08-02-05

Characters involved: Darklett, Zeraph, Zoe_Lang, Seven, Taeura, Marleigh, & Taye.

Halyard Village: West Square

Darklett is doing his rounds on the Western Square encampment of the Long Patrol, stopping by and making morale visits to groups of the Long Patrollers, having quick chats with the troops to keep their spirits up. On occasion, he'll look to the perimeter with caution between talks, and on others, he'll look towards the exit of Halyard.

Zeraph is one of those bucks that is getting one of those 'moral' talks, leaned against a building and not really joining in on the conversation, his arms rested on his knees and holding a flask in between his paws. Ah..the infamous Keita brew..;) His ears flicker up on his head as Darklett speaks though.

Well, if Darklett's looking towards the village entrance, he might very well see a small group of hares heading his way. And who's at the lead? Zoe is! Come to visit the common hares from... on... high. Er. Right. Actually, she's just delivering supplies along with some of the other mountain hares. A couple of full packs are strapped to her back.

A group of hares... and one vixen. XD

Seven follows behind Zoe of course. The runner won't pass up a chance to go to the village, or follow the Colonel somewhere, so this is perfect. He'll be fighting in the next battle anyway, so why not go now. The buck's gaze travels about around him.

Darklett does indeed spot an unknown group of hares heading his way. Oh yes and a vixen. :P Immediately, he starts his way over to the incoming patrol, recognizing it, what with all the packs and such, as supplies. Once close enough to them, the lieutenant stops and salutes to the Colonel. "Welcome to Halyard. It's... advised that you keep your wits about, the area is ours, but not completely safe."

Tagging along and giving a hand as needed, Taeura is following behind the other hares. Home, well at least it once was home until the vermin arrived. She looks around to see if she recognizes any of the hares about.

Marleigh is dealing with a fusing Kaltain in the heart of that group. Why did she come anyway? Maybe to get out of the mountain. She couldn't exactly remember. Kaltain continued to squirm, attempting to get out of her mother's arms. "Mummu. Walk!" Marleigh shakes her head and stops with the group as they stand infront of Dark. Kaltain continues to fuss. "Walk!"

Marleigh sighs and puts her down. Kaltain manages to stand for all of...2 second before falling and beginning to cry.

Marleigh sighs and picks her back up.

Zeraph would probably not have really noticed the group all that much, if it hadn't been for the wailing dibbun. The buck turns his gaze upward, ears following their path to gaze in the newcomers direction, one eyebrow up. He immediately sees Zoe, though and stands quickly, shoving the flask into a pocket. The fighter salutes the Colonel, with a sharp nod.

Once she reaches Darklett and Darklett reaches them, the Colonel sets down her packs and salutes as she comes back up. "Thanks fer the report, lieutenant. Did everyone 'ear that?" She glances over her shoulder. "Keep yer wits about ya!" Darklett is nodded to - as is Zeraph, when he salutes.

Darklett takes a few steps backward, then turns around to lead the hares in. "Hmm. Actually, I'd hide the packs in the middle, so they're not seen. No telling what kinda things will happen if all these fighter troops see something that might contain rations..."

Taeura watches the hares all jump to attention. She has a tough time keeping a straight face seeing Zeraph do likewise. She manages though and puts down the pack she was carrying where told to do so. She stands there quietly, smiling.

Zeraph lowers his paw from his head and turns his attention on the Lieutenant, listening quietly for now, then turning to gaze more thoroughly at the ration deliverers. His ears jump straight up as he sees the vixen and a half smirk crosses the buck's muzzle. The fighter has a few new wounds but he looks fine enough.

Pulling a small doll out of a random pocket it and handing it to Kaltain, Marleigh pays attention to what was going on. She was carrying a pack of medical supplies, along with Kaltain. Oh hey! That's why she was here...being a Healer and all. Kaltain played with the small doll while bouncing on Marleigh's hip. Marleigh followed the group in, while attempting to not look at Dark.

The packs are picked back up and hoisted onto Zoe's back. She jerks her head in indication for them to follow and moves after Darklett. "So, any new activity t' report, lieutenant?"

Ah, he /DID/ notice. Taeura doesn't want to call to much attention to him for now she smiles and nods to Zeraph. Yup, still has all his limbs. Good.

