February 23 - The Tavern
Characters: Kassle, Philio
Location: Camp Willow; Main Grounds, Swaying Reed Tavern
Its getting on in the day. Noon has been, and now has gone. And the food of lunch is soon being replaced by the thoughts of dinner. Though that's not on one otters mind at the moment. He is currently leaning against the side of the tavern. His eyes closed, face looking down. His coat tightly covering him. He breaths out slowly, letting the fog leave his lips in no hurry. Beasts pass by and mostly ignore him. Some catch to say hello. But no more than that, as they head inside. He is just waiting. As a fisher. He has to wait for his catch. And that's exactly what he is doing.
Well, she's not exactly changed for the meal, but then she probably doesn't own much more than the vaguely smart clothes she's already wearing. Kass' has turned her scarf to a somewhat rakish angle, but that might have been accidental. She's certainly retied her ponytail. And she's ditched her staff for the night, approaching with still a fluid step, tail straight behind her, whistling a tune- deliberately similar to the one she heard from him the day before.
Philio ear's turn to the noise of whistling and he chuckles to himself, with a small smile. When she gets closer his heart begins to beat out of his chest. He takes a few breaths to try and calm it. Before looking up, and opening his eyes. Philio's head fur looks like it was combed. To no avail, as it still looks wild and unkempt. Other then that. He looks just like he did when they first met. Not like he could afford any newer clothes to put on. He gets off the wall and takes a few steps forward. The otter then smiles warmly and bows his head a bit, "Hello Kass... Its really great to see you again." he grins, with his rudder slowly wagging behind him.
"From the looks of the sky, I'm thinking I'm either to say a late 'good afternoon', or an early 'good evening'- I can never quite get the hang of the transition in this odd winter-spring bit of the year." Is Kassle's immediate complaint following the fade out of her whistle, she is smiling though. "Anyway, good to see again too, Phil-mo."
"How about... Good Afterno-ning? See! because it has both... Afternoon.... and... evening..." Philio closes his eyes and shakes his head quickly. Trying to get the stupid out. He sighs, but continues to smile. Cant get it away from him. The Phil-mo gets a sigh and a chuckle. His paw then moves inside his coat, "How are you? How was the kitchen and Infirm?" Just in case she saw it as well. He continues to feel around in his coat. Looking for something.
"Afterno-ning? Hm, good word. Or, evenoon." She actually looks thoughtful, running her mind over them. "The kitchen was interesting. Overworked- well stocked and equipped." She grins, then continues. "And the infirm? The infirmary was, ahem, interesting, overworked, but well stocked and equipped. Everyone wants hot food and everyone's got a cold. Which, in turn, leads to them wanting more hot food. Still," A pause, as she watches him check his coat "Guess we're part of those wanting the food- thankfully -without- the cold."
"The Kitchen and the Infirm are always like that. Even when i was just a pup. We can never have enough cooks or healers... We've always been short staffed for a lot of things..." Philio says, "But at least they are equipped to what you may need... Whatever it is..." he then chuckles at the next part, "Those are otters for you. Always wanting to go swimming and getting colds. And the food is just part of the plan!" he grins and then ohs, "Aha! I found it..." he pulls out a flower. Its flat as a pancake, "This is for you... Its a water lily. They grow in abundance in the summer. I preserved this one in a book... For a special occasion..." he smile softly and nods, "Yep! As far as i know, I'm cold free! So lets get some grub, before the run out... Wont be the first time!" he chuckles going to open the door for her.
"From July, by any chance? Thankyou very much- a very pretty flower." At the idea of the kitchen running out, she chuckles. "Oh no. Not this time, they won't. I helped to inspire them with a little recipe concerning shrimps, extremely stodgy bread and thick, syrupy hotroot sauce. Unless each otter's got the belly of a hare today, then they'll be enough for all, I think. It's quite filling." She slips through with a grin as he opens the door. "Thankyou, sah."
That nice warm feeling flows though Philio body when she accepts the flower, "Yes. July. In one of the pools... Your very welcome..." He then grins stupidly at the mention of food, "Mmm. Sounds good. Keep more food in the pantry. Is always good. And even better because you thought it up..." he looks down for a few seconds to recollect himself, before slowly following her in. Inside the tavern the place is semi-packed. A bit more crowded than normal. But not to much to handle. Not quite dinner yet after all. A small band in the corner of the place ,is only warming up their instruments. And play an odd tune here and there. Philio leads to her one of the empty booths, "Here we are m'lady" He bows with a smile.
