In the Training Room
Training with a Hook
Including:
Tameus
Darklett
Quinten
Tyree
Zeraph
Flicktail
Salamandastron: Training Room
- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
This is the training room for the hares of the long patrol. The walls
seem to have taken a severe beating, more than likely not from stray
arrows missing the archery targets. There are several of said archery
targets lining the west wall, each with small oak stands a good distance
off to hold arrows, hang a bracer, and rest a bow on. The targets are of
simple design: a large, tightly wrapped bale of hay with a coarse paper
target on the front. A wooden mannequin, in no better shape than the
walls, is in the northeastern corner of the room. Besides that, several
wooden practice swords sit in a small pile. On the eastern side of the
room is a small, makeshift wrestling arena consisting of two mattresses
tied together. Then on the southern side of the room is a fitness area,
assembled from several pull-up bars, and a nice padded area to do push up.
Narrow, cylindrical weights (both wooden and metal) are pushed up against
the wall, along with a few straight metal bars for them to be mounted on.
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"...Hey," Darklett turns to face whoever's greeting him, holding a knife in his paw loosely. "...Hey!" Darklett half-smiles. "Good to have you back, Tam." Let's ignore the hooky-hook for a mo', yes. "You had me worried."
What do you want to whisper?
Tameus holds his hook in near his side, paused near the punching bags and letting the position of his body keep it discreet. Getting used to the thing, and all. He gives Darklett a smile that's a bit grateful - thank you for not mentioning the hook? "Yeah, been hearin' that a lot.. sorry, mate. 's good t' be back."
Well, he'd heard about the hook, so. No shock factor, at least. Darklett doesn't even give it so much as a glance. "Great to have you back," he reiterates.
"...Better to see you in the training room already," he comments, storing away his knife and heading over towards the other fighter.
The door pushes open and Quinten walks inside, the recorder is carrying a bundle of papers and peering atthem as he navigates the room. He glances up over them and nods to Tam. "Hey Tam nice to see you up and about. Ah Major there are" he salutes.
"'s kind'a like everythin' I do 's trainin', now," Tam says with a small snort. "Relearnin', an' all." His fingers rub along the hook, and his eyes shift over to Quinten when the buck enters. "Hey... up'n about?"
"Hey, Quinten." Darklett gives the recorder hare a wave of his paw. "Don't see you around all that much anymore." Shrug. Coincidence, probably.
Quinten smiles, "I try to be here sir, normally tucked in the library teaching people." he grins at Tam, "Yeah much too nice a day to be lounging about idle. Best to be up and about doing things." he tucks the papers into a pocket of hus tunic and smiles. "Don't see you about too much either Darklett sir, guess we just keep missing each other."
"D'nno 'bout y', Quint," Tam says with a bit of a shrug, turning back to the nearest punching bag. His hand flexes, popping the knuckles, then curls into a loose fist. "I don' even remember th' last time I was loungin' 'bout. Ah hey, Dark - how's y'r lieutenant doin'?" he asks with a bit of a grin.
"They're..." Darklett emphasizes the plural, here... "Doing okay. Taye's recovering still, Sidney's stepping in alright. Haven't really seen Sidney in action though, so we'll see how that goes." The major shrugs towards Quinten. "I guess we do. We'll have to organize a drink sometime." He takes that knife back out and turns towards the target, rolling his throwing shoulder a few times before jerking his arm back and hurling the knife to the center of the target.
".. they?" That surprises a short laugh out of Tam. "Y' promoted Sidney? What th' hell, Mike didn' tell me 'bout that happenin'."
Quinten twitches his ears, "Sidney got promoted? Oh good for them." he grins, "They'll make a fine officer and i'd not say no to a decent drink sometime
Darklett." He watches Darklett with his knife and grins. "Heh I never could get the hang of throwing knives. But I do my best to stay in practice i might not go out patrolling now but i'm not about to let myself go soft."
"You never know. You might get pulled on a patrol one of these days." Darklett smirks towards Quinten, before spreading that smirk out to a grin as he acknowledges Tam, "Yeah, I promoted him. He deserved it, and it was as good a time as ever to do it."
You say, "Well i'll make sure i'm ready when it happens. Got to admit as much as I love the library I do miss ranging about. Why I go pick up my own library supplies. Even if it is only up to mossflower or down to Halyard for things. But I am glad to hear Sidney is doing well.""
Tameus shakes his head with a grin, rubbing his hand at the back of his head. "Gonn' punch Mike in th' skull f' not tellin' me, th' git. How's Cam doin', too?" he asks Darklett now, and gives the heavy bag a light punch with his knuckles.
"Cameron's doing great, too. He and Selene are still at Halyard, and he's pretty happy there, it seems." He shrugs, taking out another knife and handling it, tossing it in his paw thoughtfully. "I was planning on going to Halyard later today to see 'em."
You ask, "Cameron and Selene? Ok I have been spending too much time in the library. Who are Cameron and Selene?""
