Like Son, Like Father
Location: RW Abbey: Great Hall, Healer's Dormitory, Kitchen and Wine Cellar.
Characters: Orph/William, Skuld, Aikuen, NPC Brother Jullian, Nicodemus, Flicktail, Naje and Jennefer.
RW Abbey: Great Hall
Skuld sits upon the cool stone floor, away from the fireplace. She's cross legged and a small pouch rests in front of her. Beyond that are three small wooden fragments; each with a tiny character engraved upon them. The kitten gazes at these passively, before gathering them and dropping them back in her pouch.
Aikuen enters through the entryway. His eyes are extremely bloodshot, because he couldn't sleep. So he decided to wander the grounds and ramparts all last night. He see the young'un and twitches slightly. He takes a seat at the table, farthest away from the cat.
Skuld glances at the otter as he enters and stares at him. She watches him take the far seat, staring all the while, before gathering her pouch and walking towards him, stopping just next to his seat. Upwards, she stares once more.
Orph down the stairs in new clothes due to one of the sister not approving of his travel worn tunic. He notes the otter at the table and that doesn't appear to be in a good mood today either. He almost pities the cat as he watches them as he sits on the bottom most stair.
Aikuen doesn't move when the cat get near... But we wishes she would just go away at the moment... If you saw what he was thinking you would be sickened... He smiles lightly as he says with a stutter, "l-llo..." He moves uneasy in his chair. He sees a new beast coming down the stairs, and automatically see that its another kit... What with the young coming to see him now! He twitches again.
Skuld doesn't reply. She turns, hearing someone upon the stairs and regards the rat with a flat stare, before turning back to the otter. She reaches out a paw, her intention to grab a little of his fur and pull it out if she can.
Orph chews his lower lip some, being careful not to chew the sore spot on it. "I finished helpin' in the gate house," he calls over to the otter. Not that he wants to bother him, but he should know he'd done as directed.
Aikuen he hears the voice of his son, he didn't know because of the new clothes, and him being so far way. He nods quite quickly, "A-aye...G-...g...good..." He looks down to see that the little cat is reaching out to him. He goes wide eyed and scoots away. He stammers out, "C...Can i help... y-you?..." This otter never stutters, so whatever's up, has hit him hard.
Skuld goes into Dynamic Role-play.
Orph cocks his head at the the pair across the room. "You should leave him alone. Pa, hasn't been in th' best o' mood since 'ee stopped drinkin' Miz." It only fair he give her a warning. If she keeps on, well he'll deal with that went it comes.
Skuld pouts. The otter should not move. She glares and then steps after him and reaches for his fur again, determined to pull some out if she can get anywhere near him. The rat is largely ignored after her initial flat stare at him, the kitten now focused on trying to get a little pawful of otter fur.
Aikuen eyes the paw reaching him. He finally gets up and backs away from the cat. Placing his paws in front of him, he stammers out, "No!...S-Stay Away...F-from me!" He is just a nervous wreck.
Skuld halts at the stammer. And doesn't move closer. She does stare hard at the otter though, her narrowed eyes focused on his and her ears folded back. Her left paw is digging in her pouch.
Orph, confused by other two's behavior, figures he should do /something/, other than sitting and watching that is. Hurries himself over to the other end of the room and grabs at the cat's tail to tug on it and get her attention, "Wot ya doin'?" he asks confused. He's met bad beasts here before, but so far they've all been adults.
Aikuen goes over to a corner and sits with his knees in his face. He sees William tug on the little ones tail, he says a bit louder than what he has said so far, "Its n-not her f-fault... stop... its me..." He wishes it wasn't him...
Skuld pulls out a little, round piece of hardened wood from the pouch and lets it rest in her palm. She examines the character upon it. "Eis. Obstruction. Delays that cannot be escaped. You will be here longer than you wish." She allows the rat to tug her tail. Then calmly drops the wooden character into her bag. A level, cold stare at Aikuen, and then she turns, with the intention of slapping the rat's face, quite hard, with her left paw; claws still retracted.
Orph sees the blow coming, but he hasn't time to duck so he closes his eyes tight and braces himself as the older dibbun's paw strikes him across the face. He feel a little wobbly, but it could have been worse he tells himself. "S-sorry. I don't like being ignored is all an' wanted t' know what's goin' on." he says clumsily stepping out of range of another slap.
Aikuen the heard slap brings him back to reality, or at least shoves the memory haunting his mind out of the way. He sees that William was on the receiving end of that slap. No one does that to his son! He gets up and walks toward the cat, he seems more aware of himself then he did a few minutes ago.
