Redwall MUCK Forum

**My first log with Aric! **

Aric-Me-Leader of The Woodlands Traveling Show

Jaxson- Archer in Mossflower Defenders

Xander- Leader of the Mossflower Defenders

-Spoofs of squirrels and mice from The Woodlands Traveling Show

Log:
The storm was not the worse that had been in Mossflower before, there had been worse ones. But this one was still bad enough. The wind was strong and the cold icy rain turned to full blown snow and falling at a quick rate. The temperature also went down fairly quickly, yes it was cold in winter but today was the coldest yet and was gonna get colder than it was at this moment.

It was at this time a group of travelers came down the road, they should of stopped somewhere but was slightly afraid of a vermin village,  possible bad things could happen and it was best to move on, besides an owl mentioned a brick walled building of some sort, if only they could get there but they failed and had to end up taking shelter by a few tall trees, they used their cart to block the wind and managed to start a campfire, ad it was then they noticed...........

“Where is Luna!” Panic filled his voice as he looked at the mice and squirrels gathered before him. The tall beaver had not been so afraid in a long while.”She was in the cart wasn't she!?”

A mouse maid came forwards “I don't know Sir Aric...maybe she wandered off before the snow got bad.”

A squirrel frowns “I can help ya lok fer 'er sur. She had seen some rosehips and me and her had collected some. And some wild mushrooms..you know those are usually hard to find but we seen them by a log..I am sorry I should of made sure she got to the cart..”

Aric shakes his head “But you didn't...and now she is alone out in these lands we know nothing of!” He frowns, his anger getting to him as he looks at his friend “I..I  am sorry just worried, we need to..”

“Find her I know but right now with all the blowing snow it will be useless, stay by the fire..I am just glad we managed to keep the fire  going, we need to find shelter our selves or..or I am afraid of the results.”

Meanwhile not too far from the campsite was a badger, he didn't plan to get stuck in the storm, but luck was not on his side the past few hours. He looked back and forth “The path...the path is....”And he misplaces his foot paw and tumbles towards the ditch, into the icy water as he gasps, he barely manages to grab hold of a fallen tree limb and shivers.

Jaxson was close by, only causes he was getting something from his tree house and heard a noise he just felt was wrong, so very very wrong and he  felt the tree lurch forwards...ok not good seeing as it has been already leaning since Spring time. He gulped and quickly got out the window with a knapsack and used the branch to move to the tree beside him, he jumped and grabbed the end of the branch of the next tree and pulled himself up and turned around wide eyed as the tree that held his tree house..tree house and all..crashed!”Well...that will need...yep repaired.”

“What was that?” A couple mice asked sounding afraid

The squirrel has a blade in paw quickly “I..don't know..stay here Annabelle...All of ya” He was gonna find out cause that was a little too close, way too close.

Aric frowned and went to follow his friend,”Is this wise?”

Xander also heard the crash and shivered as he managed to pull himself a bit out of the ditch and looks around, he has a few feet to go and uses small little bits of frozen old tree roots to try and pulls himself up. He gets a little ways and falls back again gaining maybe half the length he wanted. He looks up and can't feel his fingers too much..cold and know he is going to need...”Help...HELP ..some...beast.” And his ankle hurts badly.

Jaxson ears go flat as he slowly gets down from the tree and looks “Mu house..Mu house!!!!” He lays his paws on the side of his head like he has now got the worse headache in his life.

Aric appears near Jaxson and blinks “Well...a tree fell in the woods but we clearly heard this one...are you ok good sir? Need any help, are you injured?”

A  squirrel meanwhile hears the badger and carefully walks to the edge of the ditch and gasps..”Oh....my....wait right thar, I am...will be right back!” He hurries towards a direction he knows his friend is in “Aric!!!Come here quick!!”

Xander only nodded and stayed where he was, not like he was going to be able to go anywhere anyways. Also he forgot his blade and maybe that was all well and good but..forgetting his thick cloak and going with a lighter one...was not well planed.

Jaxson blinks “Do it blooming LOOK like I be ok..ya crazy..”He turns when he sees the fellow squirrel and rolls his eyes “Another crazy beast out innna a storm, least I had shelter..note..HAD!” Yes he is grumpy then wouldn't you be as well?

Aric turns quickly “Is it Luna? You found her?” His heart hopes he did, it's all he can do is hope.

The squirrel shakes his head and frowns “No..s..sorry sur...but a beast needin' help...a badger sur.” He points the direction “No sign of Luna..I am..sorry”

Xander sighs as he tries to get further up, again making it only a little closer to the top, and slipping again. He frowns shivering a little and gasps as the root he was holding breaks and he slides down..down to the icy snowy ditch water with a scream!

Jaxson frowns “Badger?...has ta be either Xander or maybe Krisha..”He knows  it be rare for Oz to be outside the abbey...right?

Aric frowns but quickly goes to where the badger is and is soon by the ditch, he heard the scream and then seen him hit the ditch water and so dived in without a thought and grabbed Xander pulling him to the surface of the water and swimming to a slightly lower area of the ditch that has a bit of a slope to climb up it better.”Got ya...I got ya..come on let's get you warmed up..some mushroom soup, hope you like it it's...all my group has.”