Tameus glances at Quinten with his brows lifted. "... Dark's mate an' younger son?"
Darklett nods, letting Tam answer that. He hurls the knife again and dangit, it clanks off of one of the knives that is already in the target. The thing's getting a little overpopulated, so he walks towards that target to relieve it of some of its knives.
Quinten looks at Darklett and blinks, "Since when.." he shakes his head, "Right that's it I think i need to change my schedule. I refuse to age into some forgetful grey furred hare before my time."
"Think it migh' be a bit late f' that, Quint," Tam says with a snort, and he punches the bag again, harder, rocking it back away from him - then follows this up with a hit with the hook.
Darklett watches Tam as he walks back... When he throws a punch with that hook, he winces, looking at the hare to see his reaction after punching with his hook. To Quinten, though, he continues, "Come on, Quinten. It hasn't been /that/ long..."
Tameus grimaces, and glances at his hook. It's .. different. That much is apparent from his expression, but he doesn't say anything about it. His punches are slower than they would usually be, kind of experimental as he starts into a pattern of jabs. Left right left right.
Quinten watches Tam for a moment and shrugs, "What can I say, I forgot, you never normally talk about your wife, least not with me. But then less then two years ago I was just a private causing you all havoc. Not to mention the pain I was as a recruit." he grins ears twitching before pulling his sabre out of his belt and moving toward one of the other practice dummies. "I think less time in the library and more time socialising will do me good."
"I guess I can forgive you." Darklett grins at Quinten, giving another glance to Tameus to see how he's doing. It's of interest, okay? "I'd imagine getting away from the books would be good for /any/ hare..."
Quinten moves into the slow gracefly dance of the swords-beast as he moves about the target, sword flicking out every now and then. "Heh yes, as much as I like my work I can't spend my whole life in the library. I didn't go through recruit training just to sit in the mountain my whole life."
"Kind'a funny t' think'a any hare /likin'/ t' spend time wit' books," Tam comments, following the conversation while warming up with the jabs. He changes it up, trying a hook with the .. hook. XD
"That's what I'm saying," Darklett chuckles. "We're not gonna lose a good, able hare to the /library./" The major hops up onto one of the prep tables for sitting arrows and bows on.
"... 'cept Mike, maybe," Tam says with a snort. "He's a damn bookworm. 's like m' dad.. no wonder he chose Redwall over th' Patrol, he's a scholar at heart." Punch punch punch.
Quinten shakes his head and chuckles moving around slowly, spinning and lashing out with his sabre a flickering series of jabs then he jumps back. "I don't know. I think the Colonel likes me in the library teaching recruits and leverets and staying out of trouble. Still if I get the chance to go patrol i'll take it."
"Volunteer yourself, then. I don't know if the Colonel really likes any hares to /never/ go on Patrols." Darklett hm-hms, swaying his feet under the table. "Maybe I'll drag you out next time I take the patrol out. Where haven't you been in a while?"
You say, "Mmm if its not Halyard or the shores of Mossflower woods then I've not been." he says with a grin, "But sure count me as volunteered. I'm just not sure I'm meant to be volunteering to go places is all.""
Tameus is more focused on beating at the punching bag than the conversation. At least, he doesn't join in right now.
"Good. Looks like we'll head inland a bit." Darklett rubs his paws together. "It'll be good for you. You know, for you to remember there're other places."
Quinten flicks his sabre around and slices a tuft of hay off the target. "And remind me of what it means to be a patroller, rather then the chap who just files all your report.s"
"As great as you are at filing those reports, you have much more /potential/ than that." Darklett snorts out a laugh.
Quinten grins, "Heh well that's good to know sir." he sheaths his sabre and walks up to examine the target. "Sloppy work... yeah sloppy work there I need more practice."
Tameus pauses after a thump of his hook into the side of the punching bag, and rolls his shoulders forward and back while looking over at Quinten and the target with a questioning huff. "What're y' tryin'a do, mate?"
Darklett glances over the target, just hanging out now. He's curious as to how one gets bested by a practice dummy, too.
Quinten tilts his head and smiles, "Just seeing how out of practice I am" he taps his sabre hilt. "I'll admit i've let my sword play slip and concentrated on unarmed. I just need to put in more time I think. If i'm going to volunteer for things I need to be up to scratch."
Tameus shrugs, and leans a little into the heavy bag. "Don' think 've ever used m' sabre on a dummy. Always had other hares t' spar wit', though."
Quinten glances at Tam, "A live sparring partner is good. But sometimes it helps to jus go through the forms and have something to concentrate on."
"Well, you know. Gotta give those rule-breaking recruits something to do. Dummy making is just one of the many forms of busy work we can offer." Dark grins at this, mwahah.
"Only ever did that when I was a kid.. an' not wit' a dummy." Tam grins, glancing at Darklett and then quietly laughing. "'course, don' think 'll be usin' an actual sabre again."
