Quinten Log 117 -19 05 2006
RW Abbey: Pond
This is a sizeable body of water, roughly shaped like an elongated oval. In it's current frozen-over state, it looks almost like an oversized silver platter, frosted with white swirls. The center of the pond is the more dangerous, as the ice is obviously thinner there, and does not reach all the way to the bottom. On the one side the pond is bordered by the orchards, where a wild tangle of bushes and ivy, mingled with dead water reeds and cattails have completely frozen, appearing as though they have been generously dipped in crystal. The other side of the pond consists of a thin sandy strip, followed by a gradually ascending snow covered slope and a cleared footpath that meanders back toward the entry area. A smooth, flat topped stone, also ice encrusted and just large enough for a grown beast to stretch out on, protrudes from the side of the bank and extends a foot or so into the frozen water.
The faint sound of birdsong is floating on the air. The sun is gradually rising, and there is a thin mist over the surface of the pond.
Flaxpaw jumps and looks surprisingly guilty, a light blush spreading as she back water as well, then looks at Darkmane, laughing lightly, but making for the shore. "G'day, sah. Just, um... takin a little swim...." Unlike Harp, she doesn't seem to feel that being caught by one of her teachers is a relief. 'course Darkmane's not Harp's teacher, either.
Darkmane chuckles softly and shakes his head with a wry grin "Greetings to the both of ya" looks over at Flax for a moment before looking at them both again "no need to go ashore becourse of me, and my apologies, i just couldn't resist acting all stern"
Harper treads water for a little while longer, watching Flaxpaw wade in with an amused snort. He turns around in the water to hide his grin, then ducks under for a moment.
Flaxpaw shakes her head, watching Harper for a moment. "oh... no, sah. I've, um, gotten clean enough. She shakes the water off, then goes to get her uniform jacket and roll her pant-legs back down.
Darkmane dips his head as he settles down crosslegged not to far from the pond "so how are you doing today Flax?"
Quinten comes walking into sight from out of the orchards, a pair of sacatares held inhis paw, the short pruning scissors swinging by his side as he walks along towards the cloisters
Harper eventually pops back up to the surface and, finding it a little silly to go on swimming without company, he swims back to shore and wades the rest of the way in, shaking first one leg and then the other before leaning over, shaking his head like a dog. A very skinny dog. XD
Flaxpaw smiles at Darkmane, now settled on the ground. "I'm well, sah. emjoyed the trainin yesterday evenin." Her eyes flicker to Quinten and she flicks her ears grumpily, but that's the only notice she makes of him before her attention goes to
Harper, watching him a little distractedly. She sighs, and stands. "I...guess I'd better go get my habit on..."
Darkmane nods to Flax "i'm glad to hear that, i'll admit its nice to be training properly against somebody again" then turns his attention to Harper "And how are you doing if i may ask?"
Quinten hears Darkmanes voice and moves over towards you all "Good day everyone" he smiles and fllicks his ears in hello to Harper
Harper scruffs his paws roughly at his wet headfur, doing his best to dry it out. He bends down, plucking up his shirt and pulling it on over his shoulder. His words come muffled through the material as he answers. "Good, sir. Just cooling off after the morning-" And his head pops out. "-run. How're you?" He nods to Quinten.
Darkmane gives a slight shrug as he grins "being lazy for the most part, but quite well i'll admit" chuckles softly before looking over at Quinten and nodding "Greetings"
Quinten salutes Darkmane "Good dayto you sir" he glances at Harper "How can you swim in that thing? it is always so cold"
Harper grins and shrugs. "Not so cold once ya get used to it." He considers Quint for a moment, then jerks his head toward the abbey buildings. "You going to class today?"
Darkmane remains silent for the moment to let the two of them talk
Quinten nods his head "Of course i'm going to class, i was just doing some chores in the orchard, pruning back the strawberry plants," he shoulders the sacatares and grins "Though i probably should wash up first, still messed up from my morning run as well"
Harper nods, as if this is to be expected. "All right. Well, I suppose I'll see you there, then." He turns his attention back to Darkmane, then, looking thoughtful. "So what're you training Flax in?"
Quinten nods to Harper, a clear dismissal, about the best he can expect raely. He nods to Darmkane and heads off towards the abbey building again "Ok harper see you in class"
Darkmane looks after Quinten "be well" then looks over at Harper "I'm helping her get better with her blade, been focusing on letting her get past my guard for now"
Harper watches Quinten go off with slightly raised eyebrows. Did he say something wrong? Ah well. He looks back to Darkmane. "Oh yeah?" He raises a brow. "She any good?"
