When Martin Visits DABers (IC RP 5.23.2020 Dibbuns Slavers TP)

BlisaMarshmellow · 2020-05-23 03:11:34 PM

SCENE: On a slaver's boat (or is it a ship?), somewhere on the way from Redwall Abbey

CHARACTERS: Squirrelbabe, female DAB Ringleader. The spirit of Martin the Warrior.

LOG:
The past few days have been stressful and frightening for the Dibbuns. Squirrelbabe has tried to put on a brave face and not show her fear, but the truth is she's terrified.
And despite her obstinate refusal to interact normally with the other Dibbuns and her apparent hatred of the adults, the DAB Ringleader had really come to rely upon the adults for the social interaction she desperately needed, as well as the leadership she needed after witnessing her parents and grandparents be murdered by foxes. Even though she has put on a brave and angry face, the squirrel is lonely, and she doesn't know that not being mean to the others would help her in the long run.
Now exhaustion has overcome Squirrelbabe, and despite the storm and her fear of what their captors might do, she has fallen asleep in the bowels of the boat, clutching her tail for comfort. But sleep isn't restful -- the terror of her captivity has triggered her memories of her family being killed. And so her dreams are filled with fear and flames. The Dibbun whimpers in her sleep, curling into an even tighter ball.
Around her, most of the other Dibbuns are sleeping, too, each wrapped up in their own fears and worries as the storm rages outside.

The dreadful memories of the death of her family are jarring, painful but this time something different happens. Fog starts to roll in, the images of the foxes and their weapons fading, drifting, melting into fog.
The squirrels parents remain, her mother last, fading quietly into the fog and stepping out of the fog is a figure the squirrelbabe would recognize. It's the figure from the tapestry, his armour gleams, his shield is strapped to one arm and his sword, the sword, Matilda's sword currently is resting at his side.
"Hello little one," he sits down before her, "You are safe now... those dreams will not return tonight..."

Squirrelbabe sniffles and sits up, only vaguely understanding that she's still asleep. She does recognize the mouse. "Aw you Mawtin?" However, she has spent her entire time skipping Abbey school as if she's being paid to do so, so she doesn't know the stories of him visiting beasts in times of need. She also doesn't understand that each Abbey Champion inherits the sword. "Why you steal Matilda's swowd?" Because that's obviously what happened in her mind. She doesn't quite get that it's actually his sword and he just lets the Champions borrow it

The mouse smiles and sits down cross legged, "Because it is my sword, but I have not stolen it..." He gestures and it melts away, as does the armour and the shield leaving him in just a simple brown robe.
"I am not really here little one, you are still asleep, but I have come to speak to you... the vermin who have taken you and the other children, are embarking on a long journey and the little ones, they need you."

Squirrelbabe's eyes go wide as he does his magic trick! "Cool..." she goes to touch his knee, now clothed in brown cloth instead of armour, ignoring his assurance that she's asleep and instead trying to figure out how he did that. "Why dey take us? We wasn't bein' /dat/ bad..." She has harboured fears that she was bad enough they'd take her, but she knew none of the others were that naughty. "Why dey need me? Dey not my fwiends." She doesn't quite realize how much of a leader she is -- I mean, she's still very young. Even if she did attend Abbey school, she wouldn't be able to read yet. She's still a young Dibbun.

Martin lifts her up and into his lap, he seems solid enough and the mouse looks down at her with a smile, "They took you because they are bad beasts little one, they are evil, through and through... the worst kind of vermin."
He looks into her eyes, "So little squirrel, they are going to be mean and treat you all terribly and all the others, they need someone to be brave, and strong and look out for them. Can you do that for me? No picking on them, no bullying... you need to bully the vermin instead and look out for all the other children."

Squirrelbabe gets the rare privilege of sitting on Martin's lap! He usually doesn't give the grown-ups hugs. He also usually speaks to them in riddles. The Dibbun doesn't know just how lucky she is! Instead, she makes a face. "Does dat mean I has to be nice to /Isa/? She annoying." (One of the few big words the Dibbun knows!) "Whys woulds dey needs me to do's dat? Why can'ts de uvvew Dibbuns be bwave?"

Martin smiles and strokes her ears, "Even Isa little one and they need someone to show them, they are all frightened and scared and missing home."
He pauses, clearly thinking how best to word this, "They need someone to show them how to be brave, you are all young but you little one, you already know how to be brave and strong. You aren't scared of anyone are you, except maybe the Abbot."

Squirrelbabe crosses her arms and humphs, then relaxes, not realizing how much she missed having a grown-up comfort her. "Fffffiiiiiiine," she says, already starting to think of how best to be nice to the other Dibbuns and how to stand up to their kidnappers.
But she wilts a little. "I no scawed o' da Abbot! But I /is/ scawed of dat foxie." She means Mistclaw. "She be's like da foxies whot killed Mommy an' Daddy an' Nana an' Papa." The Dibbun hugs her tail again. "I scawed o' foxies."

Martin smiles but decides to move on rather then reveal he can see into her heart. "The fox is a very bad fox little one, you need to be careful of her, there is no shame in being scared my dear. But you need to also be brave, not let the others see you are scared. Put on a brave face and let them know you are not frightened."

Squirrelbabe thinks for a minute, then nods. "Okies. I twy to be bwave, an' nice, too." She looks up into his eyes. "Aw da gwown-ups gonna wescue us? I dunnos how t'get home." Wakefullness is starting to steal at the edges of her mind, but maybe she can slip back into deeper slumber if she stays relaxed.

Martin smiles and lifts her up in his arms
"Matilda is already on her way, The Abbot and Mother Krisha sent her, with the GUOSIM and DoraRose and Xander and Caleb, they are all on their way to you... so be brave Squirrel, be brave and strong for all the others."
The mist rolls back in, swirling and flowing around the little one and Martin starts to fade away, "Be brave and know, I am watching."

Squirrelbabe smiles a little. "I hopes dey hits da baddies on da bottoms wif shticks!!" As Martin starts to fade, the Dibbun doesn't feel panic, but rather determination. "Okies! I be's bwave! I show evewybeast whot a Wedwallew is like!" His reassurance that he'll be watching settles in her heart without her realizing it. As the awake world comes closer, Squirrelbabe yawns and lays back down in her dreams. She feels lots better now...

Martin watches from the spirit realm as the squirrel wakes, "Good luck little one..." he then lets himself drift back, he needs to talk to the Abbot and then return to watching Matilda. The path for everyone is thwart with Danger but he is watching, as he always does.

~*END*~

Thanks for reading!

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#1 2020-05-23 03:11:34 PM

When Martin Visits DABers (IC RP 5.23.2020 Dibbuns Slavers TP)

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