The squirrel catches up and frowns till he sees his friend and goes to also help.”Also got a wee bit of dandelion wine...and guess water after melting some snow.”

Xander allows the help and nods “TH..Thanks...s..sir” He serious needs out of his wet clothing and warmed up.

Jaxson frowns “Xander.....you look like you fought some horde of beasts and lost..badly.” He goes to follow them.
Aric nods and gets the badger a large dry blanket to wrap around himself and the tunic and cloak is set over a 2nd fire to get dryed. The main fire is good and warm for the group, hot mushroom soup is passed around as well as water and Dandelion wine and some leftover candy walnuts as well. But it's something as their supplies are so very very low.”Did ya happen to see a dibbun out there..a beaver...please?”

Xander sips some soup “I..didn't...I am..sorry”He coughs a little and frowns.

Jaxson sits down “We should like...get to Redwall..lot freaking warmer, oh by de way my house like..tis gone, tree sort of fell and..yeah my house is a pile of wooden boards and tree limps..and a table..a chair....bed...few odds and ends..my fave chair..but hey..I am alive so that's good...can we make it alive and..warm sir?”

A squirrel asks “Redwall...what is..Redwall?”

Aric half listens and sighs sadly a few tears, his Luna..where is she..is she...dead or alive, then he does hear Redwall..”Redwall?...How close is it?” If nothing else it would be warmer and maybe they could help him find Luna.

Xander answers “Redwall..Abbey....south a little ways, yeah should go there.”

Jaxson is clearly for this idea “Can we go now..before it gets worse or.....”And the wind howls...blows...out the campfire as well as the other....”Never mind...got worse”

The mice and squirrels gasps and frown, there will be no way they can get that fire started again, their only hope was to go to the abbey, a squirrel confirmed it was seen very close. The supplies are locked in the cart, it would have to remain here and hopefully be safe...lives were more important after all.

Aric nods “Let's go..maybe they can help find Luna”

Xander nods “I am sure..the abbot will.”He likely will need to see a healer, and be in the infirm a couple days but it's ok. He looks at his paw and decides it's likely good as feeling is back in his fingers now...well one on his left paw might not have feeling fully back.”Let's go...maybe half an hour walk...”

Ends up being 35 minute walk but they all get there safe and sound, Healers checked everyone out to make sure they were ok, if they needed to stay in the infirm, they did.  But one is missing......Luna...

They could only hope where ever Luna was..

She was still alive......

Who:

Ewan- Private in LP and LP Redwall hare-ME

Benar- ABbot of Redwall

Lilymoore- Bell Ringer

Angela- Healer

Taran- Camp Willow Otter

Henry- Healer and Bard Sparrow

spoofs of some birds and couple abbey beasts...

Log:
Ewan is sitting by the fireplace as it's cold outside and he dislikes cold so has decided to do some reading as he reads and turns a page every few moments, he can read fairly fast and still remember what he read days later. He is almost done with a book on some history of Mossflower area.

As the hare reads, down the stairs in to the Great Hall hops a black-throated sparrow with his wing wrapped in a bandage. The bird gets to the bottom of the stairs and pauses for a moment. It's Henry.

Ewan looks up as he had seen movement out of the corner of his eye and nods a hello "Hallo...friend sparrow or..hopefully friend."

"Greetings hareworm," Says the sparrow, "Sparra friend to all. Excpt ratwroms! Have you every seen a sparra's rat buddy? No! It no happen." As he says this the fowl seems to be hopping back and forth, looking at the abbey door. Then he says, "One moment hareworm," Takes two hops forward and takes for in to the air. For an instent the sparrow is hanging in middair, then he crashes back to the ground with a sickening thud.

Ewan frowns "Your..hurt, how did you get hurt? I know the one...problem was few weeks ago or maybe it was longer."

The Sparra staggers to his feet and hops of to the table. "Meum don't know what happened to wormabbey, but three weeks ago I got attacked by something and it wounded my wing”

Ewan says, "Maybe random vermin...I am Ewan..."He decides to keep it short, "And this large horde tried to take over, it had the abbey under siege and the long patrol came to help"He frowns "A lot of hares..died but the horde was stopped and Mossflower is free now"

With a painful whine, The black-throated bird gives a surprisingly graceful bow, "Henry the poet, bird bard and heaplful healer," he says cordially.

Ewan says, "A healer that's a bird...that's different. You could like, well once wing heals..fly to go help someone and birds can still be healers.""

Benar strolls in from the main stairs, a large book tucked under one arm and a small box held in his other arm. He starts making his way toward his chair by the fire but slows to raise a hand to the hare and sparrow, "Henry dear, Ewan good day to you both."

"Youum understaned wormfreind," Says the sparrow to the here, "Thatum why I become healer. If sparra healer, he can heal where others cann't." The brad turn to Benar when the squirrel greets him. "Hello Abbotworm," Says Henry with another whince.

Ewan waves "Hallo Abbot Benar, how is your day...wot is the book and box for?" He is curious

Benar moves to his chair and settles down, he places the box on the edge of his chair and smiles, "Well today is another chance for people to tell me their stories. I am gathering everyone's stories so we may all hear them and pass the time on these cold, snow bound nights and then at the Winter Feast I'll pick the best story, if there is one."

"Stories?" Inquires the sparrow, "What sort of stories?”

