Not So Hidden After All

Characters: Aikuen, Kentar, Theophilus, Hannah, William

Location: Moledeep

Moledeep: The Dibbuns Garden

"No... I don't know when they are going to be back... Don't give me that face... They said clearly, in their note, that they would be going to the abbey... I'm sure they will be fine... And you can see them then... Now hold still..." Aikuen says. The oldest otter is lounging in the shallows of the pond on his back. It seems like he is talking to someone who can talk back. Heh! You would be wrong. Venei the little baby otter is laying on her stomach, her big green eyes on Aik. She blinks at him as he talks. Aik snorts and drips water on her back, "You like that don't you..." he chuckles.

"Finally lost it, eh, Aik?" Kentar laughs as he comes up and sits down by the pond. He doesn't see Venei at first. But Christopher does. The little stoat waves to the two otters before going to the pond to swim around for a bit. They just won't leave Aik alone!

Theophilus chuckles silently to himself at the other animals. "Hello there!" he says, stepping out of the shadows.

Aikuen blinks and looks behind him, by looking up, as he espies the upside down stoats, "Lost it? I never lose things.... I have the memory of a ... Who are you?" he grins and chuckles. He covers Venei a little bit, expecting for Chris to just jump in. But he just goes in normal like. Probably because the water has gotten colder over the past few weeks. He slowly continues to drip water onto his daughter. Venei arches her back and grrs quietly at the water. Seems to be enjoying it. Aik grins and then his ears perk up and he blinks looking toward the sound, "Um... Hello?"

Kentar laughs. "Yeah yeah, sure you do. I forgot!" he laughs but as soon as he sees another beast, he frowns, quickly standing and drawing his sword. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Chris doesn't hear his father, or the other beast, just swimming about and playing by himself.

"My name is Theophilus", the otter says as he comes closer to the stoat.

Aikuen blinks as he goes to sit up in the pond, he whispers loudly to the younger stoat, "Oi... Christopher... Get over here... Now!" he holds out his arm for the younger stoat in case he needs to get them away quickly. No one ever arrives at the clearing just randomly. And in case things go really sour, he does have his sword with him. But he seems nice enough... so far.

Kentar nods slowly, finally raising the sword. "Nice to meet you. Now what are you doing here?" he growls. "Ten seconds to tell me before I kill you." he'll try, but probably fail. He's not good at killing things. And Chris, is still unaware of anything but his game with his friend! The one no one can see! Until of course Aik tells him to go over. He does quickly and blinks, finally spotting his father and the new guy.

Theophilus nods, "I left Redwall a fortnight ago. After setting up a home in the grasslands I decided to explore a bit, and I came upon these tunnels." He smiles, hoping the animals don't decide that he's an unwelcome intruder.

Aikuen holds Chris and Venei close to him listening to the new beast speaks. His grip loosens a bit on the dibbuns when the new beast said he was from the abbey. Still not fully letting down his guard. Might be a trap.

Kentar stares at the otter for a few moments, but doesn't lower his sword. "Redwall hm?" He tilts his head. "And you are only exploring, correct?" he stares. "Not hiding any other beasts in the shadows? None in red cloaks, perhaps?" he stares. Can't be too careful.

"Wait, look at this," he slowly reaches for his knife, never looking away from the stoat. He pulls out his knife, but quickly takes it by the blade and holds it out to the otter. "Here, look," he says again, showing off the handle. The sparse light in the tunnel glints off the redish-hued pearl. "Take it."

Aikuen was just about to make a run for it when the blade is taken out, bu then blinks as the handle is shown to him. He can still see it clearly though it still pretty far away, as he is still in the pond. He tilts his head at it and ponders, "A Tribal otter?" is all he can come up with.

Kentar slowly goes closer before reaching to take the dagger away quickly, careful incase its a trap.

"It was my fathers. He died while defending me and my grandparen's from rats in Mossflower. We moved to the abbey, and my granpa gave it to me before I left," he says, his face denying nothing, as a single tear runs down his cheek.

Kentar examines the dagger before looking back towards him. "Alright." he sheathes his sword. But places the dagger in his belt. 'You'll get it back when you leave. No weapons allowed. Aside from the guard's of course." he nods, slowly tuning away to sit back down at the edge of the pond.

Aikuen eyes the other otter as he tells his story. He hrms loudly as he moves both little stoat and little otter up and out of the pond to sit on the side next to Kentar. Seems the other otter is telling the truth. That he can tell anyways. He lets Chris out of his tight grasp, but keeps a paw on his shoulder to keep him near.

