looks like an otter maybe, with a red button nose and two bits of rock for eyes. Sister Ginny is watching some others have a snowball fight.

DoraRose has so totally helped her friend stand up.  Smiling, she goes to brush some snow off of his back.  "Well, okay, you have a point.  Just, please be more careful, okay?"  She looks over the Dibbun's activities, smiling softly. 

Oz nods "I know and age doesn't help but do not worry on my age, I feel fine and plan to be around many seasons as badgers do tend to live a long while and...well most in my family has...Uncle Zee did"

DoraRose nods and makes another snowball.  "Aye, badgers seem to be the longest lived of all creatures...although I think my grandmother is trying to prove that mice can do it, too," she adds with a laugh.  She then brings back her arm and chucks the snowball at Sister Ginny, then quickly turns so it looks like she was only talking to the Badger Papa.  Hopefully the hedgehog didn't notice that she had done it!

Oz nods "Yes...how is Angela doing by the way?"

Ace walks along the path of the abbey as some snow starts to fall, he grins as it seems he likes the snow.

DoraRose holds out a paw.  "Oop, it's snowing again!"  She gathers more snow and, after forming it into a snowball, chucks it at Sister Ginny once again!  She refuses to look at the badger's face, even though she knows he's blind.  She just can't.  "Oh, Nana....Nana's, um, about as fine as you can expect."  She says with false cheerfullness.  "Beasts have been asking her to become....Master Healer, but.....but she says she's too old.  She's rather be able to work her own hours.  She says that Brother Rafael has great potential."

Oz nods "Brother Raphael is good and even keeps the ABC order it seems or so I heard. I did talk to him on adding mint to some things as it hides a not so good taste of the herbs at times when they are needed to take. I may have to talk to him or Angela on getting some herbs for my knee, it is acting up again at times, most likely due to the cold."

Ace walks over to the others, he almost slips on some ice as he speaks "It is cold, but then again it is winter time as well my friends. I LOVE WINTER...well the snow, not the jolly cold. Otherwise its a fine day indeed"

DoraRose raises an eyebrow at the hedgehog as she ducks a stray snowball from the group of dastardly snowball-chucking Dibbuns.  "It is pretty, isn't it?  I enjoy being able to dig out sweaters and mittens and things."

Oz sighs as he decides to go in, he is limping slightly as his knee is acting up. Sister Ginny starts to yell about a snowball and frowns as she watches Oz go inside, but someone needs to stay with the dibbuns so she does and makes sure none follow the badgermother inside.   

Ace blinks "Is he ok?" He asks as he watches the badger head inside "Something I said?"

DoraRose shakes her head as the Dibbuns pleasantly ignore the Order Sister yelling at them, and, after being reassured that the Badger Father will be back soon, go back to their games.  "Oh, it's not something you said," the warrior mouse assures the male hedgehog.  "He just has a bad knee that the cold makes worse.  And he just slipped on some ice a little bit ago.  I think he's just going to go sit down for a little bit."

Ace says, "My guess is he hurt his knee, he should talk to one of the healers on duty or have one check on him"

DoraRose nods.  "Oh, I'm sure he will....eventually."  She then ducks another snowball, and a different snowball goes flying towards the male hedgehog!  The Dibbuns are screaming with delight as the snowball fight picks up, and they start missing each other more.  The more placid Dibbuns are now building a female snow otter to go with their snowman otter.

~*~

And so the crazy Dibbuns had fun while the adults tried to not get smacked with snowballs.  xD

Thanks for reading!

SCENE: Redwall Abbey's kitchens

CHARACTERS: Lacota, a male squirrel.  DoraRose, a female mouse.

LOG:
The ovens may be cooling, but that doesn't mean Lacota is not still busy. Currently the squirrel is working on several batches of cookies, due in no small part to the demands of certain vocal dibbuns. Not that he'd ever admit that...   

DoraRose comes down from the Great Hall and peeks into the kitchens. "Lacota, I....I got your note. Um..." she looks away, then adds, " I heard you're making a large batch of cookies. do you need any help?" She's wearing her green dress and blue apron.