Quinten vanishes around the side of the building to go put away the scatares and then go wash up
Darkmane chuckles softly "well, she got past my defences a few times last night, tho admittingly i'm not used to fighting against her weapon" scratches his neck slightly as he thinks "I'd still claim she is fairly good tho since she knows a few things that i've seen other older beasts neglect"
Harper gives a nod as his response and nothing else, at least at first. His eyes shift to the sky and he scruffs the back of his head. "Well... time to get to class, I guess. If you'll excuse me, sir?" He looks back to Darkmane.
Darkmane dips his head "ofcourse, wouldn't want you neglecting your other duties afterall" grins slightly "have fun"
Harper dips his head in another nod. "No sir, and yessir." He grins slightly and turns, jogging toward the buildings without another word.
- About two hours pass -
Late afternoon finds Flax back at the edge of the pond, trying to pump out puch-ups in spite of the novice habit in her way. As she does so, she grumbles, language not really in keeping with the novice look.
Quinten is walking towards the pond from the direction of the abbey, a thoughtfull look on his muzzle, he's just been to class and it was an informative one at that. He spies Flax and grimaces going to give her a wide birth.
Flaxpaw catches sight of Quinten and sighs. Harper says the whole argument is over, so, she supposes that's right. She gets up, and stands there looking at him, paw raising quickly to wave, then dropping again.
Quinten flicks an ear at the raised paw "Flaxpaw good day" he says stiffly, not slowling down as he moves towards the pond, way she has been treating him he doesn't want any more of it or he will snap.
The way she's been treating him? She sighs and repeats to herself that no damage was done with Harp in the end, actually, kinda made them closer. .She smiles softly to herself before replying. "Afternoon, Quint. Classes alright?" She looks at the pond as she asks, not in /that/ good of a mood with him.
Quinten nods "Yes class was fine, sister wondered where you where though, went to tallk to the Major about it.." he hesitates and stops "Flaxpaw...what is wrong? your never like this, skipping classes and such."
Flaxpaw ear-flicks, looking away and shoving her paws in her pockets. "she's talkin to /him/, huh? Well, good. Maybe he'll send me home now." She looks back at you, eyes glistening a little. "An..I'm fine. really. just fine."
Quinten frowns and pads over towards her, half reaching out with a paw "Flaxpaw what is it...why are you crying....we were all gung ho over doing our best and showing the Maujor wot good recruits we can be"
Flaxpaw wraps her arms around herself, tears overflowing, not making any move to avoid Quinten's paw. "M-Majah's made it c-clear he's...he doesn't.....an-an you said all that....an, well, who cares anyway 'bout the stupid classes an all that, hmm? H-he c'n throw me out if he likes. I don't care anymore. D-don't guess Harp'd notice one way or another really...." sniffle.
Quinten blinks in shock and hurries forwards goig to take your shoudlers "Heey now....Flax...stop it wha tis wrong? what are you going on about i do not understand"
Flaxpaw sits down on the ground hard, curling her knees to her chest and pressing her face against them. "Q-Quint...it's...everythin's wrong. w-wot's right? I don' know....tell me wot t' do, Quint? J-Jarril's m-mad an...I didn't /do/ anythin. But...I don' know.....'s not jus that."
Quinten erfs and is pulled down with flax as she sits down "Heee...hey now Falx shhh what is it, whhy is he mad at you? did you say anything or do anything?"
Flaxpaw hugs her knees tighter. "n-no. I d-don't know. must have, though. he...was fine, b-but then, yesterday...." she hesitates to catch her breath, finally looking at you again, chin on her knees. "He tol' me....." she shakes her head, and tries to set her face to an indifferent look. "said t' stop lookin at him like he's gonna fall in love." She lets out another little sob, and presses her face to her knees again, muttering "An he said it in fron' of Harp."
Quinten blinks and looks at Fllaxpaw and sighs resting his head on your shoulder "I tried to warn you flax.....that he was too old for you, an that he'd get upset with you over your crush sooner or later....."
