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oz

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Registered: 2016-11-20

Posts: 1,659

First Day of The New Base In Halyard-LP LOG

It is Spring on the Western shore, the weather is brisk, a steady breeze off the ocean still has a bite of cold to it but the sun is out and whilst it isn't super warm it is still nice. Lord Ciocan is here, talking quietly with the head of Halyard fisher, the big otter who works one of the fishing boats and is the de-facto spokesperson for the village.
   
They are standing outside the refurbished Harbour Master's office. It hasn't been used for years but now the village has given it over to the Long Patrol. It has been fixed up, fortified, repaired and is now ready to be used as the Long Patrol's new base in the village. Ciocan is chatting amiably with the General, Mayor Darung the sea-otter and a few other village notables whilst he waits for his hares to arrive. Seems he has some announcements to make but is waiting for the junior officers to fall everyone in.

Pete is here and he rarely gets out and about.He is also a little moody, what's new, but at least some of the hares are behaving better with him here, two being the Privates Cole and Slaw who earlier fought over a chair,one look from the old major they just stood and Pete took the chair."Young beasts these days.."

Rhonwen is one of the hares that helped with the docks and now is back in the village for the first couple weeks of the base being here. She has the rank of fighter, a private as she looks around and quietly waits to see what happens today.

Felicity is having a bad day.  It's only the fault of a couple of Privates (not Cole and Slaw this time, go figure), but she's struggling to not explode on everyone else.  "'Alt -- I SAID 'ALT, Privates Dune an' San'grass!"  She marches over to the hapless Privates who only stop when she's in front of them.  "Stop y'daydreamin' an' pay attention!  This is a mission, not a daisy pickin'!  Get back in line."  Sandgrass and Dune scramble back to their positions.  The Sergeant looks to the sky as if patience could be found there.

Quinten wanders over toward Felicity having excused himself from His Lordship and the Mayor, "Sergeant, is all ok?" he asks with a soft smile, "You seem even more fractious than usual today. I trust all is well?"
   
Ciocan meanwhile is laughing warmly with the large sea-otter, turning to talk to a small shrew and a mouse who run one of the bakeries, chatting quietly as they discuss this and that. Seems they are still waiting for people to arrive. But Ciocan has noticed Peter and Rhonwen and he nods to them both whilst continuing his discussions.

Pete nods to the Badger Lord as he keeps an eye on things, he yawns a little as this day is a bit boring so far but fresh air is always good.

Rhonwen stays where she is,she has yet to meet everyone that's here.She has seen the Badger Lord a couple of times from a distance when she was a recruit but shortly after being a Private she was sent to Halyard and the docks.

Felicity is slightly offended.  "I'm not bein' fractious!"  She's not entirely sure what that word means, but she thinks it means irritable.  "I'm jus' doin' m'job, tryin' t'keep these Privates an' such in ordah.  Sometimes 'ollerin' is th' only way t'get their attention."  She glances at the Privates.  "Dune, watch y'speah.  Y' about to give Cole a new piercing in 'is eah."

Quinten smiles patiently with Felicity, "Shouting is not always needed," He turns to the privates, "Please do all line up," He says in that patient way of his, unflappable as ever, "His Lordship will speak once everyone has arrived and Dune... your spear, spread your hands a bit farther apart, yes like that, you'll have more balance with it that way."
 
Ciocan excuses himself from the Mayor and moves down, he nods to Peter and then stops by Rhonwen, "Hello there young one, it is Private Rhonwen no? I hear you did a lot of work on the docks to help restore them and the buildings. I just wanted to pass on my thanks for all your effort."

Cole mutters something bout if his ear is poked then someone gets punched. When the General appears he straightens up rather quickly.

Slaw is so far behaving himself.

Old major Pete slowly stands and dusts off his uniform a little "Two weeks of this. Suppose could be worse."And they did need his help since another Major is in the infirm right now.

Rhonwen salutes the Badger Lord "Yes sur  Prvate Rhonwen Primrose Jo Caddel."She manages a smile at the approval.

Felicity watches as Dune straightens his spear....only to get bonked on the head by Sandgrass' spear as he turns to see what Quinten is talking about. The spear also reaches past Dune to smack Cole if he doesn't move. Dune yells in pain, then viciously kicks Sandgrass in the shin. Sandgrass kicks back. Felicity is between them in a flash. "NO FIGHTING!! What are you, Dibbuns?? Jus' stand there an' keep y'speahs straight like the good General  just instructed!" "He told Dune, though, not me." "THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU!" The Sergeant is already wanting a vacation.

