While the White Fox Slept
Characters: Amethyst, Redstripe, Benar, Grey
Location: Redwall Abbey
Infirmary
Amethyst enters the infirmary from the hall. She'd been overseeing the dibbuns down in the dorms while simultaneously avoiding her duties. It wasn't like Redwall didn't have healers of it's own to look after the wounded. But the rat knew she could only stay away so long before somebeast got wise to her latest detour mission. She crosses the infirm to wash her paws. A certain dibbun had been sharing his jam with most of the door knobs and handles down stairs or so it seemed.
Redstripe's head is resting on Flicktail, his chin laying across the fox who's curled up under the covers, but that doesn't seem to be bothering Flicktail, or his sleeping. The badger looks up from where he sits to notice the entering rat healer. "Hullo," he says gently so as not to wake the sleeping fox his head rests on.
Amy dries her paws and hearing a voice turns her head toward it. "Hello," she returns the greeting. "Are you hurt or visiting?" she asks.
Redstripe lifts his head now but replaces it with a large paw and arm. "Visiting," he says. "Flicktail 'ere. Said 'e was cold so I was restin' my 'ead over 'im to give 'im some warmth. Lost lots of blood. A weasel, an elder of the Abbey, 'as 'im on clam soup. Said it's good stoof to eat after loosin' blood." The badger doesn't question the rat's ability to see.
The rat nods not commenting on how big the voice's head must be to warm a fox. She unlatches her healer's pouch and pulls out a bent card. "From the masses," she says walking closer to the fox's bed to pass the card long. "I'm sure there will be more as time goes on. He does have a large number of little ones."
Amethyst says, "They wanted to come up and see him but we can't fit all of them in and they do get underfoot. So I got them started on making things for him to 'help him get better faster'. I'm sure his section of the room will be very decorative soon. If it gets too much we can fill his house with their gifts. I'm sure he wont mind too much."
Redstripe chuckles lightly at what the rat says. "I can imagine that," he says. "Good for them, and good for you ms. Healer. I'm sure he's gonna love it. What's this card 'ere? Oh, m'name's Redstripe. I be a badger, but never you worry. You're obviously a healer, and obviously a Redwaller, so I won't harm ya'. Y'aint a vermin in Redstripe's eyes."
Amethyst smiles but doesn't correct the badger. If he wants to think she's a Redwaller let him. Redwall won so it's not that strange a conclusion. "I'm told it is a card with pictures and the words 'Get better father' among other other things. The olders ones said it was only scribbles and not real words but I'm sure the fox will be able to make sense of it anyway," she says.
Redstripe smiles and looks over the card before putting it back in your paw. "Good for 'em then," he says gently. "Y'are a Redwaller, right marm?" he asks, seemingly curious at the rat. "IF yer not, well.... obviously they're letting ya stay here so ya can't be a bad beast, especially if'n yer takin' care of the dibbuns."
Amethyst is quiet a a while checking the fox more to be doing something than to help him though she there is no reason for her not to help him. "I came here as a guest and have lived here for a while now. Through an invasion of all things. I never intented to stay here forever but I'm not in a great hurry to leave either."
Redstripe lifts his head slowly, allowing the rat to look over the fox. "Why don't ya stay?" he asks. "The dibbuns all love ya, right? And yer a 'ealer! An' yer a really nice beast, everythin' a Redwaller should be. They wouldn't mind I'm sure of it!"
Amethyst says, "I've thought about it on occasion. Somebeast even suggested I should ask the Abbot if I could take on the old title of 'badgermum' to the dibbuns as we seem to be low on badgers of the female sort and being a badger isn't real required to hold the position. The title is more a hold over from when badgers were more common here. And I have thought of that as well. The fox certainly can't watch them all /him/self."
Redstripe chuckles lightly as he nuzzles his head comfortable back on Flicktail. "Why don'tchya?" he asks, eyes looking back up to the rat looking somewhat tired himself now. "An', if'n y'don't mind, may I ask your name marm? Y'may save me life one day, just 'as you no doubt have pulled others 'ere from death I'm sure. I"
I'd like to know how to call for if I get hurt."
Amethyst shakes her head, "It's not that easy stripedog. If I'd come here on my own maybe I could but when I said I came here as a guest. ... It was more I was sent here as it was thought to be safer than my staying a home all by myself." No reason to count the swan. "I'm called Amethyst. I was given it by a very strange child."
Redstripe smiles a bit as he says, "Nice ter meetchya Amethyst. Like I said, I'm Redstripe, better than stripedog." The badger chuckles before saying, "Oh, well, do ye' live nearby? Maybe ye' could come here often ter help out. A badgermum I think you'd be perfect at doin', seein' 'ow you and Flicktail seem to be the dibbuns' favorites. I could talk to the weasel Elder for ya, or maybe even tha' Abbot."
