The Village. The Stoat. The Otter.

Characters: Kentar, Garnet, Robin, Chris, Kluner, Fira/Jero'e, Aikuen/Zekeal

Location: Woods, Cliff, Shoreline, Village, Kentar's Cabin, Barracks, Pub, Healers Hut

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The stoats, and the otters, have made the few days away from Moledeep a blast. Well. The stoats. At Kentar's expense. The stoat fell face first into a mud pile after crossing the river, and then fell into the same pile after just getting clean. But now they're off. "Shouldn't be too long now till we reach the shore!" he smiles. "Then just a day or two down and we're there!"

The otters are also having a grand ole time. And they both laughed uproariously at the falling in the mud puddle. Well, Aik more than Fira. She has been busy munching on a piece of hardtack and wasn't paying attention. And she only look when Aik started laughing. She just chuckles lightly and shakes her head. After a bit of calming down they both keep following the stoats, keeping a bit to themselves if it gets quiet. That means mouthing for the otters. They still haven't told the Kentar or the others, keep his mind on getting them safely there first. Then they will tell them when they get there. Aik is in Zekeal form again, expect he has his arm around Fira like he is going to from now on, "Bout time! Cant wait to see the ocean again... oh and your village of course!" he grins to himself.

Kentar didn't really enjoy the mud problems. Garnet did though, she laughed so hard she cried. Robin laughed too. Most everyone laughed. Not Kluner or Chris though. They were both not paying attention or caring. After a little bit more of walking, the stoat looks around. "So. The first thing we'll do when we get there, is see if my old cabin is usable." he nods. "If so, we'll use it. I've still got the deed to it." He chuckles, pulling out a mud stained piece of parchment. "See!? It shows the cabin is mine! Muhahah!"

Aikuen says, "Deed eh?" he spots the parchment. He nods and thinks aloud, "And what if they did a hostile takeover of your cabin. Thought you were gone for good, so they gave it too someother beast? But maybe they left it the way it was. Hopefully." he hmms, "If not, there is always other options... Well there be room? for us otters? In your Cabin?"

The stoats laugh and nod. "Yeah. There will be much room! And if there's no room, we'll use the inn. Sure it will cost a little a night, but hey." he smiles. The stoat thinks for a moments. "Yeah. It will be no problem." he smiles.

Aikuen shrugs, "Well what i was saying... Is that we are otters... and we are by the ocean..." he grins, "We would just go camping down south a bit a ways on the beach. But an inn is also good!" he chuckles, "But if you have room in your cabin then we will stay there. BUT We will need much room! As we are so ottery!" he laughs.

Kentar laughs. "The cabin is big." he says. "Don't worry, you'll have room." The stoat, laughs a little more. "Trust me." Garnet just lays her head on his shoulder again, and chuckles. Robin, stays quiet as usual. "So." he smiles. "I wonder how Will and Amy are doing."

Aikuen chuckles and nods. Then something pulls on his back. Its Fira. She shrugs a little at Aik as she pulls out another piece of hardtack from his pack, to nibble on as they walk. Aikuen grins and plants a small one on her before answering the stoat, "I'm sure they are fine. Moledeep is probably now a mess or something. Or they might have gotten bored and went to the abbey." That's what he would do. Not go to the abbey, but out and about, "There big kids now, I'm sure they are alright, and celebrating everyday that we aren't there!" he laughs.

Kentar nods then chuckles. "I'm sure." "Or maybe Amy bonked Will over the head a few times too many..." Garnet grins, laughing before going quiet again. She just wants to get there. "Maybe. Maybe." Kentar smirks.

Aikuen chuckles lightly, "I believe it actually. Will is going to have one hard head by the time spring rolls around..." Fira frowns slightly. Aik sighs and shrugs a bit at her. They continue to pad along with the stoats. The otters are silent once more. Aik still has his hold of her, and they glance at each other, and mouth from time to time. They also want to get there soon. Aik at least wants to. For reasons that he will not say aloud. But it has to do with the fact of three otters in the area.

Kentar chuckles. "William already has a hard head." he smirks. "It can't get any harder." The stoat laughs. Garnet chuckles along with him but says nothing. "Look! Look!" The stoat points over a tall cliff. "Haha! We've arrived at the beach!" he points out the gold sand, the eastern sea, and a long way down, a village. "Haha!"

Aikuen smiles, and brings Fira over to the cliff. They both look down and Aik then nods to Kentar, "Alright mate. Lets head on out. Sooner we get there the better!" He checks his makeup and the cloak before growling like Zekeal, "I'm... All set... Heh..." he grins under the hood.

"We have to climb down or we'll end up adding six or seven days to our trip. Be careful. Its steep." Kentar says. Garnet takes a deep breath and sets Chris in an empty pack, setting it on her back, his head sticking out so that she can carry him without worry. Slowly, she starts down first. Robin waits a little then just before Kentar, sets down too, careful of course. Then its Kentar, climbing down the rocks extremely carefully.

