A minstrel in the Abbey
RW Abbey: Pond
The abbey pond is practically the place to go for relaxation. The orchards that settle onto one side of the water hole provide decent shade for the more heated months to come. Various types of wild flowers grow about the edge of the ground that lightly overhangs into the pond. The pond seemingly invites one into its cool depths, which holds its fish life and multiple species of shrimp and other water dwellers.
Spring has come. Due to the rains, the abbey pond is just gently lapping at the edges of the ground. Soon to overflow lightly if the spring rains don't let up soon. Plant life seems to explode here in a variety of colors, sizes and aromas.
Exits: [F]ire [P]it, [R]edwall [E]ntry, [P]ath by the [G]reat [H]all, [Dive] in the pond, [O]rchards
Contents:
South Wallgate
Leon is by the pond skipping rocks, he has his back to most beast most likely, his shoulder is still bandaged from being hurt about a week ago, his black eye is almost healed and only slightly swollen now, not too easyly seen unless your close to him, he has his cloak inside so no hooded cloak right now, just his normal clothing.
Starlenia makes her way across the grounds, keeping a wary eye on her surroundings as she finally arrives at the pond. She still looks a bit uncomfortable outside, blinking in the sunlight and anxiously glancing over her shoulder.
DoraRose slowly walks from the direction of the orchard. She looks tired. She rubs her left eye and sighs, drifting through the grass.
Leon hears the sigh and then sees Dorarose, he nods as she nears "Hello Dorarose, how are you today?"
Starlenia takes a seat at the edge of the pond, brushing off the grass before she sits down and gazes off into the pond. Or something in it, or past it.
DoraRose jumps slightly at the sound of Leon's voice. Then the malencholy on her face vanishes and is replaced with a smile, and she walks with a lighter step. "How are you?" she asks, ignoring the other mouses' question.
Leon smiles "I..am fine, well, better than few days ago" He takes a quick look around and then focuses on her ahead.
Starlenia finally looks up with a start, just noticing the others for the first time. The other two get a quiet, nervous glance.
DoraRose is now standing beside Leon, her gaze focused on his faint black eye. "One of the sisters told me you were missing." she also has now just noticed Starlenia. The mouse sends the squirrel a bright, sunny smile. "Good day. My name is DoraRose Strongheart."
Leon nods "I was, but I am back now and ok, well ok now just been in and out of infirm past few days"
Starlenia's eyes dart back to the pond practically as soon as she's addressed, with what sounds like a quiet "Hello."
Jameson comes wandering over to the pond while happily munching an apple he...aquired from the orchards. His lute is slung over his shoulder in lieu of the quiver he usually carried. He gets a grin and waves to the three as he approaches, "Hello there. How is the afternoon treating everyone?"
DoraRose flips around at the sound of the male squirrels' voice, a startled look on her face. But she quickly smiles and greets him. "Nicely, thank you. I am DoraRose Strongheart. Might I ask who you are?"
Leon stays quiet, ever so often he does take a quick look around and then back to Dorarose.
The newcomer gets a glance over her shoulder from the novice by the pond, but not much else. (Starlenia)
Jameson chuckles lightly to himself and bows theatrically to the small group, "I am Jameson. Just a simple traveling bard of no real import." He raises back up and approaches a little closer, his tail twitching up and down, "A real pleasure to meet you DoraRose Strongheart. And you two as well..." he trails off looking between the other two.
DoraRose nods. "I'm sure it nice to meet you, aswell. Please, have a seat." she takes her own advice and sits by Leon, picking up some flat rocks and looking at them, a small smile hovering on her face.
Leon smiles, he sits down and rubs his shoulder a little, he glaces around and then decides its best to relax right now.
Starlenia draws her knees up to her chest as the roaring crowd of two grows into a roaring crowd of three, her eyes fixed on the placid water in front of her.
Jameson tilts his head slightly at the two quiet beasts and thinks for a moment. "I know what could cover up the sound of silence," he says with a smile as he takes the lute from his back and plucks a few strings. He glances over at the other squirrel and asks, "Excuse me miss, do you have a favorite song?"
Starlenia glances back at Jameson out of corner of her eye, cautiously shakes her head. There's the hint of a quiet apology.