Lacota looks up from his work, squeezing icing onto the top of a sugar cookie. "I am. I find myself always in demand for sweet treats when winter rolls around," he replies, setting aside the icing. "Note? Oh, yes, I remember." His voice softens. "I could use some help here... If you want to talk..."

DoraRose nods and heads over to the sink.  Washing her paws, she keeps her gaze focused on her task at, well, hand.  "Thank you....I'm not even sure what to talk about, I just....want to do something useful that doesn't involve...weapons and warfare, y'know?"  Drying her paws, she turns and looks at him.  "Even a Warrior can get tired of it all," she adds with  a forced laugh, but the mirth doesn't make it to her eyes.  Sighing, she sets the towel down and asks quietly, "What do need help with the most right now?"

Lacota nods quietly. "Being useful can help, in a time...like..." He trails off, then forces a smile. "Yes, ah... Well, these sugar cookies here... Ah, need a swirl of icing upon each... And I know I've got a bowl of batter here somewhere... To make some cinnamon cookies... Eh, I should probably heat one of the ovens... Usually Brad would do that for me, but the blamed fool is off... Who knows where..." The squirrel drones on for a few minutes more...

DoraRose smiles.  "Shall I get the oven heated, then?  And I can make the cinnamon cookies when I'm done."  She picks up some wood and looks at the Friar for his OK.  She smiles slightly, and it creeps up to the corners of her eyes.

Lacota hmms? His complaints about his wayward assistant forgotten. "If you would, that'd be great, thank you..." He hmms thoughtfully. "I had no idea you liked to bake, though. You should have told me seasons ago."

DoraRose is busily feeding the fire of the closest oven, but she still manages to wave a paw airily at the Friar.  "Oh, pfft, I've snuck in here numerous times and made cookies and bread, and I've made pizza for many a feast, if you'll remember.  I find it....theraputic."  She shoves the logs deeper into the fire with a poker.  "And I....didn't see any reason to....mention it.  Sorry."  The last word is spoken very softly, and even though her back is to him, her body language suggests her (understandably) deep sorrow.

"I don't mind it," Lacota answers simply. "No need to apologize." He frowns now. "But you know I understand..." The squirrel sighs.

DoraRose stays where she is, staring into the flames as the fire grows.  "Oh, aye, I know."  She stands and puts the poker back where it goes.  "I feel like I failed him, y'know?  I couldn't find him in time, I couldn't defend him, I didn't even have....have enough time to....get him back to the Abbey alive."  The tears are creeping up, threatening to overtake her.  "I'm the...the Warrior.  I'm supposed to be able to take care of my family, to protect them."  She can't go on, and instead turns and starts looking for the bowl of cinnamon cookie batter as a tear courses down her scarred cheek.

Lacota nods again, and points toward a table near the door. "It's over there..." He is silent for a bit, before venturing to reply, "I felt exactly the same, after Krystal.... And I'm not a warrior. I'm just a glorified cook... But still... I should have been there... Not that it would have done any good..."

DoraRose gets the bowl and checks it.  "What does this need still?"  She then listens to the squirrel's words, leaning on the table's edge, resting her paws on the wooden top.  Hanging her head, she feels a few more tears trickle down her cheeks.  "Aye, and that's the worst part, isn't it?  Knowing that y'couldn't have done anything had you been there.  Grr..."   She slams a fist into the table top, making the things on it jump and rattle as if in fear.

Lacota appears unfazed by it. "It is." No use mincing words. "A pinch more cinnamon, I think... Otherwise, it ought to be ready for the baking pan." He resumes squeezing out icing onto the sugar cookies. "Don't beat yourself up, though. I did that... And then I had a nervous breakdown. And after that, I lost my grip on reality."

DoraRose brushes a shaking paw over her forehead and left ear.  Grabbing the cinnamon, the mouse adds a pinch, then grabs a spoon and the bowl.  Walking towards the Friar, she stirs the mixture and sighs.  "I...I try not to.  I tried to find him, I did all I could, everybeast did.  It's all that stupid raven's fault..."  she clenches her jaws as her anger rises up again, but she keeps a firm grip on her actions and continues to stir the cookie batter carefully and slowly.  "We were pretty worried about you there for a while," she adds in a murmur.