Aikuen frowns deeply. This was not in the brochure... He is not going to risk climbing down by paws alone. As soon as he said that they would be climbing down it, he mouths his thoughts to Fira. After a bit of mouthing, the words come out clear, "We could just go around..." "I have an idea... remember the tree?" "Aye?... OH... yes, Of course Fi!" he grins to himself as he pulls out his rope from his pack. He ties it around it one of the nearby trees, and quadruple checks the knot. He nods and kisses her before he begins to slowly climb down the cliff. Stupid stoat, not mentioning this before. Aik mostly just using it as a third hold, just in case. He is not going to take any chances. Fira on the other hand uses it to vertically walk down. Aik's stomach turns, but doesn't say anything. Its her way, and can understand. The rope is let down, but only goes three-quarters of the way down. He will worry when he gets there.

Kentar watches them. "I wish I had have thought of that." he mutters, climbing down. Robin all of a sudden, lets out a loud yell as he falls. Kentar blinks and looks down, quickly letting go and then falls, too but only far enough to grab Robin's paw and then a root that's growing from the ground. "I got ya...don't worry." he smiles a little.

Aikuen watches as as the stoat falls. To far away to do anything. He sighs with relief as Kentar catches him, "Next time... were talking the river east and walking along the beach... this is ridicules..." whoever thought of this way, was dumb! The otter get to a ledge and Aik waits for Fira to catch up before continues down, still climbing. While she walks down. He will be glad to be on solid ground again.

Robin gets his footing again then makes it all the way down. As do the rest of the stoats. But Kluner is there already. "How did you get down here so fast?" Kentar asks. Kluner, his tail being chewed on as usual, just points to a set of rock stares some beast actually carved out.

The otters, after climbing down by paw the rest of the way go over to the others. Aik looks to the pointing, and shoves Kentar in the back lightly, "Out smarted by your own son!" he chuckles, still not very happy about the climb. Be he will get over it, since they are on solid ground again.

Kentar blinks and looks to the stairs. "Oh. I knew they were there..." he says. "Just making sure everyone else is paying attention. I guess Kluna was the only one. You all fail..." he nods, starting to walk down the beach.

As soon as the stoat turns to walk down the beach. Aik places a paw on his rump and shoves forward trying to knock him forward onto the ground. All in jest of course, "You could have told us... we were almost ready to head on back or walk around. You stupid stoat..." he frowns a bit. As the otters walk off with the others.

Kentar ahems. He didn't know they were there. "Sorry!" he says. Garnet just laughs at the otters and then as Kentar falls face first into the sand, she laughs even more.

Aikuen cant help but chuckle, "Well... I'm just going to have to accept your apology... don't wanna... but i hafta..." he chuckles again. Aik looks to the ocean off in the distance, and sighs. Fira has her arm wrapped around Aik's middle as they walk off, leaving Kentar in the sand.

The stoat spits out sand and frowns. "Real mature." he smirks, standing and running off after the group. "I got you down there, didn't I!? So...you need to worship me or something."

Aikuen acts like he is thinking then shakes his head, "As i recall... i used my rope to get down the cliff... So why would i get down on my paws to do that for?" he grins.

Kentar laughs. "Cause I'm a stoat that needs worship! I..." There's a pause as Garnet kissed him. "There!" she said after the kiss, chuckling. "That kind of worship is nice too." He hugs his wife and chuckles.

Aikuen rolls his eyes and shakes his head, "Don't expect either of us to that! Ew... Stoat..." he chuckles, and goes to pick up a few rocks. As he sees Kluner doing the same thing in the distance. and runs a few through his paw, "So matey... how much farther?"

Kentar laughs. "Come on! You otters do it all the time!" he laughs then thinks. "Not sure." Robin grins. "Not much farther now! Only another few minutes or so."

Aikuen grins, "Yes, but i bet you don't taste good as her!" Fira turns read a little bit and slaps him playfully on the chest. Aik laughs, "Ah, good a few minutes... How do i look? Do i look like Aik if you were looking for me?"

Kentar laughs then grins, shrugging. "You don't look like Aik if we weren't looking for you." he laughs. "But yeah, it will do." he nods. "Anyways. There it is!" Kentar points out the village, laughing. "Haha! There we are! We're here!"

Aikuen rolls his eyes as he was trying to be serious, "Well hopefully it will work all the same... Ah, and about time..." he groans as they walks up to look at the village.

Village

Kentar runs through the village gates, smiling. There's otters, stoats, rats, mice. Lots of things in the village square. Some selling things, other's just walking somewhere. While some, are laying out on blankets, enjoying the sunshine. "Haha! Home! Home!" he laughs. "Wow! I remember this place being...the same. When it wasn't on fire I mean."

Aikuen tilts he head as he 'remembers this place being the same' as he highly doubts that if it was a slaving village. At least he hopes that its not the same. HE chuckles at the stoats enthusiasm though, "Welcome home mate!" he grins.

Kentar chuckles. "The only real difference is the fact that over there..." he points to a nice stone wall. "There were slaves there...but not anymore." he grins. "Wow..." he can't help but give Garnet a nice big hug. "Haha. Right. So. Cabin!" he looks around, going up a road to the village's residential area.

Aikuen ahs, and nods as he looks to the wall. Then going to follow the stoat, With Fira in paw. As he passes a few beasts. Some look away from him, or try to walk a bit farther away. While most just don't rightly care.

