Home Again

Characters: Aikuen, Kentar, Will, Fira, Garnet(spoof) and Racky

Location: Dirt Road, Moledeep

Dirt Road

Aikuen walks, as much as he can, south along the path. He got his recently filled pack from the gatehouse, as well as his other affects, but he didn't put on his armor on for obvious reasons. He has one arm on his crutch, and another on Fira for support and just because. They both pad along quietly.

Kentar limps behind the otters, being helped along by Garnet. He's leaning mostly on her and the cane more then his good leg. The two stoats quietly talk, a bit of laughing from Garnet, but Kentar is as quiet as anything as they talk.

Will is in the lead as usual, which is helpful since he's the only one that knows how to get to Moledeep without getting lost.

Moledeep: Entrance

Will leads the otters and stoats through the woods and into a large clearing full of flowers, gardens, orchards and so forth all slowly returning to the woods, this is Moledeep. "Sooo what ya think?" the rat asks the group.

Kentar follows the group, limping still as he goes, looking around. "Nice...I like it." he nods with a smile. Garnet nods too. "Yeah...

Aikuen laughs lightly, "The grass is overrun around here..." Fira smirks and nudges him. The older otter laughs, "Its not much... But its home!

"Ya want t go inside or look around out here first?" Will asks.

Kentar shrugs a bit. "I need to rest. I'd like to go inside but I don't mind waiting for you guys here, if you want."

Aikuen looks to Kentar then back to Fira. They have a noiseless conversation, and Aikuen says, "I woke her up when we were leaving... Lets sort out the sleeping arrangements first..."

Will nods, "Ok. ... I think Racky's awake ..." the rat hurries in to see what's going on with the little fox.

Moledeep: Mole Hall

Will looks around for Racky, "If you see a gold fured fox, that's Racky an he lives here ... he's th only beast other than us that lives here any other beasts you see shouldn't be here."

Racky screeches loudly and scurries under a chair as beasts enter the domain a rock bouncing off the walls as it is thrown into the air from the fleeing dibbun, Peeking out from under the chair till he finally sees that the beasts are no threat to him

Aikuen thought somebeast has taken over the tunnel, and then Will reminded him about the little Fox. He laughs and follows him, with Fira right behind, who missed the whole thing. He waves at the little head, "Oi! Racky! We're back mate!"

Kentar looks around and takes a few deep breaths, being helped along. "As much as I'd love to meet him, is there somewhere I can sit down?" He asks.

Will gently puts his tablet on the floor and sides it over to the fox, "What's going on?" he asks. Will points to a chair, "Find a chair or use th floor, there's lots in here."

Racky scurries over actually dragging the chair with him till he crawls out and looks up with his screech, he pushes the tablet with him, before he starts to write on it.

The tablet reads:

Some beasts came snooping around a day ago, big rat like creature with big knife.

Signed, Racky

Will reads the tablet silently, "Are they still here?" he asks, paw going for his sword. "Pa, we might have trespassers," he says.

Aikuen tilts his head at Will, then at Racky, "You sure?" He lets go of Fira, and drops his pack. He unsheathes his sword, and looks around, "Where would they be right now?"

Racky screeches softly as he sits looking slightly skinny, as he shakes his head, pointing at the pile of small throwable rocks near the entry way and a slingshot near then. Racky giggles as he writes again.

Kentar sighs. "I'll stay out of this..." he says quietly as Garnet pulls out a chair and sits next to him, both stoats now quietly talking.

Will smiles as he reads the tablet, "They're gone now ... Racky got rid of em. An won a knife for himself." He grins at the fox, "Sorry we were gone so long we would have took ya with us but when ever I looked you were always sleepin'. I'll see about makin up some soup an you can say hi t Kentar an th others while I do that, alroight? Kentar, Garnet an Fira are gonna live here with us now. Fira is gonna marry Aikuen an Kentar is part th family too an I know you never said you want t be my little brother or not but I figure since you've been sleepin in my room for nearly forever you might as well be." He looks over to the others, "This is Racky, be nice t him. I'm gonna make up some soup an then we can get all th rest figured out." Will walks off into the kitchen.