Kassle slips into the booth with as much flow as she walks, the movement between her standing and her sitting almost lost in the instant. It's rather like she's constantly moving as she would swimming. An eye to the musical beasts in the corner, but not long enough to miss his bow. She smirks, but still looks impressed. "Rather formal, Phil-mo. Good table, though."
The otter just stares, after she sits down. Her flowing movements did something to him. And his brain decided to shutdown and stop working. Still has a stupid grin on his face. After a few seconds he blinks as everything catches up, "Oh heh." he rubs the back oh his head, "Thanks. I like it enough..." he sits across from her, a lot less flowing and more like falling into his seat. The clumsy continues. At least he is not running into doors. "What would like to drink? We have most of everything. We also got a nice home brewed ale." as he delves into her eyes.
"Your usual booth, then?" She enquires, tilting her head as he falls into his seat. "Hm. Well given your very specific mention of that ale, I'm rather thinking I may be rude if I didn't try that. Which is lucky anyway- I like ale." Kassle admits, leaning back now as she starts to relax into the setting. It is a nice enough tavern.
Philio smiles, "Really? Me too. Heh. I mean. You don't have to try it..." he nods, "But it makes it easier, because you do! Ill be back in a minute..." he stares at her for a few more seconds before sighing and getting out of the table. He heads over to the bar and calls over the keep, "Oi Keep!" "Phil... What are you doing here?" The bartender calls as he walks toward him, "We got your order yesterday... unless you got something else for us?" Phil shakes his head, "Nah mate..." The otter then leans in and whispers to the keeper. The keeper tilts his head and then looks behind Phil, spotting Kassle. The keeper laughs loudly before hitting him hard in the shoulder. Phil grunts and rubs where he got hit, smiling weakly at the keep. The older beast grins and pulls two drafts from a keg behind him. Handing him to the younger otter. Phil smiles taking the drink, "Thanks..." as he heads back to the booth, "Here you go Kass. Try your chops around this..." he chuckles, sitting down.
Kassle nods her head, then watches as he goes to talk with the barkeep. Her mouth twitches at the very ottery greeting exchange between the two. She can overhear, and make out the shapes, of some of the words said, but then the whisper. Well, that's odd. She blinks, amused as the hit- again, very ottery. She gives the keeper a smile when he looks, then watches Philio's return. "Thankyou very much." And, extending a paw to lift it carefully to her lips- just sipping the top at first. "Good so far."
"I hope so. That's one of are proud and joys right there..." Sip "...Its very famous ottery drink. Even that redwall place has it. But only the otters care for it. Thinks its a little spicy. There is only a bit of hot root in it..." he chuckles and takes another sip. He starts to stare again before, "Oh... Umm... So... Tell me about yourself?" He circles the top of the mug with his claw.
"Well, I guess I can taste the hotroot. Have noticed, of course, that otherbeasts don't seem to enjoy it as much as otters. It's certainly a nice drink though." She sips again, then furrows her brow slightly. "About myself? Hm. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by such... Perhaps if you're more specific?" She suggests, with another smirk.
Philio pulls at his collar. 'Why does she look at me a smirk like that? Every time she does that... i melt...' He thinks to himself. He gulps quietly and tries to calm himself before answering. Oh, and after another sip to calm his nerves, "Oh.... Well... lets see... You weren't born here. So im going to assume that you were born somewhere else..." No duh, "And how did you come by here?" Another sip, and he is feeling better so far. So he rests his paw on the table.
Luckily, she can't really read minds. But the smirk does vanish for the moment, while her brows knit thoughtfully. A flash of the smile at his assumption. "Well. I can give you that one. I certainly was not born here. I certainly was born somewhere else." She nods, taps a claw, then continues. "As to how I came here, well; Camp Willow isn't exactly a lesser known place. And it's reputation concerning otters is... favourable."
"Well good. I got it right then..." Philio smiles, "But i guess i should have said that in a question. Where were you born? Exactly..." another little sip, "Well for concerning otters. This is the place. Camp willow i think was the first permanent settlement of civilized otters in Mossflower..." he shrugs slowly, "I think... History class was a long long time ago..." His paw slowly inches forward a tiny bit. But he is not consciously doing that.
She focuses on the history lesson first. "Yes. Quite a place of legend. Older than the Abbey, according to every version of the tale I've heard. Of course, age certainly isn't everything, though I have to admit that the history's an attraction, but also this modern reputation of the camp is very favourable. Nobody says a bad word. Had to see such a place for myself." She pauses, and furrows her brow again, thinking, just for the moment. "Exactly? A holt to the North, along the Broadstream, if you've heard of those waters?"
