Quinten Log 91 - 07 04 2006

Salamandastron: Crafts Room

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The room which lies before you is perhaps at first frightening in its chaotic appearance. It seems that every manner of thing that could possibly aid in the creation of anything is placed in this room. Obviously, it is mainly a room for the making of clothing, what with the vast amount of materials lying about, as well as the tools needed for the shaping and joining of the materials, but the room is also utilized for other things, though these other areas are separated from the rest. It is a fairly vast room, after all. These areas include a wood-working section as well as a much-used section quartered off for the creation of parchment paper. Also, there is a section devoted to the creation of dyes, as well as inking materials, for writing with.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Quinten is sat on a stool near the door, at the woodworking bench whittling away and humming softly, his tunic is folded down the back of his chair and an apron is about his waist, dressed in just a shirt and trousers underneath, its been a good day so far.

Slam! Seven's back is to the room, where it looks like he dodged into the craft room quickly, shutting the door just as swift. Of course, the noise it makes only causes the odd buck to freeze and hold his breath. Waiting.. waiting.. When no one enters after him, he slowly relaxes, straightening up with a chuckle. "Geez.. 'm crazy." Talking to himself. A tone none have heard recently.

Quinten blinks and looks at him "Seven...sir?" he stands up putting down the wood he was working on

Seven tenses again, looking back over his shoulder. He groans, paw still on the handle. ".. ye.. ye always seem t'be /every/where." This he says, not moving.

Quinten smiles and holds upa paw "Not on purpose sir...this just happens to be where i am, you keep running into me"

Seven squints a little. For a moment there is silence, then he shrugs and goes to move around Quinten.

Quinten lets him circle around him but watching him, moving to keep him in sight "So who are you hiding from sir?"

"Nobody. Everybody. Why's it mattah?" He starts towards where Quint was shaving at the wood, sitting back there against the wall. Seven curls his legs up to his chest, resting there.

Quinten moves back to his stool and starts working again "Doesn't matter to me sir...but if i can make a suggestion Seven, maybe you should talk about whats bothering you"

Seven growls. "No. No thanks." The hare doesn't like the feeling of being trapped or told what to do. Not lately. Definitely. Slowly he stretches his legs out in front of him. The sniper is still just in the baggy 'vermin' pants and a more better fitting 'undershirt', that shows his arms. Even if it goes down to past his hips, his form is easily seen beneath it.

Quinten watches Seven, feelings and longings he though long surpressed since he started to go out with Gabby muttering away at th eback of his mind whilst he looks down at

Seven, he shakes his head and smiles "As ye wish sir...well maybe.." he looks at him, thinking about his seeming upset "Maybe you need to get out of the mountain for a bit, go with Major Jarril to Redwall?"

Seven tilts both long ears back, down his neck as he looks up to the younger hare. "Why would I go t'Redwall? Nothin' fer me there. Tha' is.. much less than there is 'ere." He looks at the floor, shifting again so that he is staring down still at the ground from in between his legs, knees up and arms rested on them, with his head dipped down. Silence.

You say, "Well i'm going to Redwall as part of the exchange i hope, and so is Major Jarril and wlel..i just thought you seem unhappy here....""

Seven pulls his head up from in his arms, both ears pinning back more. "Yer.. yer leavin'?" This is an odd reaction. He seemed not to like Quin.. or care about him at least. But he's one of the other hares that he'll actually say more than one sentence too..

Quinten looks at Seven and nods "Yes sir, in a few weeks when some of the recruits go to Redwall with the Major, we'll be gone for a bit, but then..." he trails off and looks back at the hare, forcing himself to think of Gabby

Seven sighs a little. "Can' go anyway. 'M no' a recruit.. an' 'm no' in Jarril's patrol.." He tucks his head back down, going back to watching the floor. His slim form is easily noticed when he heaves a sigh, eyes closing.

You say, "You can ask Private Seven" quinten looks down at him thinking, this may be a good idea "If you asked for some space and some time to relax and recover i am sure they'd let you go with the Major, he's not taking his patrol with him, i think his lt. Zeraph is running it whilst he is away/""

"Great.. le's 'ope nothin' 'appens while 'e's away. I've seen Zeraph of late. Don' think 'e could 'andle much more." Seven begins to stand up, stretching as he glances off towards the door.

