Quinten Log 132 - 17-06-2006
'OOC NOTE: This log takes place two days after message was sent from the mountain by Colonel Zoe by bird. This log also takes place a day after Quinten's digging a hole in the forest.'
Old 67th HQ: Dining Chamber
- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Old 67th HQ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
This is the dining chamber of the 67th. It is rather simple in design. In it, there are two large, long tables, with equally long benches lining each side. These two tables are easily enough to accommodate the number of hares living here. Along the center of the table, candles are lit, as are torches, which line the walls.
- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
'OOC - The Note Major Jarril received.'
Cousin,
In some cases, only harsh treatment will bring a hare around to good behavior. In some cases, nothing will. Recruit flaxpaw is to be dropped from the Recruit program. It is advised that you speak with the Order mice and recommend that they drop her from the Novice program, as well. As for Recruit Quinten, he is to be demoted to a Recruit Second Class and is to return to the mountain, immediately. You and the other recruits will remain on at the abbey. Be sure to let them all know that this is what will result from poor behavior in the Long Patrol.
Yours,
Colonel Zoe Francis
- Start Log
Another meal time for the hare patrol within Mossflower, pretty much every hare is back within again after being unable to find the missing recruit still. Pretty much the talk is about that amongst whispers going on here or there but sometimes the conversation breaks to other matters as to who stole something from someone's plate. There is at the moment no sign of Major Jarril or any other high ranking officers in the room.
Has finished eating his meal, wedged in a corner away from the harsh glares and stares of the patrol hares. He's eaten as quickly as he can and is clearing away his plate and cup ready to head off back to more chores, more training and more hard times from anyone who feels like taking out their anger on him.
The first hare to enter the room is Colonel Whitepaw who marches down the middle of the tables in a quick march. Whereupon he stops, turns around and coughs. "May I have your attention, chaps." Nodding his head to the silence. "As you are aware, we've been having a bit of trouble here of late but that looks to be sorted out, though we still have to find one of our recruits, they're young, inexperienced and as such I think it's time for any anger towards them should stop. We were there once in our day so we know how hard it is, wot." Coughing as he clears his throat. "However, you're all to stay and witness this, so stay seated and quiet." The colonel moves to the side as he looks towards the entrance.
Quinten pauses as the Colonel comes in listening to his words, as the Colonel finishes he lowers his ears back and stands where he is, quite sure this is going to be about him. It has been about the length of time the Major told him he'd have to wait for an answer from Colonel Zoe so there is not much else he can do. Except wait to be called forwards.
Jarril enters the room, having a look of no emotion at all. He passes where Quinten is but doesn't acknowledge that he exists for the time being as he continues on his way down the room. Coming to the front of the room he stops and turns around to attention.
Clearing his throat he begins. "There has been times where I have been proud of those that have passed their training, some of the younger lot in here will know what I expect from my recruits and some of ya have in the past done a few things wrong here and there. However there is a time though that enough chances are given out and that there are no other option than what I am about ta say." Pausing for a moment he looks about the room and returns his gaze right back along the middle of where the two tables are. "That and ya all need ta hear this."
Quinten hangs his head as the Major starts to talk and his paw moves as if he would start chewing on it, with a shake of his head he grasps his paws behind his back and stares straight ahead towards his Major waiting for the news whatever it may be, knowing it will be bad either way.
Jarril continues on. "From this day onwards by Colonel Lang's ordahs. Recruit Flaxpaw is not a patroller, she has been kicked out of the recruit programme for her actions. All passwords are ta be changed. She will be allowed in if she is in need but will not be allowed in any sensitive areas of this outpost. The same arrangements has been made at the mountain. You will treat her with the same kindness of any other non patrol hare." The Major stops and looks around the room. "Make it also be noted that this is not what I expected from any recruit under my protection or guidance but ya all make out ya futures the way ya want."
Quinten's ears stiffen back up as he hears Flaxpaw's fate announced and the hares in the room rustle and look at one another it has been a long while since a recruit was kicked out like this. Quinten comes slowly to attention and waits to hear what is in store for him.