Quinten shakes his head, "Don't shout Felicity, maybe show rather then shout." The General takes a spear and holds it, both hands spread, "See how I am holding it? Tip slightly slanted forward? That's the best way to balance it carefully whilst standing still." The General then moves along the line, helping hares and murmuring quietly to them in encouragement before handing his borrowed spear back and heading over toward his Lordship, "I think we are ready My Lord." Ciocan nods to Quinten and smiles at Rhonwen, "Thank you Private," He then moves back toward Mayor Darung and the other villagers. Pausing to talk to a brown rat wearing neat black trousers and a velvet sash with matching purple bandana. The rat lifts a stone hanging around his neck, peering through the hole for a moment before talking to the Badger. Ciocan frowns and then nods and pats the rat on the arm in thanks before the rodent moves over to stand with Mayor Darung. Ciocan then moves to the front of the steps on the harbourmaster's building and Quinten raises his voice, just loud enough to be heard, "Long Patrol, fall in," no flash, no shouting but the majority of hares just click into attention in nice ranks. Anyone who doesn't well Quinten will notice and make sure they and their officers get a bit more drill time in after this.

The hares of the other patrol present, including one Greenhill and Konner, do their best to hide their amusement at the antics while trying to listen to the commanding general. Terrence stood by letting Felicity deal with the privates of her patrol silently thanking whoever's listening that its not his job to deal with those four hares (Cole, Slaw, Dune, and Sandgrass) anymore. Hearing Quinten's order he gives his own command, yelling so that all can hear and not mistake it, "Hares, at attention!" Hopefully the night on five seasons of drilling Terrence has done with the Long Patrol pays off here, even for the more troublesome privates. They wait for further commands pose makes sure everyone is ready as well.Slaw goes to shove Slawalittle but Major Pete clears his throat and once more the two brothers are at attention.He sighs and then looks towards the general and Badger Lord.

Pete makes sure everyone is ready as well.Slaw goes to shove Slawalittle but Major Pete clears his throat and once more the two brothers are at attention.He sighs and then looks towards the general and Badger Lord.

Rhonwen stands at attention again and waits for any needed instructions that will be given soon. group of hares are finally pulling off their drills".

Felicity stifles a sigh as the General tries to show her a gentler way of command. Fortunately for everyone here, the dreadful Whisowsky is apparently still at the Mountain, either that, or behaving himself at the back of Terrence's command. At the General's order, the female Sergeant also hollers the command back to her patrol to make sure they heard. Dune is too busy being offended to get in line, even though everyone else obeys with alacrity. Felicity lets out her sigh. The Private blanches and hops into place.

Quinten salutes Ciocan, "All hares are ready and waiting your words my Lord." he then steps back as the Badger Lord nods. He has noted each and every person who was slow to slip to attention. Poor Felicity and her patrol are all going to wind up doing double duty practice shifts now thanks to that poor showing.

"Welcome my friend," Ciocan says, "And thank you all for coming, we are here today because work on our new base here in Halyard has been completed." He gestures at the tall, fortified building behind him, "Mayor Darung and the village council have asked us to set up a permanent presence here in town."

The badger folds his arms behind his back, looking down sternly at everyone, "This is an honour, we are to be Halyard's guests. A patrol will be stationed here in the town to patrol the streets, act as peacekeepers and guards and help to make the village a safer place." The Badger lord moves forward, "You will obviously take your orders from your patrol leaders, your patrol leaders will answer to Mayor Darung and his Seer Orel," He gestures at the big sea-otter and the short brown rat with the stone around his neck. "As well as the other members of the village council. We obey Halyard's rules, Halyard's laws, we are their guests here to hold their peace not enforce the ways of the mountain. Anyone who breaks those rules when stationed here will answer to the Mayor or the Seer."

Ciocan then smiles, the hard bit passed, "There will be no one regular patrol assigned to Halyard, everyone will be taking part. In two to three week shifts, a rota drawn up by the General, including the home-guard as he and I have decided it will be a good oppurtunity for everyone to experience a different type of patrol and remain in practice. Now does anyone have any questions for me?"

Pete nods, the old Major is fine with a little different action once in a while and sentry duty does get a little boring day in and day out most of the time.