DoraRose picks up a rock from her lap and slowly turns it over and over in her paw. "Are you sure? I'm not from around here, and I would love to hear 1 of your songs." she tries to skip the rock, but fails miserably. It plops into the water and sinks, leaving a single set of ripples in its wake.
Leon stays close to Dorarose, he listens to any possible music and is a little more relaxed then he was ealier.
Benar walks into sight from near the abbey walls, the squirrel moving at a sedate pace as he cross the grass toward the gathering of beasts down by the pond. "Good day everyone."
"Oh no reason to be sorry," Jameson says with a friendly smile, "If you think of one please let me know." He steps over towards the waters edge and plucks a few more strings. "Good day to you too," he says to Benar, inclining his head to him as he starts to play the beginning of a cheerful sounding song.
Starlenia hurriedly rises to her feet as the acting abbot arrives, brushing off her habit and standing up as straight as she dares.
DoraRose tries to skip another stone, with the same results. Frowning, she turns to Leon and asks, "How on earth do you skip stones?" she does not seem to notice the Abbot, the minstrel, nor Starlenia's panic to rise.
Leon smiles and gets a stone, "Its how you hold your wrist" He shows and then flicks the stone as it sails into the air and skips a couple times on the pond, he smiles "See, thats how." He nods to Benar "Hello Benar."
Benar says, "Leon good day to you, Novice Starlenia it is nice to see you outside and not shut away in the library. Miss DoraRose hello to you as well."
Jameson continues to play and gets a big grin, "So that's what your names are. Leon and Starlenia. I was wondering when I would learn them." He turns to Benar, "Thank you for enlightening me. I'm afraid that I don't know you either. My name is Jameson."
DoraRose tries to skip another rock, following Leon's instructions. It skips once, then sinks, but she is still delighted. "I did it!" she whispers exitedly to the other mouse, then turns to Benar, a sunny smile lighting her face. "Good day!"
Starlenia shrinks a bit, quietly sitting back down.
Benar says, "I am Elder Benar, good day to you Master Jameson and be welcome to our Redwall Abbey, all are welcome here who come in peace." He smiles and nods to DoraRose, "Well done, skimming rocks is a tricky thing to learn and Starlenia please relax, no need to stand to attention."
Jameson goes back to playing the cheerful tune, "My thanks, Elder Benar." He goes back to playing the cheerful song, looking back and forth at the ones talking since they already knew each other.
Starlenia answers Benar with a small nod. She almost cringes.
Benar frowns at Starlenia, nodding a thanks to Jameson, "What is wrong Starlenia?"
DoraRose blushes slightly. "Thank you, Father." she skips another rock, and this time it goes 3 skips before sinking. She listens to everything, keeping quiet now, a peacful look on her face.
"N-.. nothing, s-s-.. F-FFFather," the novice answers, in a small voice. She mumbles another hurried apology.
Benar steps closer and holds out a paw to Starlenia, "Something is troubling you my dear... what is wrong?"
Jameson hmm's and moves over to sit by DoraRose, giving Benar and Starlenia some privacy. He looks at the mousemaid, "Is there any song in particular you would like to hear?"
Starlenia stands up again, brushing speckes of grass from her habit. She shakes her head, eyes downcast. "N-.. nnnnothing," comes the cautious reply. "S-S-SSSorry.."
DoraRose laughs, then sighs, both almost bitter sounds. "Yes, but I'm afraid very few creatures here would know it." she glances at Starlenia as the novice stands, adding, "I would rather like to hear a song that is common here in Mossflower."
Jameson perks a brow and tilts his head, "Oh? I would be interested in learning it if it's uncommon." Then he chuckles lightly and shrugs, "I'm afraid I don't know too many songs from these parts either. I'm from far to the south in the desert."
Benar shakes his head and smiles softly, "Sorry for what Starlenia? You've not done anything wrong my dear. Come relax and lets ask Master Jameson to entertain us with a song if he is willing?"
Starlenia gives a reluctant nod in answer. "Yes, F-Father." She doesn't look particularly excited by the prospect, though she hides it well enough.
DoraRose sighs and skips another stone, her smile replaced by a frown. "I shall sing it... but not now, I'm afraid." she stands and nods to the beasts around her. "I must take my leave of you. Good day." she is then gone, dissapearing into the orchards.