The stoat leads them all to a big, brown, log cabin. It's huge, compared to everywhere else. "Wow...just as I remember it." he smiles a little. He knocks on the door, and as he was about to open the door, a poor looking otter, wearing old, tattered clothes, comes to the door. Inside, the group could see a little fire pit made in the middle of the hall way, a small family huddled around it. "Yes?" The otter asks. "Oh...uh...Hi. I'm the owner of this place...do you...live here?" Kentar asks and the otter just sighs. "Please sir, I don't have much money and...we don't have anywhere else to go, please don't kick us out..." Kentar blinks then shakes his head. "No...no you can stay..." The otter then stands aside, letting them in if they want. Kentar slowly goes in. Followed by the other stoats. And maybe the otters?

Aikuen had been standing out of the way. And both otters had tilted their head at the showing of the otter at the door. Aik blinks lightly and listens carefully. Not making any visible movement until all was settled. After having another silent conversation with Fira. They both nod and head inside. Aik does not remove his hood as he enters, and gives a small nod to the old otter. The old otter blinks a backs away suddenly, but doesn't do anything, but close the door after them and go back to the family by the fire pit. Aik goes over to Kentar and says growly, "What do you think... they alright?"

The old otter sits with his family again, all looking nervous with the stoats and otters around. Inside has been completely fixed. No signs of it ever having burned. "Yes. They're fine. They couldn't do much to us even if they wanted." he says. They're skinny, that's for sure. "Look. I grew up in this cabin, and I know there's lots of space...do you mind sharing the place, or would you rather it to yourselves?" Kentar asks the homeless otters. They chat amongst themselves for a few moments. There's the old otter, an old female otter, one that's probably his wife...and then two little dibbun otters. "You...can stay." The stoat smiles a little. "We'll share our food and supplies with you, as well. Thank you." The stoat then smiles a little more. THe otters blink and then smile. "Thank you...rooms are down there. up...wait...you know that..." they chuckle. "Follow me every beast..." Kentar leads his group up the stairs.

Aikuen, after asking the question remains quiet to the conversation. He still does not remove his hood even if they seem nice enough beasts. Probably wont remove it until they get to a more private area. Aik makes to follow Kentar, and of course Fira not paying attention. She was looking at the otters huddled around the fire with a tilted head, exposing her face just a bit. One of the little otters points. Aik then comes back downstairs, after seeing that they were minus two otters, and grabs her paw before going back up the stairs again.

The stoats reach the top of the stairs, and then nods again as the otters lag behind again. "Dumb otters..." he mutters. "Right...so. Robin, Kluna, and Chris, will share this room here. Its the smallest...but its a good size." He opens the door to this room. Its big. Not really big...but big enough for the three of them. Robin nods, and goes in with Kluna. "The otters room will be this one..." He opens a door, showing off a small closet, laughing.

Aikuen grunts, "I heard that..." and looks into the room that the little ones will take. He nods with approval. Then Kentar shows him the closet. He chuckles and steps inside. He has to bend just to even fit, "Yah... just our size" Fira rolls her eyes and decides to go along with it. She also has to bend but they are both in, not able to move much. Their faces pretty much shoved together. Aik grins, "Hmm.... I actully kinda like it!" and he begins to kiss Fira heavily in front of the stoats. Fira would not normally do this, but she can't really much to resist... if she wanted to. But she does go red. But after, she doest care anymore.

Kentar watches them and then closes the door on them, laughing. "I think they're just fine there." he laughs before opening a door to the stoat's room. Its nice...its big and its even got a stone fireplace set in it on the south wall. "See? Nice place for us." He smiles. Garnet oohs and goes inside, looking around. "Come on otters, time to come out..." he opens the door to the closet before then opening a door directly across from it. Another big room. "This is your room." no fireplace.

Aikuen grins to himself as the door closes and he throws off his hood in the dark. And when the door is opened again both of the otters cloaks were off, and Aik had her pinned her against the wall. Fira is now able to see the door, and when Kentar opens the door again, she hits Aik on his good shoulder. Aik pulls away and looks to Kentar with a small frown. He grabs his cloak and holds it over his shoulder, while he holds Fira's paw. Fira is now visibly red, even through her fur, as she keeps her eyes turned away from the stoat. Aik smiles at the next room though, "A lot more room eh? Pity i guess!" he grins and leads Fira in to go rest on the bed, as Aik goes about the room, putting his cloak back on.

Kentar frowns and looks away quick. "Come on, you knew I'd open the door again." the stoat frowns then nods. "Yeah. The bed is better anyways then sleeping standing up in a closet." he chuckles. "Anyways. Its more comfortable in here." He nods. "How about you leave your wife to settle in, and come with me around the village?" He asks Aik, smiling. "And you don't need to be in disguise. No one here is going to even know of the redcloak beasts."

Aikuen has put his cloak back on, "That is where you fail in keeping hiding. How much would one of the villagers need to be payed, to tell somebeast that a yellow furred otter was here?... 5? 10? 1000?... The redcloaks are all and willing to pay that to find out where i, or Fira are. Cause I'm willing to bet, they will make a sweep of the shores soon. So, I will keep my cloak on, and the hood up. I will only take if off at night or in the company of us..." he sighs, "But i will go with you..." he looks to Fira, "Just give us a sec, Kentar" he waits till the stoat leaves before going over to her. He takes her paw and rubs it as he kisses her softly, "You two need to rest... i should be back before midnight. Don't wait up for me and don't worry..." he kisses her again before getting on one knee and he exposes her belly, "Grow big and strong... and don't make my wife too sick!" he chuckles before kissing her belly. He takes off his pack and tosses it on the bed. Aik then kisses his wife one more time before heading out after Kentar. Fira digs in his pack and pulls out a bit a hardtack to chew on, before drifting off.

