07-05-05

Characters involved: Zeraph, Miyrr, Keita, Vansinnig, & Taeura.

Halyard Tavern: Main Room

Zeraph is still seated on the stool, gazing at the floor behind the bar, then he gets down off of his seat with a wince of pain, kneeling down and studying the lay of the wood. The buck scowls thoughtfully then looks around.

Miyrr watches silently from the corner of the room. Her breathing is shallow and she doesn't move much except for the occasional shifting of her weight against her bonds.

Zeraph stands up to look around more thoroughly, putting no weight on his injured leg. The fighter notices Miyrr stir in the corner and his ears shoot upward, then he leans on the bar as he moves around to her. "..oh dear, are you alright?" His thoughts have been interrupted for now. He searches up and down her chains, trying to figure out how to get her out...

Miyrr look up at the figure before her. She grimaces as she does so, "no." is all she says weakly.

Zeraph tugs at the chains for a moment, then scowls. "I'll be right back.." He heads back towards the bar to find something to pick the locks with.

Miyrr her head droops back to a slightly more comfortable position. She stares at the floor waiting...

Exiting the back room with a biiiig sigh, Keita rubs absently at her neck where her collar chafes, rather annoyingly so. She notices Zeraph moving about, and glances absently at his leg, which is apparently healing well enough. Hm.

When walking he doesn't put much weight on the leg, so he isn't /completely/ healed, definitely, but Zeraph decided he needed to take action /now/ after his conversation with Daclon the other day. He notes Keita. "Hey! Do you have anything that can..pick a lock?"

Keita eyes Miyrr, whose chains the buck seems to want to remove. "I dunno... Yer welcome t' anything ya find, 'course." She glances down at the counter-top, but... there's not much of anything useful, there. Agh.

Zeraph fiddles with the metal cuffs still on his wrists. "Aye...A knife perhaps?" A glance is given to the doe in the corner, scowling unhappily.

Keita snorts softly. "Ya think they'd leave me with knives?" Nonetheless, she crouches down and rifles through a cabinet. The sounds of pots and pans being pushed aside can be heard.

Zeraph watches her. "It doesn't /have/ to be sharp.." Then the buck shrugs and goes about searching for something himself. "Also.." He glances at Keita again. "..We'll need something to dig with.."

Dead silence follows, until Keita's head suddenly pops up over the edge of the counter. "... /Dig/?" A drink stirrer is held in paw when she comes up. "Will this work?"

Zeraph seems interested. "Oh, it may.." He takes the stirrer from the doe. "Yes..dig." The fighter heads back towards Miyrr. "You know..pull up a floor board?"

( Miyrr moves her head so there is more access to the lock on her neck leash. By the look on her face the pain is near unbearable. She closes her teary eyes and you can her here wince as she tries to keep her head in the position. )

Keita glances down at the floor boards, and thumps a footpaw on one. It creaks. "... Ya realize that the guards might jus' notice that, righ'? ... If they evah come back." She glances towards the door, as if expecting them to.

Zeraph is busy picking the lock on Miyrr's collar, ears back so he can hear Keita. "hmm..yeah, we'll have to be quick about it...And hide the dirt somewhere.." He pats the injured doe's cheek, whispering to her. "It'll be alright.." The buck continues his task, until the collar pop open. Grins.

Miyrr's head flops forward as the neck collar opens up. It takes all of her resolve to not scream out as the pain is immeasurable. She's taking slow deep breaths, tears falling off her cheek as she cries.

Zeraph looks worried and like it is hurting him to see it. He looks away to get the metal cuffs off of her wrists first. Picks the first one quickly and goes to support her as he tries to unlock the other, ears laying flat.

( As Miyrr begins to cry, Keita quickly looks away. In fact, she turns her back and starts pushing things about the counter in presumed "business". )

Miyrr collapses into Zeraphs arms groaning in agony. She is trying futilely to hold her self up and groans one last time before losing consciousness.

Dosu has arrived.

Zeraph looks worried as he braces himself, holding the doe up and being forced to put his one footpaw on the ground. He winces and clenches his teeth in pain, then goes to bring her to the bar as well.