Flaxpaw turns her face to look at you, blinking, but quieting down. "I don't understan', though, Quint. H-he knew. Before we ever left Sala. He..he said it was alright. An...I though...the way he acted....." she gives you a confused, helpless look. "I was wrong, though. obviously. d-don't know wot happened, though. Harp says he's an idiot if he doesn't apologise, but.....it's my fault, isn't it? wotever annoyed him. jus some stupid recruit." She turns her head to look out over the pond..
Quinten wraps his arms about the does shoulders and draws her in closer "shhh Flax, it is notyour fault, something must have happened to Make the major decide it was not allright ok....and what was this about Harper?"
Flaxpaw leans against Quint, shaking though not crying anymore. "d-don't know....you think so?" she sighs. "Harp was there, when Jarril said that...well, majah tol him a thing or two as well, didn't really understan...but..." she sighs again. "I...um...was goin to leave the abbey. an the patrol. Harp stopped me, though. He's...real nice, isn't he?"
Quinten sighs and hugs you "Your not leaving the abbey nor the patrol, don't be daft where would you go? and Harper is nice yes, very nice"
Flaxpaw gives a slight shrug. "Didn't know where I was goin. jus' didn't want to stay here. Majah said wot he did, an me an you were fightin, an...can't face mister Keiran after the way I acted in front of him." She gulps a little. "An.....Harp. Don't know wot /he/ thinks. certainly doesn't famcy me, though."
Quinten hugs you "HEeey we are not fighting now, that was just stupid arguing adn the major...well he's a grumpy old fussy boots, was going on and on about the training he'd give us here and now he can't bebotered with us.
Flaxpaw nods and impulsively kisses your cheek, grinning a little. "You're my best friend, Quint. We shouldn't argue so much."
Quinten chuckls and wipes his cheek dry "Well we got to argue some or we'd never get along so well" he grins and hugs you
Flaxpaw hugs back, then stands, smiling down at you. "Sooo, saw you comin from the orchards earlier. Care to stretch out legs an show 'em to me?" At least something's going right.
Quinten stands up and offersyou his paw "Sure come on i'll show you around"
Flaxpaw takes the paw, smiling widely. "How'd you end up workin in there, anyhow? An...I know you've met that otter in the scullery. wot an odd chap, huh?"
Your offer has been recieved.
Quinten laughs "Ohj aye, from what i hear he's a mental patient here, right nut case, and the orchards? well i got assigned to some chores out here in the morning"
Flaxpaw chuckles. "well, I'm not off on the best paw with him. He caught me right after Jarril left..... you would not have approved of the way I was talkin to him. But...it kinda felt good."
Quinten grimaces "Oh dear....that'll explain some of the other mutterings i have hears about you then flax" he shakes his head nad tugs you off towards the orchards "Seems he is right royally annoyed with a recruits attitude towards him"
RW Abbey: Second Orchard
An otherwise stark landscape of barren trees and spindly bushes has been softened by a thick layer of snow, and decorated with a glazing of ice. A rickety old cart on the far corner of this end of the orchards sits empty and unused. To a discerning eye, most of the trees here appear to be apple and pear. One particular apple (tree), sits near the rough center, slightly apart from its fellows. Looking upward, you can make out the conspicuous shapes of empty beehives here and there in the branches.
The sun is high and bright.
Flaxpaw follows along, giving you an exaggerated rebel look. "aw, none of the older beasts are happy with me, least, none of the ones in charge of stuff. Mister Darkmane seems pleased with my progress, though."
Quinten grins at you an dleads yout to the strawberry patch where he has been working, it is seculded by a stone wall and cut off by alot of trees "Here we are, this is where i was working" he looks at you and winks "That is good then"
Flaxpaw looks around and smiles. "This is a nice place, peaceful an quiet." she goes to lean against the wall, looking down at the strawberry patch. "An wot else have you foun to pass time at the abbey?"
Quinten thinks and tilts his had to one side "pas time...pass time, flaxy i'm in full time training there is no time ta pass"
Flaxpaw blinks, then nods, shoving her paws into her pockets and keeping her attention on the strawberry patch. "right...I forgot. You're here t' learn somethin useful, so you've got that goin too. Me an Harp...well, we're jus here, aren't we? go to the classes, bit of trainin an chores...an a good bit of time on our paws."
Quinten looks back at you "What don't have that attitude Flax, come on there is lpenty to see and do and learn here, it is like seeing how the other side live"
Flaxpaw nods, still looking at the strawberries. "Right...the other side." she chuckles humorlessly. "Kinda like bein back before the patrol for me Quint. This is wot I come from." she shrugs, and turns to look at you. "How's the recorder trainin comin anyway?"