Kitchen

The rat drags out the caldron for the soup and sets to cleaning it out, it's not as bad as it was the first time Aikuen cleaned it. Once it's clean enough he fills it part way with water from the pump and sets it on the fire and goes off into the larder to his ingredents or what's left of them anyway.

Mole Hall

Aikuen Smiles to Fira who has retaken his arm. He looks to the little ones and says, "Good job Racky...Er... alright Will, but if the veggies seem to be growing something, don't use it..." He chuckles and leads Fira to a root chair, big enough for two. But Fira has other plans, she gets up and smirks at Aik, as she walks around Molehall looking at all there is to be in here.

Kentar looks at Racky and smiles, giving a wave. Garnet does the same. "Hi there Racky." He smiles. Then the two stoats quietly go back to talking, seemingly really into their conversation.

Will passes back through Mole Hall. "Some dibbun ate all th stuff I had in th larder. I'm gonna get more from th gardens if I can."

Aikuen looks to Will, "Hey I brought stuff!...Nevermind..." as the eager rattling leaves Moledeep. He chuckles, and waves to Racky, "Oi! Racky... I'm guess I'm your pa now... But only if you want too..." he chuckles.

Gardens

Will gets to work in the garden looks for garlic and potatoes and the other things he needs for the soup. Once he has enough for the soup and then some he carries the bucketful back inside

Mole Hall

Racky bobs his head nodding as he waves back swishing his tail behind him as he just keeps looking around before moving over to the makeshift bed he made up and sitting down on some soft blankets where he looks quite comfortable and relaxed, still silent, till he looks up and ear flicks. Not like he had a choice he got hungry. He looks up at Aikuen and lets out a soft screech before scrambling over to the

Will passes back though on the way to the kitchen with a bucketful of veggies.

Kitchen

The rat put the extra ingredients in the larder, he'll make a keep out sign later, and set back to work on making the soup.

At last the soup is ready and Will fills up bowls to bring out to the others. One by one he takes them out to the others with a glass of water

Mole Hall

Aikuen picks up the tablet and tilts his head at it, trying to read, "Alright... I can do this... P... Yah that's a P... And that's and A... So p and a... P-A... Pa...PA!" He laughs and picks up Racky.

Racky screches softly and hugs as he is picked up, wiggling his bushy fox tail in the air like a happy dibbun.

Will walks in from the kitchen with a bowl of soup and a glass of water which he sits on the table. "Soup's ready, every beast have a seat." He smiles at the fox and otter, "I guess Racky doesn't mind us too much?"

Aikuen chuckles as he carries Racky to the table, "I guess not!" He places the dibbun down, and goes to tell Fira... nevermind she figured it out. He sits down next to her, and smells the soup, "Mmmm... Smells good..." He lets someother beast have it though.

Will brings in bowl after bowl of soup and glasses of water to go with the soup, enough for everyone. "There's plenty for seconds an thirds an ... well there's a lot so eat as much as you want everyone." He forgets to mention the eminence amount of hotroot, in the soup, which he brought from the Abbey.

Racky sniffs at the table before hoisting himself right up onto the table waiting patiently for his bowl and drink before he digs in chowing down quickly, making a little of a mess before he tastes the hotroot his bowl is already half empty. He screeches softly sipping from the glass some cooling down his mouth from the spice.

Kentar sits down at the table and slowly starts to dig into the soup, slowly. He doesn't seem to notice any spice at all. "Meh...its not bad." he shrugs a bit, just doing his best to enjoy it. Although he doesn't seem to be enjoying it at all.

Aikuen takes his bowl, and immediately slurps it down. Fira looks at him and frowns but then just smirks, and chuckles, as she starts on her own. Aikuen after inhaling it says, "Eh... Needs more hotroot..." He laughs pushing he bowl away, and looking back to Fira to see what she thinks. She nods when she puts her also empty bowl. Aikuen laughs and hugs her at that. Otters are like that sometimes.

Will chuckles, "Sorry Racky, it's kinda hot if your not used to it. Problem Kentar?"

Kentar looks at Will and shrugs. "Little bland don't you think?" he asks, shrugging. "Maybe its just me."

