09-09-05 1

Characters involved: Lesperance, Nadia, Nadenka, Miette, & Zoe_Lang.

Salamandastron: Dining Chamber

Lesperance shakes his head a bit. "Kits, don't bother her. Just let her be."

Nadia nods and moves back to her seat quietly..

Nadenka sighs and stands up to walk back over to Les, saying quietly to her sister, "She's mean.."

Nadia nods and says just as quietly "Yah."

Miette's ears flick, and she promptly sticks her tongue out at them.

With her usual, impeccable timing, Zoe enters and moves into the room /just/ in time to hear the brief exchange between Miette and the two kits. She immediately colors, stopping short.

Lesperance shakes his head a bit, setting his mug down. He looks at the hare, tongue sticking out, raising an eyebrow with a smile. "Hasn't your mother ever told you your face could freeze like that?"

Miette says, "I'won't."

Nadia giggles "Yah it will."

Nadenka nods and giggles too, "Yah, it'll stick like that, one'a da hares said there was a tree with a carvin an stuff showin' how" she says

Miette gives the two dibbuns a scowl.

Zoe_Lang watches the exchange for a couple moments longer before, with a furrowed brow, she crosses the room the rest of the way. She comes up behind Miette and catches her by the shoulder of her tunic - not roughly, but not precisely lovingly either. "Miette, I want ya t' apologize /righ' now/ t' our guests."

Nadia looks at the older hare and mentally note not to make trouble here.. That hare seemed to appear outta nowhere..

Miette's ears suddenly fall back. There's an unusual stretch of silence from the leveret.

Nadenka is thinking along the same lines as her sister as she just now notices the older hare, she turns back to Les and asks quietly, "Who's she?"

Lesperance looks at Nadenka, and Nadia, but he pauses, looking over to the Colonel. "Kits, you weren't exactly polite either. Its not nice to whisper about someone - you owe her an apology as well." he raises an eyebrow at Nadenka, "And that is our host, the Colonel Zoe Lang."

Nadia nods and says to the young hare "Sorry." Her usual flat tone.

Well usual to all except her sister.

Zoe_Lang looks up from her stern regard of Miette to shake her head at Lesperance. "No - they were justified in sayin' what they said. Now - Miette. Apologize."

Nadenka says "Sorry" too and turns to her sister and Les, "But it was true"

Miette says very quietly, "They wouldn' stop gettin' close, mumma."

Lesperance shrugs a bit, "Maybe, but you don't say someone is mean just because they don't like you. Pleanty of beasts don't like me."

Zoe_Lang releases Miette's sleeve and points to the two kits. "I don't want t' hear anothah word about it. Apologize, Miette."

Miette says faster than she normally speaks, "S'ry." Then, she turns to bolt toward the door.

Nadenka watches her go, still looking kind of hurt then shrugs, nothing can really be done now can it? she goes to sit by Les and watches Zoe curiously

Nadia sighs slightly and leans back in the chair

"... No ya don't!" Zoe reaches for the back of Miette's shirt to try and snag her before she can run off.

Lesperance watches the hare attempt to go, then looks to Zoe. "Sorry about that.. I thought the two were being friendly enough." he offers Zoe a seat,pushing it out with his free paw. "Care for a mug?" he indicates the pitcher of ale.

Miette is snagged mid-step with a little half yelp.

Nadia looks at the young hare with dull eyes, Slightly bored looking maybe.

Zoe_Lang glances to the pitcher of ale, then offers Lesp a slightly strained smile. "Mayhaps - in a bit." She then starts to move off a little ways towards one of the walls, still with a hold on Miette.

Miette is rather reluctantly dragged along.

Nadenka watches this all curiously

Nadia mimes her sister with a bit less curiosity..

Lesperance doesn't watch, purposefully, making up another plate of fruits and cheeses for himself. He refills his mug, then fills a second one, putting it near the offered chair, to await Zoe.

Once the wall is reached and they're well out of the way and - hopefully - out of earshot, Zoe drops down into a crouch and turns Miette around by her shoulders to face her. "What's gotten int' you? You know better'n that."

Miette's eyes, however, are on her footpaws. Her tone is still rather quiet as she says once more, "They wouldn' stop getting close."

"That's no excuse. They were tryin' t' be friendly, 'n' what's more, they're youngah than you. You ought t' know better'n t' treat littlah dibbuns that way." Zoe's paws have gone to her hips at this point. It's the old paws-on-hips, inclined head, staring down at the top of your head just in case you look up mother stance. Fear.

