Seals And Hermit Crabs Are Interesting

Salamandastron: Common Area

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

This is a large area designed for gathering and relaxing, where all the

beasts of the Mountain, whether green recruit or aged retiree, can come

together. A fireplace is set in one wall, its cheery blaze filling the room

with warmth, and a low, rustic chandelier spilling light across the

expanse. A variety of seating is strewn almost randomly throughout,

armchairs and couches, while a worn, patterned rug underfoot takes the

seeping chill out of the air. A pair of tables, each on far sides of the

space, stand in for the occasional shared snack, meal, or game.

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

                Visible Exits:

[E]nlisted [B]arracks [Out] to Level Two

[R]esidents' [Q]uarters

Leon comes down the hall and yawns, he rubs sleep from his eyes as he is tried and so doesn't get too far before he sits down in one of the soft chairs in the room.

Xander has been in and out of the common room. He is bored and there is not much to do today. When he sees Leon he walks over and looks at the mouse "Hi ya..whats matter and why you tried? You need sleep and sleep is good, it is."

Leon opens an eye and sees the badger and gives a small wave "Hey, Xander and a little as I been helping that seal on the beach past few days"

Xander smiles "I like her, she is odd but interesting and she likes the sea and I like the sea. You think she could come back abbey with us?" He looks hopeful anyways.

Leon sits up "Well seals need to stay close to water I think, or least not be away from it. If we maybe travel by river if it’s needed then maybe she can go part way with us, that could be nice maybe but not all the way to the abbey, sorry"

Xander nods "Ok...I bet Mr. Dot can come as I can carry water in a little container for him and he likes my shoulder sometimes, he is silly but he is my friend.“

Leon blinks and maybe it’s cause he is already tried or maybe this is just odd but he gets a confusing look on his face" Mr. Dot?"

Xander grins and races off, he returns with the hermit crab..AKA Mr. Dot....on his paw. The hermit crab walks around slowly and pretty much doesn't do much.

Leon looks at the crab and blinks "Well, first time seen one of those before. It is possible maybe but have you or maybe asked you mom, to look up info about this...crab I think it is "

Xander nods "Yes me and mama looked up lots and asked others. He is a hermit crab and they like tint shrimp and crayfish and cray fish live in Mossflower and maybe ponds. And he likes carrots and apple I feed him too and bits of fish, he also likes bread and he likes his little square home...or well his shell is his home too and he hides in it sometimes."

Leon smiles "Well you sure did learn a good deal and..square home, whats that?" Ok more confusion but at least he is more awake now.

And he is off again and brings back what was once an old bread loaf pan, enough for one small single size loaf and its bent a little but ok for the crab "See..." It has some blue rocks in it, some seaweed and a little water. “He likes it at night"

Leon nods "Well that’s nice then and we do have a pond at the abbey and we keep crayfish around for hot root soup, it’s not just a dish otters like either." He studies the crab" Just be careful with him is all I say and he could be around to be your friend for a long time "

Xander says, "I like him and his name is Mr. Dot cause of the dots on his shell and I also learned he will need new shells so I will get some later maybe of allllllllllllllllll sizes" The word all is drawn out showing he maybe plans on getting a good deal " And I will keep the shells in safe place for long long time"

Leon smiles "Sounds like a good plan Xander. But don't go to the beach alone. Maybe I could find Flint and we all can go here real soon. I do need to check on that seal today sometime"

Xander says, "I found out her name is Kenwei or...something like that and it means waterlily. I like her name it’s a nice name"

Leon says, "Well it’s good we know her name now."

Xander says, "Always learn names so no one is a stranger and if they are good beast maybe will be friends one day"

Leon nods in agreement, "Yes that’s true. But also need to be careful as not all beasts are good. Also have learn there is a very limited few vermin that are...somewhat good and even more rare are those truly good and the only truly good vermin I know is a white fox named Flicktail who is champion of Redwall, least he was champion when I left the abbey in the fall. I mean one day he will pass the title on to another or Martin the Warrior will"

Xander says, "I know some of Martin warrior...he was a mouse and lived season ago but still has ghost that comes help others sometimes. Mama tells me about Martin."