Ewan says, "Stories are good, everyone has a story in their life or well..some do, I think..some good..some bad"He frowns a moment and grows quiet before sitting down and glaces at the fireplace."

Benar smiles and leans back in his chair, "Any type of story, a story about an object, a dish you have cooked, something you did this year or in past seasons. Anything is good, like I have had someone tell me the story of a pie they cooked and how they learn the recipe. it can be anything at all."

Ewan nods "I..don't think have any good story to share, just one but....not  gonna tell it, would cause flashbacks rather not have"

Benar says, "Nonsense Ewan, you have plenty of stories to tell I bet, what it is like living in Salamandastron, what the sea shore is like in summer or winter. You have more stories in you then just the bad time you had back in the summer."

The sparrow thinks for a moment and says "Meum thinks I may have a story for you," He winces once more, "But not now. Nowm I must recover from my attempt to fly. If youum excuse me." The bird bard then hops, slowly, painfully, up the stair to get some rest.

Ewan says, "I..suppose I might have one, would have to think"

Benar curls his legs up under him and smiles, "Well then Ewan think about it, there is no rush after all, but never say you only have one story, you have many many stories."

Ewan says, "I could think of family or why was at first intretsed in the long patrol..even if didn't have much in way of skills to fight or..heal, but other skills that was..could still be useful to others still"

Benar is sat in his chair by the fire, his storybook in his lap and his writing kit nearby, he is talking with Ewan, "There are more stories then just family too, but those are important stories to tell and enjoy as well. We all have our special skills in this life."

Ewan asks, "I remember paths and what read after seeing it just once, that's a good skill right?"

Gorvenalus enters from the direction of the library. He has been dusting and resorting record logs and such the past week, he nods a hello to the ones gathered in the room "Greetings"

Benar asks, "Of course that is a good skill Ewan, there are many good skills in this life," He then nods to the Recorder, "Gorvenalus good day to you, how have you been?"

Ewan smiles,"It helped find a lost dibbun once and helped to avoid this..camp of rats that seemed to like to be in trees some reason"

Gorvenalus smiles "I am doing well was just fixing up the library and resorting some things to make old logs of history earlier to find"

Benar says, "Well that sounds like a good story to me Ewan, you must tell it to us sometime," He nods to Gorvenalus, "Well that sounds good, tidying the library is always important our history is what helps us stick together."

Ewan nods "I could..guess means I am a good tracker, though never was asked to find anything I just did once, or maybe just like don't go down the one path cause its bad"

Gorvenalus says, "Tracking can be important my friend" He sits down in a chair"History is always important to keep, I only wish history of Willowbark wasn't destroyed, a lot of it was sadly"

Benar says, "You should write down what you can remember Gorvenalus, and store it here, a dedication to Willowbark"

Ewan says, "So..when would one need to have a story ready?And maybe we should have like..drinks and little snacks also"

Benar says, "Well you have until the winter feast to tell me your stories, and I am gathering on Saturdays and Mondays and Thursdays to hear them. Bring you own drink and snack if you can get them Ewan, I try not to snack outside of meal times myself."

Gorvenalus says, "Some history was remembered, some not."

Benar is sat in his chair by the fire, it is snowing outside, thick heavy flakes drifting down out of the sky. Benar has his story book in which he has been recording peoples tales and is talking to the recorder and Ewan. "It is never nice when history is lost like that Gorvenalus, it is always such a great loss. But I do encourage you to write down what you can so it can go in the library here," He turns to Ewan, "As for stories tell me something whenever you are ready there is no rush”

Taran walks in, he holds something in his paw and looks to have been...crying maybe? It's not clear really as he enters and sits down close to the fireplace slightly away from anybeast else.

Gorvenalus nods"I will maybe, will just take some time is all, and could perhaps include a journal I keep..even found when I had a brief return to Willowbark..that is a good story to return and find what you thought was totally loss to still have...life"

LilyMoore enters, Butterclaw the sparrow, a dove, 2 robins, and a starling hopping behind her. "No, I'll translate your story on Thursday. You guys still need to practice it -- your timing is horribly messed up!" They all make their way over to near the Abbot, and the mouse maid sits on a footstool, covering her eyes as the birds all chirp at her instantly.

Ewan looks over at the otter but decides to not be curious right now, "I could...tell how I found a dibbun once...I know least the mother cared, not sure of others." It was somewhat true few liked Ewan .

Benar smiles at Gorvenalus, "I can see that it is bound properly for you if you like, we have the equipment for book binding in the abbey and Sister Jennifer is a dab hand with the press, I would love to hear the history of Willowbark," He glances over at Lilymore, listening to the birds and shakes his head, "Lily you really should send all of your friends south, it is way too late in the season for them to be here, also I need you to stop ringing Matthias, something is wrong with the joist holding it up so we need to bring the whole bell down to look at it." He then turns back to Ewan and nods, "Whatever story you wish to tell us Ewan, anything is good but don't rush it today, take some time to think about it"  He then turns to look at Taran as he sits down near the fire and the Abbot, "Taran are you ok?"