Theophilus walks down to the pond, smiling at the floating infants. "Now, what about you two?" he says to the adults.

"I'm Kentar." The stoat says before pointing to the younger stoat. "And he's my son, Christopher." he nods slowly, still keeping a sharp eye on the visitor.

Aikuen has relaxed a little bit. If he was going to kill us, we would have done something by now. He holds Venei close to him, just in case..., "And I'm Aikuen... and this is Venei... My daughter..." Venei only looks a few weeks old. Aik eyes the other otter before asking, "So what are you doing around here... really..."

"I'm looking for other otters like myself. I'd like to find my father's and grandfather's tribe," says Theo, "My ma and granparen's are safe at Redwall, but I wanted more adventure than that," he trails off... "That's all really."

Aikuen ahs and nods slowly, "Sorry... But there are no otters around here... at least the ones your looking for. Camp Willow has a fare few. Most most have civilized in some way though. You will be hard find, to find otter tribes around here..." he then chuckles at the young one, "Adventure eh? You young people. I guess that good to get it out of the way..." he snorts.

Theophilus sighs, "I guess you're right, and as for adventure, I just wanted to get out. Heh, I guess I'm a bit confused as what I want to do." He looks at the little ones, then back to Aik, "What is this place anyway?" he asks.

Aikuen smiles, "Heh... Even in my age i still like to get out... though not as far as i used too... You just never grow out of that..." he then blinks and looks around a bit, "This place... This place is called Moledeep. Our home...." he smiles.

Theophilus makes a puzzled face, "Moledeep? Kind of an odd name for an otter's home." he chuckles.

Aikuen tilts his head at Theo, before looking over to Kentar, who has gotten up. The stoat hands the oldest otter the dagger before heading off inside for some reason. Probably to go check up on the others, just in case this was some sort of distraction or what not. Aik takes the dagger and shoves the entire blade into the clay ground like it was cutting though warm butter. He then goes back to the visitor, "Yes it is. But its not just my home. Its all of our homes... see... its kinda like the abbey... Lots of beasts live here... but the funny thing is... no moles live here!" he laughs.

Theophilus realizes he can hardly see Aik's face in the dim light. "I should probably get back to my home, and I'm sure you have to put the young ones to bed, so I'll go for now."

Aikuen nods slowly, pulling the dagger from the ground easily and handing the blade handle to the other otter, "As told... you can have your weapon back... But if you want to stay here for the night... we will be sure to oblige you... we have enough beds to keep yah... if yah want to of course..." he chukles as he stands, towering over the younger otter, with the little one in his arms.

Theophilus grins, "Thanks mate, I think I can find the beds meself. G'night!"

Aikuen is sitting on the edge of the pond, playing with his little daughter. After taking the other younger otter, Theo, inside to the beds. Venei grrs lightly as her father drips water onto her back. Venei only looks a few weeks old. But an young otter through and through. Aik grins at her, "Your a big girl arent yah!" Venei grrs and stares back with her green eyes.

Hannah walks slowly into the gardens, having just arrived from who-knows-where. The stoat jill, being the shy and unfamiliar thing that she is to this place, takes a few cautious steps through Moledeep until she reaches this place, thinking it would be a nice place to stop and possibly rest her feet after making her way here. The jill pauses when she sees the otter playing with his daughter, watching carefully whilst trying not to draw attention.

Aikuen isn't really paying attention to anything but his daughter. Come from being at his age, its almost dangerous. He grins as he picks up the little one, "Yes... you are a big girl... going to be as strong as your father... and as beautiful as your mother... going to have to fend of the male otters with both paws..." he chuckles to himself. Venei is just grring up a storm, and sticks her rudder straight up in the air, in his arms.

Hannah smiles softly as she watches the two, her hand resting on her pregnant stomach as she does so. The jill slowly makes her way further into the garden before giving a soft, "Hello..."

Aikuen smiles at his little one, starting to rub her back lightly. Then he is started like you wont believe. His free paw goes immediately for his hilt as he looks off toward the sound, "Who goes there!?" he yells back, hard to see the beast approaching, until she comes closer. He stands getting his footing set, though he doesn't want to fight with Venei near. Just not something he wants.

Hannah stops in her tracks when the paw reaches the hilt of the blade, her smile quickly disappearing as she takes a step back, "Sorry...I didn't mean to startle you..."