Sighing deeply, Keita turns around to watch Zeraph and the other doe's approach. Squint. ".. How's she doin'?"

Zeraph sets her on the counter, rubbing his leg now that he has the chance. "..not well.." He goes to massage the doe's neck and wrists, looking sad and shaking his head. Mutters something under his breath, sighing.

Miyrr's wrists, neck and ankles have been rubbed raw by the chains, not to mention the other injuries she has from the Vermins attentions. She lays motionless on the counter breathing rapid and shallow.

Crossing over to where Miyrr has been set, Keita runs a paw anxiously through her headfur and sets to looking Miyrr over. Then, with a frown, she grabs a lightly soiled but dry dish cloth, bunches it up, and tucks it under Miyrr's head, to serve as a pillow. "Poor gel.."

Zeraph nods and sighs, leaning heavily on the bar. "..I hate them.." The buck looks sadly over the unconscious doe's still form, unsure what to do, then back to the others in the tavern. Another glance is given to his leg, which seems to be bleeding lightly right at the moment, though he says nothing.

Miyrr stirs slightly. Soft groans and whimpers are starting to be heard. It almost appears as if she is dreaming, most likely it's due to blood loss and the likely infection she has in her wounds. She mumbles something almost inaudible, "ta..."

Zeraph goes to pet her forehead, shushing her lightly, then goes around the bar to study the floorboards again, trying to get his mind on something else, kneeling down and hiding the blood on his leg.

Taking no notice of Zeraph's leg at this point, Keita drops down to search through a cabinet, and when she comes back up she has a bottle of clear liquid - quite remarkably like the one she used on Zeraph's wounds. Imagine that. She pops the cork, and very gently pours some of the liquid over the young doe's various wounds, with a few soothing strokes to the doe's brow as she does so. "Yer a'right, there, deah..."

Zeraph's brow furrows as he tries to pry one of the boards up, then crawls over to the cabinet to search through it himself, ears layered back again. He keeps an ear out for beasts outside.

Miyrr seems to wince some at the care of her wounds although she does relax some at the soft touch. She is still mumbling a word. "ta...tayr."

"Ya see anymore clean cloths about, 'Raph? Could use one.." Keita glances up briefly from her ministrations to the waking Miyrr. "Tayr is it, deah? That yer name? Odd name, aye, but I s'pose it works..." Heh. She grins, juuust a bit, and smooths a paw over the doe's brow again.

Zeraph looks up at Keita. "Hmm? Cloths?" Then he disappears again, searching through the cabinets again. Returns with a cloth. It is /almost/ clean. "Will this do?" He is also holding a spoon...?

"Tay...Taye...t" she still mumbles as she begins moving about a little more. It looks like she's trying to run in her semi-conscious state.

Keita eyes the cloth for a moment, and... nods. "It'll have t'." She reaches across and takes the cloth, and merely notes the spoon for... 'later discussion'. Yeees. She turns her attention back to Miyrr, carefully pouring some of the liquid over onto the cloth. This she then uses to dab as gently as possible at the sores on Miyrr's wrists. With the free paw, she continues the smoothing and soothing bit. At the murmured name, her brow wrinkles. "... Taye?" More brow wrinkling. "... /Rah's/ Taye?"

Zeraph nods and then moves back to the loose floorboard, shoving the handle of the metal spoon into the crack between it and the others, trying to pry it up, ears back in concentration. Hopes the utensil doesn't break..

Miyrr good eye pops open when the cloth is touched to the wound. "TAYE!" she yells as she begins trying to sit up. Gravity not being in her favor in her weakened state she slumps back onto the counter moaning and whimpering. She turns her head slightly trying to focus on Keita's features.

At Miyrr's sudden movement, Keita jerks back in surprise, but she's quick to regain her composure. Placing a reassuring paw to Miyrr's shoulder, she leans in closer. "Shh, shh... yer fine, deah. Havin' a bad dream, or somethin'."