Turning his head towards Quinten now, Jarril's voice is still cold with no emotion within it. "However, we do have one recruit who is here so we can deal with him right now. Recruit Quinten, get up here on the double and come ta attention. Quick March!"
Quinten moves without thinking passing at a double step down to the length of the room, coming to a crisp halt before the Major and Colonel he salutes. "Recruit Quinten reporting as ordered sah." Paw to his brow in salute, back and ears stiff and his eyes fixed on a point just above and to the left of the Major's head.
Jarril gives the salute but it's a brief one. "By ordah's of Colonel Land and myself, make it be noted in the record book that First Class Recruit Quinten is hereby at this moment." The major stops and moves a paw up to the badge and slowly takes it off.
Quinten blinks and his eyes move to the left to look at his badge as the Colonel removes it from his uniform. He half opens his muzzle to say something but remains still and shuts it again keeping silenct.
Jarril places the badge inside of his pocket as he continues to speak. "Is hereby demoted ta Second Class Recruit with all privilages that he has gained from First Class revoked." Slowly he places the second class badge on Quinten's uniform but isn't finished. "Also that he has been ordahed back ta the mountain immediately after he has finished saying his good byes and apologies ta all those that he has let down by this. Recruit dismiss." The major gives a short salute and turns away.
Quinten salutes the Major his paw trembling slightly as this command filters through his brain, it is not as bad as being outright kicked out but it is almost as bad. Even his first class privilages are gone, not that they are much anyway being a recruit and all. "Yes sah." He lowers his paw and does a sharp about face marching down the room, he'll have to start packing and start on the appologise to the 67th patrol hares before calling at the abbey to say sorry to those beasts there.
Colonel Whitepaw moves alongside Major Jarril and speaks quietly. "You think that will get him to change?" Not looking back, Jarril replies back with a hushed voice. "Well, if it doesn't the next step is the same as what happened with Flaxpaw." Whitepaw nods.
"Think he apologise?" Again Jarril shrugs. "Don't know, all I do know is that his life will be hard back at the mountain, what with younger hares making fun of him, the older ones as well for the demotion. It's on his record now, that doesn't bold ta well for promotion further down the line. But if he bounces right back up. We have ta see what it does ta his character. Let's hope he's made of sterner stuff, wot." Turning around, Jarril makes his way over to grab hold of a plate and begins to put food on it, now that official business is out of the way.
Quinten starts near the door but slowly makes his way around the room, back straight but his ears folded back appologising to each hare in turn. Some of them just glare and sendhim on his way whilst others thank him and every response inbetween. It takes the recruit some time to go around everyone and as he moves his stanch becomes slightly less rigid, more bowed under as the enormity of what has just happened begins to weigh down on him. Finally he reaches the Major and salutes, "Major Jarril sah....i'm sorry to you most of all fer letting yah down...i tried sah i really did i'm going....home and i'm gonna pull it together."
Jarril holds up a paw in front of Quinten with a reply. "Outside, need ta say a few words in private."
Quinten falls silent and nods his head, "Yes sah." he turns and marches outside of the mess hall
- Scene Change
Old 67th HQ: Main Intersection
- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Old 67th HQ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After descending the tunnel, you come to a large intersection, of sorts. The room is vaguely circular, with a few paths heading off in different directions, as well as non-descript doors that lead to who knows where. Between the passage and doorways torches are mounted to the walls, illuminating the room with a ghostly, shifting light.
- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Exiting the room where no other hare would hear since they're all busy now eating their way through the meal does Jarril stop and turn around to face Quinten. "Right, now listen. I don't want anymore promises from ya, is that quite clear?" He looks at the younger hare for a moment as he shakes his head. "I have had ya in my office a lot of times at the mountain with all these promises of doing better and the next thing that comes around is that ya back in the office again. If ya really want ta make it up ta me. Just do it, regain ya promotion and become a fine officah. And even if it takes someone else ta get ya there than me, then so be it. But I don't want ta here of anymore words of promise without anymore meaning or action behind them. Got it, now ya were saying?"