Aikuen looks to Kentar, "Eh? Its like my mouth is on fire there is so much spice in it... But I'm an otter, and I like it... Bland? did something happen to your tongue?"

"Could we grow hotroot here or do we have t keep borrowing it from th Abbey?" Will asks not knowing much about the spice other than that he likes it nearly as much as the otters. "I /could/ have put more hotroot but don't want t use it /all/ up," he shrugs, "If you can do better you can make th next meal."

Kentar shrugs at the otter. "I don't think I could actually. I can't cook." he says before peering up at Aikuen. "Sort of. I guess. I've not been able to taste properly since I got back to the abbey."

Aikuen looks to Will, "I brought a bunch of seeds... When its planted it'll be a few weeks before we can harvest anything, but i can grow it..." Then to the stoat, "Give it time to heal... maybe something happened to it, and you don't remember... but it will heal..."

Racky looks kind of goofy as he licks his bowl clean, his bowl rocking some before he drains his glass of water the rest of the way, the soup dripping from his chin some, seems he likes to wear a little of his meal.

Will goes into the kitchen and returns with a towel which he hands to the fox, "Want more soup?" he asks.

Aikuen raises his paw, and bounces up and down like a dibbun, "Oh! Aye! Me! I want more! Please! Please! Me!" He stops and laughs, and Fira just smirks as she leans into him.

Kentar laughs at the otter. "Why not just bring out the whole pot and toss it over him, eh Will?" He grins.

Racky meeps and suddenly has a towel over his head which doesn't stay long as steal flashes and erupts through the fabric before Racky screeches softly realizing there is no danger he drops the knife he won and wipes his muzzle trying to act as if nothing happened.

Aikuen sticks his tongue out, "Well ... your no fun... I'll get some later ..." He laughs and he leans into Fira, "And we don't have to live on soup, though it tastes pretty good to me... I brought rations, and abbey food in my pack, until the gardens start up again" He looks to Racky, "Killed that towel... Will, please disarm him...for safety reasons..." He shakes his head.

"Sooo anything happen while we were gone other than what you told us?" Will asks the fox. He nods to Aikuen, "You heard Pa, no attacking towels at th table. Hand it over or put it away." He holds out a paw for the knife.

Kentar laughs a bit at the otter before yawning again. He sits back into his chair. Garnet latches around his arm and snugs against him, yawning and closing her eyes

Racky peeks through the hole in the towel, the blade laying on the table as his ears wiggle, he shakes his head at the question, looking at the beasts. He seams to have warmed up the place and taken on a careless like nature about himself. then again being alone for a long while may make a dibbun that way.

Will takes the knife and slips it into his pack, "I'll hang on to your knife for now you can have it back later when you can use it right. If everyone's done eatting you can look around an find where ya want t sleep an stuff. If yurr able Kentar I could show ya th forge or I can show ya tomorrow."

Aikuen looks to Fira, and has another silent conversation, and she nods and yawns. Aikuen says, "Ill show Fira to her room, then ill be back out to give everything the once over..." He stands slowly, and Fira follows along going to the sleeping hall.

Kentar looks at Will and then nods. "Yeah. Sounds good." he then nods. "I'll...sleep here..." he hehs. "I don't feel like getting up to explore."

"You're gonna sleep at th table? There's beds right that way," the rat points to the hall full of beds where Aikuen and Fira had already gone.

Kentar looks over to the place that was pointed to him. "Ah, alright." he nods before slowly standing, grabbing his cane. Garnet also stands, going to help him towards the hall.

Aikuen comes back from the hall, and looks to the Stoats as there passing, "Hey! just through there... take your pick!" He chuckles and goes back to the table, "Everything is still dusty, but seems empty enough..."

"Bedtime?" Will asks, "Or jus for stoats an otters?"

"Aikuen, when you get a moment, can I talk to you in private please?" Kentar asks before vanishing into the sleeping hall.

Aikuen shrugs, "Im still awake...and i will be for a bit" He leans back in one of the chairs, "Ahhh... When i get to it... ill plant the hotroot, and all the other stuff... but in a few days... I want to get most of this ready before ... Er... Yah sure Kentar" He grunts as he gets back up and goes over to the sleeping hall, "Whats wrong mate?" he whispers.