Quinten smiles wryly "it goes ok, still get alot of flax for wanting to be a recorder and a fighter, don't think the major is very impressed either
Flaxpaw shrugs. "don't mind 'em, Quint. An who cares 'bout the stupid majah." she offers an apologetic smile. "but, you see why I wanted it to be a secret that I was copyin? Not like I need the others to know...the way they act."
Quinten nods his head "Aye is ee the reason Flaxpaw, guess i was just used to it all, anyway" he sits on the wall and leans back starring up at the sky "I like it here in Redwall"
Flaxpaw keeps her gaze on the strawberries. "Hmm, glad you like it. Don't see wot's so great myself, but...it's good you're happy. An..how're things with Gabby?" She turns to look at you, a little concerned.
Quinten smiles and hugs you "Gabby is lovely...really she is, i love that doe and things are going good, thoguh i am worried when i go back to the mountain it will end our relationship"
Flaxpaw hugs back. "nah, you're a good buck, sure things'll last through a seperation." She returns to lounging against the wall, and asks, real casual, "so..wot's Gabby do that's so great, anyhow?"
Quinten smiles dreamily "She talks to me, an listens to me, an kisses me in that way of hers" he reaches out idly to touch your cheek "and she holds me close and whispers in my ear"
Flaxpaw's ears tinge pink, but she looks really interested. "kisses you? how? an..wot does she whisper?"
Quinten smiles softly and winks stepping closer to whisper to you, his body close and warm, his breath on your ears "She whisxpers how much she loves me, an cares for me, and what she wants to do, and what she thinks of me
Flaxpaw sounds really confused and suddenly a touch breathless. "she /says/ that? outloud? an...wot's she want t'do? like..." oh! hmmm. She really blushes, trying to imagine being like Gabby. Her eyes drop to the ground. "Kinda...blunt then?"
Quinten laughs and leans back "Not that.....no just what she wants to do during the day, and well its a closeness thing, we touch our paws to each others arms, hold arms and talk, and chat and just spend time together"
Flaxpaw blushes more, turning away. "That's wot I meant.. the kissin an whisperin an wot she thinks of you...an..." She shrugs. No wonder bucks don't like me...."
Quinten tilts his head to one side "Heeey that doesn't happen all the time, not at first anyway, first thing we ever did was jusrt spend time together" he takes your paw "Hey now if i was not attached i'd be chasing after your scut like the other bucks. They want to take you out to lunch or dinner and get you alone someplace but you enever want to go"
Flaxpaw squeezes your paw and turns back. "really? you think so?....you would be?" She considers you, small smile on her muzzle. "Well, I know two buck who don't have any such ideas." She shrugs, looking more cheerful.
Quinten chuckles "Oooh trust me Flax...." he grins then and stops speaking an idea sparking in his minid the short (and damn cute and sexy) buck's eyes lighting up as he looks up at you.
Flaxpaw laughs softly. "wot? you think they do?"
Quinten smiles and nods "ooooh i know one who does.....i think at least...though am not sure" he frowns at you" Don't you dare repeat any of this to anyone"
Flaxpaw tilts her head. "no, I won't. think I want anyone knowin I've been askin you questions like this?" She looks down, paws going back to her pockets. "wot d'you think you know?"
Quinten tilts his head to the left "I bet if you and a certain Harp got together an had dinner out here in the shade, all alone as the sun set, you dressed in your best...something to make you look doeish he'd notice you"
Flaxpaw shakes her head. "I dunno, Quint....all I've got is uniforms an these stupid novice dresses. An, well, wot'd I do, go up to him an say 'hey, Harp, wanna go have a quiet picnic in the orchard'?" She looks back into your eyes. "Help me, Quint? I...don't know how t' do anythin like that. Majah noticed 'cause I passes out drunk at his table, an look how that's come out."
Quinten smirks and winks "Come on, we'll go find youa dress in the abbey stores and it is simply, prepare it all first, get a picnicn dinner all ready and go to find him, all you got to do is act naturally, don't give anything away. "Oh hey Harp, wot good day outside, come join me for some supper wot, i went and got too bally much"
Flaxpaw grins and nods, flinging her arms around you. "Thanks, Quint. You're the best friend ever...c'mon, let's go see about that dress. and then...." she draws away slightly, and smiles happily.