Quinten hangs his head and stares at the floor as the Major talks to him listening to him and sighing. "I don't do it on purporse sir.....i never have." He looks up and shakes his head, "I'm sorry sir and i guess i'll see you back at the Mountain....i just hope i can regain what i've lost....though i'm not sure how my training will go....if they want me to do the 2nd classes....i mean....well never mind sir i'll do my best, but maybe your right. Maybe i need to choose and i have choosen i will be a Long Patrol fighter andnot a scholar."
Jarril replies back. "Don't make any rush decision based on what just happened now. Think about that a bit more and do what ya really like ta do. I and the patrah aren't here ta force any belief onto anyone. If ya like being something then do it." He pauses and looks about for a moment. "We're here ta guide as well as give ordahs. The main problem is that ya don't come immediately with problems when they start. It's usually us that come after ya after finding out something. But if ya really want ta be a fightah in both ya heart and ya head then do that. There's one more thing though..."
Quinten nods his head as he just listens the young buck not really having much else to say for now just starring at the floor again. "Wot is tha sir? I'm listening."
Jarril leans back against the wall. "The next season is going ta be tough for ya. This is just a warning of what ta expect. A lot of the younger hares in ya class will try ta rile ya up no doubt. Same goes for those in First Class, not ta mention a few snide remarks from the privates. I'd suggest if ya evah listen ta any advice of mine, is ta ignore it, keep ya head low and get ya work done. And if there is any problem, any problem whatsoever that ya are not sure of. For crying out loud, would ya go and talk ta another major or colonel about it before ya get in ta deep. We don't bite, well not unless ya have food on ya paw but we're not all doom and gloom, doncha know. Besides this could all be a temporary setback and ya get back ta first class within a season, who knows."
Quinten nods his head and his ears fold back and he touches his belt pouch, curled up in that is his letter of resignation, the one he almost handed in several times in the last few days. His paw curls over his pouch and he salutes. "Yes sir....but is it worth it? Can i ever amount to anythingnow i've been demoted like this? Bumped right back to square one? I can ignore as much riling and bother as they can throw at me, if i know its worth it all, if i know ic an still make it as a Patrol hare."
Jarril gives a smile. "Ya not the first recruit ta be demoted ya know, sometimes it makes them bettah hares. I let ya on a little secret though ya evah let this one out, I will kick ya out myself if I have survived." The major points a paw back into the dining chamber. "Ya know Colonel Whitepaw, right? He was demoted back in his day when he was at ya age and look at him now. Twenty five seasons old and he's a Colonel out here within the outpost. Now can ya tell me if it's worth working hard for or not? Listen. I and others may be upset over ya actions as of late. We may be hurt with all the trouble and all, but the only person that ya are hurting the most is yaself." The major nods his head. "So what's it going ta be recruit. More false promises, even ta yaself or are ya going ta make it work this time around?"
Quinten stands taller, his question pretty much answered by that and then he salutes. "I'm in the Long Patrol sah aye'll give ye me all you'll see. Requesting permission to set off for home and get to work...i got alot to set right but i'll do it, i'll do everything i can no promises just work sah."
Jarril nods. "Aye, ya be heading with a patrah. No offence but ya still a recruit and I want ya back safe. So there be four other hares making the trip with ya. I think the colonel is arranging that for ya now. One final thing. Write ta me if ya evah need ta get advice or ta keep me informed on ya progress as well as any news from the mountain. Do the same for any recruits still here. In fact I even go as ta continue ta write ta the abbey brother ya been spending time on. If ya got the time, help ta send things ta him ta help with the library. Call it a favour for me. Ya nevah know, ya may wish ta take up the scholarship again at a later age and there's nothing ta say ya may not be allowed back ta the abbey once more when ya older and wiser. Anyways, go off and pack."
Quinten salutes his paw trembling slightly as he nods, "Yes sir aye'll right.." He spins after that and jogs off towards the dormitories to pack up and get ready for the trip back to Salamandastron
Jarril shakes his head with a grin and re-enters the dining room, calling out. "Hey, Whitepaw. Yes sah, heading back ta the abbey first thing t'morrah.." His voice gets lost within the noise of the room. *End of scene*
- End Log