Quinten remains seated, not wanting to make Seven feel trapped "Aye sir....but then i'm just a recruit so i could be wrong"

Seven peers at Quinten, one ear dipping back further than the other, which remains perked. His bob tail flicks, moving the end of his shirt in the back. "Hmm.. Yet ye talk 'bout thin's.. all the time like ye know them."

Quinten shuffles "Well sir i just pay attention and listen" his eyes watch that flicking bob-tail "Also will be starting to train as recorder to so it will be my job to know things"

"Ye 'ave some fascination with m'tail?" Seven has not heard anything he just said. He's been watching Quinten, watching him. The verminy-hare shifts, one brow raising.

Quinten jerks and sits up "No sir...was just thinking your shirt is a bit short is all" he looks like he's about to panic himself and Seven is between him and the door.

Seven's eyes lower down to his shirt. Which is past his hind end. Questioning expression shows through. "Uh.. it.. is?" The buck tugs at it, making it snug closer to his body. He's been in a camp for a while. He's random.

You say, "Just a bit sir," he stands up and starts to walk towards the door "anyway sir, i should be going...to get on with something" he smiles up at Seven and shifts"

Seven moves when Quinten shifts, ears tipping back again, then his whiskers flick, looking conflicted. Not sure if the recruit is serious or not. But oh well. A look is sent back to the door. "Uh.. where and wot?"

You say, "Erm, i'm meant to run four laps about the mountain in the evening, Major Jarril's orders, my stamina is well crud really""

Seven room-pages, "If I can stay up a little longer I will. Once my mom goes back to bed.".

Seven lifts a brow again. "Seems kinda.. weird. Don' know if I evah did the.. four laps 'round the mountain." While he's actually talking to someone, he's going to try and keep it going. May be good for him.

Quinten smiles and nods "Yes sir, it is a bit odd but the Majuor says i need to increase my stamina, want to join me? on my run maybe>"

( A thoughtful expression takes over for a moment, then Seven shrugs. "Sure. Why no'.." The short runner heads towards the door without another word. )

Quinten follows after him, the slightly shorter recruit, moving to follow him outside

Seven has accepted to ride with you.

Change Scene -

Salamandastron: Western Side

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The wind blows by as you gaze up at the tall and mysterious mountain. There is a red glow at the top of it. To the north stretches more coast as well as to the south. You notice a small cave at the base of the mountain. Some beach stretches between the mountain and the waves of the sea.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Quinten starts jogging as soon as he is clear of the mountain, he's not moving very fast, no where near as fast as a runner would move, but he's got a modest turn of speed and is jogging along "Its nice to be able to leave the mountain again isn't it sir"

Seven follows after Quinten, keeping himself back so that he won't tear ahead of the recruit easily. The runner doesn't mind not running anyway. He looks behind him as if expecting something, then gets closer to Quin, with ears flattened. "Uh.. yeah. I guess.."

Quinten looks sideways at the runner and moves closer to him to skirt around a rock "What are you looking for sir? they'll be no one outside at this time of night with us"

Seven turns his gaze forward again, shuffling forward awkwardly as there is a dip in the sand. "No'.. the type of 'no one' ye'd expect.. bu' they'd be out 'ere." He's closer either to protect Quinten or himself. Hard to tell at the moment.

Quinten frowns and looks about worriedly "vermin sir...you think they'd be this close to the mountain..theyd be seen from the crater.."

"Some of them don' care. Some of them wouldn' 'ave t'anyway. No worries though." Seven looks calm again, and disinterested, almost like he has no opinion on the subject. He is watching the sand as he jogs across it.

Quinten turns his eyes back forwards to watch the sand as we jog over it, the sun slowly sliding down into the sea "Well sir i've never fought vermin before so i'd not really know"

Seven hehs. "Nevah? Geez.. wot am I doin' with /ye/ then?" The runner chuckles a little, putting on more speed as he jogs ahead.