"Before th wedding," the rat finishes for him. "Well what do we do, Racky?" Will asks setting his pack down on the floor.

Racky ear wiggles and leaps from the table and lets out a screech as he lets out a small yawn wiggling his tail as he sniffs the air some, before looking back to Wil.

The rat grins and shakes his head, "Mind writing that down so I know what you want?"

Racky tail flicks.

Racky scribbles on the tablet.

This is what is currently written/drawn on the clay tablet:

I don't know what to do.

Signed, Racky

Will reads the tablet, "Oh is that all. Well, hmm, what is there t do in here .... I just I could unpack an put stuff away. You want t help? Maybe we can think of something more fun t do while we do that?" It's an idea at least and the rat does need to unpack.

Racky nods and swishes his tail on the ground.

Storage Chamber

Will starts to unpack pulling out a small bag of candied chestnuts, which he passes to the fox, "Hold this," he says digging around in the bag for more stuff.

Racky yawns and writes on the tablet.

I'm going to sleep.

Will chuckles, "Alroight, keep th nuts if ya like." He continues to unpack and put things away. He puts the fox dibbun's knife up on a hight shelf in the storage chamber before checking on Racky. He ruffles the fox's ears seeing him sleeping with the bag of chestnuts held tightly to his chest.

Sleeping Hall

Kentar is led in by Garnet, and is left upon a bed. He sits there and slides his cane next to the bed for easy access. Garnet leaves the two alone for now, vanishing out into the hall.

Aikuen nods to Garnet as she leaves, and finds one of the beds to sit on, "So mate... What going on?"

Kentar yawns slightly. "I want to get a ring so that when I find the time, I can ask Garnet to marry me...I don't plan on doing it soon but I want the ring just incase. But uh...I don't have money for one, so...Any suggestions?"

Aikuen smiles, "You might marry her! Yah!... Oh a ring... aye... well..." He scratches his head and thinks about it, "How good are you at crafting wood, or metal..."

Kentar yawns again. "Yeah. No, I'm going to." he says. "Just not sure when." he then nods. "I can't craft wood or metal well. I know how to make a blade but that's about it."

Aikuen sighs, "Well I'll tell you what... I have money... And I don't mind giving you some, since your my matey... But you better be the best dern husband to her..." He chuckles.

Kentar blinks and shakes head. "I wont take your money Aikuen, no matter how much I consider you my friend." he says.

Aikuen sighs, "Alright then... It was just a thought..." He scratches his head, "What do you have on you... that you are willing to trade?"

Kentar nods slowly. "Thank you though." he smiles before thinking. "Er. Nothing of value anyways."

Aikuen nods, "I have no idea then... Just ask her... you don't have to have a ring... its just a symbol... and is not required in marriage... hmm, but if you still want one... You could make swords, and sell them... get a few golds from smithing..." He places a paw on his chin.

Kentar sighs. "I'm in no condition to make swords right now." he says before thinking. "I could sell my rapier I guess..." he shrugs. "I want that ring."

Aikuen smiles, "You really want the ring... and your willing to give up your rapier... Yes you can get enough for a ring..." He sighs, and leans back, "You must love her a lot... to give up something that you treasure... Good for you..."

Kentar nods a bit and smiles slightly. "Yeah. I do." he nods. "And I don't know right now what I'd do without her."

Aikuen grins, "That's how I feel about Fira... We are just a bunch of lovey-doveys arent we!" He laughs, "When are yah gonna ask her..."

Kentar laughs and smirks. "Yeah. We are. Too bad Will doesn't have anyone, or we could call ourselves the bunch of lovey-doveys" he smirks. "Well...I'm not sure yet."

Aikuen says, "Well he is a little young at the moment, but he will find someone eventually..." He smiles, "Well take your time... you know when... when the time comes! Though don't want too long, she might get the wrong impression!" He laughs.

Kentar nods slowly. "I was thinking...maybe the day I get the ring. Since I don't know when I'll be getting it."

Aikuen nods, "Thats great, so when do you want to go get it?... Anian is a good walk from here, so when you fell better, we can go."

