A good and bad day with friends
RW Abbey: Great Hall
The Great Hall of Redwall Abbey. Countless paw falls have echoed from these stones, and untold numbers of feasts and merry gatherings have been held here. A table, not nearly so grand or large as its predecessors, but quite functional for mealtimes, rests near the center of the hall. Chairs exist here aplenty, and they are all of a matching set. High above, the stain glass windows give the Great Hall a beautiful appearance. The glasswork is exceptionally done, crafted by a skilled artist. The floor is clean and swept. A fire is kept burning in the fireplace at almost all times of the day and night, and there are several more comfortable chairs and cushions set up here, of varying sizes. One looks large enough to easily accommodate a badger.
The Tapestry hangs proud and tall, and while the rest of Redwall may still bear the scars of natural disaster, this most famous of Redwall's relics remains unharmed by beast, time, or the elements. The figure of Martin the Warrior seems to be watching over his own with an unchanging, kindly gaze.
Soft light is slowly beginning to filter in through the stained glass windows high above your head.
You must be IC to enter the Main Hall.
Exits: Abbey's [Li]brary, [K]itchen, [C]avern [H]ole, [B]reezeway, [En]try, [Stairs]
Contents:
a message (board) with notes tacked to it
- THIS ROOM IS BROADCASTING **
You wander off towards the Cavern Hole..
RW Abbey: Cavern Hole
This room is slightly smaller than Great Hall, but still of a size large enough to accomodate a great number of gathered beasts. A large fireplace is set into one of the walls, and there are a series of small tables and chairs near one end for beasts who are eating late, or simply prefer the smaller tables for their meals. Cushions and blankets have been set in one corner. A short flight of steps leads up to Great Hall, and along the walls of the stairs, going both ways, the word 'Redwall' has been carved into the stone.
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all
[Ki]tchen
Zork is sitting in his wheelchair and speaking with a couple novices as he looks over a list of things to do, "Ok so, takes care of who needs ta help in kitchens and with the crops." They nod and excuse themselves as he grins and leans back in his chair to relax. He has been taking it easy today and staying inside the abbey building.
By way of the kitchen enters a small dibbun of a mouse. The front of her small habit is covered in a mixture of flour and butter, a result of what looks to be a cooking helper gone wrong. She has a rather sulking expression on her face and she moves into Cavern Hole and sits down resolutely in the middle of the floor, taking time to notice Zork and throw him a quick wave.
Zork looks over at the dibbun and wheels over to her slowly and glances down at her "So, wot has a dibbun upset taday? Usually ya all be happy doing wot ever dibbuns do, hee hee" He chuckles, "You get in trouble or something thar lass?"
Aveelia, for that is the mouse, shakes her head and scooches around so she is facing the badger, "No trouble. Just biscuits. Novice Len was tryin' to teach me how'da make biscuits, but 'den I spilled all'a batter on the floor." She gives the kitchen door a rather hostile glare, "Then I gotta kicked out." She sighs disheartened, then glances curiously at the badger's face, "You know how'ta make biscuits?"
Zork shakes his head "Nope, never mad them before. I make lots of teas, fish stew, I can cooks wild greens and fish. Basic stuff when I use ta be a wanderer, not a wanderer any more though" He sighs "Them days be long gone"
Aveelia eyes light up at the mention of Zork's previous profession, "You were a wanderer? What'd you see?" She gives a small gasp and leans in closely and she whispers quietly, "Have you been ta the badger mountain?!" She seems to hold the mountain in very high esteem.
Zork speaks "Sadly no, never went thar before, me daughter got ta see if though you could ask her about it when she gets back from her little trip. I use ta live in de snowy north with me brother, so got ta see a mountain but not de one ya mentioned"
Aveelia looks disappointed, but is still quite curious, "Who's your daughter? I'ma talk to her." She nods decisively, clearly determined. She ventures further, asking, "Where else did you go when you wandered? Was it dangerous?" Suddenly her eyes light up and she adds, "Did you find treasure?"
Zork chuckles "Sister Zinnia be me daughter, and I had some times of danger and some times of quiet. I fought vermin at times and up in de Snowy North I dealed with snow, not like snow here it were much more deadly up north. Yeah ya got use ta it up thar but sometimes it was even worse."
Aveelia eyes widen and she asks, "Worse? Why?" She immerse her little paws up into his flour caked sleeves; hugging herself unconsciously at the thought of snow.