The stoat nods and sighs. "Fine. I'll prove to you they weren't out here!" he laughs a little then vanishes to tell Garnet that he's going around the village with Aik while everyone is settling in. He then smiles when he joins him. "Lets go find Jasper. I'm sure he'll be able to tell us what's new around here." he smiles then heads out, down the stairs and then out the door.

Aikuen, after leaving their room, closes it softly behind him, "Listen Kentar its not, that they aren't out there now... or were there. There is a chance that they WILL be here. And soon. Id rather not take that chance. You should know better...This is simple stuff..." he sighs, "Aye sure, lets go find him..." and he puts on his hood and follows the stoat. But before he leaves, he gives a quick nod to the other otters, before following and closing the door.

Kentar sighs. "You fail to realize this village has a military. Trained beasts. Trained better then I was...mostly cause most of the things I was taught never really stuck." he says. "Jasper was a great assassin. Same age as I am. I'm sure he still is. Any friend of mine is protected by him. Trust me." he smiles a little then shrugs. "I guess...whatever." he shrugs, and looks around. "Wow. I remember everything..." he seems so happy to be back.

Aikuen holds up a paw as they walk. Must he explain, "But you fail to realize that they are not going to be here with swords raised. These are trained hunters. Led by... Him.... There are going to send in a few at a time. Probably dressed in beggars clothes, and match the style of the village. They will look like normal beasts..." he points to a beast that is sitting against a passing building, "That could be one of them now... or not... cant tell... And they will ask the town just in passing conversation about a yellow furred otter... and though Jasper my try to catch them if they do. That is a chance I'm not willing to take." he then smiles, "Alright... what do you want to go see first?" he asks.

Kentar sighs and nods. "Fine. But I'm telling Jasper anyways." he says before hrming. He stops a passing mouse. "Do you where I could find Jasper?" he asks. "Yeah. The captain is in the barracks. Just on the edge of the village. Over there." The mouse points down a path with a big stone building built there. Its not big big, but bigger then the rest of the village buildings. "Thanks." Kentar goes off down the path and then enters the barracks, looking around. "Wow. This is new..."

Aikuen nods, "That's fine, go right ahead." he stays mostly in the background, as Kentar gets information on where the captain is. He looks around the village, glancing at some stall across the way. Tilting his head at it. Then they are off again, to the barracks he presumes. Aik follows the stoat into the building and tilts his head at what is inside.

Kentar wows at some of the pictures going down the hall. All friends he had. All of them who died. On the ship when his first wife was taken...and when the village first burned. "Wow..." he smiles then at the end of the hall, there's a picture of a rather tall, mean and strong looking stoat with his wife next to him and two sons. One of them is Kentar. It was the way he looked before he got all scarred up. Each painting was done really well. "That, was our first leader and his family." Says a rat who steps up next to Kentar. "I know..."

Aikuen keeps mostly to himself once again. This is one wield village, to have pictures of the fallen. He crosses his arms inside his cloak as he walks a bit behind Kentar. Noticing there is not a single otter on the wall. To be expected, he guesses. He gets to the last picture and barely glances at it, before noticing the rat stepping up to them. He makes sure his hood is down enough to hide his face as he looks to the rat. Before looking back to Kentar.

"You knew them did you?" the rat asks. "Yeah...I did. That..." he points to a young, handsome Kentar. "Was me. Kentar." The rat blinks and looks between them. "Kentar? My word, what did the seasons do to you!?!" Kentar turns and grins. "What the seasons obviously didn't do to you, Jasper." he laughs. The two hug then Kentar grins at Aik. "That..." he points to the family portait. "Was my father. Mother...and Bale." he points at the other dibbun stoat in the painting. "Many seasons ago..." He chuckles. "So Jasper...what have you been doing!?!" "Rebuilding a village..." he smirks before looking at Aik. "Who's he?" "That, my friend, is Aikuen." he smiles. Quietly spoken. "He's going by Zekeal right now. He's being hunted by beasts in red cloaks. Or anyone who asks about him." The rat thinks. "No one's asked yet. Not to my knowledge anyways." Kentar nods. "Right. Anyways. You'll keep an ear out, right?" The rat nods. "Yeah. Anyways, I got things to do. I'll catch up with you both later!" He smiles but stop

He smiles but stops next to Aik. "As long as your here, your under my protection. Don't worry." Then he's off. The stoat turns back to his old family portrait. "Wow."

Aikuen stays, once again, out of the way, trying not to draw attention to himself. He then frowns. Aik could have punched the stoat in the face as he mentions his name. But thinking that may be a bad idea, and draw attention to himself. He will save it for later. When the rat leaves all Aik does is nod in his direction. His words are not very comforting. He looks back to Kentar after a bit. But remains quiet, again. Not much to say.