Aikuen blinks as though he still cant see the beast, fuzzy as all get out, he can hear her quite well. He removes his paw from his hilt slowly as he answers back, "Who are you?" its less forceful than before, like a normal question.

Hannah blinks a couple of time and replies, "I am Hannah. Sorry if I disturbed you, I'm just new here and...thought I would say hello..."

Aikuen puts both arms around his little one before answering, "No... It's okay... we don't get a lot of visitors around here... and the ones we do... usually want to hurt us... Hello..." he finally says, "Do you have any weapons on you?" get this out of the way now.

Hannah shakes her head, "No. I have no weapons, nor do I want any. I just want a safe place to stay."

Aikuen nods and waves the beast over, "Well... then don't be a stranger... get on over here so i can get a good look at yah... This place is pretty safe, if you are friendly..." he chuckles. His paw moves near his hilt, though not on it. Just a precaution, "The name is Aikuen... By the way... and this little one is Venei... my daughter..."

Hannah steps forward slowly, her arms outstretched to show she's unarmed. The jill says, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Aikuen. And little Venei." She gives a friendly smile to the little otter.

Aikuen's eyes begin to focus as the beast approaches, and when the picture clears up, his head moves back in surprise to what he sees. He completely removes his paw from anywhere near his hilt. She is definitely no threat, unless she wants harm to her unborn. He smiles at her and gives a short bow, "Just call me Aikuen... or Aik... if you prefer... Welcome to Moledeep..." he nods around the place. Venei looks at the stoat and blinks with big ole green eyes.

Hannah blushes a bit at the courtesy of the otter to even bow. The jill smiles some more and says, "Thank you very much, Aikuen. And this is Moledeep? I would have figured the first creature I would spy would be a mole, then. It's a surprise finding an otter."

Aikuen chuckles and bobs his head, "We get that a lot... There is a lot of different beasts living here... Funny, that none of them are moles though!" he laughs, "We don't know what happened to them... the moles I mean... But we have made do..."

Hannah tilts her head, "Really? The moles are gone?" She scratches her head, "Most curious..." then she giggles, "Forgive me, I'm a bit of a philosopher and tend to think a little too much."

Aikuen nods, "Aye the Moles are gone... without a trace..." he then blinks and crosses his eyes at this new word, "Filosofer?" he stares at her for a few minutes, "What does that mean..." that sounds stupid coming from a beast as old as he is.

Hannah giggles softly and says, "Somebeast who thinks far too much and tries to find answers to way too many things, I'm afraid. Basically someone who contemplates on how beasts live their lives and why, things like that."

Aikuen still blinks at her, and gets it, "Oh aye! Like a great thinker... ive heard of those..." he snorts, "Sounds like fun..." he chuckles and motions for her to sit down, as he does himself, "I'm more of a paws on beast... so to speak..." he bounces his little on in his arms, "So Miz Hannah, What bring you to this neck of the woods?"

Hannah nods, "Thanks," before she seats herself and smiles at the little otter before replying, "Oh, mostly just trying to find a place to stay. Been wandering too long and...well, with the little one on the way, it kind of...well, it isn't healthy."

Aikuen smiles and motions to the rest of Moledeep, "Well... if your looking to stay for awhile... Moledeep is the place. Plenty of beds... Food, shelter... and the finest healer around just in case your unborn decides its time..." he chuckles.

Hannah chuckles and says, "Well, it's not coming for another month or so, but it certainly is almost time. And I have to admit, this place did catch my fancy when I had a quick look-around."

After having made sure Chris was safely indoors, Kentar returns outside. And...there's more beasts here then when he left. "Wow. Crowded." The stoat hrms a little as he moves towards the crowd. "Evening every beast." he nods to Windhunter but then blinks when he sets his eyes on another stoat. "We finally out number the otters here." he chuckles a little.

Aikuen smiles, "Well... you can never tell with unborn's... And this place is really nice. You should stay for a bit..." his ears turn toward the new sound and he blinks, "Evening Kentar... Theo went indoors to rest for a bit..." he turns to Hannah, "Hannah, this is Kentar. Captain of the Guard at Moledeep!"

Hannah gives a soft chuckle at what the hob says to her and shes says, "I know, isn't that impressive?" She giggles a little and nods to him, "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kentar. Or is it Captain Kentar?"