Taran looks up and holds up a locket "I..found it earlier today in the remains of what..use to be my home, it was my mother's and..before that,,grandmother's...and"He has tears in his eyes as he looks at it, it's clearly old "A locket passed down for many generations in my family, it managed to survive the fire at Camp Willow as well as different weather, it was under some torn up ..stuff and things.. and....to me its important, a sort of...guess treasure in a way and the only thing I have left of my true birth parents." He shows the locket, it's simple and has vines forming a heart that go around a pair of willow trees and on the tree is also an otter paw print. Its a light silver in color and round in shape on a silver chain.

Gorvenalus listens to the otter's story and nods "Truly something to keep close to you my friend"

LilyMoore scowls. "I told them they should go South with their kind, but they ignored me! It's not my fault! They're free to leave at any time!" "Butterclaw SparraWarrior live in RedAbbey wormhouse like allSparra!" The other birds chirp, then settle down around their mouse friend, who just sighs. "See?" Taking her paws away from her face, she looks at the Abbot and nods. "Okay. I'll just focus on the Methuselah bell. No biggie." She turns to the otter and listens, her bird friends making sad sounds in sympathy. "I'm sorry. That's so hard. I'm glad you have something so beautiful to remember your family by. I wish beasts didn't have to die."

Ewan decides to wait on his story, least for now he will wait."Sadly we all one day will die..but some hopefully a long long time from now"

Benar holds out a paw and places it on Taran's shoulder, "That is a beautiful thing to have a heirloom of your family such as that...," He looks down at it and smiles, "It looks beautiful Taran, I am glad the otters at Camp Willow where able to find it, do you mind if I record your tale in my book?"

He then looks at the other birds and shakes his head, "Insist Lilymoore, with birds often times you have to be much firmer then you would normally be and tell them I do understand them, I didn't learn to Speak sparra and ignore the rest of the birds. As for the bell I'd appreciate your help with the team bringing it down, I was hoping to arrange that in the next week or so."

After giving the bell ringer a smile he turns back to the Ewan and Gorvenalus, then focuses on Taran again, "It is a beautiful thing to have such a gift Taran, treasure it always"

Taran nods as he then holds it close to his chest, he is quiet as he thinks and then nods "You can record my story in your book, yes and I will always keep it safe and with me at all times, I don't plan to ever lose this locket."

Gorvenalus smiles "Something to help you look back on good times perhaps. Keep good memories and fewer bad ones if you can."

The starling twitters something incredibly rude, and LilyMoore gasps. "That was uncalled for! You need to apologize to the Abbot immediately! And of /course/ I'll help pull down the bell. I'm the Bellringer. Now apologiZE!" The starling instead flies off and up the stairwell. The robins twitter apologetically. "I've tried everything I can think of short of throwing them off the wall, Benar. They're more stubborn than the DAB...." She then turns to the otter, deciding to just listen and be an example for her feathered friends.

Ewan hmms "Should I tell a story or wait....and least birds fly if was...ummmm"Yeah thrown off a wall..."Maybe they like the food here, it is good"

Benar says, "You can tell us your story now if you like Ewan," He settles back and then shakes his head at Lily's bird friends, "Well if they are going to be that rude I'll soon make them wish they had learn some manners, shocking..." He turns back to the others and smiles as he starts to write in his book, recording Taran's words, "Whenever you are ready Ewan."

Taran looks at the birds...what did they even say anyways. He leans back in his chair and wipes his eyes of a few tears still there and just decides to listens to other tales for now.

Gorvenalus says, "I think I shall tell my story next time we have stories, gives me time to think on a good one to share"

The robins are still twittering their apologies for the starling's behavior. Butterclaw shushes them, and the 3 birds settle down meekly, not wanting the Abbot's wrath to fall upon them. LilyMoore continues to ignore them, and instead asks the otter, "What were your parent's names?"

Ewan nods "A story..it was when first joined the Long Patrol and was a recruit....was a recruit for a long while as...well not fast..clumsy...sort of..healing is not a skill of mine....anyways"He goes on "I had a day off..sort of."He was told to just flat leave a couple days, have a 2-3 day break..."And this hare maid was crying, she was a private at the time..think she was one of them...yeah she was that..died...but this was before all this, her dibbun was missing and she couldn't find them so she was worried and she needed help to find them so I said I would help."

Benar settles down in his chair, quill pen moving over the text as he records Ewan's words, remaining quiet now to let him talk

Taran listens quietly as he slips the locket around his neck, there it will stay close to the otter's heart as he listens to others speak now.

LilyMoore and her birdy friends also listen quietly, the mouse frowning slightly. She'll have to remember to ask him later if he was bullied.....and she'll try to make a better effort to be his friend.

Ewan nods "The hare maid was glad....she remember last seen the dibbun was near some rocks and on the beach, so I looked there. I found them in this like..little cave that flooded when the tide came in...but inside there was an area or two to sit..he was wet and scared but came to me and...i sort of got stuck a few hours but me and the dibbun, his name was Fred...got back to the mountain and his mother was happy to have him back...after hearing I helped find the dibbun and keep them safe I didn't get in trouble for basically not reporting going somewhere, your to report when do things but time was..important to find the dibbun so....yeah a happy ending and not a sad ending. The dibbun is still...I hope..at the mountain, his Aunt is still alive I believe so he still has family and maybe he will join the LP in a few seasons..who knows"

Benar looks up from his writing and looks over his glasses at Ewan, "That is a lovely story Ewan my dear friend, thank you for sharing it with us," He looks down again and finishes writing.