Skuld just narrows her eyes further and hisses at the rat. She keeps her eyes on him as once again her left paw digs in her pouch. "Ri'ed..." She states, with a cold satisfied smile creeping over her muzzle. "Oh. Now I see. You, /rat/ plan to leave him behind..." She hasn't noticed the otter approaching her yet, apparently.
Aikuen gets close enough behind the cat, so he can reach down and pick her up by the scruff of her neck. Which he does... He thinks to himself, I don't care who you are... or who you belong too... But no beast does that to my son...
The scruff of her neck was a rather good place to pick. The kitten doesn't seem to be able to much but flatten her ears, both paws clutching her little pouch after the rune is returned to it. She's smiling coldly, knowingly now, at the rat despite her predicament. Eerily, she's making no attempt to struggle at all from the otter, stating simply. "Your rat pulled my tail."
Aikuen with all that has gone on in his life over the past few days, he cant control his temper. He Holds the cat up to his face, he speaks clearly and angrily, "That rat... as you so lovingly put... is my son... and you will address him by his name... Of William... Now, Who are you... I've Never seen you before... Should I know, no I don't... But you better tell me before my right paw gets ideas..." He clenches said paw, and the bones crack.
"Oh yes. /You/ will be here for much longer than you wish. And the rat shall take a journey without you." The kitten tells him, coldly, completely ignoring the threat, and smiling passively back at the otter's face. There's no attempt to call anyone by their name.
Orph doesn't feel too sorry for the kitten, but it wouldn't be good if his pa got himself kicked out of the Abbey for killing her. "You say I'm gonna leave some beast? That's no news, course iffen ya mean Pa then I done it already. Didn't work, he followed me. Pa, don't do nothing that'd get ya thrown out now. I've been hit fore by beast bigger an stronger'n her. I ain't hurt ... though I do want know what she's up to." the rat reaches back into his pack with one paw palming a few of the rock he'd collected at the seaside before crossing his arms in front of his chest loosely. Waiting for the cat to give his father a reason not to kill her or at least a reason for her being here anyway.
Aikuen shakes the cat a bit, he laughs and sneers a bit, "Better start talking little fortune teller... I've never fallen for any of their tricks... so lets see the mouth a'movin, fore i do something you might not like." He reaches with the other paw for the cats pouch.
"Re'id places the rat upon a journey, yet the otter is bound by Eis to become delayed. It will not be a journey you start together." Her fur bristles as she's shaken and she holds her pouch tighter to her chest. "You must not touch them. Filthy drunk." She did pick up on what the rat said earlier, after all.
Orph decides not to correct her as to the fact that Aikuen isn't drunk right now. "Alroight. Any idea as to where I'd be goin' on this journey you say "Re'id's placing" me on?" He'll ask about this Eis and why Aikuen is being delayed later, maybe.
"You'll see." The cat hisses at the rat, a slight crooked smile appearing for just a moment. She's still clutching that pouch tight. Skuld more than likely doesn't care that Aikuen's not actually drunk, using the term as more of an insult.
That last comment about him, makes the otter snap. Aikuen stops trying to grab the pouch instead he brings the cat to his face, and eye to eye. He yells, "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, YOU LITTLE FURBALL... I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT RE'ID OR EIS... THEY CAN GO TO THE DARKFOREST, FOR ALL I CARE!" He shakes the cat vigorously, and laughs "Talk now wont yah! Come one furball... didn't they ever teach yah any manners!"
The shaking must hurt. And her fur is bristled. But there's a cruel, knowing smile hovering over the kitten's face. "I called you a drunk." And that's the only reply he's getting for that particular moment, apparently.
Orph sighs, "I told ya he's been in a bad mood since he stopped drinkin'. Ya shoulda just left well enough alone." He walks out of the room to see if he can catch a some best to help control Aikuen. Not for the kitten's sake, only so Aikuen won't kill her and get barred from the Abbey.
RW Abbey: Healer's Dormitory
Orph pops his head in the door, "Any healers in here want help keep Pa from killin' a cat dibbun that disserves it?" he asks flatly, a large bruise showing across his face.
Orph's question falls on deaf ears as all the beasts are busy and don't notice him til he's already gone.