"I remember that part! My ole noodle is still working like a charm!" Philio chuckles, "Nobody says a bad word huh?" he thinks about it for a minute, "Well for otters. Its great. We like a little ruff and tumble stuff. A little fighting. A little drinking. All good fun! Now if you asked a... say a mouse. They might give a different answer" he chuckles again, before tilting his head, and nodding, "Yes. Not only have i heard of the Broadstream. I have been on it. My dad was always one to find out new tricks in different waters. I was only a ya-high then..." he sighs, "Don't remember much... is it nice up there?"
Kassle shakes her head. "Even the mice I've met haven't chimed in with much bad about the place. Otters, the odd fox I've spotted living around here, all walks of beast and mostly good things." She confirms, but agrees "But, yes, mostly the otters." She smiles slightly wistfully as he talks of having been on the Broadstream, but looks to the side as he asks if it's nice. "It was." Two word response, with an almost audible full stop.
Philio laughs, "They haven't?! Oh im gonna have to tell the others this... Mice liking Camp willow! Thats crazy!" he grins and then watches her. His face droops a little bit at her. And that strange feeling in his stomach comes back. But its different. If feels different. He feels concerned for her, he just doesn't realize it yet. He plays over what he said in his mind. No, he didn't say anything too bad. Or wrong. So must be something else. He thinks about it for a second before saying, "Sorry i brought it up..." he smiles trying to help her.
Kassle shakes her head again, and offers a rueful smile. "Don't worry about it. It's a natural right to be curious, and you've done nothing wrong in asking. It's just, I made my way South, leaving the Broadstream, for a reason. I keep my family's name, at least." She takes a slightly larger gulp of her ale than she has been previously. "Thankyou though, for apologising."
Philio nods, "I'm still sorry for bringing it up. I should be more aware of beasts personnel lives... I just. Wanted to get to know you better..." he sighs, "I know what can happen to holts. I've heard stories. About... What can happen. And how... and who came here... So. I won't say no more of it... Anyway..." he smiles weakly and nods slowly, "Welcome to Camp Willow... I hope you will be happy here..." he holds his palm face up on the table, offering a warm paw.
Kassle extends her own paw out to meet it. "Thankyou. One day I'll talk about it. But, would rather just enjoy my first days here, so thankyou. And, heh, I'm sure we'll get to know eachother just fine." She grins. "Also, thankyou for the welcome; it's much appreciated."
Philio smiles as she takes his paw. He is bombarded with nervous. And he locks up. But as soon it starts, it flows through him. His speech is still in question though. He blinks and gives her paw a tiny rub with his thumb before managing to speak, "Of course. Enjoy yourself. If you have any questions about anything. I'm always somewhere around. You can find me by the docks if nowhere else..." he grins. And then his grin is so wide that it almost breaks his face, when she says 'get to know eachother just fine'. He sighs happily. About this time one of the barmaids comes by and places two plates of shrimp, with bread. And a curious thick sauce. The barmaid cant help but comment, "Teehee... You two make a cute couple... Enjoy your meal..." she winks before heading off to other customers. Philio gulps and chuckles weakly.
"By the docks." She smirks. "Or, any other efficient fishing sight, I would guess..." Then, the meal comes. Another smirk, she recognises that bread, and that sauce. But the barmaid's comment makes her blink, and double-take, taking her paw back. "Hrm. I surmise she was brought up to many fairy stories, sheltered until old enough to work here and ever looking for potential husband, herself..." She's being a little irritated by the conclusion-jumping, but isn't purposely being nasty. Just stating what she honestly believes such a mistake to indicate.
When the paw is removed from his. He gets a feeling in his stomach. A feeling of wanting to go punch something. All jumbled with almost extreme sadness. That's an odd concept to grasp. He blinks at his paw before pulling it back, and hiding it under the table. He nods, "Claira?... I guess so. She was an only child. Then her parents were um... well. Taken... Don't know much else about her..." he hrms. The pain in his stomach is preventing him from eating correctly.
Kassle listens and twitches her muzzle. More information, and a new opinion and motives can be seen being written and assigned to 'Claira'. This time, though, she doesn't share them, much beyond a 'Mm' noise, denoting her understanding of something. Then, attention from the barmaid is pulled away. Otters eat well, second only to hares really, so one not eating quite right- it gets noticed. Coupled with his behaviour from the night before and she's worrying again. "You're sure you're not ill?"
