On The Way To Redwall...

Scioto walked along the dirt road, he was heading towards Redwall as he had not been there, for a real visit anyways, since their takeover and it was about time he went and had a meeting with Lorimis or Elder Benar, either would do.

Astra is also on the road, she has yet to see Scioto and for now has her hood up on her cloak as today is very windy and the wind is a little cold as she shivers some and moves stray bits of head fur from in front of her face that the wind keeps blowing into her face.

Scioto looks up and slows as he sees Astra, he knows who it is now and remembers how she looks with the cloak and hood on, she sighs and walks a little faster and past her on to the abbey, the wind doesn’t really bother him much or if it does he doesn’t show it does.

Astra tenses as Scioto brushes past her and then relaxes when she sees its just him, she frowns and seems to debate whether to speak to him or leave him alone, last time he seemed to want to be left alone. She curls her tail around her waist and stands there letting the wind once again blow some more loose head fur into her line of vision and yet again moves it to the side of her face.

Scioto heads on towards the abbey, he doesn’t look back at the other cat, he stops as a rather hard wind gust blows some dust into his face and he coughs roughly.

Astra catches up now, “Scioto are you ok?” She asks as she nears him and keeps a respected distance away from him.

Scioto coughs again and clears his throat, “Do I sound ok?” He shakes his head and clears his throat some more “I will live, its simply stupid dust from this annoying road.” His good eye meets her eyes and he seems to stare a very short while before he speaks again “I am on my way to the abbey, some business to tend to, do excuse me” He goes to head on up the road.

Astra manages a smile and then a slight frown when he looks away; she nods “I understand.” She moves her tail back and forth “Want any company?” She asks softly, hoping he does but will be ok if he doesn’t.

Scioto makes his ears go back against his head and starts to walk faster and slows, again meeting her eyes, “I…sure.” He allows himself to relax “Why not, company is good at times.” He is quiet and then asks, “So why did you leave? Without a goodbye even to either me or Blisa or anyone?”

Astra frowns at the questions, “I don’t really know. I figured it was best to just go, you most likely didn’t want me in the village and maybe don’t want me around even now. I choose what little of my tribe I had left, but it broke up and is no more, and I came back to.” She sighs “I don’t know. I guess I thought you would remember me.”

Scioto speaks “I..do remember you, I didn’t at first that’s true but after seeing your face I did and it HAS been a while, 3-4 seasons in fact and a LOT has happen during that time.”

Astra nods, “So what business do you have with the abbey, then again that’s probably private info isn’t it?”

Scioto answers “Nothing major, just to see about some October Ale and..see how things are after a takeover that happen last season, that’s all”

Astra says, “Ok..so I can come along with you then, that is good and I have missed you by the way”

Scioto is not sure how to answer her, he simply nods for now, “Let’s get on to the abbey shall we?”

Astra nods after a while, ”Yeah, lets”

Scioto walks beside Astra and every so often looks over at her, and then back to the road as they walk, “A stoat named Marek had caused some trouble a couple times, he is up north now I have found out and hopefully he stays up north as I rather he not come back.”

Astra frowns “Are you ok, did he harm the village?”

Scioto nods “Once, but I got it back and he had control of Redwall for a season, I was stuck inside and had started to hate the place, my solders were either killed or turned to work with Marek. I started to not care what happen, but I was not joining Marek myself and he knew that, I have a feeling he would of killed me if he had been in control longer. He had been taxing Ferravale during that time, getting the tax directly from me, he was smart.”

Astra listens “So what happen?”

Scioto nods, “The long patrol came and their badger Lord, helped to get the abbey back along with some woodlanders and some of Ferravale, also a small band inside the abbey fought as well. The abbey is in the paws of Redwall now and the sword back in Flicktail’s paws, he is the champion..a fox but a good fox.”

Astra smiles at this, “I will have to meet him, I have heard of him when I was here before.”

Scioto nods “ Some have heard of him and some have not”

Astra nods again as they walk further along,” Am I able to stay in Ferravale or do you wish me to leave?” She asks suddenly as she stops and waits on a reply.

Scioto stops walking and watches her, he is silent and finally, “ No, do not leave. You can stay. There are some empty homes and you can live in one of them if you wish and maybe help somewhere like the tavern or the Inn or..another way maybe.”

Astra gives him a quick hug and after a short while a small kiss on the cheek before backing away and nods “Thank you”

Scioto blinks at the hug and kiss on the cheek, but he doesn’t push her away this time, nor does he give either of his own, he simply nods and replies “Your welcome Astra.”

Astra smiles softly, well least he didn’t push her away this time, “We best get to the abbey if they are expecting you.”

Scioto shrugs “They are not really; I haven’t told them I was coming, sort of a last moment decision I made as something that needed to be done to keep talks open and such, there is a peace treaty between them and the village after all”

Astra ohs softly, “But still, we should get there right?”

Scioto nods slowly, “Yes, of course” He stops as they soon arrive by the gate and quietly speaks with one of the guards and walks back to Astra ”We can both go in but seems both Lorimis and Benar are busy and I have asked the guards to let them both know I wanted to speak to one of them”

Astra nods “Sounds like a plan so..what now?”

Scioto sighs “I suppose I wait.” He walks in after the guards have his sword.

Astra lets the guards have her weapon as well and follows Scioto inside

Scioto looks around, the first time in a while he has been inside and frowns, “I am going to rest in the guest room and before you ask I don’t wish to be disturbed so no company” He walks off, he is tried and still has much to think on.