Quinten grimaces and his ears droop, "Ugh Darklett don't remind me, I used to hate being assigned punishment chores as a recriut." Looks at Tam and tilts his head. "Why not? You can use it one handed, though maybe a ligther sword would do you. Something that is purely for one hand only."
"Yeah, how would you feel about a rapier?" Darklett acknowledges the one-pawedness for the first time. "There's a lot more finesse involved than you're used to, but... I think you can handle it."
Tameus shakes his head. "Th' hand 've still got 's f' punchin'. Brass knuckles an' all. Zoe's helpin' me out, we've been designin' hook attachments. Few differen' blades, battle-hook." He lifts the one he's wearing. "Somethin' sharp an' barbed, not blunt like this'n."
Quinten tilts his head and then nods, "Novel approach but useful, you won't be caught out if you learn to use your hook for things like that."
Darklett smiles, nodding slowly. "...Interesting." He kind of stares upwards, eyes narrowed as he thinks about it. "...That'll work pretty well, come to think of it..."
"'s th' reason I asked Zoe t' make me a hook at all. Keita's idea." Tam shrugs, head ducked as he looks down at his hook. "Can' quit bein' a fighter jus' 'cause'a somethin' silly like this."
Quinten nods his head, "That's the spirit Tam, and heck if you can do it. I'm not about to let being a Librarian stop me."
Browquirk. "...Yeah. You know, I guess... You have that in common..." Darklett looks at Quinten like he's a little out of touch.
"Keita's where I wen' firs'," Tam says. The reason is.. evident. Then his eyes shift over to Quinten, narrowing slightly. "Sorry, what. So bein' a librarian is jus' like losin' y'r hand, 's that how it works?"
Quinten groans, "That... isn;t what I meant Tameus..." he waves a hand and sighs, "See this is why I stay in my Library. I am just.. making a mess of things when I open my mouth again."
Mmm. Darklett glances between the other two bucks and slides off the prep table he'd been sitting on. "Tell you what. How about you two spar? It'll give you both some good practice."
Tameus doesn't respond to Quinten, but gives Darklett a skeptical sideways look.
Quinten looks at Dark and nods, "Yes sir, good idea. What did you want us to practice?"
"Well. Do you have any of those hook attachments made already?" Darklett asks Tam, paws pocketed.
Tameus shakes his head. "Not any'a th' blades, no. 've got this'n f' th' punchin' bag, an' another one f' jus' normal use."
Quinten glances at Dark waiting to hear what he suggests.
"Hm." Darklett crosses his arms. "Nevermind then... Boxing wouldn't really be fair, and if Tam can't have a weapon..."
Quinten nods his head, "Aye sah, how about you and I go at it? You can remind me how much better then me you are." he grins lopsididely at that comment.
"...Heh, well. I could..." The major shrugs. "I was just trying to help Tam get some practice in."
"Heh," Tam responds, glancing at Quinten. "'d box, but... yeah. 'll have a go 'gainst a sabre, if 'm allowed t' use m' fist."
Quinten nods his head and grins, "Hey I can box, i don't have to use my sabre if you want to go against my paws. Depends is it just paws or full contact? You know feet n paws you wanted to practice with?"
Tyree enters from the passage leading to the Second Level intersection.
"...I don't know if this is such a good idea, Quinten..." Darklett looks between the two. "...I mean, a punch from a metal paw will probably hurt a lot."
Darklett room-pages, "WE'RE THE KIDS IN AMERICA hey Tyree.".
Tameus drums his fingers on the curve of his hook, considering Quinten. "Y'r choice, mate, if y' think y' c'n take it."
Quinten nods to Darklett, "Mmm good point, but we can still put gloves on if you'd prefer? I'll admit i'd rather not get hit by Tam's replacement paw. "No offence tam but i don't think I want your hook to the face."
"Even with gloves..." Darklett shrugs, going off to fetch some of said gloves. "If anyone asks, I do not endorse this..."
".. hook. Hook, not 'replacement paw'," Tam comments. He grins after Darklett. "'course not, major."
Quinten chuckles, "I'll just have to avoid being hit by your hook them Tam and I'm sure you're not about to hit me in the face with it whilst sparring."
Darklett returns, a few pairs of gloves in tow. He tosses them to the floor in a heap. "Pick out ones that fit you..." He sighs. /He/ wouldn't want to take a punch /anywhere/ from anything made of metal.
Quinten looks at the Major and moves to pick up some Gloves. "Don't worry so much Darklett, we're not trying to kill each other after all. No worse then training against shrews really. Those little blighters cheat like anything."
"Shrews are /also/ about half our size," Darklett comments, stepping back to watch the fur fly.
Tyree is perhaps not such a surprising thing to see in the Training Room, but he wasn't expecting something interesting to already be happening in here. Though coming here with the intent of getting a workout, he still walks with his stiff, perfect posture, until he spots the others preparing for their skirmish, and says nothing so as not to disrupt the show. His eyes land on Tameus' replacement appendage. "... Oh," he murmurs to himself. So /that's/ why he was determined to keep it secret.