Meanwhile -
RW Abbey: Great Hall
"And he leaves you behind, already." The cat sing-songs, watching Orph go, before slowly turning her head to grin at the otter. "What must it be, to have nothing but a violent drunk for a father? What life, when he must always watch out for you..?" Skuld room-pages, "Wow... She never used to be /this/ overtly cruel... She's growing up, badly. >.>".Aikuen left eye twitches. He thinks to himself, Must.. not... kill... the kitty. Instead he grabs her by the footpaws, and dangles her. "You know... i don't have to take this from you... I could kill you... id fell better, and i bet the whole world would feel better. And you know what i would do when i place the sword through your temple... i would laugh!" And he laughs. And then a true grin splits across her muzzle. Despite her now being upside down. "But you never will..." And she quickly goes limp, closing her eyes.
RW Abbey: Great Hall
Orph returns dragging along a unamused Brother Jullian. What could he do, the healers were busy healing.
Skuld is dangling, held by her footpaws upside down, limp in Aikuen's grasp. The pouch hangs from one wrist where a string has become looped, and her eyes are closed.
Aikuen sees the brother and immediately drop the kitten. Fuming he goes to the table and sits down. He crosses his arms, and mumbles, "Oh great! The wonderful Brother Julian! If someone was going to tell me off or watch me, why couldn't have been that pretty Sister..."
Skuld is dropped. And crumples. She lays there, on the floor, still with her eyes closed.
Skuld gradually opens her eyes, and, seemingly, with great effort, pushes herself off the ground, blinking around with large tearful eyes. She stumbles towards this newcomer, the abbey brother, seeming fearful and upset. "D-don't let him hurt me... He held me upside down and then... H-he said he was going to laugh when he killed me." Pointing back at the otter, ignoring the fact that Orph's there too again.
The tall thin spectacled mouse that is Brother Jullian, surveys the room disapprovingly. Clearly his former charge's delinquency had spread to the adults now. Corbyn or whoever was in charge of the ratling would be informed - once this was settled. He wipes his spectacles on his sleeve as he addresses the otter, "Orph wished me to help /prevent/ a murder. -" he sees the Abbot and a way out of this whole mess, "Father Nicodemus, do you have the time to spare? There seems to have been an incident here." the Brother calls out the squirrel.
Nicodemus steps in. "Oh, brother? What did you need?"
Aikuen places his paws into his face. He was in for it now... if it was just the brother he might have been able to stay... but not the abbot...
The kitten seems fearful and quite keen to hide a little behind this bookish mouse, sniffling and rubbing at her cheek with the back of one paw. The little drawstring pouch is clutched tight in the left.
Jullian's glad he was able to catch the Abbot with out having to chase after him this time, "It seems that Orph here," he nods toward the dibbun, "is under the impression that Aikuen plans to kill this kitten here -" "Cause she deserves it!" The ratling points out interrupting the brother. Jullian scowls at him, "That remains to be seen, lad." Turning back to the Abbot he continues, "Young Orph lead me here to help prevent Aikuen from harming the kitten, but now that you're here. I will stand aside and allow you to deal with them."
Nicodemus raises his eyebrows. "As you wish"
Nicodemus asks, "I guess I'm confused, who wants to kill whom for what reaason?"
Skuld peeks out at Nicodemus. Her ears flattening at Orph's interruption and she looks down, seeming still very frightened.
Orph scowls back at Juillian, "I didn't bring him for that, well not only that. I don't want Pa t' kill a beast an' get thrown out th' Abbey. I only just started learnin t cook don't know if it's enough to keep us from starvin', Nic" he says.
Nicodemus looks at the otter. "So, you are the one who wants to kill the kitten?
Skuld nods as Nicodemus asks that question of the otter and points, piping up quickly "He held me upside down and said he'd laugh when he did!"
Jullian nudges Orph away from himself and starts for the stairs so he can get back to his studies, "I'd only just arrived a few moments before you, father. I only know what the dibbun told me, so if I'm not needed I'll be going back to my work." he calls over.
Nicodemus nods absently, "Sure brother."
Aikuen gets up from the table, and looks toward the abbot. He tries to remain calm, don't want this to escalate any further, "Yes father...Though i wasn't on actually planing on kill her... merely threatening her so the little f-... Kitten, so she would talk about who she was and why she was here..." He stands there motionless.
Jullian nods. He'd done his part. He disappears up the stairs where he plans to remain, til some other beast drags him back down again. Orph is actually glad Jullian's gone, he'd rather explain things to Nic than him.
"He was torturing me..." The kitten whines, tearing up. "Holding me upside down like that, just to ask questions..."