Zork says, ""Tis colder up north, even seen de after math of an avalanche once..snow, trees, rocks and all traveling down a Mountain side, trust me very dangerous and its rare ta survive one. I only know one beast that did and he got very lucky, landed on this overhang on the side of the mountain, took a half a season or so for him to heal...from physical wounds anyways"
Aveelia looks aghast at the badger and hugs herself tighter, "Why was 'e out inna avalanche? Couldn't he run away?" She unintentionally mispronounces avalanche, unsure of the new word.
Zork shakes his head "They be hard ta run from and he was helping his mate and child at de time, see they lived in a den outside of de village." He frowns as he remembers that day, " I were on of de beast lookin' fer him..I found him but..well no one else"
Aveelia looks horrified as the fullness of the badger's words sink in, "You mean...they died?!" The mouse has never had firsthand experience with death, but the thought of it has always been rather terrifying to her.
Zork is unsure how to answer that, but he was always one to speak the truth, "Yeah....they died, but with help I managed to save de one I spoke of and get him ta de infirm in the village of Send. He has a broken leg and arm, but he survived. But he was real depressed at the time.
A young otter furtively enters the room, keeping quiet and to himself. He finds someplace off in the corner, and watches the badger, but is keen not to interfere for now.
Haven is just heading down the stairs into Cavern Hole. The newcomer to the abbey is in the process of unwrapping the cloth strips from her paws, and stretching, to the sound of not a few crinkles. "Nothin' like a good morning's training. Hey." she greets.
Aveelia expression of horror hasn't changed much. She decides now is the time to remove herself from any strains of the story, and stands from her spot on the floor and starts to scurry off towards Great Hall, saying quickly over her shoulder, "I gotta go." Not much of a good-bye, but then again, she's still a bit scared by the story. She exits the room, passing Haven on her way out.
Zork frowns, he sighs as he leans back in his chair and folds his arms in his lap. Great, hmms next time a better story, a happy one but hey the dibbun asked a question so he answered.
Haven watches the young one leave. Hm, she seems in a bit of a hurry. Shrugging, the otter reaches for a scone from a handy tray that's been left out. "'M still getting used t'not payin' f'food." she manages around a mouthful.
Zork looks up at the otter and waves, "Hey" He says softly and manages a smile, "Yeah Redwall would never charge for food and thar is even a Summer feast soon, not sure I f I will be goin' or not though"
Haven grins. "It's when I hear things like that that I'm glad to be an otter. Taggerungs have to be able to put a lot away, can't be seen to be pudgy or anything." she says. While munching a scone. But it is a post-workout scone.
Zork nods "Well it be in a couple week...hmmms may be less. Elmef knows and I be sure Ozzy knows. I can ask maybe. Hopefully it will be a good sunny day for those who do go. DE only badgers here are Me.Oz and Zinnia...no others around, well de abbey anyways"
Haven nods, and sits nearby, inspecting her knuckles closely. After having apparently played her last words back in her mind, she replies, "I'm sorry if I assumed a lot. The only badgers I knew were... drill instructors, basically. Heh."
Zork says, "Well a badger could be that I guess, I know de Badger Lord has the whole Long Patrol following him, He was here a couple days but I didn’t get to meet him, I was in the infirm"
Haven gives another nod, thatching her fingers and crinkling the knuckles. Lots of crinkling. "I've not met him yet either. I suppose I'll have to, someday." she says, thoughtfully.
Zork says, "Well he lives in that Mountain by de sea, so if ya ever head off that way maybe your meet him"
Haven nods. "Salamandastron. Been taught a bit about it, mainly 'cause of their military history. I consider myself a bit more up close and personal, though."
Bang bang into the room, it's Mirabella, smacking the door noisily against the wall as she enters from the kitchen, swinging in on her crutches. Bright eyes survey the room, a cheery smile glowing on her face as she moves her gaze from each beast to the next. She raises her paw to wave to the badger, his face the most familiar in the room. "Oh hello there, Brother Blacksmith! What a wonderful day we're having!"
Zork says, "I use ta be a fighting beast, but not anymore those days be long gone. I joined de order and now be a Brother, well Elder more recently." He grins a little. He glances at Mirabella "I suppose tis a good day, not a bad day anyways."
William had been napping, but the bang of the kitchen door startles the otter wide awake. He stares around quietly.