Tameus snags up one of the smaller gloves, eyeing it, then slipping it over his hook and fastening it to the bracer that the metal is attached to. "'s th' same concept as bein' punched wit' brass knuckles." He pulls a larger glove onto his fist, using his teeth to fix the strap snugly around his wrist.
Quinten finishes with his own laces and shakes his head, "Well you have to train sometime. Just remember I'm not vermin." he drops into a ready crouch, feet shifting slightly as he moves. Watching Tam.
"Brass knuckles that tear chunks off, maybe," Tyree mutters as he steps up next to Darklett.
Zeraph enters from the passage leading to the Second Level intersection.
"Don' tell me I gotta train sometime, 've had no problem wit' this idea since it came up," Tam says with a snort. He brings up his gloves in front of him, knees slightly bent as he starts to move in a circular motion. The only difference between his gloved fist and gloved hook is that the latter is rigid, with no wrist flexibility.
Quinten watches Tam, ears cocked slightly eyes following him as he circles, moving himself, shifting his feet to keep Tam right in front of him. His guard is up and he has a determined look on his muzzle as he waits for Tam to move.
Darklett watches this all develop, glancing sidelong at Tyree. "...Hello, Private."
Flicktail enters into the training room, hanging up his green cloak, his sword strapped by his waist, turning his luch tail flicks and he looks about the room, perhaps seeking someone to train with
Tameus takes several more slow steps in that circular motion, eyeing Quinten over the tops of his raised gloves, then takes a quick step forward. He throws a heavy punch with his right glove, the unhookified one, at a slight downward angle at Quinten's guard, then fires a quick straight jab at the other buck's face.
Tyree turns to Darklett. Bumps heels together. Salutes. "Major, sah!" he says, and all but snaps back into place to watch the fight about to happen.
Quinten smiles, watching Tam, eyes remaining focussed on the buck's chest, he side steps as he punches toward him and takes the jab on the side, Shifting his guard to catch the jab aimed at his face and deflect it. His feet press against the floor and he steps back smoothly half turns and swings his own right hook, trying to get in over Tam's guard whilst his paws are out of place.
Darklett sways away from Tyree with a smirk, then back to a regular standing position to watch the spar. Ahaha, there we go, now the punches are flying.
Flicktail slips up behind Darklett, butnot so as to startle his eyes widening "hmmm Tam be inna fight w Qinten eh? From wot Oi hear, Quinten will ave a tough time
Why is there a fox in here? With a sword? Zeraph is one big buck that no one has seen around the mountain in a long time and even now he has a slight limp to his gait that wasn't there before. His attention has snapped easily to Flicktail, too, and his expression darkens. Not a happy Major, this one. He moves up towards
Darklett slowly, as if tension is beginning to take over his form.
Tameus follows Quint's small turning motion by pivoting slightly on his back foot.
He takes the hooked punch against his upper arm, and as it falls against his bicep, his other arm strikes out at an angle across his own body, to slam his hook, padded by the glove, into the bend of Quinten's elbow.
Darklett turns to face Flicktail, and when he sees him, his paw half-shoots up to grab the fox, but he stops himself. Reflex. "...Oh. You must be Flicktail." He sounds none-too-happy to see the fox, simply turning back towards the fight... Or at least he would, if he hadn't spotted Zeraph. "...Zer." The sight of his good friend gets him to smile, at least, and he walks towards him. "Good to see you back, friend."
Tyree maintains a watchful vigil next to Darklett. When Zeraph is spotted, he's given the same treatment as Darklett. Tun-hut! He's already had his near conniption with Flick, so the fox just gets a terse nod.
Quinten moves back, his arm shifting just enough so as not to take the full force of the blow. He's still hit however and winches, the hook certainly hurts but it isn't enough to stop him lashing out with his right then bringing his arm around and ducking his head. Short hare jabbing out, once, twice, thrice and then ending it with a fourth jab aimed. All of them aimed at Tam's chest except for the last snappy short one which is aimed at the other bucks chin.
Flicktail , to his credit, doesn't flinch, he begins to reply "aye I Be Flicky to....my..." his voice tapers off and his ears and tail droop...seeing the other Major just go past him, and looking non too happy, is it possible for the fox to have hurt feelings. Flicky's shoulders drop and he sighs turning to watch the match, not looking sad just...resigned. he moves the scabbard close to his leg so it is not in the way.
In turn Tyree gets a casual glance from Zeraph, who seems less interested by the private's presence than he is by the intruder in his mountain. No one is doing anything about it, either. Vermin. That's what his expression reads as he looks over the fox with something of a predatory gaze before it flicks to Darklett. ".. things have changed since I've been gone?"