Miette doesn't look up to see the intimidating mother-is-not-happy pose. Her excuse alters, though it's hardly better, "Ah didn't like them."

Alysari peers timidly around the entrance to the dining chamber, hearing voices. No... she doesn't recognize anyone here. Too many new people. She's about to withdraw, run, and hide, when she notices Miette, who's the closest to her age she's seen yet. The fox twins don't count in her eyes, as they're foxes. (Duh.)

Zoe_Lang breaks the pose just long enough to nudge Miette's chin up to try and get her to look at her. "Try again."

Lesperance avoids the scene on the far side of the room, picking at the cheese and fruits. More to keep himself occupied than because he's hungry.

Miette's chin is tilted up, but her eyes are getting teary, "'S all, mumma."

Zoe_Lang appears unmoved by the teary eyes. She merely shakes her head, returning her paw to her hip as she stands back. "... 'm sorry, Miette, but I'm gonna have t' put ya on punishment. I don't want ya out of our rooms unless yer goin' fer class, yer chores, or for meals. D'you undahstand me?"

Miette makes a very tiny nod.

Nadia flinches mentally.. Ouch harsh..

Nadenka isn't really watching them, instead she's watching Les and occasionally nibbling on whatever she can reach

Zoe_Lang contains a sigh, nodding. "Righ', good then. Did ya already eat yer dinnah?"

Miette makes another hint, and perhaps guessing what comes next, she turns once again for the door.

Zoe_Lang doesn't stop Miette this time and, guessing that any farewell won't be favorably met, she watches her go in silence.

Lesperance turns his eyes to watch Miette go as well, then looks to the Colonel.

Nadia turns to look at Les then stretches and settles comfortably into her chair..

Zoe_Lang stands, sighs, and turns to see Lesperance looking at her. The tips of her ears flush with slight embarrassment and she crosses back over to the small group. Ahem. She clears her throat awkwardly and finds a seat. "... Sorry 'bout that."

Lesperance nods a bit. "Its alright.. you handled it well." he pushes the mug he filled earlier over towards the Coloenl, then offers the plate of cheese and fruit he's already piled up, since he finished some time ago.

Zoe_Lang takes the offered mug but for the moment she just holds it between two paws, leaning over it like one would a steaming tea for the warmth. She shakes her head at the offered plate, however. "Aye, well... At least one o' us thinks so." With another shake of her head, she looks up at Lesp and finally does take a sip of her drink. "So how's the mountain treatin' ya?"

Lesperance isn't wearing his shirt, but he's wearing an open fronted tunic, revealing his ribs to be wrapped with bandages. "Oh, decently well, really. Better than Mapleleaf - at least here when I leave my weapons at the door I don't need to watch over my shoulder for some beast trying to put an arrow in me."

Zoe_Lang's ears flick as she notes the bandages, and it sparks her memory. "I hear ya had a bit o' a run-in."

Nadenka flattens her ears and looks down at the mention of the 'run-in' and slides over to sit next to her sister

Nadia gently puts her arm around her sister's shoulders

Lesperance nods slowly. "Aye, Vorth.. some Skullbearer or somesuch." he takes a drink of the ale. "He's the worse off for it."

Zoe_Lang manages a satisfied smirk. "Well done, then."

Lesperance gives a shrug. "I didn't see a body, so I think he lived, unfortunately. A pair of twists to the daggers in him.. he might've bled to death after running.. but I wouldn't count on it." he swigs down the last of his ale.

At Lesp's swig, Zoe is reminded of her own drink and she takes another sip. She listens to his description of the stabbing and nods. "Aye, well, that's the way t' do it. He'll be out of our hair fer a period, anyway."

Lesperance nods. "A bit longer too.. I think I broke his snout, after he stuck me I used my head." a wink - as he did, literally, to further injure. "Anyway.. I need to ask you if you'd have some spare javelins for myself and Nivik.. he wants something for a bit closer range, and I need something for range period." two of his own throwing weapons were lost to the sea.

Zoe_Lang sets her mug down as she looks across at the ferret, then chuckles, ducking her head. "'Course we've got spare javelins. More javelins than we could evah use, t' be honest. Yer welcome t' them."

Lesperance nods, bowing his head. "My thanks, truely." he looks around, giving a slow nod. "I like Salamandastron, truely - its got a better feeling of 'safe' to it than most places do. Though, if the door were caved in.." he shrugs.