Nicodemus shakes his head. "Threats tend to work poorly unless you're willing to carry them out. So, when you threaten what you don't plan to do, you make yourself appear weak in the eyes of your peers."
Nicodemus turns to the kitten, "And you ought to learn the story of Orlando and Cheek. Frankly, disprect works badly in the Abbey, but help and support are offered."
Nicodemus turns back to the otter. "So, Aikuen, do YOU know the story of Orlando and Cheek?"
Skuld eyes the abbot with a pouty, confused look. "I'm not an otter, and he's not a badger..." She points out, recognising, she thinks, at least, the characters mentioned.
/This is boring./ William listens a while, but Nic's talk doesn't seem to be doing any good in his opinion. "Did I meantion she hit me? I didn't do anything /that/ bad - just wanted her to stop ignorin' me. She talked strange said I was goin' on a journry an Pa wasn't goin with me. ... I think I know some of that story ... maybe ... That one the ones with Bail the hare wot scoffs everthin?"
Aikuen remains unmoving as he answers, "I've heard of them... but only through story... " He shakes his head, "im not quite sure were your getting at..."
Nicodemus says, "All hares scoff everything; it's an oddly true stereotype. And his name was Basil Stag Hare.""
"You tugged my tail..." The cat growls, lowly, in response to Orph.
Nicodemus says, "Well, it's this: Cheek (by name and action) was being discourteous and found himself knocked down by Orland the Axe, a rather large and mostly upset badger."
Orph chews his lip. "Yeah and he became Cheek's new family like Aikuen became mine only backwards," he pipes up obviously speaking of Basil Stag Hare.
Nicodemus shrugs. "It happens to dibbuns. Not the best way, perhaps, to get their attention, but it works. But Orlando didn't bother threatening, and Cheek became quite a bit more courteous."
Nicodemus says, "So, Aikuen, I'm not particularly upset that you felt it necessary to correct a dibbun. But threatening was not wise and couldn't result in what you sought."
Nicodemus turns to the kitten, "And you, lass, ought to keep in mind that we've many dibbuns under our care and that includes improving behavior. Thinking otherwise will make your time unpleasant."
Orph nods, "Yeah, I remember I got in trouble for that once ... but this is a little better, Nic. Pa wasn't usin' a knife like I did. Wot ya gonna do? If Pa does get thrown out that should count fer me too cause him an me stick t'gether."
Skuld eyes the otter with a glare. "He held me upside down. He shook me." She states, coldly now, before looking at the squirrel abbot as she's addressed and smiling sweetly. "Yes, father..."
Aikuen scoffs, "Well it works well on foebeasts...keeps blood from being spilled" He sits down in the chair, and begins to tap the table with his claws.
Nicodemus laughs! "Lass, should you meet my son, tell him you attempted to give me the sweet-and-innocent defense. I'm sure he'll tell you why he learned not to."
Nicodemus says, "Aikuen, if you meet a foebeast you WILL kill them. That's why it works. You already said you wouldn't kill the kitten; she knew it, you knew it, _I_ sure know it."
Nicodemus says, "Besides, after convincing Orph to freely get food instead of sneak it, you don't think I want you or him to leave."
Skuld raises her eyebrows and tilts her head. Orph gets a look. Then Aikuen. Thoughtful kitten. And then she smiles again at the squirrel. "May I have a bit of your fur, Father?"
Aikuen claws stop tapping, he mutters "Aye...father...i don't want too..."
Nicodemus shakes his head. "You forgot the magic word."
/Ok, this talk is no longer boring/, William thinks to himself, /Though they're still ignoring me, He catches the kitten looking at him, mostly anyway. I'll fix that soon./
"Please..?" The kitten tries.
Nicodemus says, "Exactly, Aikuen. So, next time you find it necessary to correct a dibbun, stick to what you will do instead of idle threats. Be willing, though, to have to describe why it was necessary. If you're angry, demonstrate keeping your temper. Actions DUE teach better than worlds."
Nicodemus smiles at the kitten. "No."
Aikuen taps his claws again, "I know father... But it been hard to control it lately... I've gone sober... and my body and mind are refusing to go quietly..."
Nicodemus ahs. "Good luck on that; it's a ghastly hard habit to beat. I've had to fire many a carpenter from buildsites over that one."
Skuld grins. And wanders away, back to the spot on the floor she was occupying before the otter arrived. She doesn't sit, but digs her paw into her pouch and examines what she pulls out. "Oss." And there's amusement in that word.