Tameus takes the jabs to his, his feet planted so they don't move him, just make him grimace faintly. The hook up toward his chin is evaded by the tall buck tilting his muzzle up out of the way, and a gruff sound comes out of him, something like a laugh, as he twists his torso with one arm curling in across his chest, the other held in low near to him. He throws a quick punch with one glove, which terminates halfway - a feint, and before it's even done Tam whips his arm around, aiming to slam his bend elbow into the side of Quinten's face.
"No," Darklett answers, knowing exactly what Zer's talking about. "Abbey champion. Flicktail's his name." He shrugs. "As far as I know, he's the only vermin in the mountain. Forget that, though, this is a good day." He reaches out to place a paw on the other major's shoulder. "I've been run ragged covering for you, you know..." He's obviously lying, evidenced by the smirk.
Flicktail says quietly from his area "oi ain't no Vermin....please doesn't calls me one...Oi worked hard ta be a good beast....
Quinten started to drop back as soon as he saw Tam's chin move, he ducks down and under the elbow as it moves in towards his head and kicks out with one powerful hare foot, aiming at Tam's right knee before springing back grinning softly ears perked up and he lands ready returning to his guard.
Darklett just looks over his shoulder at Flicktail briefly, then turns back towards Zeraph. "Come on, let's enjoy the show." And he turns back towards the recruits, crossing his arms, inspecting.
"Seems they'll allow anyone to be Abbey Champion these days." Zeraph fairly growls, not pulling his gaze away from Flicktail until Darklett's hand drops onto his shoulder. Slowly he looks down to the other major and then his ears settle back as he reluctantly submits to the advice. The buck turns to take in the fight unfolding before them. ".. anyway, you never work harder than you have to."
Flicktail's ears come back up and he sits watching the fight, alone, by himself but enjoying none theless...watching how the 2 fighter hars Box, he's only ever heard about this sort of thing
Tyree remains intensely interested in the match. INTENSELY.
"You know me too well," Darklett smiles, still staring forward at the fight rather than at the hare next to him.
Zeraph grins meanly as he speaks again. ".. and I really wouldn't want you covering with my patrol anyway. Might ruin them." The two majors are both not looking at each other.
Tameus shifts his weight onto his back leg, swiveling so the kick lands against the outside of his thigh instead of the kneecap. His jaw tenses and then he heads after Quinten with a slight bound in his step, getting a little momentum as he follows the retreating buck. He brings one arm up, and then that fist into an arched downward punch at the top of Quinten's muzzle. Then, anticipating Quinten's guard will rise to meet that attack, he throws a heavy jab low at Quinten's stomach, then withdraws that arm a little, and punches at the same spot again.
Flicktail begins getting into the fight...silently cheering for his friend Quinten, with a shadow boxing like move when the hare moves...the other Hares, for now mostly forgotten
"Ouch." Darklett mutters, practically, not budging his head in the slightest to grace that response with a glance. "Careful, or you're gonna find yourself getting bandaged up by Keita again. Because your face will be dented. Because I will punch you in the face."
Quinten watches the much much taller buck almost bounce in toward him, his guard shifts up as Tam brings his fist down toward his face. One hand coming up to knock it aide. He watches the jab coming in toward his stomach and can't move out of the way in time. It hits him in the stomach and the buck folds up with a grunt, seeming to collapse down avoiding Tam's attempt to hit him a second time. He rolls back and sits up, holding up a paw, "Ok Tam enough, i don't want that thing in my gut again." he winces and nods to Darklett, "That thing is not nice. If you'd hit me with a normal paw i'd have rolled with it but yeah that thing is nasty."
Flicktail stands up and watches Quinten but doe snot approach
Snort. "You know, if you have to explain a threat.. it fails on many levels." Zeraph sneers this out while paying closer attention to the fight. Then he lifts his hands to mock cry. "Get that librarian outta there then!" Before he starts to chuckle.
Darklett's ears tilt at the outcome of the spar. "...One punch, Quinten?" His arms adjust, recrossing themselves. "You really /are/ out of practice." He, too, chuckles, heading over to the recorder and offering a paw to help him up. "I told you it wasn't a good idea..."
Whereas Zeraph would have been sorely disappointed if his fighter would have lost. So it all brings a proud smirk to his muzzle. Yeah, that's right. His fighter.
Tyree can hear the apparent hostility going on next to him, but he wisely remains out of it. He remains at the sidelines, narrowing his eyes just so as Quinten gets the wind knocked out of him. "Paws can bend and shift. Metal does not," he murmurs.
Quinten stands up and gives Zeraph a glance but thanks Darklett for the hand up.
"Well i'd have been fine if it wasn't made of metal. But like you said" he strips off the gloves slowly. "being hit by metal with Tam's force behind it ain't good for anyone. I doubt even our dear Major Zeraph would still be standing if Tam socked him in the gut with a metal hook." he grins at Zer.