Kentar looks to Aik then chuckles a bit, motioning him over. "Look." he whispers. "Jasper has saved my life, many, many times. I trust him with my life. I trust him with my family...I always will. You trust me with your life...so please...trust him..." he says before sighing. "Wow...' he says again, turning to walk down the hall of past friends. "Wow. So many friends..." he then stops. This one is not a single painting. There are two stoats. Kentar. And another stoat. He sighs a little. The little name plate under the painting says 'The wedding of Gul Kentar, and Lanai.' Kentar was painted in a nice, uniform. And the stoat next to him, obviously Lanai, was dressed in a nice, white dress. He didn't know these paintings were still around. "What do you think?" he asks. "That's her...My first wife..." Beautiful. That's what she was. Beautiful. Even more so then Garnet! But Kentar loves Garnet still. More then anything.

Aikuen shrugs, but once again, does not answer. He believes that Jasper will do his duty. But the all the lives of the villagers are more important than this otter. He knows that. And when it comes down to it. Jasper will give up Aik, if it meant the lives of his men and the village. No matter what Kentar say. If Jasper is a true captain. He will do his duty, to protect the need of all, above one. He follows Kentar down the hall, until the stoat stops and looks at the painting. He tilts his head at it and chuckles, "Its nice..." he growls out, glad that Garnet is not here.

Kentar is also glad Garnet isn't here right now. "Yeah...it is..." he then looks around. "You don't need to talk like that. There's no one around." he whispers to the otter before looking back to the painting. "I want one of these to take home with me..." He hms. "I wonder if there's a painter that can copy it for me...much smaller though." These paintings are huge.

Aikuen shakes his head, and continues to growl out, "Its mainly a precaution..." he then looks to the painting and then shrugs at Kentar, "I don't know. Might be. Though i don't think Garnet would be to happy, if you copied that one..." he points his thumb at it, "Paintings are expensive and take a long time to make, even little copied one... Why don't you ask the one the Barrack officers, I'm sure they will know some beast. If they paid to have all these painted..." he waves a paw down the hall.

Kentar chuckles a little. "These were done a long, long time ago. They must have survived the fire...But I'm glad. Everyone you see in this hall. Is dead. Aside from me and Jasper, of course. These are the crew mates that died on the day my first wife was taken." he motions to a row. A solo portrait of Lanai is there. Kentar fights back tears as memories rush him all at once. "These...are the ones that died in the fire." he motions to them. There's a solo portrait of his mother and father there too. "Wow. Maybe...maybe I should get out of here..."

Aikuen puts a paw on his back and leads him out the door, at the end of the hallway, "I figured as much. Hall of the Fallen. These should be at the main fortress, or wherever the chief/leader is. Keeping them at a barracks is a bad idea... Soldiers do not need to be reminded how fast life can be taken away from them. Its just bad, for every beast." he still doesn't know why there would be paintings of every beast that was fallen. One or two he can understand. But not all of them. They need to allocate their gold better. He sighs and thinks this is a strange place as he shoves Kentar out the door, and back onto the street.

Kentar goes out the door and wipes his eye quickly. "Yeah. Well. There was never a fortress. Besides. Jasper is the only one who stayed here who survived the fire. So Robin says anyways." he nods a little. "Robin said that Jasper feels there needs to be an area that everyone can see whenever, so that they know what they're defending and what happens if they fail."

Aikuen rubs Kentar's back lightly, "Yes, but putting them up in an area where they see them everyday. Is a real downer. And yes what you said is good. But only so much before they realize... and it depresses them to no end..." he sighs, "Yes we do need to remember the fallen, and make sure to protect those alive. But you don't do that with pictures..." he waves his paw to the street and all the beasts present, "You go out and talk with them. Those who are still around. Talk about the past, while getting to know the future!" he loudly growls at a passing mouse, "How are you young master!" the mouse nearly drops his things, before quickly running off down the street, "That was pleasant..." the otter hmms.

Kentar nods a little and sniffles but then chuckles at the mouse. That seemed to really cheer him up. In fact, so much, he's laughing now. "Hahaha! That was funny." he grins. "Its the growl..." he smirks. "You hide your face...you cover yourself in soot...do you really need to talk like that?" he asks, all in low whispers, of course.

Aikuen frowns at Kentar, and flicks him on the shoulder, "Quit laughing... its... Exactly what i wanted to have happen..." he chuckles as it starts to sink in, "Once again, its mainly a precaution in case one of my... former recruits... passes by, and recognizes my voice... Plus i think its sounds..." he grins and laughs quietly, "Terrifying..." This otter is not taking any chances anymore. He has to protect those he loves. And will do anything and everything, to do so.

Kentar chuckles and nods a little. "Sure sure." he mutters. "Anyways. I think you shouldn't scare them too much." he smiles. "Anyways. Lets go to the pub!" he grins. "I Think the new Zekeal wants a nice rum..." he smirks. "Or an ale? Something!?!" he pauses. "Other then tea..."

Aikuen nods a bit, "Ill try not too, in the future. Ill see if i can find another voice that's not so growly." he then chuckles and shakes his head, "You can try too mate... but i like tea... But ill gladly buy first round!" he grins, and points in a direction up the street, "If my nose, knows. Which it usually does when it comes to drinking. Its that way, right?" and before the stoat can confirm it or not, he is off walking down the street. He gets to what he assumes is the pup and steps in. Boy his nose knows. The otter immediately goes up to the bar and starts to talk with the bartender.