Quinten heys and tries to catch up with him "Well its not my fault Seven.." he gasps out using the privates name now "I've never bene in a battle"

Seven glances at Quinten, at the gasping, just watching his movements. The runner isn't breathing heavily. He's had lots of practise and teaching with this though. Hmm. He speeds up more, darting forward and making it appear almost effortless. The only reason Brea caught him before was.. he was drunk. XD

Quinten shakes his head nad learnt this lesson this morning when the Major kept making him run faster until he collapsed, he slows down, dropping back to a more manageable speed

Seven glances back when Quinten doesn't follow after him. The runner goes from running, to stopped in a second. Which can give you an odd dizzy feeling if you are looking back. Suddenly the ground seem to zip past him to catch up, when he's halted, and he staggers only slightly.

Quinten blinks in surprise as Seven stops running and crashing into him, arms windmilling as he tries to stop himself

The stagger wouldn't be anything. But suddenly Seven is careened into by the out of control recruit. This violently pushes the air from him and he collides with the ground, partially on his side and scraping across the arm that he throws down to try and catch himself.

Quinten rolls off to one side and grunts loudly, sitting back up and wincing "Ouch....sorry sir"

Seven has fallen with one leg stretched out, the other up, bent at the knee and kind of out of it. He pants, to regain his breath. "Uhh?" Maybe not sure what happened?

Quinten leans down and takes hold of your shoulder, pulling you up-right "sir..sorry i ran into you"

Seven is pulled up, but isn't ready to be on his footpaws about now. He lowers back down into the sand, with a shake of his head. "Tha's..uh.. fine. Actually." The buck looks a little confused.

Quinten sits down next to him "Well if your sure sir...wasn't expecting you to stop so suddenly"

Seven nods. "My faul'." He digs his fingers into the sand, letting it shift through them to land on the ground again.

Quinten lays back on the sand and stares up at the sky "Well its a peaceful evening at least sir"

"Why do ye keep doin' tha'?" Seven doesn't even look towards Quinten, just in profile to the younger buck. His eyes are half closed, gazing almost sadly at his paw as he watches the sand slide through his fingers, some catching in the finger-less gloves he wears.

Quinten turns his head "Hmm doing what?"

"Callin' me 'sah'. 'M no' an officah." Seven dusts his paws off together, not looking up still.

Quinten looks up at you "Ok then Seven it is," he turns his head and watches you from below, soft brown eyes just looking up at you, he then carries on around the shore, moving on with his days work.

End Log - Several hours pass new Scene.

Salamandastron: Niche

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You are next to a niche in the side of the mountain, which blocks out

everything to the west with its immense rocky bulk. Just barely visible

is a small fissure in the rock, through which it looks like you could

'enter' the mountain.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Gabriel is sitting in the niche, standing, her back against the rock, sunning herself in the bright sunlight. She looks happy to finally be outside, and also seems itching to continue out. Gabby, however, manages to continue waiting.

Quinten comes walking down the corridor carrying a large basket over his arm, he moves up to Gabby and leans down to smile at her "hey Gabby, ready to go out and enjoy the sunshine."

Gabriel starts just slightly, entranced by the glory of the outdoors to the point of not even hearing his approach. She nods, and reaches out a paw so he can pull her up. Gabby grins at him, her eyes filled with excitement.

Quinten smiles and leans in to kiss his doe lightly on the cheek "Shall we go, there's a lovely rock pool just to the south...i've packed us a basket...and i have something to ask you"

Gabriel is a bit intrigued by his question and gives him a quick peck as well. "Down south? Not been there for a while." She hooks her paw in his arm, and begins to walk.

Quinten smiles and leads the way out of the mountain, out into the beautiful spring sunshine, the sand is warm, there is a pleasent breeze off the sea carrying the smell of salt, it is a really nice day

Western Shore

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You find yourself on a seemingly endless stretch of shore. A short distance to the north of you is a huge mountain. Waves crash against the shore to your left, and the mysterious mountain looks somehow inviting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shallows - Western Sea (P10)

Saltwater tinted in shades of green, blue, and grey swirl through the waterlogged sand where it meets the shore whirling over and pushing about beautifully colored stones and shells. The whitish sands of the seafloor shine through the thin depth of swirling water that conceals a slight undertoe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quinten leads the way down south, past what was once the blood thirsters camp and out into the shallows, there are some ragged sea weed coated rock pools, exposed by the low tied, the sea is a good half a mile away from them now, Quinten climbs up onto a tall dry rock and offers a paw to Gabby to help her up.