Taran speaks "The dibbun maybe would never of been found had you not...looked when you did or...well may of been found but not alive. You saved the dibbuns life"

Gorvenalus smiles at the story as he is here to listen to any tales told today. He glaces at the window and one can tell it's snowing a little now.

LilyMoore smiles and claps. "You're a hero, Ewan! You saved that Dibbun's life. That's amazing!"

Angela appears in the doorway to the stairwell, holding the starling. "Lily, please come tell me what this feather mattress is sayin' so I know whether 'e needs a whippin' or not." Cringing, the Bellringer hops up, waving to her friends. "I'll catch y'all later!" Butterclaw and the robins follow her. The dove stays on the fireplace mantle because it has fallen asleep...

Ewan smiles at this "I..hero, I guess in a way I was just being helpful"

Benar says, "That is all a hero is Ewan, some beast who is helpful when it is needed, regardless of what danger it may put themselves in"

Taran nods in agreement, "Yeah..a hero"He says quietly "Like the watervoles who found me and got me to the abbey"

Gorvenalus says, "True, anyone can be a hero one doesn't have to be a warrior to be one..a healer can be a hero and ...well any beast can be one in fact in different ways""

Ewan smiles "It...was dangerous..seeing as I can't swim and took a chance the water wasn't any deeper than could of gotten..when water was up in blocked the way out"

Benar says, "Still you took the chance, you save the little one and that is in the end a good thing, well done you"

Taran slowly stands "I..am gonna go get some rest as its been a fairly long day, least for me..excuse me"He then heads up the stairs and to the guest room.

Gorvenalus waves a goodbye to the otter and gets a little more relaxed in his chair, listening quietly as others talk.

Ewan says, "They needed found and...at the time I was the only one to help"

Benar says, "Either way Ewan, well done you for helping out," He sets his quill down, "That was a very nice story thank you""

Ewan smiles "Your..welcome...has very many told stories?"

Benar stands up, "Well I need to write all of this up in my book properly, I will be in my office if anyone needs me and I shall see you later Ewan."

Whom:

Hanzi Conrad Firepaw Jackson-Me-LP Hare/Recruit

Tarsa Renee Vera Quickpaws-LP Hare/Sargeant/ Fighter

Adrian Hornswiggle Swiftbuck the Third - LP Hare/Corporal/ Runner

Montgomery Alexander Reginald William Baxter Fleetpaw the III- Lp Hare/Private/Fighter

Zolomon Arturo Garrick Anderson IV-LP Hre/ Runner/Private First Class

Log:

Hanzi has explored, and again gotten lost and finds himself wandering into the rec room "Whoa...wot this place?"

Zolomon answers as he sips a light ale "The recreation room lad, to relax and just try and be stress free" He takes another sip of the ale he has as he looks around, not busy...then again it's likely to not be busy anytime soon.

Hanzi nods as he finds a place to sit down "So..a place to relax ya say, Oh I am Hanzi a new recruit. I think I saw you at the abbey briefly I don't know. I didn't talk to anyone right away and then I finally did and..I think they tried to knock me out"

Zolomon shrugs "Well not sure whom would try and knock ya out or why." His glass is half full now as he yawns a little, it's good to relax, even if its only a day maybe.

Adrian pushes the door open and enters the room with a scowl. He makes his way to the bar, ignoring the the other hares, and looks for a stiff drink.

Hanzi shrugs "Is there..much to?" He then watches Adrian walk in and tilts his head as he whispers "He looks moody, is he moody? Why is he moody?" He just watches the hare and then finds something to drink, they have water right, or tea maybe.

Sitting over at a table near the back of the room, likely unnoticed by those already in the room and also those entering, is Private Montgomery Fleetpaw. Known by most as Monty, the young yet well-seasoned hare seems to be engrossed in his work; there is a parchment rolled out across the table in front of him...a map, it seems... and he is studying it intently, emerald eyes poring over each detail carefully. His single ear lies flat against the back of his head, expression scrunched up in concentration. The rest of the table is a general mess, with various charcoal pencils scattered about here and there, as well as a pawful of empty mugs of various sorts sitting there close at paw. His satchel lies near his footpaws on the floor, and it is quite apparent the buck is quite busy with his task.

Zolomon glaces over at Adrian and looks at Hanzi "Maybe...stay away from him then".

Hanzi just watches the  and smirks "There any hot root in this place, I have this really funny idea it will be the best."

Adrian grabs himself a mug of ale from the server, and he sighs. He looks down at a sheet of parchment in his paw, shaking his head. Taking a long, slow drink from his mug, sighing again, and then he spots Monty. Just the perfect hare to vent to. Even if the other buck looks like he's extremely busy. "Oy, Private Montgomery!"

Monty peers even closer at the map spread out in front of him, eyes squinting in concentration as he mutters softly. Reaching over, he picks up the small pair of spectacles that are sitting there nearby, perching them on the bridge of his nose. Paw tapping on the table impatiently, he stares at a particular spot on the map marked with a large X for quite a long time. "Hmmm, no, no no no, can't be right...maybe if we....OHBLOODYHELLSTEETH!!!!" As Adrian shouts his name, the buck looks up quickly in surprise, the sharp movement causing his glasses to tumble off his nose. At the same time, he fumbles with the pencil he was holding, causing it to fall to the table before rolling onto the floor. "Oh for the love of..." Monty sighs, before recognizing the voice and also the face of the one who shouted. His own features light up immediately. "Adrian!"