Kentar laughs a little then follows the otter into the pub. He stops whatever conversation there is with the bartender. "Two ales...on me." He nods once, grinning at 'Zekeal.' "Come on...you know it...your wife said you could." he whispers, chuckling. Then two ales are placed next to him. The bartender goes back in front of Aik, wondering if they'll start their conversation again.

Aikuen looks to bartender, "Listen mate. See if you can go down to your cellar, basement or whatever. See if you can find Ahsurian Rum..." the old weasel tilts his head, as Aik continues, "Its rum, and the label as a gold letter A on the front... Two bottles, if you don't mind" the weasel raises an eyebrow, "And if not, just get me any generic brand of rum then. same amount..." The weasel says, "Yes, if i find any down there... anything else masters?" Aik nods a little and says, "A cup of tea would be nice..." the weasel laughs, "That's a good one!" before disappearing into the back room. Aik frowns and sighs. before looking back to Kentar and the two ales, "Alright... but if i kill anybeast tonight, you have to put in a good word for me... if i get caught..." he is being dead serious. He takes the flagon and eyes it for a minute, "I hope I'm strong enough..." but doesn't start drinking.

Kentar chuckles a little. "Aik. Trust me. If you happen to get drunk and start fighting...I'll knock you out...okay?" he chuckles. "I'm not sure if its been changed or not, but when I lived here first, the punishment for bar fights when drunk was only time in jail. Until the beast is sober enough to leave." he chuckles, before tilting his head. "Strong enough for what?" he asks.

Aikuen eyes him for a moment, "Strong enough, so i don't hurt anybody..." and he puts the flagon to his lips and in about the time it takes a beast to blink. The ale is inhaled. Throwing back his head, his hood falls off his face. He slams the flagon to the bar and sighs, "That was... awful..." he sticks out his tongue.

Kentar laughs and drinks down his own ale. Not all of it of course. "Then I'll get you a rum or something." he looks to the barkeep...he was there a second ago. "Hm."

Aikuen chuckles and rubs his tongue against the roof of his mouth, "I wish i had that tea... right about now..." the barkeep returns bearing 4 bottles of what is obviously Rum. He places them on the table. Two of them are extremely dusty and the label is pealing off. The other two look like normal bottles any beast will buy. The weasel takes one of the dusty ones and blows on it, "I believe this is what you are looking for..." he wipes the bottle and it exposes a gold letter A on the label, "I found this in a box, filled with a bunch of them. They survived the fire, but were never reopened. And we never got a reshipment. Price to sell, as normal." he then points to the others, "These are just brand Rum, from Sampetra. Price is cheaper... then these, just in case." Aiks mouth almost drops to the floor as he brings out the Rum, he has been looking for, "Ill take both bottles of the Ashurian..." The bartender nods and takes away the other ones. He then brings out to small glasses. Before walking away again.

Kentar's jaw also drops. "What the heck..." he eyes the labels. "How is it...the lords son...didn't know about these?" he goes to take one of the bottles. The stoat looks it over. "I mean...you'd think I'd have known about this..." he thinks. "Then again. I never drank rum." he laughs a little. "So. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?" he asks. "I mean...if..." he hrms. "Great. Now, I'm nervous...thanks." he mutters, chewing his lip, sitting back in his stool. Luckily, this one, has a back.

Aikuen takes the other one and looks it over. He looks at some of the strange writing before a small grin pops over his face, "Of course! Its a great thing! I've been looking for bottles like these in seasons..." he pops one open and pours the almost thick dark rum into one of the glasses. It has a very... almost honey like smell. Aik grins, "I think that this rum, is the best in the world..." he pushes the small glass toward him, "Here take a sip. But don't over do it..." he grins.

Kentar hms. Seems he took it the wrong way. He doesn't care. He's still nervous. He couldn't quite figure out how he's never seen these bottles. Let alone how he didn't know where they got it from. If they've had dealings in the past...that means those red hooded freaks know about this place. And that alone is enough to set him off. Slowly, the stoat takes the glass and drinks a little. "Wow..." he eyes it. "Are you sure that's not liquid gold or something!?" he laughs. "That's...really good."

Aikuen chuckles, and slightly beams "I'm glad you like... A brewer is always glad to hear that his drink is appreciated..." he grins and points to the label. In very tiny writing, next to some numbers the word 'Aikuen T.' has been scrawled. it does slip his mind that the redcoats might now where the village is. But this is his rum, so he doesn't see why they should worry too much anymore.

Kentar hrms and looks to the label. "What!?" he eyes it then Aik. "Wow...really!?!" he smiles. "That's...amazing!" he laughs. "I'm drinking my best friend's rum!" he laughs, downing the rest of what was in that little glass. "Wow...Come on. You think you could make more of this stuff?" he asks. "If you had the right things!?" he grins wide. "That's...wow!" he laughs.