Gabriel is entranced by all the nice colors, an eye for detail developing over all her time stuck in the mountain. Not that she'll be there for much longer... The rabbit pulls away from Quinten to pick up a shell before joining him up on the rock, the tangy smell of salt thick in the air.

Quinten smiles and spreads out the blanket from his basket, once it is down he sits down cross legged on it and starts to spread out a variety of foods "It is so nice to be outside," he looks up at her and smiles "I had our first runner lesson yesterday"

Gabriel is a bit confused by this announcement. "Are you going to be a runner? Don't you want to...be recorder, or something like that?" She doesn't think about leaving...or at least, tries not to.

Quinten smiles up at him "Fighter recruits have to do some basic runner training in their second season Gabby thats all"

Nodding, Gabby takes a bit of the herring Quinten knows she likes, licking her lips in preparation. "I see. So...have you talked to the Colonel?"

Quinten smiles up at her and leans back "Oh i spoke to Major Jarril yesterday, about my wish to be recorder, i suggested i might learn alot from the abbey recorders, he agreed with me," he smirks at her over a muffin "So sadly i will have to join the recruit exchange under the Major"

Gabriel jerks upright when he confirms that he talked with someone, and jumps to her feet when she hears the news. The rabbit can't stop herself and jumps over to him, her head hitting his chest soundly, knocking them into a pool of water. Her arms are tight around his neck, almost enough to cut off his breathing.

Quinten yelps in surprise as he's knocked backwards into the pool, trapped under the water for a moment as she holds his neck, struggling to breath as they surface, paws moving to hold her "Ga...gabby....let me breath ok..." he is smiling however and squeezes her tightly "I get to go..."

Gabriel loosens her grip just slightly, but still covers his face with kisses, genuinely overjoyed. She hesitates for /one/ second as she thinks of something, and sits up, straddling his chest, still grinning.

Quinten smiles up at her, his doe sitting atop of him, effectivly pinning him to the rocky bottom of the pool, his body submerged, just his head poking out, black fur wet, he leans up and kisses her paw "I love you gabby, i'm so appy i get to go with you"

Gabriel stands up, dripping a bit, not nearly as soaked as Quinten. She stretches in the sun, it feeling even better after the bit of chilly water.

Quinten reaches up a paw to stroke her muzzle fur, a smile on his face, rapt adoration or as near to it as possible, it is so good to see her happy and enjoying herself "I take it you like my news,"

Gabriel grins down at him and reaches a paw to help him up, looking around, not thinking of any possible way to top what she has just heard. "Of course! Quin! I'm...I can't believe it!"

Quinten smiles and blushes, letting her help him up, then he slides his paws around her waist and presses his nose to hers "Hmmm neither can i, but its true and its happening...we get to be at the abbey together..."

Somewhere on the muck, Zoe_Lang has connected.

Quinten nuzzles her neck fur trying to keep the grin on his muzzle under control, "I can't bvelieve it, i never thoguht they'd let me go..but the major...he said yes"

Gabby's smile is still wide, not betraying any false emotion.

Quinten smiles at her and kisses her nose "Months, at least six of them, for most of spring and most of the summer as well"

Gabriel kisses Quinten's nose right back, giggling a little. "It'll be wonderful..."

Quinten smiles at her and nods "Lovely, of course we still have to get there of course....not sure when we are leaving but i think it might be soon,"

Quinten smiles nad leads the way over to the food, climving out of the pool and sitting on the blanket dipping as he reaches for some salad "yes i wonder which way we will go,"

Gabriel takes some more herrings, returning to the scene from a few moments before. "Don't know...never been east."

Quinten nods his head "Well i hope we dont go the way i came to the shore originally, through the swamp and over the mountains, that was not a nice way to come" he picks up some fried kipper in butter and lemon sauce and bites into it

Gabriel shakes her head. "From what you've said...sounds like a horrid and frightful place. Maybe...I don't really know."

Quinten leans back and rests his head in her lap smiling up at her "I am sure we will not go that way"

Gabriel nods, also fairly confident of that fact. "Hmm...so, I'll be a novice at Redwall. Will be fun."

Quinten tilts his head to one side "Your...going to join the order as a Novice..." slight quake of fear in his voice, he thought she was just going to live there. if she joins the order...he'll never see her.