Kentar chuckles and gives a slight bow. Polite when wants to be. "Just Kentar." he chuckles. "Although sometimes they go overboard and call me Kenty. But if you value your life...Just call me Kentar." he laughs and smiles. "So. When did we shout Moledeep's location from the abbey bell tower? Your our second visitor today. The last time that happened, we had beasts trying to kill me."

Aikuen wrinkles his nose at the male stoat, "Oh come on Kenty... Buck up! You know you like the name!" he chuckles and then shrugs, "I have no idea mate... though they all seem to be friendly all the same... nice to see a new face once in awhile you know..." he goes back to his little one, who had started grring again. Play with her!

Hannah giggles at the baby and says, "She seems to be a very playful mood there, Aikuen." She turns back to the hob and chuckles, "Believe me, I'm not one for killing. Honestly, I find the idea very apalling, though I understand it does have to be done on occassion."

Kentar nods a little bit and sighs, scratching his ear. "So do I. I only do it because I must. Even then its hard." he nods. "Being captured three times in the run of two seasons sort of makes it a requirement when there's evil about." he nods, smirking at Venei for a few moments.

Aikuen pokes his daughter on the nose and allows his claw to be taken and bit upon, "She is always in a playful mood... Just like your mum eh?" he nuzzle her softly. Venei gurgles and giggles loudly. Aik stays out of the conversation, not something he wants to get into to. Out of all of Moledeep, he has the killed the most put together of all the beasts here. Not something he is proud of. His daughter distracts him enough to do the trick.

Hannah smiles, watching the baby bite onto her father's finger and then turns back to Kentar, "Yes. I haven't had to kill anybeast, thank goodness. I have a little one on the way and all. Wouldn't want to lose it." She chuckles.

Kentar chuckles and nods a little bit. "Yeah." he nods before thinking. "Where's the father?" he asks. "You need someone to worry about your safety! That's all I ever did. And do." he hrms. He does it even when his wife isn't pregnant. He shrugs before turning his attention back to waiting for an answer.

Hannah lowers her ears on her head and frowns a bit, "There...there is no father. At least not anymore. As nice as that may sound, having somebeast to worry and dote over me, I have not the luck nor the priviledge."

Aikuen nudges Kentar hard in the leg. Not something you really ask a new beast. He shakes his head and goes back to playing with his daughter, "Your safe here Hannah... If you wish to be anyway..." he smiles softly.

Kentar ohs a little bit and rubs the back of his head. "Oh. I'm...sorry." he nods slowly, not meaning to have brought up something that was painful. He looks to Aik and nods slowly before turning back to Hannah. "Well. Your welcome to stay as long as you want to." he nods.

Hannah nods to the two and says, "Thank you. This is a nice place. I don't know if I will stay, though. I'm looking as best I can for a place to..." she looks at her pregnant belly and says, "try and raise this babe. Even without the comfort of someone helping."

Aikuen nods and says, "These neck of the woods are pretty nice place to settle down. With the Camp nearby. River rats, and other trolling baddies... are usually pretty low... But if you stay here... you will have the whole of Moledeep to help you..." just saying. Though he still understands the feeling of your own place.

Kentar nods slowly. "If you wish to move on and find another place, that's fine. But know, if your ever in need of help or supplies or shelter, we're here." he nods.

Hannah nods and says, "Again, thank you. Both of you."

Aikuen smiles and winks at her, before going to slide into the shallow area, "Its nice to see a new friendly face around here...All the same..." he he slowly dips his daughter in, who giggles and lets the water flow through her paws. Otter to water.

Kentar smiles and then sits down by the pond. "Your more then welcome." he smiles, looking to Venei and chuckles quietly.

Hannah nods and looks to the baby otter and giggles at the playful thing. She sighs softly, rubbing her belly.

Aikuen chuckles at Venei, "Your going to be a little pike... aren't yah... just like your sister... Soon your going to be able to swim faster than me... What a thought!" he chuckles. Venei blinks happily at the water trying to move it with her paw, fascinated that she can't. Aik dips her a little closer and she starts to move her rudder. Trying to swim. Aikuen snorts, "We have food... in case your hungry..." probably directed at Hannah.

Kentar shakes his head at the otters before returning his gaze to the other stoat. "In the mean time, is there anything you need or want?" He asks, tilting his head.

William and Amy had returned home from Redwall late in the evening. Amy settled down with Chris in the hall while Will had head outside to see what had become of his father and older brother

Hannah shakes her head and smiles at Kentar, "No, no, I'm fine. Though...I do have a strange craving for fish ever since I've been talking with Aikuen..." she giggles.