Aikuen nods as he grabs the unopen bottle and hold it back, just in case the stoat goes crazy. He wants to save this one. But he is more than happy to share what remains of his former life. He fills the two glasses, one for each and he grins, "At first i thought it was just regaler Ashurain Rum, then i saw the name. And i almost flipped out!' he sips gingerly from his glass, "Aaaaa.... just as i remember..." he licks his lips and nods at the next part, "I would mate. But Sugar cane doesn't grow here... and then there would be the hassle of buying it, then moving it to the brewery... Its just a big turn around. I never needed the money. And when i gave up drinking..." he shrugs, and drink a little bit more, still not downing it, "Please have as much as you like. I'm glad you like it!" he is just big ole otter of grins!

Kentar laughs. "If I can get you sugarcane...would you do it?!" he asks, smiling wide. "I mean...this is talent we're drinking..." he laughs, taking a sip this time of the refilled glass. "Haha...wow...my best friend...can make rum like this..." he laughs. "Come on...tell me you'll make more...." he grins. Then, two large stoats step into the room. The bouncer type of stoats. They head to the bar and 'accidentally' bump into Aik. "Oh...sorry...should watch where I'm going." The stoat says, apologetically. But what anybeast fail to realize...is that they took the ring from Aik's finger in such away...the otter won't feel it. At all.

Aikuen says, "Ummm.... Yah sure, if i get all that i need!... Why not!" he chuckles and finishes off the last of his glass. He chuckles stupidly and then he is bumped, "Hey... Morons... watch where your..." then the stoats apologize, "That's right..." he hmms to himself, and blinks. He does not notice that his ring was taken. He cant really tell anyway. Something that would not have happen, if he was completely sober. He continues on like nothing happened, "Anyway, yah sure mate. There is the brewery at Moledeep i can use. Just need sugar cane and..." he taps his nose, "Some other ingredients!" he grins.

Kentar blinks at the stoats then watches Aik for a moment, laughing. "I think you've had a little too much already." He smirks then downs the rest of what was in his little glass. "Mm..." he yawns. "Mm...sleepy..." he chuckles. Seems like he too had just a bit too much. More then intended anyways.

Aikuen looks at him and blinks slowly, "Aye... that's good enough for me..." he corks the rest of the rum before standing up, "Come on... lets head back too... the place..." he chuckles and puts both bottles within his cloak. He ohs, and and takes a handful of coins from his pocket and puts them on the table. All gold, and there is a lot, "I thinks that's enough..." He ohs one more time, and drinks the rest of his glass. Time for this otter to go home, before he does something stupid.

A mouse, was passing Aik just as he stood up, banging right into him and falling over. "Oh...my...so...so sorry." The mouse says, standing slowly, brushing himself off. "You alright?" Kentar stands now too and chuckles at the mouse. "Its fine." he smiles. But it really depends on what the otter does.

Aikuen blinks as, once again, he is banged into that night. He blinks with a frown, and before anybeast can do anything, he grabs his empty glass and slams it on top of the mouses head. The mouse is knocked out instantly and falls in a slump to the floor. Aik blinks slowly and looks to the bartender. He places a few more gold coins on the counter, "Sorry... about the mess..." he says as he walks over the mouse, wiping blood off his paws. A few patrons stand, but most are nonplused at the cloaked black otter.

The stoat blinks. "YOU IDIOT!" he frowns, kneeling down to check the mouse. He's alright...will need a healer right away though... "Some beast get a healer..." he then yawns. And as the stoat was checking, two rats, probably bouncers come over to Aik. They're huge too. Probably just about as big as Aik. "You...come with us." The rats growl.

Aikuen blinks at Kentar, "He had it coming... I was standing... and stuff..." and then looks as the rats get near him, "Whoh... big uglies walking..." he grins and when the rats say that, he chuckles at them, "I'm sorry... but I'm gonna hafta to decline on that offer... I'm already taken you see... though you look like nice beasts and such... and hopefully, someone will like you one day..." the rats act like they are going to attack the otter. The otter grins, and side steps bringing his elbow across the rats face. He is down, but not out. The other rat swings heavily at Aik, and he takes it full in the face. It doesn't even phase the otter and he punches him right back and he falls backwards to the ground, completely out. Aik shakes the feeling from his paw, as the other one starts to get up. Aik is once again ready, "Come on brainless..." the rat feints and protects his face. Aik swings and then changes it as he brings his paw to the side of the rats face and slams it against the bar. The other rat falls to the floor, and is also out. All are gawked eyed at the otter. The otter wipes blood from his mouth and looks to the bartender, "Sorry... big uglies..." and he takes out a bunch more gold before slowly hobbling out of the pub and onto the street.

Kentar frowns. Then slaps himself on the back of the paw for getting him drunk. And what's more. Is the bar keeper is more then likely going to go grab some guards or something. Which means he needs to get Aik out of here. He steps onto the street then aims a hard punch to the otter's jaw. Hopefully it works, if not...run, Kentar, run. "YOUR SUCH AN IDIOT!" he growls. "If that mouse dies, your going to be in a lot more trouble then just...just...a jail sentence." He growls.