Gabriel notes the bit of upset in his voice. "Is that...something wrong? We'll be at the Abbey...you'll just be sleeping in the 67th, right?"

Quinten nods his head "No no...i was just worrying about noting is all" he smiles at her and kisses her paw

Gabriel is a bit confused and hates to see him upset, but decidesnot to read into his actions. "I'm so excited. Redwall is a marvelous place."

Quinten nods his head "I've heard all about it Gabby, i can't believe we get to see it together"

Gabriel has finished eating, and leans over to quickly give him a kiss before standing up in the sun. "Can't just sit here all day, Quin. Think I'll...go on a walk, or somethin."

Quinten smiles and sits up "Want me to come with? i could skip my next class....no one will mind too much"

Gabriel shrugs. "Don't mind either way. You decide." She doesn't begin walking, waiting a bit reluctantly for him.

Quinten tilts his head and gauges her mood and smiles, he stands up and kisses her powerfully on the lips then steps back "You go ahead, i don't want to get in trouble and have them say i can't go along, i'll see you later"

Gabriel is taken a bit aback with the kiss, and is a little disappointed at his decision. She smiles at him. "I'm going to walk back to the mountain with you.

Quinten nods his head and once he has packed the basket away starts to walk up the shore, standing the shallows "Yes halyard is up there, you going to go up and visit it?"

Gabriel shrugs, really not sure. "I'll walk up there, see how I feel. If you don't see me all day, that's where I probably am, okay?" She walks up next to him, smiling, still enjoying the day immensely.

Quinten wraps his arm through hers and pulls her in close, walking side by side "Ok Gabby, have a nice time up there, if you see anyone we know say hi for me"

End Scene - Change Location and Time

Salamandastron: Infirmary

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

This is the infirmary for the long patrol. This room is one of the most

well lit rooms in the whole of Salamandastron, with several candles placed

strategically along the shelves and cupboards. Many wooden beds line the

walls of this room, each outfitted with impeccably clean white linen

sheets. This unfortunately limits the walking space in this room. Where

there are not beds there are shelves and cabinets that hold a variety of

different medical equipment, mostly needles and bandages. A single stone

sink is firmly lodged into one of the counters. The sink is not fancy, in

fact it is quite awkward. It is a necessity, nonetheless. An open closet

is in the corner of the room, storing a surplus of compact cots, in the

unusual case of mass injuries. The room usually has several nurse hares in

it, roaming around tending to various injuries.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Ender is seated on his cot, lying flat on his back, eyes boring holes into the ceiling above him. He's being avoided by the healers, having a bit of a grumpy day. It has been one week, this day marks the beginning of another. There's rumors of being allowed to walk sometime in week three...but that's a long way away. So he's sad. And, as it is whenever he feels emotion, he's angry.

Ahhh, infirm duty, how I love thee. Let me count the ways... Or not. The healers on shift look decidedly... bored. The Colonel isn't among them... at least yet. A greeting from her to another hare can be heard just outside the door, however, and then the door opens and she walks through. To save the day? Well, she sees Ender and starts over his way, anyway.

Quinten is close behind the Colonel, he saw her going past as he came out of his last class and with parchment, quill and ink in paw he is hurrying after her, maybe he can nab hold of her now to do that interview

Ender can feel an almost physical shift in the room whenever Zoe enters. Maybe it is all the healers attempting to look like they're doing something worthwhile. He doesn't sit upright, just waits for her.

Unfortunately for the clueless Colonel, she doesn't notice Quinten trailing her. Instead, she sits on the empty cot beside Ender and inclines her head. "G'day, End." She grins a bit, but refrains from asking how he is. For once.

Quinten moves up to stand at the end of the bed the Colonel is sat on and salutes "Good day Colonel..can i have a word?" he looks at Ender and smiles "Good day Mister Ender"

Ohhh...and he had something really witty all prepared. When the Colonel doesn't ask how he is, merely greets him, Ender's about to say something, mind working to form a complete sentence, when he sees Quinten. The rabbit grunts at the recruit, not even remembering to acknowledge Zoe.

Uwah? Zoe's about to say something more to Ender when Quinten snags her attention. She looks around, looking surprised. "... Certainly. What c'n I do for ya, lad?"