Flicktail looks aroudn for some water for Quinten, and when he discoveres a bucket with a Dipper, quietly moves up to offer the Recorder a drink...just an offer, the fox opting to try some kind of kindness and maybe the Hares might let him interact some, he does seem lonely
Tameus stops short of attacking Quinten further. His brows raise, and then he steps back, starting to turn away and giving Zeraph a quick grin when he sees his major. "Yeah, but. Th' hook's got a glove over it," he points out to Quinten with a short laugh.
Darklett glances at Flicktail, then to Quinten. "The fox got you a drink." He pats at the side of his arm. "Good effort." And, of course, he'll turn to Tam. "How'd it feel?" He holds his own paw indicatively.
Quinten takes the drink and nods his thanks to the fox with a frown. "Who did you say you where again?" He asks the fox before glancing at Tam, "Yeah it still bloody hurt Tam."
"Well, I'm made of metal, Quint." Zeraph is indestructible, didn't you know that? He sure looks it, towering over everyone in the room. "And Tameus is smarter than to lash out at me." He teases gruffly, with some point behind this statement.
Flicktail blink Blinks "Quinten, don't ye remember me? FLicktail?
Tameus's muzzle turns toward Zeraph, his grin broadening for a moment. "Oh, yeah, 'd never do somethin' like /that/," he agrees, and then bites his thumb in Zeraph's direction with a slight laugh. To Quinten he points out, "'s sparrin', Quint. If it don' bloody hurt, y' ain' doin' it righ'."
Flicktail offers teh water dipper to Tameus
Tameus then considers Darklett's question with a look at the other major, and shrugs, lifting his hook to unfasten the glove from it once the other one is off his hand. "... fel' great. Kind'a rigid, gonn' have t' get used t' not bein' able t' move m' wrist th' same way.. But I c'n do it."
Quinten looks at Zer and nods, "Yes...I learnt that lesson quite some time ago Zeraph." He flicks a glance at Tam and nods. "I was doing just fine Tam it's like Dark said, sparring with that metal hook o yours ain't a good idea." He glances at the fox again and thinks, "Oh yes... I remember you now, you didn't look quite so straight backed and speaking in a normal tone last time. Pleasure to see you again, what brings you to the mountain?"
"Yeah. I'm sure once you get something attached to that you'll be a danger to all vermin who come out to the shores." Darklett dips his head down to glance at the hook. "Looked fine to me, anyway."
Flicktail gives a pleased surprised look to Quinten, and then smiles a bit "Well...Oi have always been somone ta ad..ad..admire e Long Patrol, and, They have always been friends ta Redwall. If I am ta be champion, most, Hares don't loikes foxes, so...I wanted to come here and maybe make some friends, so they know we arn't all vermin..you know..offer me help..um..little though it be....That and I haven't seem me friend Zoe Lang
Zeraph just nods his head to Quinten, as if to say they both understand, before he gives a glance to Tam just due to the one he is offered. Now the major's ears flatten at the mention of the colonel and instead of saying anything on the subject he turns away with a look of disapproval. Friend indeed. He wanders off towards the wall to have a seat, hiding his limp only semi-successfully.
Quinten watches Flick tail and brushes back his ears, "Ah I see.. well Colonel Lang is a busy lady, I am sure... she'll see you when she has time." He looks at Darklett again and grins as he thinks of something. "I think I best throw myself back into training if I'm to convince you to take me along on a patrol."
Tameus shoots Quinten a look, and snorts, then tosses down both gloves and rubs his hand against the hook's leather bracer where it grips his forearm. "Y' still lost, mate," he reiterates, then says to Darklett as he takes a drink of water, "Yeah, th' thing's really provin' t' be versatile. Maybe y' oughta graduate t' a hook too, major."
"She is the Colonel," Tyree offers Flick. "m'sure she's quite busy." Even for the (FOX) champion of Redwall. "This entire mountain is full of fightin' hares anyhow, sah. Don't you think you'd better be servin' Redwall... /at/ Redwall?"
"You best!" Darklett calls out to Quinten. "Only those in top shape come along with me." That may not always be entirely accurate, but whatever, he's Darklett, get over it. At the thought that he should get a hook, he simply laughs. "Maybe not a bad idea. Wonder if Rahier'll saw off my paw if I ask him nicely..."
"Could ask Cam t' do it," Tam says, struggling with a grin. "Give him some practice wit' amputations."
Flicktail nods to Tyree "I were not complaining she was busy, I just meant she be me friend, and I would come visit, I know when she can she will see me" he listens to what Tyree has to say "Oi can't stay at Redwall all th e time, I have to go out and help the woodlanders, and I would not do that very well if Oi cam across along partol and they thought Oi were a Vermin, or if Oi ever came to help th Patrol loikes Martin and Mataeo did....Sides just because Oi have a sword doesn't mean I knwo how ta USE it...Ye hares be the bestin all o Mossflower
Quinten shakes his head, "I think the Colonel would have a fit if all the hares starting slicing off paws to replace em with hooks." he grins at Tam, "And yes I know I lost I'll just have to get back into the swing of things. It'd be nice to get out of my library." He glances askance at Flicktail again and looks across at
Zeraph and walks over. "Good to see you home Zeraph. How was Keita?"