Zolomon answers "I..don't know and wot ever ya plan ta do with hot root anyways is likely a bad idea lad, so I advise ya don't"Hanzi pouts, oh there has to be something he can do. He then slumps into one of the soft chairs.

Hanzi says, "No hot root...needed hot root..why isn't there any, this place is no fun"

Adrian pays the other two bucks no mind, as he makes a bee-line for his friend's table. "Private Monty, Yah sure are a sight for sore eyes, wot. I been away far too long, I tell yah..." He grabs a chair, pulling it over to the table, and sits. "Wait, though... Did yah hear? I got promoted, just before we left for Mossflowah. 'M a bloomin' Corporal now! Hey! I'm yer superiah!" He grins, his earlier irritation momentarily forgotten. "It was about bloody well time, wot."

Monty reaches down to retrieve his wayward glasses. He examines them to make sure he didn't crack another pair, and once satisfied they are in one piece, he places them back upon his nose. "Hah! Never thought I'd hear those words from anybeast, bucko. Y'seen me lately? I'm a right bloody mess, would prob'ly scare me mother 'alf t'death!" The buck grins, obviously quite happy to see his best friend back in the Mountain, and in one piece. "Good t'have y'back...wot, Corporal issit, y'said? Wow, aren't you Mr Fancypants now. Just don't make me wash th'dishes or mop th'floors, and things'll be hunky dory n'all that." He winks, before picking up the nearest mug, peering inside. Upon seeing it empty, he sighs, then shrugs and sets it back down. "But yeah, can't think of another buck who deserves it s'much as you, mate. Congratulations!" He reaches over to clap Adrian on the back with a paw, then ends up tipping over the empty mug to send it clattering to the floor.

Zolomon frowns at Hanzi and glaces over at Monty and Adrian and decides to just stay where he is as he finishs the ale he has .

Another enters the Rec Room looking equal parts alarmed, overwhelmed, and lost - the typical expression of a fresh recruit. Isla has finally been fitted for a uniform, so her bard clothes, and all of the bangly accessories with them, are gone - she isn't used to dressing in such a stiff, uptight manner. She isn't used to /any/ of this, really... Circus? Piece of cake. Tavern shows? Easy. Signing away her life to a military power? Maybe not her brightest idea... But she's trying. The doe spies Hanzi and Private Zolomon angles towards them, leaving an empty seat between her and Hanzi before ordering a cordial from the 'tender. There is some sort of reunion and dishware-tossing happening, and she tries not to stare. "This place is bloody massive, eh? Swear I've been lost since me bloomin' feet touched rock."

Adrian laughs heartily, and takes a long draught of ale. "Oy, Monty, trust me... I won't let it go ta mah head. I still gotta report ta mah superiah, too, aftah all. It ain't all roses." After that, he sighs, looking down at the parchment he's still holding. "I'm glad ta find ya, though. All I've been thinkin' about is gettin' back 'ere, an' seein' mah friends... An' even mah fam'ly. An' y'know wot's hilarious? I ran inta fam'ly, alright... Mah bloomin' FATHAH is mah boss." He takes another long swig of ale, deciding he probably needs more alcohol for this revelation. "Mah Da. Is mah boss... Where do I even staht with how messed up that is?"

Hanzi nods "This place be a maze that's blooming for sure. I dislike mazes really and no windows either, well there is a very small few..very small few in fact" He shakes his head as if trying to figure it all out, then thinks "But I still wanna be a long patrol hare, tis me dream and I will one day be a great warrior hare"

Sipping daintily at her cordial, Isla's gaze nervously flicks from Hanzi, to Zolomon, to the interaction between the two friends. She snorts out a laugh. "Then maybe ye should stop tickin' off Sergeant Tarsa." She certainly doesn't feel like part of the Patrol, yet - but, the doe decides, there is hardly any use moping. She has made this decision, it's in her blood - she'll be better if it kills her! Which... Well... It might? Draining the last of her cordial, the doe pushes away from the bar. "See ye in trainin', yeah?" She slips back out of the Rec Room - if she does enough push-ups in her free time, maybe one day, they won't hurt so badly...

Zolomon watches her head head and shrugs, "Well de long patrol is a life time commitment and.....hard work, but worth it I think. As for upsetting Tarsa...she has a point, bad idea to get on her bad side, trust me lad"

In the process of reaching down to retrieve the fallen mug, Monty happens to catch a glimpse of Isla entering the room. He immediately recognizes the awkward posture and the air of uncertainty and confusion hovering about the doe; he himself had been in the exact same position not -too- long ago, and so he can absolutely relate to that overwhelming feeling of intimidation that is felt upon entering the Mountain. Especially to a newcomer. Giving her a sympathetic smile as she seats herself near Hanzi and Zolomon, the buck tries his best to not look TOO intimidating, which, given his size, isn't really that difficult a task. It's the scars, mostly. "Yep, as they say, all roses 'ave thorns, yeah?" Monty grins to his friend, before listening to his current predicament with his best attempt at sympathy...though this is a different sympathy than the one for Isla. "Y'don't say? Huh." He blinks, having already known this information previously, but Adrian doesn't need to know that. "Ya, mate, not sure wot I'ddo if I had t'take orders from me pa. Well, I mean...beside the usual ones we gotta follow anyways, right?" he chuckles, with a shrug. "Aw, your old man's not THAT bad. Had a chance t'chat with im a bit. Had another episode in front of im. Y'know, the usual..." Wincing at the memory, he blinks as Isla leaves just as quickly as she had entered the room, then turns back to Adrian. "New recruits, hmm?"