William asks the kitten, "Why ya want t- er Nic's fur for?" He really needed to watch his tongue. /Only the bad squirrels are 'tree-rats', stupid,/ he mentally scolds himself.
Nicodemus says, "And kitten, don't get cocky. The next step after cocky is dead. You don't want dead yet."
Aikuen laughs a bit, "Thanks father..." He watches the little ones.
Flicktail walks in, spotting William and going to him.
Flicktail wavies all friendly like to Aikuen, with a warm smile.
Nicodemus nods. "Remember ... show and not tell. And running into hiding beats losing your temper."
"Something." Skuld replies, without looking at the rat. As for Nicodemus' advice, it's probably good, sound advice. Which of course means it gets a bland smile and a little curtsy, before she starts to head for the stairs.
Orph looks up, his big ears telling him per usual that someone's come in, "Hi Flicky. Pa got in trouble this time, but she," nods toward the kitten, "started it. Good thing is Pa an' me aren't gettin' thrown out th' Abbey .. yet."
Nicodemus mutters, "Rather odd summation."
Flicktail says, "Oi doesn't think ye get throwed oit William, oi am pledged to elp yer Pa, if e wonts me...." he smiles "Aikuen be me friend"
Nicodemus says, "Oh, and Orph, there's a lot of beasts who think they can do "magic" with furr or nail clippings. They can't, of course; they aren't Martin. But they do scare people with it."
Aikuen just merely nods an agreement to Flicktail. He continues to tap the table.
Nicodemus says, "Merry meet, Flicky."
Flicktail says, "thenk ye Fader.... Oi be bein a good beast ye knows"
Orph smiles a bit, "That makes some sense I guess, though didn't know /Martin/ did /magic/. Must be in one the stories I haven't heard yet."
Flicktail says, "it be good to see ye appy William"
Nicodemus looks at the tapestry. "Martin is still with us though he's long passed on. If that's not real magic, I'm not sure what it would be. Flicky I'm sure would tell you that Martin can absolutely "reach out and touch someone."
Flicktail says, "aye Fater, e definately be wi us...oi got touched!"
Nicodemus says, "You did. And I did indirectly ... he passed a message to my wife."
Orph nods a little. He'd heard about the spirit or ghost of Martin before, though he didn't consider it magic per say just Martin being Martin.
Jennefer arrives from the Staircase..
Flicktail exclaims, "ELLO mum!"
Nicodemus says, "And now, I need to return to my duties. I'm not precisely sure that this required an abbot, but one doesn't know until the end."
Flicktail says, "Merry noight Fader"
Orph waves at the squirrel.
Flicktail offers a strong Paw to Aikuen "ye be well Mate?
Nicodemus bows to the tapestry and heads back to his cell.
Naje Had followed his love down the stairs, regardless of his wounds and without his crutches. He falls and catches himself on a small table, "Jennefer!" He says in a voice more of a yell, leaning heavily on the table.
Orph turns and look at where the sound had come from. What was going on, now? "Uh, you alright?" he asks Naje.
Jennefer huffs, trudging thorugh with a bit of speed. She look, well... chubby? Er, no... her stomach is protruding a bit more than just chubby. Anyways, her face is red and she's not looking very happy AT ALL... She turns around a bit slowly, sighing. "What, Kun?!? What? Are you trying to say your sorry for being ignorant or are you just looking for another peice of steel to carry in you?" She says a this a bit roughly...
Aikuen nods to Flicktail, "Aye be well enough.. Thanke... Thought i was gonna get kicked out of the abbey..." he chuckles lightly.
Flicktail says, "Me friend, Oi will elp you, but you don't never gives William no cause to be frightened, cause e always as a place to go if e wonts, wi me.... E loves ye ua knows"
Sleek muscles ripple under the warrior's bare fur and he latches hold of the table and heaves, sending it halfway across the room to vent his frusteration, directing part of it away from Jennefer. He basically ignores the other beasts and also the fact the wound on his side has opened and was bleeding. "Ignorant? Who was the one who couldn't find her own son? And who was almost killed by her own husband?" He roared.
Flicktail turns with a frown to look at WHO said that
Aikuen Smiles to Flicktail, "Thanks mate... but i don't think he was freighted at all... at least when i did it..." He stops mid sentence, as the table goes flying through the room. He looks at the yeller, mouth wide open.