Zeraph continues to pry away. The nails that are holding the board into place squeak and grind as he actually starts getting it up. The buck grins and begins to tug it upward with his paws, after setting the spoon aside.

Vansinnig seems to walk into the tavern quieter today, the metal soles only make slight noises. Glancing at Kieta, he grunts something about a drink before noticing Zeraph crouched over...something. Eh. Cocking his head at Miyrr, he frowns a bit. "Who's she?"

Zeraph flicks an ear up as he first hears the badger enter, eyes widening, then the buck sits down on the floorboard quickly, slamming it back into place. He starts cursing like a sailor.

The cursing hare gets an eye-brow lift. The slam was clearly heard, apparently. "Wot...was that?"

At the familiar voice, Keita is immediately... unconcerned. ;) So she doesn't look up, as she continues with the reassuring strokes. "Not sure... Must be new since the last time I visited Sala."

Miyrr just lays there looking up at Keita and nods slightly. Her eyes close as she tries to relax.

Vansinnig clumps over to Zer. "Gerrup..."

Zeraph stares up at Vansinnig. "Just a loose floorboard.." He explains then stands, blood running down his injured leg, though he is rubbing his paw instead, which was injured just now.

Keita's ears perk at the slam, and she looks over Zeraph's way, to where he now sits on the... ground. Blink. Suddenly she is very, very concerned.

Vansinnig moves his paw to shove Zer out of the way as he bends down towards the floorboard. "Wot 'ave we 'ere?"

Zeraph is bumper up against the bar. "I already told you.." Shaking his head and rubbing his paw still. Remains as calm as ever.

Er. Keita shoots Zeraph a sharp glance, then steps away from Miyrr and in Vans general direction, now all grins. "Ahh, now, badgery type, is there really any need t' be inspectin' m' tavern at a time like this? Didn't even give me a chance t' sweep or nothin'."

Vansinnig glances up, his claws poised over the wood. "Eh?" His claws grip the wood. "Jus' checkin' wot the li'l bunny thinks he's doin'."

Zeraph shakes his head and kneels down, observing the board as well, acting totally casual, as if he really /wasn't/ doing anything.

Keita eyes Vansinnig skeptically. "Yer not /really/ goin' t' go pryin' at m'floor boards, are ya? C'mon, aftah all the drinks've served ya?" Snort. "'Ell, break the bunny in half instead, wouldja? I ain't keen on splintahs s'well as a chain 'round m'neck." She continues the rest of the way and stares down at the two from her standing position.

Zeraph looks up at Keita. "Didn't ya hear me though? You told me I could see what was under it already, so might as well let him try and see, eh, since /I/ couldn't.." He looks back down at the floorboard. "Tell me if ya see any bugs under there.." Smiles at the badger. "I was hearing something weird."

Vansinnig glances at the board, then at Kieta, then Zeraph. "Eh, I'll put it back." Gripping it tightly, he prepares to pull.

Zeraph looks interested to see what is underneath, ears perking up high on his head.

Miyrr speaks very softly, "wah'ter, please." Her voice is very scratchy and hoarse.

Keita, however, does /not/ look interested to see what is underneath. But is there really anything that a doe like Keita can do? ... How silly of you to ask, of course there is! Suddenly, a dull thump can be heard from her general direction as she "falls" back against the counter-top behind her. With a fluttery groan, she slides down to the floor with a paw held to her head. Groan. See? She's groaning. Clearly paws should be removed from boards, and attention should be diverted to the groaning bar maid. Clearly.

Vansinnig turns suddenly at the sound of Keita falling, wrenching the board from the floor in his claws. He doesn't notice it. "Wot the bloody !*@& ?"

Zeraph sits up straight as Keita falls into her dramatics and the buck looks concerned, but confused on what to do..One ears sinks back against his head, the other perked up high. "..uh...What's wrong with her..?"

Looking woozily around her, Keita looks up at Vansinnig and Zeraph through squinty, "unfocused" eyes. "I... I..." Her brow furrows deeply, and she presses her paws to her temples in seeming pain. Oscar, anyone? Her voice is very faint. "Could... could someone get me some watah?" Speaking of which, Miyrr wanted some water. Oh, snap. Ah well. After the play's over.