Lacota nods, sighing quietly. "I... I know. That was... That was a dark time for me." He pauses. "Just... I don't want to see you go there... Remember your family... I neglected my own daughter for nearly three months at my lowest point. You're my friend, DoraRose, and I care about you..."

DoraRose sets the bowl down and goes to rest a paw on the Friar's arm.  There is a fire burning deep within her, clear to see.  There is still harsh pain and sorrow in her, but there are also the embers flickering to flames of determination.  "Thank you, Lacota.  It means a lot.  I....I made a promise to Leon before....before he breathed his last that I would live for him, and for our children.  I...intend to keep that promise."  After a few minutes, she looks down at the cookies.  "What's next with our sugary friends here?"

Lacota smiles at last. "Ah, well, these ones here still need the icing. The dibbuns... The dibbuns want them to look 'pretty,' so I'm trying to decorate them like snowflakes... What do you think?" After a moment, the squirrel adds, "That...that is the best way to honor Leon. He'd agree..."

DoraRose looks at the cookies and nods.  "I think they look good.  Better than I could do; I'm better at music than I am at painting or whatever this is."  She starts making up the cinnamon cookies onto a cookie sheet.  "And it was Leon's idea."

Lacota nods. "Then that truly is the best way to honor his memory," the squirrel agrees. He continues decorating the sugar cookies as Dorarose prepares the cinnamon cookies. "Thanks for the help, by the way... And also... Don't hesitate to come talk if you want to again..." Outside the window, snow softly falls as the evening wears on...

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

SCENE: Redwall Abbey's Great Hall

CHARACTERS: Torry, a male squirrel.  DoraRose, a female mouse.

LOG:
Torry was still a whirlwind of emotions after those bombshells called "bad news" hit him yesterday. Even though he'd put on a brave face for the few he'd spoken to, he remained in a mostly catatonic, heroic BSOD state when no one else was looking, or around. He hadn't slept, either; today, he was sitting at a table with a plate of untouched food in front of him, looking down at it with a forlorn expression. Sad, sad squirrel.

DoraRose is a sad, sad mouse because her husband was murdered a month ago, aso as she enters the Hall, the squirrel is suddenly in good company. Completely oblivious to her surroundings, she crosses the Hall, heading towards the stairs with her arms crossed and head down...and trips over one of the legs of the squirrel's chair. Hollering, she crashes to the floor!

Torry was quickly snapped out of his vacant staring into his plate upon having someone trip over his chair - he let out a yelp of surprise of his own, flailing like mad as he came falling over as well! At least the embarrassment was equal!

DoraRose looks over at the squirrel, biting her lip.  "I'm sorry!  Are....are you okay?"  She's trying to sit up now while simultaneously shoving the chair away.  She's a Warrior, not a dancer or anything like that, so it looks much more awkward than....well, no, she's struggling.  It's all awkward.

Torry gives a little groan, getting up onto his knees. Rubbing one of his arms gently; a bit of a bad landing. He wasn't a cat, or anything; he couldn't land gracefully! "I'm fine, ma'am..." he says, letting his arm go. That landing almost ripped the sleeve off of the remains of that habit... "Are you?"

DoraRose has managed to wrangle the chair out of the way and is now checking her arms and legs, too, running a paw over them.  "Yes, I think so, thank you."  Standing, she offers him a paw to help him up.  "I say, are you new here?  I'm DoraRose Strongheart, Gatekeeper.  I must've been off-duty when you arrived."  She smiles a little, but still looks sad.

Torry takes her paw, getting to his feet. Such a mess - he was probably going to get all cleaned up after today. Maybe. Hard to tell with dibbuns. "I... Um." he pauses, looking unsure... "...I was, a long time ago. I just got back..." he says. He looked sad, himself... "I kinda... Went 'adventuring', and got lost... I only just found my way back yesterday..."