Quinten holds onto you and looks up into your eyes as you hug him, not letting you draw back "One more thing Flax, do not let him know, not straight away, keep him guessing but wanting to come back and spend more time with you, or you'll scare him off."
Flaxpaw looks confused again, almost whispering "Wot? How'm I supposed t' do that? keep him guessin but wantin to spend more time with me?"
Quinten winks at you "Simple, you dress like a doe, you stun him with how beautiful you are, you just ask him to spend time with you as a friend at first, dinner and chats and walks about the orchard that kinda thing, slowly you drop subtle hints and when he starts to make moves you accept some, rebuff others,
Flaxpaw blinks, still unsure.. "That's wot Gabby did, is it? Where'd she learn that?" she shakes her head. "An,I won't be stunnin him with looks, Quint, or dressin like a doe....not possible, you know?"
Quinten smirks and takes your paw "Nonsense, come on" he drags you back towards the abbey
RW Abbey: Lower Dormitory
This place is dark and cool, even on the hottest of days. The floorstones are neatly swept, despite the minor cracks and seams that show there. The walls likewise seem cracked, as if a great deal of stress was once applied to them. There are a great number of hallways leading away from here to different dormitories. One of them seems to have suffered a great deal of damage. There are stairs at either end of this room, one spiraling up into the Abbey, and the other leading a short ways to two brass lined doors that open out into the open grounds.
RW Abbey: Novice Dormitories
This hall is just broad enough for two beasts to walk shoulder to shoulder. It is dark, beyond candles set into sconces along the walls. There are four doors here, two on each wall, with small brass plaques on each door indicating the dormitory beyond.
Quinten leads you into the main dorms and across to a large store room where chests line the wall
Flaxpaw eyes the chests as we walk to them, then glances over at you as she opens one up. "so, um, wot 'm I lookin for, anyway?"
Quinten opens a chest and roots about inside it, he takes out a skirt and holds it up before you and sakes his head, throwing it to one side, it takes a good three or four skirts before he finds one in a blue cotton that seems about your size
Flaxpaw takes the skirt, and holds it up, eyeing it with distaste. "This? Harp'll notice me in this?" She turns her attention to the chest again. "Alright, then...suppose I need some blouse to go with it or somethin?"
Quinten smirks and roots about, he pulls out a white cotton blouse and then a pale cornflower blue vest with yellow flowers on it "Here we go, go try all these on and then come back here."
Flaxpaw takes the lot, and nods, looking even more doubtful. "well, alright. Youo're the buck, guess you know wot they like..." She heads off to another part of the dorm that is seperated from where you are by a divider. The novice habit appears a short while later, draped over the divider. Pause......She steps back out, dressed in the doe-clothes. "Feel funny, Quint. don't laugh..." She shuffles and waits.
Quinten looks you up and down and smiles and moves over to help "You gave the skirt around te wrong way" he turns it to the pleats are to wht eback and arranges your vest "There tht is better, you look realy nice flax"
Flaxpaw looks down at herself, smoothing the front, and smirks. "I feel like an idiot, but thank you...you really think he'll like this get-up?"
Quinten takes you over and sits you in a chair "almost, now for the head fur...." he hmms and goes to raid Gabby's belongings and bring back her brush and comb and curlers
Flaxpaw looks nervously at the curlers, but keeps silent on that topic anyway, waiting for him to return. "So..wot 'm I supposed to talk to him about? wot'd Gabby talk to you about? Bet it wasn't weapons an strategy?"
Quinten sets about curling Flax's head fur, giving it a light perm, making it look more like a does hair-do then just a straight cut recruits.
Quinten smirks softly and winks "Now we go wander past Harper all casual like and say hi to him, noting fancy, you can lure him off to dinner later"
Flaxpaw wrinkles her nose. "lure? I don't want to lure him anywhere. If he doesn't /want/ to come, I won't....wotever luring is. Sounds dishonest."
Quinten chuckls and waves a paw "Just an expression, trust me every buck who sees you is gonna want to ask you out to dinner or for a stroll"
Flaxpaw blushes and looks down. "alright then...." deep breath. "Let's get this over with. They won't ake me seriously anymore, I'm sure, after they see me lookin like this. " She grabs his paw and starts marching for the door determinedly.