Darklett laughs. "I don't know if I'd make my son cut off my own paws. That'd be... That'd be all kinds of terrifying. For him." He chuckles... Dark's ears flick. Dang long hare ears, picking up all that stuff it'd be better off if they just didn't. "Wait a second..." He turns to Flicktail. "So you're the Abbey Champion and you /still/ don't know how to use that sword?" His brows are sufficiently raised to show a mixture of surprise and disgust. "...So you're... You're still just getting in everybeast's way with that shield of yours, and you're /Champion/ now?"
"Motherly and beautiful." Zeraph states. It would be a fond statement if he hadn't stated it bluntly, though afterward it goes along with a soft smile. The buck shrugs his shoulders. "She's the only thing that made my stay bearable."
Flicktail cocks his head at the Hare "Major Darklett..oi didn't say oi were elpless..but a Beast can acknowledge e as more ta learn. And Oi didn't pick me ta be Champion, Martin did. Remember e chose other beasts, some barely more en Dibbuns. Oi am not gonna question e great Martin..oi will just try ta do wot seems roight.
"...If you're the champion, you better be the best swordfighter in Mossflower. You... Are you even the best in the bloody /Abbey?/" Darklett can't even believe this. "Oh, Keir, Keir, Keir..." The major just places his paws on his head and turns around to face Tameus again. "Good fight, Tam. Happy to see you're just bouncing right back into things."
Tyree must also raise an eyebrow to the Champion's seeming lack of self-esteem. "You cannot be the best if you do not first believe you can, you know. I don't think the Abbey would be happy ta' know their stalwart defender isn't confident in his own ability."
Tameus gives Zeraph a glance, his expression a bit soft at what the other buck says, though the private doesn't comment. He loosens the buckles holding the hook's bracer in place and slides the thing off the nub of his wrist, holding it in the bend of his arm and massaging the stumb with his other hand. For once he doesn't look self-conscious about it. His ears track Darklett's conversation with
Flicktail. He doesn't comment on that, either.. but the look he gives Darklett is sympathetic, and then he clears his throat and responds, "Thanks. /'m/ happy t' be doin' th'.. bouncin'. I was kind'a worried f' a while there... Heh."
Flicktail blik blinks "well O course oi be e best in e Abby, Abbey beasts don't use weapons...and oi am not e best in allMossflower, thsi sword only be used when there be no other ay...last resort....but whot does a beast do when he wants ta learn..ta get Better, Major?
Flicktail turnes to Tyree "oi ave lots o confidence..but Oi be yer guest ere and oi don't come ere to insult e Long patrol...if ya wants ta spar...then oi will do me best
Quinten grins at Zer and nods his head, "Well that's good, I'll say hi next time I go into Halyard for Library supplies." He watches the others in the room and flicks his ears. "Well if you want someone to train you in how to better yourself with that sword... why didn't you just ask?"
Flicktail looks to Quinten "no one give me e chance, suh..when I came in you and
Tameus were fightin, That major over there doesn't like me" he points to Zer "Major Darklet looked at me wi disdain, figured it were just good manner not to bother a beast wot doesn't want ta be bothered....
"...You practice... You just... You get better. You do all that stuff you used to do when you killed all those innocent beasts, except you do it to the ones that /aren't/ this time. It's not a complicated thing." Darklett turns towards the fox again. "I know your story, Flicktail." He's strangely calm after all that. "Just because you gave up killing... Doesn't mean you forgot how. Don't kid yourself. It's easier to just accept who you are and use it to your advantage. That's my advice."
Zeraph doesn't say anything in reply because the present conversation has his attention. The major looks tense again. "I'd say /don't/ start sparring with my hares." Is his warning growl. Cause no. He doesn't like the fox.
Quinten frowns at Flicktail and just shakes his head, sitting down on the bench next to Zeraph, this is going to make an interesting entry in the log tonight. "The Major has a point, you just.. keep practicing."
Flicktail says, "Oi never killed a beast, but Beasts got killed because o me....and Oi don't loikes killin no more...but sometimes..ye ave to....don't expect any beast ta forgives me..but Oi will do wot I cannow, even if that means commin ere and having to face wot Oi done"
Flicktail says, "I practice every day and night Quinten"
"Good. Because you don't become great by hiding from yourself." Darklett seems to be done with the fox, turning on his heel again. "...Good job, Tam," he repeats, then heads off, fists clenched tightly and quite obviously at his sides.
Tyree flicks his eyes between all assembled. "Would be interestin', ta' see what the Champion himself could do," he mutters. He doesn't like foxes, but he also knows some creatures are to be accorded respect for certain things, like the title of chosen Champion. It's a weird conflict between two of his most basic instincts. "... /I/ think it would be, anyway."