DoraRose raises an eyebrow slightly and pulls the squirrel's chair back over.  Gesturing for him to sit, she sits in the next chair over.  "Well, that must've been kind of frightening," she says softly.  "Wanna talk?"

Torry gives the mouse a little smile, moving to sit back down. At last, he started to nibble on that food he'd not touched. "It was... I lived off of berries, grass..." he says, sighing softly. "I guess I learned how to live off the land, at least..."

DoraRose nods slowly.  She traces the grain of the wood in the table with a fingertip.  Keeping her gaze on the squirrel's face, she says, "Aye, that's always a good skill to have.  But times by yourself aren't always the nicest way to learn it."  Her facial expression is that of concern and attentiveness.

Torry does his best to put on that brave face he'd worn half his time back, and gives her a smile. A half-hearted one, but it was still a smile. "Well... Believe me - I'm not going adventuring ever again. No way, no how." But everyone knows that's not true - you live in Redwall, adventure comes to you!

DoraRose smiles in almost a motherly fashion at the young squirrel.  "Well, this is Redwall, and hopefully we won't have another lunatic try to take over anytime soon, so you should be free from adventure for a while."  She looks at the wood of the table, continuing to trace the grain with a finger.  "I left my first home when I wasn't much older than you are now.  I was chasing after the fox that had killed my sister."  She sighs, and her paw rests on the tabletop, still, with the fingers spread out and the palm flat against the solid oak surface.  She had definitely noticed that his smile was half-hearted, and she's trying to let him know that he doesn't have to put on the brave face when she's around.  "So I can understand how scary it can be to be out adventuring around, and how huge the relief is when you stumble across Redwall."  She smiles slightly.

Torry seemed to either not notice that he didn't have to act brave, or he was just doing it anyways in a sense of dibbun bravado. "It was nice to get back... But... Everything's so different now." That, however, got the smile to go away. He looked oddly serious for someone his age. "So many I used to know are... well... Gone. Even papa Oak is..." he trails off, wiping his eyes off on one of his habit sleeves with a little sniffle. "I've only seen one beast I knew back then - Oz..."

DoraRose goes to hold the young one's paw.  "I'm sorry."  She doesn't say much else, but her face says that she, at some level, does understand.  How deep that level is, however, is hidden from the squirrel.  "That's so hard," she ends up adding in a whisper.

Torry looks to her paw for a moment, then back up to her. He smiled again, albeit this time, a more sincere one. "I guess that's my punishment for running away." he says. "For six whole years, anyhow... I guess I have to start over. I'll have to start going to classes again..." That little tidbit made him wince. "Erm... Actually, I think I have too much of a tummy ache to go to class."

DoraRose noticed the wince, alright. Looking at the plate of food, she says, "Normal Redwall food might be a bit too rich for you. How 'bout some mint tea and oatmeal? If you're still hungry, of course." She returns his smile. Hey, she's a mom and wants to help adopt al the little orphan peoples. This is like her job, almost.   

Torry gives her a little smile at that once again, and actually blushes just a little bit. How he pulled the wool over her eyes on that was beyond him. "N-no, no, it's fine. This is what I ate yesterday."

DoraRose is a Warrior, not a Healer. That's how he did it. Shrugging, she stands and goes to ruffle his ears. "Well, then, maybe you're tummy's upset 'cause you need to eat. I was on my way to try and find Oz, actually. I can talk to him about easing you in to the classes, if you would rather not talk to him about it yourself." You're not going to get out of classes that easily, buster!

Torry rubs his head a moment with a bashful grin. "Ahah... Ah, um... It's fine, miss... Um..." he trails off. How does he ask for a name without sounding rude...?

The mouse smiles. He must've missed her name earlier. "DoraRose. And what's your name, hon?" She forgot to ask earlier.   

Torry smiles a little bit. "Torry..." Simple response.   

DoraRose smiles. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Torry." She extends a paw so as to shake his. "I actually have to go now; I'm sorry. But I'll search you out later. Come sit with me at dinner, if you'd like." Waving and smiling, she walks on to the stairs. It's Redwall, what's the worst that could happen to him? 