Zoe_Lang's eyes crinkle up slightly at the corners, amused. "We've... got a few othah ways out, mind."

Nadia opens her eyes quickly from a short nap and giggles going to snuggle up to Les.

Nadenka falls over when her sister moves and jumps awake, looking around quickly to remember where she is, then she giggles and moves over to her sister again

Lesperance gives a nod, tilting his head with a slight smile. "I prolly shoulda looked the map over a bit more, hmm?" a soft chuckle, but he shrugs. "That makes me feel a bit better, even if not knowing where."

Lesperance adds - slips his free arm around the kits.

Zoe_Lang grins faintly, though there's a faint twitch to her brow at mention of a map. Really, a hare giving that information out like that. No wonder they're not in the mountain any longer. "Well, the map had the public ways listed. Out through the entrance tunnel, 'n' up at the cratah. Though you've got t' make it down the mountain from there."

Lesperance nods a bit, "True enough, true enough." he lifts the pitcher, refilling his own mug, then offering to refill the Colonels. "I did have a question.. if the Bloodthirsters are still around, is there going to be a push to oust them completely?"

Nadia hugs her sister gently feeling quite safe and comfortable in her father's arms with her sister right beside her..

Nadenka returns the hug and listens quietly, yawning a bit as she does so

Zoe_Lang waves the offered refill away. "No - thanks though." She rests her chin in clasped paws, nodding just enough so that Lesperance can see that she's done so. "Aye, once our injured've recovahed enough from the last."

Lesperance nods, looking around the room. "I'm sure Nivik'll stick around at least until then, and I will as well. This won't take too long to heal, truely. Another question.. the archery room.. fit for javelins, or is there somewhere else?"

Another just-there nod. "The range has at least a coupla targets fit fer the impact o' a javelin. Believe the two largah ones at eithah end of the room."

Nadia smiles slightly and looks around the room quickly before gently settling against Les and one arm gently around her sister.

Nadenka leans againt her sister and giggles at the line they've got forming

Lesperance nods as well, setting the mug aside to partake of some cheese so his free arm around the kits needn't move. "Well.. any questions for me?" he tilts his head to the side.

Zoe_Lang chuckles at Lesperance's question, then shrugs. "Is there somethin' in particular I should be askin'?"

Lesperance shrugs a bit, eating another cheese cube. "Slightly surprised you haven't asked about Veronica yet." he retrieves the mug, taking a slow drink, not refilling it this time.

Zoe_Lang retrieves her previously abandoned mug, taking a drink. "Well, tell me about Veronica, then."

Nadia snuggles up to Les and gently hugs her sister

Lesperance shrugs a bit. "Well, Lady Veronica Soulslash. I met her once before, when I was first exiled, I didn't know who she was at that point. She seemed to be interested in visiting, and we seem to share some common interests when we met up again."

Zoe_Lang's brow quirks. A Soulslash. The sister? Zoe turns her eyes towards the ceiling, considering those things which she knows about her. "Well, then."

Lesperance leans back in his chair. "She, apparently - is in self exile. Udat mentioned her as well, as someone who 'In spite of countless extensions of good will and forgiveness on her brother's part, she's yet to return'." a slow shrug, gazing at the Colonel. "She's also accepted my intentions to court her."

Nadia's ear perks slightly at the word 'court' and she smiles slightly, Maybe they'll have a mommy again..

Nadenka appears to be sleeping quietly, though at the mention of the word 'court' her ears twitch and she shifts a bit

Zoe_Lang nods thoughtfully throughout the time that Lesperance speaks, still considering the ceiling. "Yes, yes, I've heard about the sistah." At the last bit, she raises an eyebrow. "Courting, eh?"

Lesperance nods, giving a little cough. "Indeed. We seem to have gotten along quite well. I will admit I find her quite attractive, and she's a quick wit." a little shrug, with a chuckle. "Not one that'd want to just grow old together in a den in the country somewhere."

Zoe_Lang's brow raises a fraction more and she laughs at Lesperance's openness. "Well... 'm glad you've found a companion, m'friend."

Lesperance chuckles, softly. "Well, I'd like to know what you've heard of her. My own information regarding her is limited." he's quite blunt most times.

Zoe_Lang grins at Lesperance's curiosity, but she merely shrugs. "I seem t' remembah her bein' in the area the last I visited Redwall Abbey, or at least some discussion of 'er 'n' Merdez's... opposite ideas. Nothin' specific, mind. But I do try t' find some things out."