Adrian grimaces, only briefly noticing Isla enter and exit. "Aye, Recruits," He agrees, sighing. He's had to put up with them for days now. Looking over at Monty again, he sighs. "Not tha' bad? Oy, yer right. *He's* not really th' problem, though. *I* am." Another swig of ale, before he continues. "I don't measure up to 'is expectations, Monty... Y'know wot 'is first words ta me were? When 'e first saw me? Not, 'I'm happy to see ya, son.' Not 'I'm so glad yer okay.' No. First words were, 'Yah've got new ordahs.' I've not been home a *day*, an' 'e's already shufflin' me off ta heaven knows where." The buck slams him fist on the table in anger. "He doesn't want ta face me, Monty. He knows how strained our relationship is.. This could 'ave been an opportunity to fix that, but instead, he's pushin' me away. Like always..."Hanzi grins and finds pepper and looks over at Adrian and frowns a little, pepper is put down now as he frowns and looks at the floor,he sniffs a little as he mutters "Least you have a dad...."

Zolomon looks at the pepper and sighs "Wot ya gonna do with the..."And the pepper is put down .He hmmms as he looks at Hanzi and over at the other two hares as he gets up and finds some more light ale and gets a couple glasses of it and brings them over, one for Hanzi and one for himself "Hey...drink lad?"

Monty holds up a paw to Adrian. "Hold that thought, mate..." He gets up from his chair, heading over to the bar. Not too long after, he returns to the table carrying a mug which he sets down in front of Adrian. "Put some o'that in your face, bucko. Always helps me when I feel unwanted and disrespected." He doesn't mention what the concoction is, exactly, Adrian's just gonna have to trust him on this one. "Look, sah...I'm really gonna have to get used to sayin' that now, aren't I...?" He gives his friend a mischievous grin, before returning to a serious tone. "I'm sure you've heard this before, but...he's your daddo an' 'e respects you, I'm sure e's jus' got a weird way o'showin' it. Some parents just have a hard time dealin' with th'fact that they're responsible for a life besides their own, y'know?" The buck sighs, "I understand feelin' upset that 'e didn't greet you when ya got home, but from talkin' to him, he thinks he's doin' what's best for ya. Whether or not that's true, I honestly dunno, but...cheers,eh?" Monty holds up his own mug, holding it out towards Adrian's. "Chin up, bucko. Got some good news, y'know." He nods down towards the map in front of him.

Hanzi stares at the glass of ale, he looks at it and sniffs it, he stares at it some more and sits up "Ale...never had ale before" He looks at the others and the Zolomon"DO all patrolers drink ale? Is it good?" He takes a long sip and stands, he then proceeds to..pass out, yep the hare can't hold his ale it seems. What fun.

=The next morning, late morning ==

Hanzi liked the library, it was quiet, then librarys are supposed to be quiet anyways so he could sit here and think, try and get over a bad headache will would likely just get worse knowing his luck and he missed morning exercises, so he over sleep..what ever.

Tarsa walks into the library and on over to the other hare and sits in a chair across from him "So...one you missed morning drills, not a good start to being here. Two..need to discuss the wandering off issue when we arrived back"

Hanzi frowns "I have a headache....and I already said sorry and supposed to talk to Ciocan....or do I talk to you instead...both?"

Tarsa folds her arms over her chest "Both...half paid attention to an interesting talk in the tavern at Halyard...bout a fox, a cat and you and how you knew them, how? It could be important if you know them or knew them. I know you ran into a rat on the beach, as did a fox cub..why vermin were after vermin no clue, but that's not the thing..here is the thing, this possible slavers...who are they and how do they know you? You claimed to be from Mossflowerr ALL ya life"

Hanzi frowns "I am from Mossflower, western area...and the rat was one of the slavers..I swear he was and he has this tattoo and so did the cat, she wasn't with the rat but I bet she is around."

Tarsa sighs "All the horde was taken care of, all the vermin died as those who ran was chased and killed by a long patrol hare, or a otter or some other beast, one got taken by an eagle supposedly."

Zolomon walks in hearing some of it "They had tattoos? Wot sort?" He salutes Tarsa almost forgetting in fact and stays close, but not all the way over to where they are.

Hanzi frowns "Like a flower, it was black though and there was vines and stuff.."He frowns "And they....like to mark their ...slaves with a tattoo too but its far from as fancy as the ones the vermin have with vines and thorns and more detailed black flower, I..I don't know what flower is what, tis..a flower I know that."

Tarsa says, "Lot of vermin have tattoos but never knew any to like flowers, or give slaves a tattoo....guess be a good way to make sure they got someone back maybe""

Zolomon frowns and his ear droops, "Black flower?" His voice sounds a bit concerned, and when thorns and vines are mentioned he seems to frown more and walks over "Can I see your upper left arm?" He knows from past dealing with some slavers in Mossflower, that's where they put a tattoo for slaves.