Quinten laughs and lets her drag him along behind her, "Sure they will we all have off duty outfits, well i do at least"
Flaxpaw looks back at him. "I've never seen you in it." She shrugs. "guess I've got wot I wore when I got to Sala, but it's at Sala. Never thought to bring it along.
Quinten laughs "I think you can keep these, they came out of the communal store so they are for anyone to wear and take as their own,come on lets go find harper
Flaxpaw nods, slowing to let him lead the way as they reach the door, maybe in hopes of hiding behind him a bit as they exit the dorms.
Quinten laughs and opens the door and nods to a sister walking past, he drags Flax along towards the Great Hall
RW Abbey: Great Hall
The Great Hall of Redwall Abbey. Countless paw falls have echoed from these stones, and untold numbers of feasts and merry gatherings have been held here. A table, not nearly so grand or large as its predecessors, but quite functional for mealtimes, rests near the center of the hall. Chairs exist here aplenty, though most of them are obviously not from the same set. High above, the stain glass windows give the Great Hall a beautiful appearance. The glasswork is exceptionally done, crafted by a skilled artist. The floor is clean and swept. A fire is kept burning in the fireplace at almost all times of the day and night, and there are several more comfortable chairs and cushions set up here, of varying sizes. One looks large enough to easily accommodate a badger.
The Tapestry hangs proud and tall, and while the rest of Redwall may still bear the scars of natural disaster, this most famous of Redwall's relics remains unharmed by beast, time, or the elements. The figure of Martin the Warrior seems to be watching over his own with an unchanging, kindly gaze.
Shadows are long in the dying evening light.
Another long day in the life of a novice. Harper has finally settled down for the evening, his classes and recruit training done. A chunk of wood sits in his lap and he holds the edge of a carving knife to its surface, shaving the wood off sliver by sliver. The general form of a hare's head protrudes from the block.
Quinten comes walking into the Great Hall, he too has had a long day as a novice and a prodcuctive evening with Flaxpaw, he is being trailed by doe, a very pretty doe, dressed in a skirt, blouse and blue vest. curled slightly permed short cropped head fur. He looks about and when he spies harper grins and nudges the doe and starts over to waards him"
The doe pulls back a little, shaking her head at Quinten, and whispering as she is pulled along... "no, let's forget this. don't want him to see. I look funny. Quint..." she mayh be a tad nervous, especially now that she's spotted Harp.
Harper's head remains down, the tip of his tongue /just/ sticking out the side of his mouth as he concentrates on his work. His ears give only the slightest of twitches at the murmurs he hears from across the room. Another sliver peels from the wood, forming the curve of a delicate snout.
Quinten smirks and carries on towards Harper "Ahhh you do not look stupid Flax" he calls out "Hey Harper how are you"
Flaxpaw may as well just be a pink hare at this point, at least when Harp's there. Her eartips are once again a light pink, and she stammers for a moment before falling silent, still trailing behind Quint.
Not to interrupt any matchmaking scenes that /might/ be going on, a clatter is given as a young buck stumbles up from the cavern hole. Maybe he mis-stepped, but this can be easily seen because the clatter is actually caused for all the mops that fall about with this hare. Jakk tucks his head in, rubbing it as a mop handle hits him upon the back of his skull. "Ow. Dangit.."
Harper's brow knits in slight annoyance at Quinten's distracting call, leaving his blade to slip awry, scratching a blemish into the half-formed face. He starts to look up, ready with a vexed expression, when Jakk's racket draws his attention. His attention shifts, as does his head, not even seeing Flax as he looks at the clumsy buck with raised eyebrows.
Quinten turns around at the sound of Jakk and smiles "Oh i'd best go see if he needs a hand Flax you entertain Harper for a bit" he darts across te great hall, leaving the doe alone with harper "Hey Jakk need a paw there?"
Flaxpaw looks at Jakk, then Harp, then Jakk again. "uh...alright..." She glances back to Harp out of the corner of her eye, but seems intent on Jakk and Quint. "Bad luck there." she mutters.
Jakk's predicament could possibly have been caused by one certain failure on his part. A broom - looking quite alone amidst all the mops there.. poor broom - had gotten in between his legs to which they got tangled up - actually the fact that it's the only broom in the bunch would probably be the reason why it tripped him up in the first place. However this is the least of the recruit's problems now. He flushes when he realizes there are others in the great hall. Meanwhile the broom looks rather pleased with itself as he lifts it from the floor, fumbling to his footpaws. "Yeah.. No. I don' know. I'm fine." Both brown ears splay back.