Aikuen has sorta been hobbling up the street again, as realization of what just happens start to catch up. He has already put up his hood again, and then turns around as Kentar yells. He takes the punch square in the jaw. He starts to bleed more forcibly from his mouth, but other then that, no change from the otter. Aik spits out the blood before punching the stoat hard in the stomach, "Don't you think i know that..." lots of nice curses, "The mouse is fine... Not the first time i've done that... Come one... help me get him to a healer then..." he starts to run back toward the Pub. He hates Kentar right now. And probably will for awhile. As he may just have ruin the trip, and his life.

Kentar blinks as the stoat gets nailed, right in the stomach, sending him flying back with a loud grunt. The stoat just lays there. Winded. Sore. He then blinks and sits up. "Ow..." he stands and staggers to the pub, muttering things under his breath.

Aikuen is already at the pub, as it has cleared out greatly since they have left. Aik is over the mouse examining him. The two rats are slumped against the bar on the floor, each one with their own bottle of Ashurain rum. And a few gold coins to boot. They seem alright in general, as they watch the otter. Aik is talking to the bartender, "So the hut, is just down the road, pass the three way crossing, then a door with a medic sign right?" the weasel nods, "Yep... Why are you trying to help him anyways... I sent those goons after you..." he points to the rats, "You knock em out. Payed me more gold... Left... then came back?" He eyes the otter, "Why shouldn't i call the guards on you..." the otter looks up pleadingly, "Please no... I don't need that right now... I'm trying to make it better... i swear i am..." he sighs, "But i understand if you do..." the weasel laugh, "No way, you have payed me enough to rebuild the bar. and get new stock. far as I'm concern you can knock a few heads around!" he laughs. Aik looks to the rats, "What about you guys?" the rats blink at the otter and give a thumbs up, "Its fine... we are used to it... though surprised you knocked us out so quickly... that was something..." they both grin and drink heavily from the bottle. Aik is trying to make it better.

Kentar hobbles into the bar and groans. "Darn...otter..." he blinks. "I guess it was my own fault." he mumbles. Then goes to the otter and mouse, looking around. Wow. Nothing bad's happening. "I think you shattered my spleen or something." he mutters quietly to Aik.

Aikuen smiles a little bit at Kentar, though the otter feels like crud right now, and wishes to go back to when he was in the closet with Fira, "Yes it is your fault. Mostly... Now you know why i don't drink. I barely had any... and i knocked out three beasts..." he sighs and stands up and starts poking the stoat in the sides, "That's what happens when I'm slightly tipsy. Everything sets me off... Your fine... muscles are a little bruised... and you will be sore for a quite a bit... But nothing broken or anything..." he points to the mouse, "He's going to need a few stitches..." he sighs and picks him up off the ground easily and hefts him over his shoulder. He looks to the others, "Listen I'm sorry for all the... stuff i did... I'm truly sorry. And thank you for not telling the guards on me... i... appreciate it..." he smiles before heading out the door with the mouse. The bartender says, "Its fine. Not the first time its happened." the rats blinks a wave drunkenly at Aik, "bu-by! Otterey!" they both grin.

Kentar ows at the side poking, grinning. "But you know something..." he grins at the otter, standing up proper a little. "It was really...skillful what you did..." he smiles. "You know...I think you could drink...if we were back home, alone." he smiles a little. "We can still enjoy the occasional drink...if you'd like. With no one around...so that no one gets hurt..." he chuckles then follows the otter. "I'll be back for more of that rum! Keep it for me and you'll get more gold then he gave you!" he laughs. The bartender huhs then thinks to mark it. Though he knows the stoat's joking...maybe.

Aikuen, as he walks down the street with the mouse over his shoulder, flat out says, "NO! I'm never touching that stuff ever again... i hate when i drink. I hate how i act. I hate it! SO..." curse word here, "...NO!" he growls to himself, "I cant risk it. I... punched you cause i was angry... And cant do that... What if it was Fira... or..." other beasts. He remains silent for the rest of the trip no matter what the stoat says or does. They get to the healer and they step inside. The healer stitches him up and the otter waits for him to come around. When he does, the mouse and the otter talk for a bit, a little bit of nodding and shaking of heads. And Aik almost starts to break down, until the mouse says he wont tell the guards as it was an accident. Aik smiles and bows in front of the mouse, "Thank you... so much..." All the otter can think right now. Is go back to the cabin, "Lets go Kentar... take me back. I'm done for the day..." he frowns.

Kentar nods a little and scratches his head. The stoat watches them talk then sighs. "I'm sorry Aik. I really, really am sorry I made you go to that pub...and have a drink...its my fault really. If I didn't bring you to the pub...you'd never have...been drunk." he sighs. He hates himself now, too. Or maybe its the pain in his stomach talking. "Yeah...lets go." He says, walking along. When they get into their cabin, the stoat locks the door and chats with the otter family for a few, then goes up to bed. But, because his breath reeks of rum...he's forced to chew on some mint.

Aikuen enters the cabin and immediately goes to his room. Fira is asleep and has curled up on the bed, but she left room for Aik to get in when he got back. Aik feels like crud still and just holds her paw for a bit before going to lay on the floor, as his conscious wont let him lay with her until he tells Fira what happened. Light tears form in his eyes. He hates this. This is the worst feeling you can get. He really hopes Fira will understand. He did try to make it better. And he did warn them. He hates this, and slowly... he falls asleep curled on the floor.

But what they failed to realize...is the fact that they were followed.