Jennefer doesn't ever realy get angered, but now, she was furious. "Oh, like you know what it's like to have a son! You think I let Zen just run off on his own? Zen was running from his father because he was hurting him! Who do /you/ think stayed back and took a beating so that her son could be safe?" She curled her fists tight, closing her eyes to fight back the tears. "Your... your so much like Krim..."
Naje knocks over a candlestand and turns his back on her, storming silently back the stairs, bleeding freely and limping heavily.
Flicktail walks over, to jennefer and embraces her "easy mum....now wot is all this?
Jennefer breaths heavily, shaking her head as she watches Kun leave. "Stupid... males.... just... ERGH...." She pushed away from Flicktail, gently of course, and looked for a seat to sit in. Her nervs were wound very tight... VERY tight.
Flicktail sighs and will not force her....but glances to Aikuen trying to put out multipul fires "William as gone thru a rough time, Oi think you worried im more en you knows
Aikuen nods some, "Aye mate... I know... we've both been through the mill, cept he is young... takes longer for him to get over it..." He then leans in close and whisperers only to Flicktail, "Maybe im not cut out for this father business... 2nd kid... and im already ruining it..." He places his paws into his face.
Orph smiles at Jen, "Hi. I remember you. You're Zen's Ma. Zen's my friend."
Flicktail whispers back to Aikuen "ye don't get to pick yer family Lad, don't you dare abandon at lad, and make im think e not be wonted, Oi will elp you, but no beast throws out another and Oi be shocked a otter would think at
Orph's ear perk up at the whispering, but he can't make out the words just the tones. "Pa's not in trouble anymore Flicky. It's ok now." He remembers whispering with Zen yesterday when he was scared about being in trouble.
Flicktail says, "aye lad that be roight I know: flashing William a winning smile, and then whispering to Aikuen "yer pick yer friends lad, not yer family, and if ye does it roight William will elp you more then ye knows"
Jennefer glances at Orph, not looking well at all. Her fur is a bit frazzled and her eyes a bit blood shot. She tries to give a very faint smile. "H-hi... I'm glad to see your friends with Zen..." With that she places a paw on her large tummy, sighing softly as she tried to calm her nerves.
Aikuen looks shocked, he whispers, "I wouldn't dream of leaving him... that's nuts... we may not be great... but we got each other."
Flicktail says, "aye Aikeuen, at be roight glad ta ear it.....think you can elp me cheer up me mum?" he nods to Jennefer"
Orph whispers to Jennefer, "Maybe I'm imagining things, but does Zen know he's gonna be a big brother?"
Jennefer nods, "He knows. Hehe, he's happy about it. He likes playing with Flicky."
Flicktail moves over and crouches down on all 4's and lays his head in Jennefer's lap and gives her a warm hug against her tummy.
Jennefer glances at Flicktail and gently pushes him back just a little. It was obvious her stomach was much larger than usual. "Uh, please Flicky... I.... not now, I... I'm..." She sighs and simles softly, gently placing a paw on Flicktail, "I just need a little space is all.."
Orph puts a paw gently on the side of Jen's tummy, "So there's a baby in there," he asks in awe smiling widely.
Jennefer mentally cringed, nodding her head. Since when was this poke and prod Jennefer day?!? Trying to keep her temper down, she forced a smile. "Uh, yes... i.. it's also nice to ask before poking at a beasts belly you know?" She tried to say it in somewhat of a joking manner. Ugh...
Flicktail says, "Ye kin ave space, but Oi loves ua mum..and no matter wot, ye kin depend on me"
Flicktail says, "aye Orph, Mum is ad a rough day, we will make er appy and does wot she would loikes"
Orph pulls his paw away, "Sorry, marm. I jus never seen a baby this little fore. When's the baby gonna get born?"
Flicktail gets Jennefer a nice cup of camomile tea
Jennefer smiles as she's offered tea and she takes it. She sips on it a bit slowly, but makes an odd face. She slowly rests the cup down, sighing a bit. She normaly liked camomile tea, but she just didn't have the taste for it today. "Uh, I... I'm not too sure, but.... sometime soon, that I'm very sure of..."
Flicktail offers orph a lap to sit on.
Orph nods as he takes the offered lap, "Ya know what yurr gonna name him yet or ya gonna wait til 'ee gets here?"
Jennefer sighs a little more, shaking her head. "I... I'm not sure if he will be a he or a she even... Kun seems to think the child will be a girl... but I think other wise... I don't know.." She rubs at the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes a little.
Orph says, "Ok. Me an Zen'll like em either way an' I'll stop askin' question if you want.""