Vansinnig glances at the board in his paws for the briefest moment before tossing it at Zeraph. Doesn't really care if it hits him or if he catches it. "Eh, fine, 'watah'. Keep yer shirt on." He grumbles something about all the prisoners to 'tied up' to do it themselves.

Zeraph catches the board as if flies at him, eyes widening, then he is flat on his back, in the unstable knelt position that he was already..-.- The hare just decided to lay there, hugging the board and thinking god that he caught it with the nails outward. Too early to think this..he raises his arm, 'owing' as he realizes one of them is jabbing him.

Shaking her head as if to clear it, Keita continues to rub at her temples, though the furrow to her brow seems to be lessening. "... Well, that's nevah happened before." She draws her knees up to her chest, and then veeery slowly stands. She looks around, at the on-the-floor Zeraph, and then to the exasperated badger with a sheepish grin. "... Er. Sorry." She throws in another small wince and a rub to her temple, for good measure. "Must not've drank 'nough t'day." Yup.

Vansinnig scowls a bit, then hands the glass he was going to use to her. "Fill it up with whiskey. I need a stout drink and yer not providin'."

Zeraph slowly sits up, still holding the nail-y board and looking rather confused/exasperated himself. The buck stands now, with a wince of pain, rubbing his leg with one of his arms, blood smearing across his palm.

Keita takes the glass with an apologetic grin and prepares the drink. Drink prepared, it is then held out to the badger. However, another vermin walks in and over at that moment, and Vansinning is drawn away to some other task or other, and so Keita is left holding the drink. Er. Heh. As the door closes behind the vermin, she takes a long look at the whiskey, and then drains it with a relieved sigh.

Zeraph stares down at the hole in the floor. "Big..abrupt fellow, isn't he?" He prods at the dirt below with a footpaw, thoughtfully.

Zeraph then remembers something and hurries to get Miyrr a drink of water, returning with it.

Miyrr tries to raise her head to drink the water. She manages to get a couple of sips before she has to lay her head back down. "Thank you" she says very quietly.

"Aye, s' when he decides t' rip yer arm outta its socket, he won't be waitin' t' hear yer yeh or neh." With a slightly shaking paw, she lowers the empty glass to the counter-top and moves back over towards Miyrr. A long sigh escapes. "I'm gettin' t' old fer this."

Zeraph sets the glass of water down beside the recruit on the counter and smiles towards Keita, trying to make the best of it. "Nonsense, ma'am." He is now leaning on the vertical board like a cane.

Miyrr rubs one of her wrists with the other paw wincing as she explores her wounds.

Keita gives Zeraph a long look. Then, with a slight nod, she grabs the stool next to her by the seat and sets it down in front of Zeraph with a thump. "Sit." Her attention is then turned back to Miyrr, who she leans over. "... How ya doin' there, deah?"

Zeraph sighs as he doesn't even get a happy reaction out of her and seats himself on the stool. Holds out the plank for Miyrr and Keita to examine. "Least ways, I got myself a trophy." Still trying to lighten the mood.

Miyrr takes a slow deep breath, "Bett'ah then before." she says her voice slightly less raspy. The water helped. "Thank you." she says hopeing Zeraph will hear it as well.

Zeraph turns to looks at Miyrr and smiles. "No problem, my dear.." He looks kindly down at the doe.

Keita picks up the cloth she'd discarded at the entrance of Van, and returns to dabbing at some of the more inflamed-looking wounds on Miyrr's person. "What's yer name, then?" She tries at a small smile.

In between wincing Miyrr manages to answer the question, "Miyrr." She closes her eyes trying to remain as relaxes as possible. Mother used to have to pull burrs out of her fur and remembers it being easier to deal with if she doesn't fight it.

Zeraph watches in silence, thinking again, then he looks towards the hole where the board was ripped up and his ears lower back against his skull. The buck looks indecisive, as if imagining something very unpleasant as he still keeps a grip on the plank.