Zeraph watches the colonel follow after Darklett, staying back for a moment, then smiling more broadly at Tae, with a nod to her. "Evening.." The fighter greets softly, ears lowering back.

Darklett shakes his head, looking over his shoulder at the Colonel as he speaks, occasionally checking forward to make sure he doesn't run into anything. "It's been quiet, for the most part. Ah, there was a recruit promoted to full Runner. Taye. And other than that, we've just set up a perimeter of the square, and had a constant guard up. Also, I've been ordering for some quick scout work to be done on the main road to make sure the vermin aren't up to anything sneaky."

Taeura nods back to Zeraph, "Evening. How ya fairing?"

"Good enough.." Is the buck's response..

Zoe_Lang listens to Darklett's report attentively, slowing as she considers his words. "Well... I'd say we've given 'em enough time t' recovah. Inform Majah Jarril that we're t' move in on 'em t'morrah or the day aftah, howevah long it takes t' prepare supplies fer the battle."

Marleigh puts down her pack and listens to Darklett and the Colonel. Soon though, Kaltain is quickly bored with her doll and she throws it down on the ground with a firm, "No!". Marleigh winces and sighs. She was obviously having a tough time being a single mother.

"Understood, Colonel!" Darklett returns promptly. "I've been talking to the troops to make sure they're fit to fight whenever needed, so the numbers won't be hard to muster. As soon as I can catch Jarril, I'll let him know your orders."

Taeura feels somewhat out of place here. It's home to her but at the moment it's a war zone. She fidgets a bit with the packs and things trying to be useful.

Suddenly three slightly separated, loud raps sound on the main street side of the makeshift barricade, and the sentries on this side immediately fall to opening a path through. When this is done, Taye squeaks through the opening with a grin and a nod to the sentry. He turns to help close the opening again, before turning to looking around. Darklett is spotted, and the young buck jogs over to him. He is saluted - as is Zoe when she's noticed. "Sah... s." Er, right. He looks to Darklett. "Reportin', sah. Nothin' outta the ordinary ovah main street way... The vermin seem t' be doin' much the same's us. Recooperatin'."

Darklett stops walking, the incoming hares now quite in the center of the western square. He nods to the younger buck at the report. "Good work, Taye. We need to make sure they stay that way for a little while longer-- Let the next group of scouts know the status, and send them out, then have them report to me, just like this. Tell them I said I want full detail, even the things they don't think matter, we need to keep close eyes on these types... They've proven to be tricky, and we can't take any risks."

Zoe_Lang sets down the packs when they reach their destination, but she stays silent while Taye gives his abbreviated report. Darklett's orders are taken in, and she gives the lieutenant an approving nod. "Couldn't've said it bettah m'self, lieutenant. Seems combat duty suits ya." She pats him on the shoulder and turns to the group. "A'right, patrol. Back t' the mountain.. Anyone who wishes t' stay 'n' serve in Halyard is welcome t'." She nods to them all, and then to Darklett, before heading back through the group and towards the village exit.

Marleigh shifts Kaltain to her other hip and starts to follow Zoe. She stops and turns around. "Goodbye Darklett." She stoops down, picking up Kaltain's doll and continues after Zoe, her head down, looking at the ground. Kaltain's head fell onto her arm, the young doe falling asleep.

Standing at attention all the while that Zoe speaks, Taye waits patiently for the colonel, and only speaks again - to Darklett - when Zoe has turned to leave. "Right away, sah. I'll go 'n' speak with the rest o' the scouts now." He salutes and takes a step back, though he waits to be dismissed.

Taeura follows the Colonel out of Halyard. One day she'll be able to call it home again. Until then. Caio.

Darklett tries to suppress a grin at the compliment from the Colonel, dipping his head, then straightening, and... then making sure to keep eye contact. "Just doing whatever I can to get us in and out of here with as little casualties as possible, Colonel. Thanks." He salutes to Zoe before she leaves, then waits until she's a good distance away before turning to Taye. "Very good work, again, Taye. Keep it up. You're dismissed." Another nod is given to the young runner.

Lowering his saluting paw once he is dismissed, Taye gives one final nod and a grin before he turns and heads off at a jog, to tend to Darklett's orders.