Aikuen snorts and looks to Hannah, "I do have that effect on beasts... Don't i... TeeHee!" he then tilts his head, not sure if she was kidding or not, "Well... several otters live here... we do have fish... though dried..." its still fish.

Kentar chuckles quietly. "We can get you some fish." he smirks. "As Aik said. There be otters here!" he laughs.

Hannah giggles and nods, "Yes, I can definitely see. Well, those sounds pretty good. That, and cream with elderberry along with it." One of those crazy pregnant cravings, heheh.

Aikuen snorts quietly at her order. Seems very familiar. Like his wife had them... Oh wait, she did. Not to long ago. He then chuckles and looks to Kentar, "Ill get it... Need to put Venei for her nap anyway..." and say hi to the wife as well. He pulls Venei out of the water and she hmrs loudly, like she doesn't want to. After a bit she goes back to Grring quietly.

Kentar chuckles and nods. The stoat stands before looking back to Hannah. "I can show you inside if you'd like somewhere warm to sit or something." he nods with a smile.

Hannah giggles softly at the otter and the stoat, "My...I didn't expect to have beasts waiting on me paw and foot now..." she gets herself up, sort of clumsily and looks between Aikuen and Kentar, then says, "Since Aikuen has to put his daughter to bed, he can show me."

Aikuen winks again at Hannah before heading toward the entrance of the tunnel. He blinks as a beast approaches him, though he recognizes him quickly. He rubs him on the top of his head, "Ello Will! Welcome back! Had fun?" he chuckles as he goes back indoors without waiting for an answer.

Hannah follows Aikuen.

Kentar chuckles a little. "Its what you get when you run into a moledeep full of nice beasts!" he chuckles. "Need help getting inside or anything?" he asks, tilting his head a little. He's just being nice.

Hannah blinks and giggles before saying, "If you wish to come along, come along."

William was about to answer then he blink and turns back around to try and face the otter ... and then Kentar is talking to him and he turns back around again. "... What's going on?!" he asks the stoat knowing full well that this new stoat and the new otter in the sleeping hall had /not/ been there when he and Amy had left.

Kentar looks to Will and chuckles. "We got some. Er. Guests." he nods. "An otter called Theo, and Hannah there." he nods to the stoat as she leaves. "Don't ask me how they found this place, I really don't know. But they did."

William sighs and turns back to head inside, "Better warn Amy we have visitors again."

Kentar chuckles a little and yawns. "I think I'm going to go for a nap." he chuckles, the stoat heading inside too, but then right to his and Garnet's room. "Night all." he says to everyone as he passes them.

Hannah nods to Kentar, "Night."

Moledeep: Mole Hall

Aikuen comes into the main hall and is off to the Sleeping hall without so much as a 'how do yah do' to the beasts that may be there. He if off to put his little one to bed, give his wife a kiss, and catch her up on the goings on. And their guests.

Hannah steps inside, looking around at the sights and rubs her belly, "Wow...very interesting..."

William follows the stoatmaid in and nods a little, "Guess it is. We're kinda used to it now. ... You can look around if you want. ... Kitchen's over there," he points off to one side, "And there's beds in through there," he points to the hall where the otter had disappeared down, "Beds are in two rooms, one on their side of th hall and straight off th hall is th infirmary and some closets an mine an Amy's room." This said the rat goes off to find Amy and tell her about their new guests.

Hannah decides to step into the kitchen, walking through the door to see if she can't whip herself something up really quick.

Hannah enters the Kitchen from the Mole Hall

Hannah returns, happily munching on a fillet of fish with cream and berries on top. Yum!

After having found Amy asleep in bed already and not wanting to wake her Will had come back into the Mole Hall and is now sitting at the table, his black cloak discarded across the back of his chair.

Aikuen comes back into the room and smiles at Hannah, "Hey... See you found the food then... The beds in the hall are all ready for you, and i set up a pitcher of water... just in case... you know... if yah want to stay..." he smiles and bows slightly, "Good Night Hannah. Night Will... Ill be in the Elders room. In case you need me..." he gives a last wink, before disappearing into the hall once more.

William looks up as the otter comes back in and waves, "Night, Pa." He turns to excue himself from Hannah but the mother-to-be has already taken up Aikuen's offer and gone off into the sleeping hall to find a bed. The rat shrugs and goes off to his own room to join Amy in sleep.

Groups:

• Moledeep