"Deep breaths, Miyrr, it'll help." She pours a bit more of the liquid onto the cloth, which she then dabs at a particularly painful-looking wound. "So how'd a young'un like you end up bein' sent int' a battle?"

Miyrr still wincing a bit, "Diplomatic patrol." she says sighing. She watches Keita dab at her wounds some.

Zeraph snorts at this and shakes his head, then thumps the board against the floor. "Those vermin.." He's having no love for 'them' at the moment, let's just say.

"They're not really that bad, y'know..." This is said without much conviction, though. It's hard to feel any kindness towards them at a time like this.

Taeura walks into the main room of the bar from the kitchen, "What's all the noise out here?" she asks pulling her neck leash behind her so she doesn't trip on it. Seeing the Doe on the counter she peers over at her, "Oh dear. she's a mess."

Zeraph looks up as the vixen enters the room, ears pitching forward. He nods lightly to Taeura, sighing. "Good eve, ma'am.." The hare looks down hoping she doesn't stumble on the floor hole.

Keita glances up as Taeura enters and offers a small grin of welcome. "'Llo, Tae. Ya missed a bit." Heh.

Taeura looks at Keita, then on to Zeraph, then to the hole in the floor and then back to Miyrr, "I guess so. Looks like you've been having all the fun out here." She tosses the rag that was in her hands over her shuolderm "Anythin I can do?"

Zeraph shrugs. "Wanna start digging or shall we just give up on this idea.." The buck looks rather disappointed.

Crossing over to Taeura's general vicinity, Keita rather idly drapes an arm around the vixen's shoulders. She then looks from the vixen over to the buck. "Well, what d'ya think, Tae? T' dig or not t' dig?" Grin.

Taeura smiles at the Doe, "I like this idea. What'r we gonna do with all the dirt?' she says. She thinks for a moment, "Where's a mole when ya need one."

Zeraph looks off to the side, thinking. "The dirt, the dirt." He mumbles to himself, inspecting the place, then he smiles. "Are one of these cabinets empty?"

Keita hmms, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Well, there's plenty o' storage in the back... Not 's if any o' the vermin'll be checkin' back there..."

Zeraph lifts his gaze from the cabinets. "My only problem is that darn badger already knows about the floorboard." He thunks said plank on the floor again to indicate it.

Taeura nods, "Just might work..." she smiles at Keita. "Perfect, can ya make a fake floor under it somehow?" she asks.

Zeraph

Keita pats Taeura's opposite shoulder, with her arm still 'round her. Grin. "'Course it'll work." Aaand... hm. "Well, why not do the diggin' elsewhere, then?" She jerks her head over her shoulder and towards the door, suggestively. There's a whole big room back there and no verminy eyes to bother them, most of the time.

Zeraph looks up at this one, nodding and grinning towards Keita. "Sounds good to me.." The he looks at the vixen. "And just in case they /do/ look back there and raise a few boards we /could/ put a thin square of wood over the hole and cover it with dirt.." The gears are working rapidly in the buck's head.

Taeura nods, "that's the thought i was thinkin'. I hate to say it, we might want to /dig/ at this one anyways as a decoy, but it'll get someone hurt." she says sighing and looking over at Miyrr. "To many already..."

"We'd have t' only go back there one atta time, 'n' not fer any great length o' time..." Keita looks from Zeraph to Taeura, and appears rather somber at her words. "Aye... if nothin' else, we're each goin' t' have t' be willin' t' take some knocks t' keep the vermin distracted."

Taeura nods, "I'll be willin if it'll get us outta here."

Zeraph nods. "Of course..I've already gotten stabbed twice. What's a few head knocks gonna do?" Grins.

Keita grins over at Zeraph and then steps away from Tae, and towards the door. "I'll go see what looks like the best place t' dig... In the meantime, the two o' you ought t' get some rest, eh? Looks like we've got a long coupla days ahead o' us." Heh. She stops at the door, tugging absently at her chain as she goes. "Wish me luck." With a wink, she disappears inside.