Leon says, "That’s good to learn of Martin the warrior, he helped build the abbey also all those seasons ago"

Xander says, "Maybe I learn more of him in library at abbey. I bet the library there is nice too, is it?"

Leon answers , "Well this one is larger, but the library at the abbey is still nice and you mom will be back to being the recorder when we get home. I miss the abbey but we will head back soon enough" Unknowns to him soon enough is coming a lot sooner than he thinks. A letter from the abbot on troubles with his daughter Lilymoore and what happen, but for now he doesn’t know and the letter will come to Dorarose not himself, but he is sure to learn on it as soon as possible.

Xander sits down beside the healer mouse "And you will be back as Healer...yeah" He smiles.

Leon nods "Yes as Master Healer in fact. Angela is in charge till I return and even then I may need to rest a couple days before fully back in charge of the infirm." He chuckles "I have even missed the infirm a little"

Xander now is the surprised one "You miss the infirm?"

Leon chuckles "Yeah, I know odd but I do miss it. I am sure it’s been kept in good order as I left it in good paws"

Xander says, "I wonder if anyone at abbey will be glad when see you and Dora and mama get back to the abbey place."

Leon says, "Oh I am sure. One is my dibbun.....well by now they are not so much dibbuns, they are around 7 seasons...little more now think...wow" He is quiet and then goes on "Anyways...there is them and there is Oz and Zee who will be happy to see Zinnia, I am sure they will like you and I have friends at abbey also who will be happy to see me"

Xander nods off and on and smiles. The hermit has meanwhile crawled across a table and the badger remembers it and carefully gets it and places it on his shoulders where it seems much happier.

Leon watches him get the crab "I am sure the abbey beasts will even like Mr. Dot as well" He says to Xander.

Xander smiles large "Ya think so? I bet he will like the pond lots"

Leon speaks up "May be best to not have him be in the pond, the little square home at night with some pond water will be best and he will be closer to you and not get lost" Or eaten by fish but he keeps that to himself.

Xander nods "Yeah he will want to stay with me..right Mr.Dot?" The crab just sort of sits there on his shoulder as the badger smiles "He says yeah"

Leon blinks and then smiles "He did huh , well there you go then."

Xander nods "Yeah he did he likes me and I like him and we are friends and he will like seeing new things and maybe find it exciting too."

Leon shrugs "Ya never know what a crab will find interesting"

Xander says, "Lots and lots of things maybe. He has not seen much and I bet he wants to see a lot of things in the world and there is lots and lot of stuff out there"

Leon says, "Well you never know"

About this time a hare, one Flint, comes out in uniform and nods to them" Well did ya jolly well want to check on the seal now Brother Leon or later. The two hares should still be watching her or least the area for trouble till she can swim and be ok wot"

Xander waves to the hare and smiles, the hermit crab Mr. Dot is on his shoulder today.

Leon nods a hello as he stands "I already have my surcoat and my bag" He points to his healer bag " oh we can go when ever."

The hare nods "Right then chaps, let us go then and see your to seal friend shall we?"

Xander giggles and nods "Yeah check on Kenwei and find some shells for Mr. Dot..a lot of different size shells for later on in his life"

The hare looks at Leon who simply shrugs, the mouse then smiles and gets his bag "Let’s go....oh wait got to leave a note" He writes one and walks down a hall "Be right back"

Xander just smiles and waits. He has pockets he can place shells in and he also has his own knapsack.

Leon is soon back "Ok Dora now knows I will be by the beach for next couple hours and that’s all then will be back here"

Flint nods "Jolly good then, and that fine a quick thar and right back sur" He heads to the door and looks back to the mouse and badger.

Xander smiles and is for sue ready to head off, "Let’s go let’s go...then we get back in times for lunch"

Leon smiles and heads to the door,"Yeah yeah being late for lunch would be a crime" He says in a mock tone and smirks. He goes to head on to the beach.

Flint frowns "I say chap would be a crime, late fora meal is a serious matter here..are ya listening chap?" He sighs and goes to led the way to the beach and the seal. The group is back in a little less than 2 hours and the best thing of the day is they are a little early for lunch!!!