Flicktail doesn't knwo how to deal with so much upset, he can only offer his warmth
Aikuen tilts his head at Jennefer, "Are ye craving something else besides tea? My... wife, used to get it all the time when she had child..."
Jennefer glances at Aikuen and nods her head. "I.. I guess I am. I'm not quite sure of what I want, but I guess tea is not it.. thank you for offering it Flicky, I appriciate it." She then stretches once, "I guess I could go and get something.."
Flicktail says, "any timemum, but of that beast bothers ye, Oi will give im a STRONG talkin to...."
Aikuen gets up and bows to Jennefer, "Now what kind of gentlebeast would i be if let you get up eh? Just tell me what yah need, and i well gladly get it." He winks.
Flicktail snugs Orph "yer Dad be agood beast
Orph cocks his head at Jen, "Ya don't need to. I never been allow close t' ladies that was gonna have babies fore, but some the beasts I lived with before had ladies like that in their faimlies an' they'd be in their room an everone else bring em whatever they wanted and the ladies didn't have do nothing. So iffen ya need some jus say so an Flicky an Pa an' me'll get it fer ya, marm."
Jennefer shakes her head at Flicktail, "Oh, please don't Flicktail.... he.. he's my hus.... well... he's kind of how I'm having another child." She wasn't sure of how to just say husband. She then turns to Aikuen, nodding her head. "Oh, thank you very much... I appriciate it. Thank you too, um, William I believe? Zen has told me some about you."
Flicktail says, "ye let me deals wi it Mum....ye never ave to fear a beast, or be upset, ye be a good beast mum"
Orph looks a bit warily at the lady mouse, "I'm guessin' he told ya good things? Otherwise you'd be mad at me."
Flicktail says, "sides mum, ye can't be upset, Zen needs ya, you be is everthing"
Jennefer shakes her head, "Oh, don't worry William... Zen's told me a lot. Hehe, you sounded very simular to him..." She then turns to Flicktail, "Oh, please don't worry about it... me and Kun, we... just had an argument was all.. and well... I... he's my husband now.. so... I guess it was bound to happen at some point. It's nothing to get upset with...."
Flicktail gives her a stern look "Oi be not worried, but Oi will dieals wi it mum..ye trusts me.....usbands do not say such thinsg even if upset.....and ye be wi child....you trust flicky
Orph is annoyed and confused. /Darn Flicky for triggering painful memories. Husband? Huh, /"But Zen said he had a 'edge pig Dad. That beast that yelled at ya was a mouse. ... How many fathers' Zen have?" /and why is do I keep thinking about Ma when I don't want too./
Orph asks, "Was that out loud?"
Flicktail snugs orph warmly, he's a warm beast
Jennefer glances at Orph and sighs a little. "Well.. Zen's real father passed for the best and I... I fell in love with Kun... the father he's probably refering to a lot is the one that claimed him when.... well.... Zen didn't have anyone." She turns back to Flicktail, shaking her head. "Please Flicky, don't do anything.... ok? I... I said things to him I should have never said either... We were both foolish.."
Aikuen is beginning to feel the anxiety building in him again. He taps the table quickly.
Flicktail says, "If ye be me Mum, then he be me Pa.... if all it be is somethin silly then ave no fear.....but Oi am yer Son, and Oi will be one" he pats her paw with a reassuring smile "now I must be about me chores"
Well that answers that, though he had meant to ask that out loud. This will be Flicky's fault he decides. Yes, Flicky brought up memories and got him thinking and so it will be his fault. The dibbun nods to himself as he's set down on the floor. He was going to sit there anyway so he doesn't mind too much.
Aikuen heads over toward the kitchen, "Im going to get a snack, need anything? Anybeast?"
Jennefer shakes her head. "I.. I think I'll be fine... thank you.." She thinks a moment, then glances at Orph. She smiles softly at him.
Orph smiles back a little or tries to, "I think I'll help Pa in th' kitchen."
Jennefer nods her head slowly, then glances about. "I.. guess I should go find Kun.."
Aikuen nods to Jennefer, "If i don't see yah... Good Night! come on William, lets see if there's anymore of your soup..." He goes through the kitchen door.
Jennefer nods her head, "Actualy... that's what I was planning on doing... Please keep an eye on Zen for me... he's been up to no good lately.." With that, she starts to head for the stairs.