The hares under Terrence's command do as they're told to the letter, while the sergeant gives Dune a death glare for not getting in line (even if the unfortunate private isn't directly under his command anymore).

Felicity nods slightly. This seems like a good arrangement to her. She actually has the respect of a number of the vermin in Halyard, even some of the rougher individuals. if only she can instill in her patrol that not all vermin are evil incarnate... Dune is miserable. He seems to fully understand how dead he is. The rest of the patrol stands at attention and listens, but some are sending glares at the unfortunate Private out of the corners of their eyes.

He'd been warned off any strenuous activity or travel after his futile confrontation with a certain AWOL hare, but there's nothing in heaven or earth that can stop Varus from doing as he pleases, save perhaps a formal order from Lord Ciocan. And he hadn't got one of those. So after all the speechifying from the Badger Lord was compeleted, lo and behold, the old Major himself come hobbling up with a cane and even his wife Olivia and another, younger healer in tow, both looking quite put out with the whole ordeal. "Ah, yahr all lookin' spiffin', wot wot... 'Cept f'r you, Dune. Pathetic. Anyway... Carry on, eh wot."

Ciocan reaches out to place a hand on Varus' shoulder and smiles, "They are all looking good, all the patrols are... but you, sit," He pushes down firmly with a hand and manouvers the Major onto a nearby bench, "Sit and take it easy or I will promote you here and now. See if I don't."

Quinten is smiling behind a hand, trying not to laugh, he steps forward, "Company dismissed, please everyone the Mayor and his team have put on a bit of a welcome spread of us along the docks. So everyone dig in, get to know the townsfolk, listen to their concerns, learn what you can about the town and its people." Darung and his seer Orel step up and talk quietly to the older hare and the General nods, "Also Terrence, Felicity can I have a word?"

Pete relaxes a little as he listens to the talking and for now stays off to the side, he will talk if needed but he is use to just being in the sentry cave mostly,when he isn't teaching a class.He supposed he will have to interact with others at some point.

"Company, /dismissed!/" The repeated order from the general is once again said in Terrence's drill sergeant voice; exaggerated and loud. "Make sure Dune and the othahs don't start anothah fight, Greenhill." He mutters in a far quieter tone to the lance-corporal as she passes. With the rest of the hares breaking for the meal, the sergeant spares a glance at Felicity before coming to a stop and saluting Quinten. "Yes sah?" He can't help feel anxious at this time, even as he stands at attention.

Rhonwen smiles, food always makes a hare happy and she has yet to really get a good look around the village, but she can do that a little later on as for now she can relax a little bit.

"Comp'ny, dis/missed/!" Felicity also echoes the command in her best Drill Sergeant shout. Dune wilts slightly under Varus' condemnation, and when the company breaks apart to go get food, he looks like he's struggling to not cry. Felicity doesn't notice this because that's when the General beckons the Sergeants over. Giving Varus a salute as she passes, the auburn doe stands at attention before the General and salutes. "Aye, sah?"

Varus is sat down quite firmly, much to Olivia's relief. "I told you that you shouldn't be walking so far, dear," she says to him, "Not right now, but would you listen?" He scowls briefly, then acknowledges Felicity's salute. Any threats of promotion fall on deaf ears. He'd resign again before he let that happen.

Ciocan nods, "You should listen to Olivia, you should not have walked up this far..." He frowned, "I've dispatched a patrol to try and track Zolomon by the way. He has to return to the mountain and face the consequences of what he did. Hopefully they can track him... but still thank you for coming out today." The badger lord is distracted as the brown rat walks over and bows, "Ah Orel, Varus have you met Orel? He's the town's Seer. He's quite an interesting one."

The rat is peering through the stone hanging around his neck at Varus, one brown eye staring through the circular stone at the Major as he sits.

Meanwhile Quinten is watching the scrum of villagers and Long Patrollers around the buffet table. The poor folk or Halyard are in for a shock feeding all these hares but the atmosphere seems jolly and inviting! Rhonwen would find a whole host of delicious things on offer, sea food was primary, but also salads and a whole host of other interesting dishes from pies to sandwiches and cheeses.