Torry smiles a little more, and takes her paw, shaking lightly. Kind of a weak shake, but he was a dibbun. Dibbuns weren't known for breaking your wrist in a handshake! "Sounds nice. I'll see you then!"

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

SCENE: Ferravale Chieftain's office.

CHARACTERS: Sarnith, a male ferret.  Ferdinand, a male ferret; Blisa, a female cat; Clarissa, a female rat.

LOG:
He doesn't know why, at least at first, he keeps coming back to this town, since leaving Sarnith has set up more than one home and somehow, he ends up back in Ferravale. His reasons for being here are rather simple, he needs to see about getting back into the carpenters shop, for the simple reason of measuring some of the bench bound tools that he couldn't take with him when he did leave. Figuring that he would need some kind of permission he went to the chieftains home, figuring that he would need to see or speak with Scioto to arrange that as he doesn't own the shop anymore. That and no one seems to be answering the shops door at the moment. So entering the office the ferret is expecting to see Scioto, as he didn't stop by the tavern before hand and not having been back for the last few seasons he is unaware of any changes in leadership.

And who should he walk in on but Blisa, doing paperwork!  The young cat looks up and glares at him.  "Excuse me?  And who are you?  Don't you know how to knock?"  Ferdinand is here in one corner, weaving on a loom.  He glares past the intruding ferret at the guard, who looks genuinely afraid.  Clarissa has never met the carpenter, and she's stands, paw on one of her 13 throwing knives, her fishing net falling to the floor.  "Aye," growls the rat.  "Who are ye, and what do ya want?"

Walking into a room full of strangers does give the hob pause, he doesn't really recognize any beast but Ferdinand at first, and can't place where he knows him from either. Pausing, then taking a step back Sarnith apologizes saying " Serry, didn' knew dat Scioto wern' bein's in. " With that the ferret starts to turn to go, then stops and half turns back, looking at Blisa. No, he thinks, that can't be. Not the little fluff ball that used to pester him about toys. It wasn't all that long ago was it? Well, maybe it was? Looking closer now he does realize that the little kitten that he vaguely remembers is in fact sitting in her father's chair now, which makes his thoughts turn to where Scioto is.

Blisa's ear twitches.  "Why are you staring at me like that?  Who are you, and what do want....with my father?"  Clarissa is still standing there threateningly.  Ferdinand is the only one who seems relaxed.  Sitting back, he crosses his arms across his chest and says in a friendly tone, "Tharnith, right?  The carpenter?  You've been gone a while."

It's Blisa talking that confirms the last bit for Sarnith, it's definitely that little kitten that used to be the terror of his shop. Taking a moment to register Ferdinand and Blisa's words the hob waves a paw about gesturing confusion for a moment before answering both of them "Well's all's be'd yew's godd'ed a lo' big'erd! An, Ferdi? Were's et? Yar, I's use'd der's run der's carp'in shop, been'd a while's dough." At that the ferrets words run out for a moment, then he seems to remember why it was that he had stopped by. "Whur's be'd dat Scioto? I's didn' thin' dat's yew'sd be a runnin thin's fer 'im. I's wan'ed ter's stop by der's old shop's der's look et summat."

Blisa blinks in utter confusion.  Ferdinand, however, is used to trying to understand what people are saying, and so he simply says, "Aye, Blitha has gotten big, hathn't the?  And pleathe, call me Ferdinand, not Ferdi."  He gestures at the former sea rat, and Clarissa scowls, but sits back down, making sure that her fishing net isn't tangled up.  The young cat has been slowly deciphering the carpenter's difficult speech, silently filled with relief that her Head Bodyguard understood the first bit.  "Well, Sarnith, welcome back to Ferravale.  I...I'm sorry to say that....my father....my father was murdered.  I am Chieftain now.  Perhaps I can help you?"  Her face is now hard and expressionless, as it gets when she has to talk about the late Scioto, but her tone is friendly now.