Entertain Harper for a bit? What? The buck's head turns in a distracted way toward Quinten and then Flaxpaw's voice, though is eyes remain riveted on Jakk for a few seconds longer, as distracted eyes are wont to do. But eventually they snap back, first passing over Flaxpaw in his attempt to figure out what's going on, and then double-taking. His lips part in silent surprise and for the moment he just... stares, his head canted slightly to the side.
Quinten smiles at Jakk and reaches out to grasp a mop "Here let me help Jakk," he moves the mop out of the way and then grabs another one "I don't mind helping out"
Flaxpaw smooths the pleated blue skirt down, and looks back at Harp for a moment "Um..Evenin, Harp." Her gaze quickly starts roaming around the hall.
Jakk keeps a death clutch on that broom, letting it rest over his shoulder as he looks a bit embarrassed still. "Yeah. Just don' /want/ to need to be helped.." He stumbles over these murmured words, then gives a curious look as if to wonder if they are correctly stated. A peering glance is sent towards Flaxpaw when he finally averts his eyes that way and then one ear sticks up like a flagpole. "Is that Flax?"
Harper stares for just long enough to become aware of the fact that he's obviously been staring. With one bounce of his eyes down to what the doe is wearing and then back up to her face and the strangely girlish headfur, his ears tinge a bright red and one droops over as he reaches a paw up to scruff roughly at the back of his head. He looks back at her in jumping glances, first at the doe, then the floor, then a lantern, then the doe, then the ceiling. And he finally asks, his words overly gruff with awkwardness. "... What're you /wearing/?"
Quinten smiles and leans on the mop and glances back "Aye tis Flax alright, she looks good don't you think Jakk?" he looks back at the younger buck and grins "and hey its ok to not want help, but we're all patrollers we help each other no matter wot."
Flaxpaw looks down at the skirt, paws madly smoothing it, then at the fur, turning even redder herself. "I-it's just..well...it's a...a skirt. um...I /am/ a doe, you know. It's wot does....um...wear." She hunches a little, ears pressed down to her head, and really mutters now. "I...um...I'd better go get m'uniform back on. Silly thing to wear.....
Darkmane steps into the great hall from the stairs and surveys the room slowly to see what familiar faces are around
Jakk isn't quite paying attention to what Quinten is on about in that almost 'teacherly' manner. However the first question is heard. A strange mixture of expressions cross his features: thoughtfulness, unsureness, then a scowl. "I don' know. She's just a doe." Then the young recruit shakes his head a lot, squinting up to the older buck like he's insane.
Harper Ummmmmm okay. Harp squeezes the back of his neck with a paw, his eyes continuing to dart from place to place, though he /does/ make his best effort to look only at
Flaxpaw or the floor. Mostly, though? It's the floor. "Yeah, but. /Why're/ you wearing it? That ain't - it ain't - it's not..." Pause. Fluster. "It's a /dress/."
Quinten chuckles and winks at jakk "You say that now, you wait a season and you'll think differently, you'll see" he look sback at Harper and Flaxpaw listening with keen interest, ears perked forwards wanting to hear how this goes before he goes to his evening class.
Flaxpaw gets more flustered. "some idea of Quint's....oh, nevermind. it was a bad idea, don't know why i listen to him..." She looks at Harper, then shakes her head and turns on her heel, marching out of the hall, head down so she doesn't realise she's on a path to run into Darkmane if he doesn't move.
Even though Quinten is heard, Jakk doesn't quite take this to heart. Instead he is heading towards Harper and Flaxpaw with that broom before he can be stopped. Maybe Quin shouldn't have taken his eyes off of the pre-teen. Obviously though, he needed a better look at the female, just to see if it was /really/ her. That is, before the doe actually starts to storm away and so he hurries up.
Scythe has left.
Darkmane quickly steps out of the way as he notes Flaxpaw storming toward him, head cocking slightly as he studies her for a few moments "nice outfit Flax, ya look good"
Harper is so confused. He stares after Flaxpaw as she storms off, his mouth open in silent protest. If not for the slight hold-up which Darkmane provides, Flaxpaw would be off before Harp could blink. As it is, he starts after her with absolutely no idea what to say, except, "Wait!" And he halts, just a couple of steps after starting after her.