Quinten focuses on Terrence and Felicity, he nods to them both, "Felicity, little bit of a drill issue there... I expect the Privates to be able to stand at attention by now. Especially in front of his Lordship. Now he won't say anything this time but if it happens again he will start sending me pointed notes. Sort them out Sergeant, I'll be inspecting them in three weeks and I expect them to be able to stand at attention or next time his Lordship calls an all-in." He smiles then relaxing his stance, "I know they can be a handful but I have faith in you Felicity, trust your instincts and if you have to scare the bejeebus out of them. Now then Terrence I need to take you to task over your personal uniform failing," He shakes his head and tuts, "Scandalous, the Master Sergeant falling into ranks without the correct chevrons on his uniform." The general takes a small box out of a pocket and opens it, revealing a set of chevron patches and a Master Sergeant's pin. Cunningly crafted out of bronze with silver edging, "His Lordship sends his personal congratulations and a new pin, made by his hand, congratulations Terrence."

Pete speaks quietly with an otter that's close by, he nods as he gets some sald and fish and speaks "Yeah I don't get ta town much, but here de next 3 weeks good beast"

It has yet to dawn on Terrence what the General had just given him, and he stares at the items still in mild shock. "Fo'h me, sah?" /Then/ it hits him. "Thank you, sah!" With an excited bow followed by a sheepish salute, the now master sergeant looks at Quinten, then back at the pin and patch. "Eh, may I, sah?"

Greenhill, meanwhile, tarries for a moment before heading to the feast, going to pat on the shoulder Dune in a semi comforting gesture. "Look, Dune there's no real shame in a mistake if you learn from it. Why don't you get some food before the rest scarf it all down, eh? Come on," She waves him to follow her.

Rhonwen is relaxed and even starts talking to a couple village beasts.She should likely do just fine here.

Felicity tries not to show her frustration. "Aye, Sah. Dune an' th'othahs will be gettin' extra drills in th'next 3 weeks, don't y'worry." She then watches the exchange, a grin spreading across her face as the buck is promoted. "Oh, congratulations, Terrence! Y'deserve it, wot!" Dune swallows hard and nods, doing as Greenhill says. "Aye...aye, sah." He follows her to the food.

Quinten says, "Of course Terrence," Quinten said, "Here allow me," He took the pin and fasens it to Terrence's collar, "Now you two youngsters go celebrate, there is plenty of food and Orel's special Seaweed Ale, he only breaks that out for special occasions. It's got a good kick."

Varus looks at Orel. "Eh? Oh, 'ello there, wot. Don't believe we've met, even though mah fam'ly's lived in Halyahd f'r sev'ral generations..." He looks over at Terrence, too. "Congratulations, Mastah Sahgeant...

Admiring the pin as best he can (he can't really see his collar as his snout is in the way), Terrence nods, bowing his head again in gratefulness. "Thank you, sah - really. And thanks, Felicity." He turns to her, waving over at the meal. "We should get going before it's all gone, wot! And," he adds, shifting back to the general, "I'll be sure too keep that in mind, sah! Though I'll be careful to not have a headache latah-" He stops, again, his ears perking up as his major speaks. "Thank you sah, I won't disappoint I hope!"

Orel drops his necklace stone to hang around his neck and bows, "I am Orel, I live in and help run the tavern. Been a bar-tender there for seasons but mostly I brew beer and grog out back." The rat smiles, "I'm also the Sea-Rat Seer, but I decided I was fed up of different rat captains fighting over who would own me and benefit from my visions. So I moved here and now the town gets to benefit from my visions and sight rather than some awful sea-rat." The seer bows, "I best get back to Mayor Dagrun and the others, but it was nice to meet you major."

Ciocan nods to Varus, "You take it easy, enjoy the food, that's an order at least." He then moves off to join Quinten in getting food.

Felicity smiles at Terrence and nudges him with her elbow once all the higher-ups aren't looking. "Lookit you, so fancy!" She tries to hold his gaze a little longer, then heads over to the food tables, chatting with the villagers, making sure the hares and the vermin are getting along, checking on her underlings, making sure Dune is feeling better. She avoids the alcohol today, but the food? Yeah, she digs in with a will.

Varus nods to Orel. "Ah, I wondered who's been tendin' th' tavern since the prior ownah. She was a staple there since I was just a Private mahself. Formah Patrol 'are she was... Hannah? Eh... I quite forget 'er name now." He nods his head as the rat steps off, then turns his attention back to the feast. "Well, Olivia, shall we? I was ordahed, aftah all."

The hares enjoy the food, the chatting and the rest of the day and night go very well for all.

---

I play:
Oz-  Badger-young adult-Wanderer