Lesperance nods, "Aye, she was around the Gull, both times I met with her." he gives a little shrug, returning the grin. "Always trying to gain the upper paw though." another cheese cube, devoured. He blinks a bit, raising a paw to rub at his eyes. "Hmm, yes, from what I hear she knows some secrets that Merdez doesn't want widely known."

Zoe_Lang chuckles. "Aye, well, I imagine if anyone would, Merdez's sistah would."

Lesperance nods a bit, settling into his chair after shifting a bit. "Mm, indeed. Anyway.. Something occured to me, after that Bloodthirster fight. Remembered somewhat of an event that happened in my Advisor to the Lord Regeant days."

Zoe_Lang sips once more from her oft-forgotten ale, then leans back in her chair, rubbing absently at her temples. "Aye? What was that?"

Lesperance tilts his head to the side. "Daclon.. I met him. In Ruingate when the Dancers were quartered there and assisted with the protection of the city. Had a little spar with one of his fighter types in the guild hall.." he frowns. "And from what I remember, he was there to get any willing beast, and foodstuffs."

Zoe_Lang's flicks an ear Lesperance's way, nodding. "Aye?"

Lesperance shakes his head. "Eh - just suspicious, with Udat about, down here on 'business', after they take over the town. And I know he was looking for Veronica, and myself as well. So I doubt he's just a healer - likely helping the 'thirsters as well."

With an "ahhhh," Zoe nods. "I've heard this theory. I even s'pose there may be some connection between the 'Thirsters 'n' Ruingate, but 'm not too concerned about it."

Lesperance nods a bit. "Didn't know if it'd been brought up, thought I might." he looks around, blinking a bit as he perhaps realizes the time. "Its late.. or early."

Zoe_Lang sighs at the mention of the time. "... Yer right. We should both be gettin' some sleep."

Lesperance nods, standing to offer the Colonel a paw. "Indeed.. I'll be borrowin the javelins tommorow, if you could let those in charge of the armory know?"

Zoe_Lang takes the offered paw and stands, nodding her thanks. "I'll do that, certainly." Pause. "Again, I'd like t' apologize fer Miette's behavior earliah. She's... a pawful." She smiles slightly then takes a step towards the door.

Lesperance nods, following behind the hare. "Quite alright.. kits are like that too sometimes." he rubs at his eyes as he walks.

Zoe_Lang pauses at the door, opening it for Lesperance. "Aye, I c'n imagine. S'pose all little'uns are like that at some point or othah."

Lesperance nods, bowing his head as way of thanks. "Indeed," he chuckles, softly, looking a bit sad for a moment. "I never found out what happened to my first mate, and our kit."

Zoe_Lang looks at Lesp for a long moment, just standing in the doorway for the time. "... I'm sorry t' hear that."

Lesperance, is under the influence a bit, and he looks down at the ground. "Aye.. thanks." he wipes his eyes once more. "Sorry.. don't know what brought that about."

Zoe_Lang shakes her head, reaching out to pat Lesperance on the shoulder and likewise to lead him through the doorway and into the hallway. "Nothin' t' be sorry for, friend. It's a hard thing t' lose those ya love."

Lesperance allows himself to be lead out, easily. "It is truely.. she were sick.. no cure known.. And I think thats what took her, finally.. but she had our kit too.." he sighs, walking towards the dormatories.

Zoe_Lang follows Lesperance close, in case he has any tipsy moments. For a few seconds she doesn't say anything. "... Well, yer young Nadia and Nadenka are deahs, at least. Always have t' look t' the things we do have."

Lesperance nods, and does manage not to stumble along the way. "The best way to look at it, really.. best way to live the future is remember the past, not live by it." real philosophical here.

Zoe_Lang keeps a close eye on the ferret, all the same. "Aye... it's jus' so. Though I tend t' go all the way 'n' just forget the past all t'gethah." She smiles just slightly, directing him towards the stairs.

Lesperance stumbles, just a bit, on the first step. "To forget the past is to repeat it." he mutters to himself, giving up and just going on all fours.

Zoe_Lang chuckles, reaching out to offer a paw to Lesperance, following after him. "... Yer full of wisdom, t'night."

Lesperance grumbles a bit, good-naturedly, something about the steps. He shakes his head, and just goes up on both sets of paws.

"Mm... hmm." Zoe slows, watching him crawl up. "Right, well... g'night." Heh.