Flicktail blink blinks "Oi'd just like someone ta train with.... and I'm not afraid o no beast. But Oi won't be forced ta do harm to a good beast
Tameus huffs as Darklett turns to go, then glances over at Flicktail. "... Flick, uh. If y' wan' some help, I c'n work wit' y' again, same 's I did when I was visitin' Redwall, remember?"
Flicktail says, "aye Tameus, you were one reason oi came ere....I ear your quite the fighting hare now....but oi havebeen practcing with the Camp Willa Otters, and any visitor who comes thru e abbey. That includes several Badjas"
Zeraph would really /love/ to get into a sparring ring with that fox right now. At the same time, he knows to not even tempt himself. The major pushes up from his bench with a grunt, eyeing Tameus with a look of disapproval at his offer before turning and leaving the room.
Flicktail says, "and Oi don't just Train w martin's sword, it be too light if Oi haveta bick up another blade"
Quinten flicks his ears and looks over at Flicktail. "I'll spar with you Champion. I need someone to spar against with my sabre anyway and practice."
Flicktail looks to Quinten "may Oi ask a favor Quinten..would you use Martin's sword against me and let me use a normal blade?
Tameus grimaces faintly at the look he gets from Zeraph. Uhg, grumpy major! ".. Flick. Y' oughta work wit' /y'r/ blade, 'cause that's th' one y' need t' be able t' use in a fight," he mutters, starting toward the door as well.
Flicktail says, "well Tameus, oi do...but not always....where ya goin...we can spar too can't we Tam?"
Tyree watches both Majors leave with another salute, and turns back to the others, about to open his mouth when everyone else leaps at the chance to train with the fox. He crosses his arms, a gentle way of showing slight exasperation. "Well, /I/ came 'ere ta' train as well," he declares. "So... if we're done leapin' at the chance ta' train with Martin's warrior... it's been some time since I've stepped in a ring with weapons in my paws."
Flicktail smiles to Tyree "then you willsprt wi me too?
Quinten blinks at that and shrugs "Tameus has a point Champion FLicktail... it is Martin's sword you should be practicing with. It is the sword given to you to use. As honoured as I'd be to use Martin's sword. Forged from star fire by the great Lord Brocktree." He shakes his head, "It is your sword not mine." He glances at
Tyree and grins, "But fair is fair. You first Tyree."
Flicktail nods "well lets start first, come Tyree...Oi will spar ye....please do me e Honor?
"Like I said," Tyree says to Flicktail. "It'd be interestin' ta' see how I hold up against a warrior supposedly fabled ta' be unbeatable in a just fight. An' a fair honor, besides." He bows gently. "Ta' cross blade's with Martin's sword, an' live? Once in a lifetime opportunity, I've heard. I will spar with you, sah."
Tameus pauses on his way toward the door and turns around, shrugging as he slips the bracer of the hook back onto is arm. "I gotta get goin', Flick, got sentry duty soon... An' 'm not gonn' spar wit' y' if m' major doesn' want me to. 'sides, can't spar til th' other blades f' m' hook 're finished bein' made..." He smiles apologetically. "I c'n still help y', later, sometime."
Flicktail says, "Thanky Tame"
Tameus snorts at Tyree, and grins. "'s jus' a sword, Ty, I promise y'. 've killed beasts wit' that sword, an' there ain' nothin' magic 'bout it."
Quinten nods to Tyree and sits back to keep an eye on things. He pulls some papers and a pencil out of a pocket and gets to work, half watching Tyree and Flicktail.
Flicktail steps into the sparing ring wto wait for Tyree "the blade does not make me unbeatable Suh....." Flicky draws the blade, which shineslike silver, the words "I am that Was" on the flat of the blade. Flicktails arm has grown in muscle, he's no longer a scarecrow fox
"An' here you both stand, an' all you faced fell," Tyree replies, with something of a bemused glint in his eye and a ghost of a smirk. "Somethin' ta' say for that much, at least." He goes to a weapon rack and selects a heavy sabre. "All right, sah Champion. Let's put the magic of the blade ta' the test, then." He stands before Flicktail and gives him a sword salute, before dropping into a ready stance, one paw held out loosely, the other pointing the sabre towards Flick.
Flicktail Returns the salute and takes up a high hold on his own sword, the long sword gleans as he holds it over his head..the tip pointing down as it coveres him from head to waist (OOC the tip of Flicky's sword is at about his own waist level, the handgrip slightly above his head centered)
Quinten looks at the door and stands, "Flicktail, Private Tyree, good sparring. I need to get to the Library I just remembered something I need to do." he nods and heads for the door as well.
Tameus points at Flicktail as he resumes going toward the door, and says to Tyree, "'ve also fought /agains'/ him when he was usin' that sword.. an' here I stan' either way." With a chuckle, he heads out of the room.
- End
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