Orph pauses. /On second thought, maybe Zen's Ma should be left alone. She'd want to be alone, but that mouse she said was her husband acted rather mean ... he was hurt bad though ... maybe he'd ... no should think things like that .../ "He looked hurt bad maybe he went t' the infirm?" he suplies helpfully. /At least if she went looking in there there'd be healers around so step in if there was another fight tween her an her husband./
Jennefer sighs softly, "I know where he's at... he's been in the infirmary for a couple of weeks now..."
Jennefer closes her eyes and makes her way up the stairs.
Orph watches the expectant mother a minute or two before heading into the kitchen himself.
RW Abbey: Kitchen
Aikuen enters the kitchen and goes over to pantry. He takes out a bowl, and places it on the table. Taking a pawful of flour and a splash of leftover tea, he mashes them into a paste. He smiles at William as he enters.
Orph walks slowly into the kitchen. Well, today had been better than yesterday, much better in fact - well until that kitten showed up, but that was over with. Then flicky had to say things - good things but they'd brought up memories. William didn't want to remember right now. No time or able adults to watch at the kiln and he didn't feel like using it right now anyway. He looks around for a candle or something to distract himself with. His gaze falls on a door. He's never been in there before ... maybe that could work ...
Orph walks over to the door and walks down the steps. This is nice he thinks, it goes underground like a tunnel.
RW Abbey: Wine Cellar
Orph walks out from one of the many shadowy nooks, marveling at the size of the room. He likes underground places, yes he does. Having seen everything worth seeing down here, he heads for the stairs.
RW Abbey: Kitchen
Orph climbs the stairs back up to the kitchen, feeling a /little/ better. He gives Aikuen a watery smile, "I'd never been down there before. It's nice."
Aikuen prods the Biscuits with one of his claws. Seeing as its done, he takes it out without oven mitts. "Ooo! EEEE! hothothothot!" he drops it on the table. Its sounds like a rock when it hits. He smiles at William arrival, "Just in time, The hardtack is ready! And aye the cellars be nice... but i don't need that type of temptation right now!"
"That wasn't why it's nice. It's like our tunnel. I like places like that. Ones that's under the ground ..." he eyes the hardtack suspiciously, "We are eating rocks now?" He goes to see if there's any soup left, "Don't think ya should try eatin' rocks an' I don't mind /soup/." he says referencing the otter's own eating habits.
Aikuen shakes his head, "This isn't a rock, Its like a biscuit... Except it can last through anything." He takes it and tears it apart into several chunks. Taking a small piece it chews on it. Nodding with approval he says, "Do you have anymore of your soup, id like it." He takes a pile of the chunks and pushes them toward William.
/So it's not a rock. And more importantly it seems Aikuen can eat it. Good. So we will live off this stuff and soup. Darn it. I will need more cooking lessons before we go to the Eastern Sea, else we'll have to drink salt water ... I wonder if you could take the salt out ... if you could would that leave drinking water? I'll need to ask some beast tomorrow unless Pa knows .../ The dibbun has found the soup. There is still quite a lot left since most beast don't care for such large amounts of hotroot in there leek soup. He fills two bowls and sets them down, "Pa you know if ya can make drinking water out a seawater? Or some way we can take water with us and travel a long way an not get sick drinkin it?" Wine's a good substitute of course, but that option's out know that the pair have sworn off drinking. The ratling hadn't realized it would be so hard since he didn't drink much to start with.
Aikuen scratches his head, "Nope sorry little mate, cant take salt out of the saltwater. At least not enough to not get sick... And to carry water for long periods of time without it going bad, is to add some sort of alcohol to it. Just enough to keep the mold away... Course there are other ways to find water..." He throws chunks of the Hardtack into his bowl of soup, and he drinks a good amount.
"Like what. Aren' too many wells tween here an' the ... where I was thinkin of." he'd like to keep this a secret til closer to time t' go.
Aikuen polishes his bowl off, wiping a paw across his mouth he answers, "Well depending on where you are you could draw water from the ground...you just dig a hole and wait a bit... sometimes water will collect underground, and with the hole come to the surface... its water... but more like mud...but does help in a pinch..." He takes a chunk and takes a bite, "And sometimes plants have a good amount of water to hold a beast for just a little while longer."
Orph nods listening as he tries some of the hardtack as he eats his soup. It's not bad soup and the biscuit isn't as bad as he'd first thought. If they can find enough water or the equivalent ... they just might be able to live off soup and hardtack after all.
Aikuen places the bowl in one the many sinks. Smiling he says, "Well back to the ole grind..." He is talking about wall duty. He says as he is leaving, "Night William! see yah tomorrow!" He heads out the door.
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