Quinten smiles and sits on the end of the bed "I wanted to ask you a few questions...for life at Sala i want to get out another issue before i go to Redwall, and well i promised an interview with you ma'am"

Ender isn't too pleased at being interrupted, a big fan of one-on-one time. He yawns a bit before sitting up. "Interview?" He looks about to offer help in some way, before lying back down, facing the two hares. "Eh."

Zoe_Lang's surprise turns to... more surprise. She sends a sidelong glance at Ender, as if to make sure he's actually hearing this, too. "... Uh." Damn, she should've confiscated the most recent issue from one of the recruits! "... Well. I s'pose that'd be... all righ'."

Quinten smiles and his ears flick up "are you sure Ma'am? i mean if its not convieniant i can come back"

'Course it isn't convenient. Can't he see the candles and nice tablecloth? And the waiters hovering with more fine wine? Shoot. That's actually just inside Ender's head. He sighs. "Sounds interestin'."

Zoe_Lang looks around thoughtfully for a moment, her eyes scanning the mostly-dead infirmary and then settling on Ender. At 'sounds interesting', she shrugs. He seems all right with the interruption. "No. Now's fine, lad."

Quinten smiles and settles down and puts his ink pot down, opening it he dips in his quill and settles down to write "Ok Colonel First question could you tell us a bit abotu what its like being the actually coolonel, the beast in charge of all our lives."

Ender can't hide a grin when Quinten starts, and knows that he's going to have to interject a few choice bits at some point in the interview. He looks at Zoe, his eyes mock-wide with wonder.

Oh, no. Zoe sends another sidelong glance at Ender. What has she gotten herself into? "... Well, I don't know, lad. Seems t' me the mountain just about runs itself. Mostly the only time I've got t' step in's when there's some sort o' trouble, or there's paperwork t' do." Then, she grins. "... So I s'pose my answer is, 'Lots o' paperwork.'"

Quinten nods and writes down her words ver-batem "Ok colonel, no we were wondering what you think of the Majors? your persnal opinion of them like"

Ender is chock-full of smarmy bits at this point, but he still holds it in, a snort of laughter escaping him. He looks back at Zoe, now his eyebrows creased and raised in extreme interest, his eyes dancing,.

Zoe_Lang's eyebrows go up. "Each individual majah, or just m'general impression?" The look she sends Ender is mock-severe. 'Be nice!' she mouths.

Zoe_Lang sits back, considering the question thoughtfully. Even if she does send a checking - and amused - glance at Ender every now and again. "... Couldn't be happiah with 'em. They're all bright 'n' ready t' lead on their own, but they're just s'ready to follow ordahs when it's in the best interest o' the Patrol. Every single one o' 'em's indispensable in a battle."

Quinten nods and keeps on writing, this stuff is gold "Ok Colonel what made you coose Majuor Jarril to head up the recruit programme exchange with Redwall?"

Ender perks up a little. At least Zoe isn't going, hopefully. He'd been hearing of this program for a while. Jarril heading it up? They must've fixed their relationship after the slight falling-out he had witnessed.

Zoe_Lang's eyebrows go up. "I wasn't aware the decision was common knowledge, a'ready..." But in the end, she shrugs. "S'pose it's out, now.I chose Majah Jarril because he's always handled the recruits very well, 'n' while we'll have t' find someone t' replace him for classes in the meantime, I can't think of anyone bettah suited t' chaperone the recruits 'n' insure that their recruit trainin' is kept up."

Quinten nods his head "I only found out ma'am cause i asked him if i could go alonbg yesterday and he said yes," he looks down at his parchment and nods "So Colonel can you tell us a bit about your seasons with the patrol, your time as a recruit maybe, or as a private."

Ender perks up even more when he hears talk of her past. She's got some fascinating stories hiding in there somewhere. He sniffs loudly and paws at his headfur while waiting for her response.

Zoe_Lang's eyes widen a bit. That's a mouthful of a question. "Well, first thing, I nevah went through recruit trainin'. When I joined the Patrol, we were all of us stationed in the 67th. There'd been a great battle, 'n' we'd been forced t' abandon the mountain for a time. Suffice t' say, things were in a bit o' disarray. So I s'pose ya could say my days as a Private weren't exactly... typical. This was before our Lord Bludstripe had arrived, even."