Kentar nods slowly. "I want to get it as soon as I can I guess." the stoat nods. "Probably tomorrow or sometime." He shrugs.

Aikuen tilts his head, "If you're up to it, sure..." He stands up, and balances himself, "I'll do anything to help you two." But he has to ask again, "Are you sure your up to it?"

Kentar nods slowly. "I'm sure. You worry too much." he smiles.

Aikuen shrugs, "I cant help it! I've changed! I become a nice beast, who becomes worried at their friends..." He grins, "Oh, I Love Fira, she has changed me for the better!" He laughs and makes a few steps toward the door, "Are you coming back out... or..."

Kentar laughs and smirks. "Aye. I knew there was something different about you." he smirks before shaking his head. "I need to sleep. Very tired." he says.

Aikuen nods as he stops at the doorway, "Then I will see you bright an early tomorrow, a long day ahead of us... Night Kentar!"

Kentar nods. "Good night Aikuen." he says, after laying down and falling asleep.

Aikuen enters back into Molehall, chuckling. He sees that everybeast has left... Except for Garnet. He smiles weakly trying not to burst with the information he just received from Kentar. He sits back down at his place and says, "Hey yo...er... we never got to know each other much, how are you?"

Garnet is quietly sitting down at a table, having a second helping of the soup. She seems to like it a lot. and doesn't seem to mind the spices. The stoatmaid looks up and smiles. "No...We never, did we?" she chuckles. "I'm fine, thank you. You?"

Aikuen smiles, "I'm doing well, er yah...thanks" Not too good with small talk, "er... So how do you like our home? Its not much, but we like all the same... Like the soup? Good!... Will, would like to know that you do, he does make a good soup..." He twiddles his claws in front of him.

Garnet nods slowly and smiles, "I like it. Both the home and the soup." She smiles. "Thanks a bunch for letting me stay..."

Aikuen waves a paw at her, "Its not a problem, we need more beasts around here anyway... And Kentar just couldn't leave you... so here yah are!" He laughs, "I'm glad you like it..."

Garnet smiles and nods, chuckling. "I think he really likes me..." she nods. "So...thank you for letting both of us stay" the stoatmaid giggles.

Will walks in from the storage chamber having unpacked and put his pack up. "Hello," he greets the others taking a seat in one of the chairs.

Aikuen snorts, but must remain quiet of the information, "Yes... He really does... And its our pleasure to have you here... Oh, Hi Will, thought you went to bed?" he says to the rattling.

"Not yet," the rat says, "Racky an I were putting some stuff away. Racky went t bed though. Guess he's not used t havin so many beast around."

Garnet chuckles a bit. She smiles some and sighs. "Thats good." She nods. "I really like him too." The stoatmaid nods before looking towards Will, smiling.

Will smiles back. He doesn't know what they're talking about but he could guess real easy and probably get it in one guess. "Everybody find a place t sleep?" he asks.

Aikuen nods, "Yes we did, at least until we find a more permanent room for everybeast..."

Garnet nods. "I did, thank you." She nods.

Will nods some. He's not used to so many beasts being here either. "Sooooo now what?"

Aikuen yawns a bit, "I don't know... Its too late to start any projects right now..." He leans back in his chair.

Garnet also yawns but just eats more soup. "No idea. I'm just enjoying this soup!" she smiles, on her fourth bowl. She notes that no one else seems to want any, so she's not bothering to ask if she can have more.

Will nods a little, "Ya like th soup?" he asks the stoatmaid.

Aikuen closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath, slightly dozing.

The stoatmaid nods and smiles. "Yeah. A lot!"

Will grins a little before yawning, "I think it's bedtime, heh. Night Pa an ... everyone." The rat dibbun wanders back into the storage chamber and from there to the dibbun hole, to curl up with Racky.

Garnet nods and waves. "Good night Will." she smiles.

Aikuen creaks an eye at Will, "Night Will! see you tomorrow..." He sighs and gets up himself, "Well there is a big day coming up... I also am heading off... Night Garnet!" He hobbles off toward the sleeping hall.

Garnet nods slowly and chuckles. "Good night to you as well!" she smiles. She devours the soup then heads to bed herself later on