Haven's ear twitches at the voice, and she looks over at the mouse. Her referral to the badger as Brother, and his elaboration, causes her eyes to widen at the realization of her lack of etiquette. "Oh! Erm, pardon me, I totally forgot my manners. I didn't even introduce myself." She stands, and places a fist into an open paw before her by way of a respectful gesture. "I'm Haven, of the Southern Mossflower settlement." she says. She decides to leave out her title of Taggerung for the moment, what with the flagrant disrespect she just showed.
Mirabella's little body swings like the clapper of a bell inside her dress as she crutches over to the pair. "Good day to you, Miss Haven. It's terribly nice to meet you. Meeting newcomers is one of my favorite activities." She smiles brightly at the otter, showing the adorable set of rodent buck teeth she has. "Everyone here is delighted to have you. Please make yourself at home, and if there is anything I can do to make you more comfortable, you just let me know and I'll take care of it just as fast as I can." Peeking out from the bottom of her skirt is a splinted leg, which she is careful to keep the weight off of. Her introductory rant finished, she turns on Zork. "Of course it's a good day, Brother Blacksmith! It's absolutely /splendid/ to have a new friend among us."
Zork smiles as he nods to the otter "My name is Zork, by the way, though I don't do much with de forge anymore, me apprentice Silverstorm be takin' over soon, least I think she will. I de recently fix a small problems with de forge though"
Haven gives a nod and a smile, but the enthusiastic welcome leaves her feeling not totally unlike a new pupil being introduced to their class. "Aheh, thanks. I'm happy to help out anyway I can, too. Though... you all seem to have all of your bases covered in this place." she says while looking around, as though able to see all the busy Abbey dwellers through the walls.
Zork nods "I be sure your find a way to help, somehow"
William hmms to himself, taking note of the others, but making no effort to greet them.
"There certainly are just oodles of helpful beasts here at Redwall," Mirabella agrees, nodding daintily on her crutches. "It's a frightfully wonderful place to live. But I would absolutely encourage you to get involved in the everyday chores of our home, Miss Haven," the mouse maid encourages brightly, her voice chiming out in the spacious room. "It's a great way to get to know new people /and/ to help those around you." One dishpan ear swivels at a soft hmm-ing noise in the corner, and she turns a bright smile on William as well, coupled with a cheery wave. "Hello there!"
Haven nods in understanding. Chores might not be totally her thing, but she's of the good mindset that it has to be done. "As long as you don't need any cooking done, heh. I swear I actually burned a salad once. Accidentally spilled it into a campfire."
Zork nods "I think they have enough to help with cooking lass. Thar is always dusting, or helping with cleaning after meals. Would say help with dibbuns but maybe leave that ta Ozzy and Sister Jenny."
William frowns briefly, but nods, acknowledging the greeting. He raises a paw in return, but, as ever, doesn't say a word. He finds the talk of chores dreadfully dull, though. He lays his head on the table before him
Haven stands up again, feeling quite restless despite her recent training. "So, who is the best teacher here? For training, I mean, not exams." She does need to study too, but she'll get to that. Eventually.
Zork asks, "Training?" He asks "Like wot kind? Don't normally train beasts here, a couple work on skills sometimes in a training yard but de beast with that key is away right now, and don’t know if another has it." A giggling voice is heard and the badger is greeted by a young vole dibbun that climbs into his lap, he smiles at him, "Hey.." He grins as the dibbun asks "Ride..go fast?" Zork chuckles and shakes his head "Not right now lad, bit busy and little tried."
William looks at Haven curiously. He sits up and waves at her.
Zork sighs at the pouting dibbun and grins, he whispers something and the dibbun grins back, the badger looks to the others "Be back soon...hee heee" He lets the dibbun sit in his lap as he grins, yeah time to act all dibbun like and wheel around the abbey fast, well once outside on the grounds, this causes a few more dibbuns to want fast fun rides, and lasts for maybe 20 minutes before the badger is basically forced to stop and is panting some now, but it was fun for him and the 4-5 dibbuns, an otter novice pushes the wheelchair bringing the badger back inside and nods to him "Be right back.." To which the badger nods and leans back in his chair frowning.
William hmms, watching the badger. He waves after a moment, but still remains silent.
Zork frowns as a novice brings a cup of some sort of odd smelling tea that the badger drinks slowly, a novice looks over at William "I am going to take Elder Zork to see Angela, please excuse me all" With that she wheels the badger out, since they can't take the stairs..duhhhh..they go the long way around.