Philio sighs and looks between his food, and her eyes, "I'm fine. Sort of. I'm feeling that same thing i was before... I dont know... Its different though. Its nothing... really..." he picks at his food and nods, "Its really good, Kass..." he says barely making a dent in anything.
The ottermaid eyes the food, then Philio. "Well, I'm impressed." She states, twitching her nose and mouth. "You've hardly touched the food at all, but you know it's good?" She sits back, considering the otter across the table. "It's not poison. It's not an illness. You did say you'd let me know."
The food gets a good hard look at before, Philio forces a larger bite. He cringes as it drops into his stomach, but he forces a smile through the pain, "It is good... I'm telling you." he gulps as now he feels the correct sickness for his stomach, "I did... didn't i..." he hrms and nods, "Okay. I'll tell you...I said i would..." he looks around a bit to make sure no one is looking, and whispers "Do you promise not to laugh. Or... leave..." he asks before hand.
That's a forced smile, and an odd way to eat; she starts to doubt her efforts. Maybe it needed to cook a little longer... At the request she tilts her head carefully, but smiles warily. "That embarrassing?" She shakes her head. "I promise not to laugh or to leave. Honest." Smiling, but sincere.
"Are you sure?...Okay... Yes it is a embarrassing thing. And i don't really know how to say it... Its odd..." he drops his head on the table with a light thump. But he barely notices it, "I'm not sick in the since that I'm sick... Its not an illness... But i feel sick..." he sighs, "But if you said you wont leave or laugh... Okay..." he takes a deep breath and says very quickly, rushed to get it out "I like you. A lot. You are the most beautiful otter i have ever seen. And every time i look at you, i get lost in your eyes. Every time you get near, my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest. Every time you just smile. I melt in an ottery puddle..." he grunts quietly, "I try not to be nervous. But its so overwhelming. For an otter of your beauty, grace, and intelligence... To even talk to me..." he cringes and closes his eyes. Not wanting to know what the rebuttal is. Ignorance is bliss.
The ottermaid nods along as he describes it, and nods again, solemnly, as he reiterates her promise to her. And then, the confession. She sits through it, uninterrupting, sitting back. A couple of blinks, but her expression isn't the most readable immediately, even if he'd left his eyes open. Silence probably isn't the best of responses to his mind, but it lasts only a little while more. "Well. I can't say I saw that coming." But her mind is kicking itself- symptoms were all there. "So," Open his eyes now, and he'll see a slight smile. "That makes this a date?"
Philio slowly counts to himself before he decides to look up. To see if she was still even there. To his surprise, she speaks. She is still there. And she only seems confused. Not angry, and still in his presence. He slowly opens his eyes and he sees the smile. Oh the pain, but its warmer now. He nods slightly, "I guess so. I mean... Yes. That's what i wanted..." he smiles back, "...Should have said my intentions earlier"
"It was a little concerning- all the mild poisoning symptoms and they turn out psychological. But, a date?" She smirks. "Those are nice things to say, and I'm not immune to flattery. Dating, I think we can do. You've got nice hair." She teases, then more seriously. "I like you. Perhaps not in the same way you say you like me, at least yet. But... Dating may change that."
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to concern you. Was kinda hoping i would get better as i got to know you. Its turns out... it didn't" Philio chuckles lightly, "Thanks. I grew it myself..." He listens as she speaks now, twiddling his paws nervously under the table. He smiles slightly, "You like me?" he nods slowly, "Not the same as i do?.. But still, ill take it!" he grins, "Ill make sure you well have fun on these dates, if nothing else..."
Kassle smirks, and draws her feet up onto her seat, until she's sat in a sort of curl. "Well. Maybe it's partly due to, uh, keeping it just that little bit hidden? And, I'm sure I'll have fun; you certainly seem like a fun sort of beast. Now, drink and dinner, though, hm? Trust me, the sauce is better still hot."
"Thanks! I try to be a fun beast... If the hair doesn't explain that. Then i don't think nothing well." he chuckles and sighs, "Yes. Right. Dinner. Yes... Of course. Now that i told yah. I feel better..." he reaches down and takes a nice healthy helping and scarfs it down, "Mmmm... very delicious... Its amazing... You know you should be a cook!" he smirks for the first time.
Kassle grins, tucking in herself. "So people tell me. Except when I'm in the Infirmary. Thankyou, Phil-mo. I'm glad you feel better." She watches him eat, happily, as she chews her own.
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