Hanzi frowns "Why?" He made it his goal to hide his arms, yeah he changed but he never let anyone see his upper arms,"It's...not that..."He frowns "Its not the same as the cat or..rat had"

Tarsa arches an eyebrow"Why do you want him to show you his upper left arm?" Wait, this recruit mentioned being a slave, and hey if it helps, "Recruit, take off the shirt or least enough to show your left arm and its not a request" Nope an order and from an officer so he best listen.

Zolomon frowns at Tarsa but doesn't say anything and just gives Hanzi a reassuring smile, like a smile will likely help.

Hanzi looks between Tarsa and Zolomon and frowns, he starts to shake his head and then sighs and he unbuttons the shirt and lowers it just enough to show his left shoulder, a simple outline of a black rose, no thorns or vines its simple, an outline and then adjusts the shirt so he can re button it"They did it..I belonged to them she said...she and the rat did disappear, thar was talk that the stoat killed her, that rat stuck around though but he disappeared before the last fight. Me and some other slaves were freed...like a couple weeks before the Patrol came, we stayed some where in Ferravale but I didn't, I sort of stayed in the woods and managed to avoid the vermin, I didn't go to that fight though and waited till it was over and ...well looked for de patrol or what was left of ya guys, figured the cat and the rat were killed, g..guess they were not"

Tarsa studies the flower and hmmms "Odd..well its possible I guess they could of decided to leave, some vermin are smart like that and leave, others are not. But two vermin cant do much harm, right?"

Zolomon frowns "Blackrose...the rat is Stomfang, I can't remember the cat's name but she was like the leader, and the stoat did try and kill her , she tricked the abbey into healing her and showed where the slaves was to, as she said , get back at Ormaz and then she killed a couple Mossflower Defenders and got away."He frowns "She cam..here? Here of all places...well the western shores..and she is the type to try and start trouble Sergeant, trust me."

Hanzi says, "So...we gonna hunt them down and slay them, like before they cause major trouble?"

Tarsa sighs as she thinks "We are not just gonna go off and hunt down vermin. The long patrol don't go rushing off every time someone sees a vermin, we figure things out and make a plan, not just rush off like fools"

Zolomon nods "She has a point, dangerous to go zooming off, wot....and ya all just barely got back."

Hanzi taps the arm of the chair with his fingers and then stands up and stomps his foot paw "Why? You seemed to just confirm I know what I be talking bout and those 2...they...they are de reason mom and dad are dead so those 2 vermin..need dead, why not go after them!"

Tarsa shakes her head "You recruit need to calm down and just going off in a rage is not a plan, its foolish is what it is"

Zolomon says, "We can think up a plan, maybe talk to a major or his lordship. Find out more info on maybe where they could be...you saw the rat but not the feline, did he mention her or anything, a direction he went?""

Hanzi snorts and storms over to Tarsa, "I..I am not waiting, why wait? You know I will just go and ya all can lazy around the stupid mountain if ya so tried after ....oh such a long trip!!" Yes he is angry and just seems to have a short fuse today, but when it comes to slavers...he does have a short fuse.

Tarsa narrows her eyes and stands slowly, paws at her side,"Get out of my face and to the barracks Recruit Hanzi, now...we shall have a chat soon or maybe I will send Major Varus ta chat with ya instead"Oh it so depends on her mood and frankly she is tried of this hare.

Hanzi narrows his eyes and balls his fist, sure obey the order..what ever as he goes to turn to leave and then just spins around and sends a punch towards the Sargent, if he gets flipped..what ever he will just sneak out later, if it connects...well ...

Tarsa is tried, she didn't sleep well all the questions from hares..why this?why that? Why did so and so have to die and oh you could of save them and done better and yet she still did morning drills and then this annoying recruit in her face, she seems relieved when he starts, that's starts..to head to the barracks but there is rare times she can get surprised and this turns out to be one of them, the punch connects and ends up knocking her out cold, lucky there is the chair she can land it, so that's good at least.

Zolomon eyes go wide "Tarsa!

Zolomon eyes go wide "Tarsa!" He goes to check on her and looks over at Hanzi, oh...he is FAR from happy, Hanzi should run maybe.

Hanzi backs up, ok he was not expecting it to conenct, he goes to quickly head to the doorway and get to the hallway and , well somewhere other than here!

Tarsa is unconscious, her jaw isn't broken but its gonna be sore a couple days and she might end up with a slightly black eye.

Zolomon is the fastest runner here and so the unlucky recruit does not  make it to the door before he is tackled and held down. The runner glares at Hanzi"You just..."He will force him to stand up and will shove him into a chair"Sit DOWN!" He takes a deep breath "And stay there till I get someone in here to ..."Well he isn't sure what but the voice means the recruit best listen or, well the well is unclear. Zolomon then goes to gently lift Tarsa and head to the infirm, if Hanzi knows what is best, he will stay seated till told otherwise.

Hanzi gasped as he hits the floor and struggles slightly as he is dragged to a chair and falls into it, he frowns as he sees the look on the other hares face and gulps "I..y..yes sir"