Quinten watches Jakk walk past him and mutters something nder his breath, he sprints forwards going to take hold of Jakk's arm "hey Jakk, let them be fore now" he shoots a glance at harper and whispers to him, "Just tell her she looks nice already, that's all she wants to hear" he flicks his ears and turns to look back at Jakk "Now did you bring these mops up here for a reason?"
Jakk is grabbed and kind of jerked back. Let's just hope that broom doesn't ram into Quinten when this happens, because that object has caused so much trouble today. His ears shoot into a confused, turned together position, before peering up to the older buck. "Why?" Squint. Like he doesn't have the right to talk to someone? Defiance!!
Quinten curses and ducks quickly as that dratted broom almost gets him in the head, it whistles between his ears and bounces off his head. "Because if you brought those mops and this dratted broom up here to do some chores with you don't have time to stand about chatting do we? so lets get on with it, then you can go see Flax"
Flaxpaw stops, not turning, but just standing there, waiting for Harper to say whatever he's going to say, ears turned to him, though. Darkmane's comment not really registering, yet.
Darkmane retains his silence merely watching for now
Jakk turns all the way around, though taking the most impossible route to do this, for the grip that Quint had on his arm. The broom swings around because of its position upon his shoulder. Headtilt. "Chores? No." A glance goes over his shoulder to what
Flaxpaw and Harper are doing. And this is when the horse is noted. Woah!
Quinten shakes his head at the younger buck "Then why the mops and the broom? putting them away or what? there must be a.." he catches the broom handle and glares at it, "a reason you brought all these up here
Harper's ears twitch toward Quinten at what he whispers, and his flush only proves to deepen. He turns on the buck with exasperation, his voice carrying enough that Flaxpaw will likely hear it. "What're you /talking/ about? Why would she want to hear something like /that/?" He shakes his head, looking flabbergasted and a little more than vexed as his gaze shifts back to take in Flaxpaw's turned back. And he has no clue what to say to her, so he just... doesn't. Uh! Not fair.
Jakk reaches up a paw to bat Quinten's arm away from his broom. "Yeah. But I can' remember. So it don' matter." Such wonderful grammar the munchkin has, aye? "Why won't ya let me talk to Flax?" Maybe he just doesn't get it. It seems that Harper isn't the only lost one.
Quinten sighs and looks from Jakk to Harper and back again "Ahhh forget it...." he looks at Harper "she is wearing that" he says patiently and slowly "because she wanted to look nice, to, look, nice. She does look nice, she is beautiful in fact" he pushes the mops into Jakk's arms and starts for the library "But i havea a class i can't stay"
Flaxpaw turns around at the raised voice, and flicks her ears at the bucks. "Wot? I...." she looks hard at Harper, then shakes her head, hearing Jakk's comment. "no reason you can't talk to me, Jakk. C'mere." She blinks tears a little, then seems to comprehend that Darkmane's there. A new sort of flustered starts as she turns to salute her teracher, full recruit kicking in. "thank you, sah." She missed the final comments made by Quint.
Because of Quinten, Jakk's predicament reasserts itself by again having a jumble of mops and the one broom in his arms. Erf. He watches Quinten head for the library with ears splayed in confusion, then returns his attention to the soap opera. Yay! Flax called him over! The young recruit hurries for her, trying not to end up jabbing her with the handles of said objects. "Kay." Grin.
To look nice? This Harper mouths silently to himself, looking ever more incredulous as he watches Quinten head off. He turns to look at Flaxpaw, back to near-staring, before he gives a determined shake of his head and walks towards her. Jakk is given almost no notice as he addresses the doe. "Flax," is all he says to start, his lips twitching in a thoughtful frown.
Darkmane muses slightly "you should concider wearing something like that more often i think" his lips twisting into a wry grin as he opens his mouth to say something more then shuts it again and stays silent
Quinten steps through the libraray door and from sight, he doesn't however close the door, standing on the other side, he really wants to hear what harper has to say.
Flaxpaw smiles at Jakk, only chap in the room not flustering her right now, but is distracted, looking between Darkmane and Harp, ducking her head at the horse's words, then she focusses on Harp, looking up briefly before looking at the floor near his left foot paw. "yeah?" her voice is un-Flaxishly soft and a little nervous.
Something about this situation gets the kid to go silent. Dead silent. Jakk just begins to stare at the floor himself, in between Flax's footpaws with ears twitching about to listen. He's trying to go invisible.. while still looking like a walking mop rack.
End Log - I had to D/C the conclusion will follow