Quinten nods writing away dilligently "Ok Ma'am what was it like when Lord Bludstripe arrived?"

Ender wonders who Bludstripe is, and thinks hard. Certainly heard about him down south, a badger lord not being someone to sneeze at. The rabbit can feel his lids getting heavy.

Ahh, nostalgia. "... Well, actually, at one point Colonel Earblade 'n' I had 'retired' t' Fraterin. As ya c'n see, that didn't last long. We met good ole Bluddy while were there. I couldn't explain the feelin' if I tried, but there was somethin' about him... somethin' he gave off. We just knew, just s'well s'I cc'n see you, that he was the one. So we all three returned t' the mountain. Those were good days... He was a good friend, 'n' I miss him."

Quinten nods and looks up "Do you think we'll ever get another badger lord Ma'am? whilst your here as our colonel?"

Ender's breathing begins to slow as his eyes close, his torso falling back down ontohis cot, eyes still barely open.

Zoe_Lang glances around at Ender, noting his almost-sleeping state. She brings her focus back around to Quinten. With a thoughtful frown, she nods. "... I believe so. The mountain's not the mountain without a Badger Lord. You, lad, 'n' the othah young folks, don't see that - don't undahstand that - because ya've nevah known anythin' different."

Quinten nods his head and leans back "I've rad books ma'am i understand what it means to not have a badger lord here" he looks at Ender and smiles sadly seeing the old buck falling asleep "So ma'am tell us something about one of the things you and Lord Bluddstripe got up to when you got back ere to the mountain"

Ender snores a little, softly, although his left eye isn't /quite/ closed, his facade perhaps just a front to get some alone time...or something. :p

Zoe_Lang's smile at Quinten's reassurance that he understands is an amused one. She merely nods, going on to answer the question. "I-" And then Ender snores, and she glances his way. She lowers her volume. "Well, there was this once when we had a feast out on the sands... We played a game o' tug o' war, any hare was game all against ole Bludstripe. As is customary, there was a great pit o' muddy sand in the centah. Ole Blud was just pullin' 'em in, just nice 'n' easy, when all the lev'rets 'n' dibbuns at the feast just stormed 'im. I /think/ Majah Jarril had somethin' t' do with it, if m'memory serves me. They set t' ticklin' him, 'n' all o' a sudden he just let the rope go. Seein' all the tough fightahs of the mountain go sprawlin' was a sight not t' be missed." She smirks.

Quinten smiles broadly and laughs at the image conjured up in his mind "Oh...oh that must have been something to see ma'am" he laughs and sakes his head "Carry on we want to hear more"

We? Ender sits up a little at this, apparently Quinten's not going anywhere. He gives the recruit a /small/ glare before looking back at Zoe and smiling, encouraging her on in a manner slightly too sarcastic to be genuine.

Zoe_Lang hmmms, pointedly not looking at Ender for fear of laughing. She taps her chin with a claw-tip, considering. "Well, I always did treasure the times we spent in the forge... him workin' away, 'n' me watchin'. He fashioned me a beautiful walkin' staff, though I'm sad t' say I lost it at one point... But I learned everythin' I know about forgin' from 'im." She pauses a moment, then smiles. "I was there when the Badgah Lady gave birth t' her little 'uns. But as Badgahs tend t' do, they went off their own ways s'soon as they were old 'nough."

Quinten nods his head still writing and frowns at ender then the colonel, not sure if they are making fun of hiim or not "Well ma'am thanks for your time, there is stion i wanted to ask, will you be taking part in any of the contests at halyard?"

Ender hears that this is the end, but he really is a little tired, and falls back onto the cot, sighing. "Good interview, recruit." He murmurs, closing his eyes.

Zoe_Lang looks surprised when Quinten announces it's the last question; that was quick. Hm. She considers for a moment. "... Let's just say I don't intend t' sit on the sidelines, Recruit. Let's jus' say that." She drops him a wink and a grin.

Quinten smiles and nods writing down the answer trying to think if there is anything else he wants to ask "Oh wait Colonel...before i go...can i ask one more?"

Ender is already trying to get up, wiping sleep from his eyes, when Quinten seems to return. He sighs.

Feeling in good spirits, she give a firm nod. "'Course, lad. Ask away."

End Log for now -