What was something of a crooked grin forming stalls for a moment, then resumes spreading. " Well's, I'sd be'ds serry ter's 'ere's dat's. On der's any 'ow's I'sd 'add lef' a few's moun'ed tool's in der's shop dat's I'sll like ter's take a few's measuin's frum if dat's ok wit yew's? I's 'ried der's door bud's no's one were's an'srin. In shor, I's didn' wan der's break's in if sum udder's beas' were's a runnin et's nowish. " After the words the hob seems to think of something else has a look of slight concentration on his face, then seems to drop the idea and go on. "I's never's di' make all o dem lil ting's yew's wan'ed did's I's?... Well, if nuttin else's I's has'd some's o em's bac'd at der's new's place naow's. "

Blisa opens her mouth a little.  "Uh..."  Ferdinand covers his mouth with a paw to stifle a smile and a small guffaw.  The young cat looks out the window for a few moments, then says, "Um, yeah, I can....I can let you in.  Do you have, uh, your measuring tape or whatever with you?"  She starts stacking all the papers and putting paperweights on various different stacks.  Clarissa is staring in slight awe at the carpenter; she has no idea what he said.  Ferdinand now says in a laughing voice, "Oh, yeth, I remember uth ordering thothe.  I perthonally would like to at leatht thee how they turned out."

The hob produces a long narrow roll of paper, saying " I'sd godd's wud I's need's righ's der's. " Turning to Ferdinand Sarnith goes on with "Well's I's be'sd quite's a bid's away's frum 'ere's naow's, bud if yer's be'd willin's der's goes's ou' der's I'dds take yer's, dat's er's I's coul' see's abou' gettin's sum o et's 'ere's." Looking lastly at the rat the ferret comments "When's didjer's star' der's employin's dem'd rat's? Da'un look'd like a see'd vermun'. Atleas' dat's whud I's say'd yer's look'ed like's." Back to Blisa "Corse, yew's didn' say if der's were'd a beas' a runnin da' place'd now, was der's?"

Blisa is finding this conversation slightly bewildering. Standing, she rummages around in a drawer, looking for her spare keys to all the businesses in town. She chucked it in here when she arrived this morning, but she can't find the keyring now. "Uh, well, we do have somebeast working in your shop most days, but when you left, we were hoping you'd come back again. Are you saying that you have a shop somewhere else? If that's the case, then we may make that beast our permanent carpenter." Clarissa looks helplessly at her boss. "What's he even /sayin'/?!" Ferdinand is struggling to not laugh. "Oh, yeah, the'th a former thea rat. We hired her many theasonth back. The'th good, though. Trutht her completely." Standing, he stretches and leads the way, guiding hopelessly confused rat, confusing carpenter, and bewildered Chieftain (who is now bearing the key ring) towards the shop. "And perhapth 'twould be betht if you jutht brought the thingth here and we then decide what to do with them.  They'd make nice decorationth, at leatht...."

With something of a sardonic grin at the rats confushion Sarnith says "Well's if yer's 'as a beas' fer's der's yob, den's I'sd no be'd a needin da think ah comin's round a tad's mo'r offden ter's do summat abou' et." With that the hob goes along and says to Ferdinand "Well's da's gud ter's 'ear, I's see'd too many o dem types dat's were's no worth'd der's hide's dey's were ah wearin." Moving along the hob continues the thought from earlier "I's abou' tew day's frum 'ere if yer's go throug' der's wood's, more's like four's if yer's take's der's road an foller's der's river, so a goin back'ers an ford's woul' be a bi' a trouble'd bud no's ter's bad." Once at the shop Sarnith quickly uses the sheet to draw out the lengths, not as measurements, but as lines on the paper with small quick diagrams of the various vices and cross bars. No words or numbers go to the parchment at all in fact. With that the ferret has what he needs and bids adiue saying "I'sll be 'round fer's a few's day'sd if yer's decide'sd tha' yer's do need's summat or think's ah summat ters do wit der's shop's." 

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!  Blisa may go to Sarnith's shop here soon to pick up the toys she ordered so long ago...

....I should see if I can find that log....