Amethyst says,"My old home is not too far from here. The fox knows and the Abbot might know but you don't need to. I wouldn't mind staying that much but it would require some explaining when the others get back if they should find me numbered among the order upon their return. But if beasts want to talk with the Abbot that's their business."
Redstripe smiles still as he says, "No worries, Ms. Amethyst, y'just met me today I'm not expectin' ye ter tell me where you live or anythin'. But if ye' live close enough, you can walk here to be a badger mum. Ye' don't have to live 'ere in order to work 'ere, right? And if ye' like workin' 'ere and nobeast else will, I think it'd be good for the Abbey to have ye'!" Now the badger's eyes close somewhat, looking tired.
Amethyst chuckles, "It may be good for the Abbey but I rather doubt my husband would see it that way."
Redstripe yaaaaawns, looking more tired as he looks up at the rat with a confused look. "Why wouldn't 'e be?" he asks. "Is yer husband a vermin, or a goodbeast like ye? If 'e's a goodbeast I dun think 'e'd 'ave a problem with it, if it makes ye' happy. plus ye' could be doin' it as thanks to the Abbey for giving ye' a safe place ter stay eh?"
Amethyst smirks, "Ya know how this fox is called an 'otterfox'? My husband could be called a 'moleotterrat' or some such thing. He's quite strange and I know he has friends here, family he'd say, it would take a lot to get him to live here again. I'm sure he'd be counted as a good beast. He counts this fox as his uncle and the last Abbot is somehow part of our odd family as well according to him. He's very strange as I've said. They will be glad to hear of the black fox's death though. It was long over due."
Redstripe frowns slightly at hearing what the rat healer says. "Aye?" he asks, "take alot to live 'ere again? Why's that? I mean, ifn' y'don't mind me askin' that is. An' who was the previous Abbot? I 'aven't been 'ere long enough to know much of anybeast."
Amethyst sighs, "He's rather set in his ways. He was here back when the black fox started showing up more the causing trouble. He was in disguise and was able to walk in the door without a fuss. My husband is of the opinion the Abbey is too lenient on who they let in. While I'm not as sure about that as he is I'd agree they are too kind to prisoners at times. They could have had the black fox killed sometime ago but they refused and he escaped. He's dead now but he would have been sooner if things had been handled differently."
Redstripe the badger sighs somewhat as his eyes drift down to regard Flicktail under his head. "Aye," he says gently, "it's not a prison, an' it aint militant really. It's just an' Abbey, 'ere as a haven for goodbeasts. I agree, the Abbey should check and know beasts' intentions but.... I dunno. It's notta fort, though 'as good fortifications an' all." The badger closes his eyes once more. "What 'bout Hactor over there? You gonna treat 'im or leave 'im be? Other healers be workin' on that one."
Amethyst says, "If they need me to I will. I've treated him before. He isn't causing trouble right now. If he does we'll deal with it."
Redstripe's tired eyes look over to the sleeping Hactor, and he says, without smiling but with a voice sounding somewhat flat, "I dun think 'e's gonna be causing anybeast any trouble ever again. Missin' an army an' 'is vermin army is either all dead or run out on 'im. Well, if yer gonna be stayin' 'ere, I guess I should ask ye permission to stay in 'ere with ol' Flicky."
Amethyst nods, "He does seem rather broken down now. I suppose ya kin stay for a bit long as you stay out of th way. That may take some doing for you but I think we'll manage.
Redstripe smiles, the badger resting his head on top of Flicktail, his eyes sleepily looking up at Amethyst as the badger says, "Aye, well.... we need me t'move, just lemme know. An' just so y'know Ms. Amethyst, anybeast give you any trouble for bein' a rat, you tell ol' Redstripe. I'll straighten' 'em out for ya!"
Amethyst laughs, "I don't think that will be a problem."
Benar walking into the Infirmary room is Brother Benar, the grey squirrel is in a fresh habit, has his beret back on and is carrying a small clay pot with alid. He nods to Amethyst and the Badger as he walks inside. "Good day to you both."
Redstripe laughs lightly before adjusting his head to a more comfortable position on top of the fox, now almost using him as a pillow. Which could be why he's so sleepy. "Maybe not, but, m'just sayin'. Somebeasts are very prejeduce against some others. Woodlanders an' vermin both. Me da was like that, but I aint!" Then he looks to the squirrel, smiling still as he notices the habbit. "Allo Brother," he says. "Ah, do ye happen to be Brother Benar by chance? Somebeasts were talkin' about 'im, sayin' he's the recorder. A fox came by 'ere las' night, lookin' for work, said he was good at keepin' records an' such."
And here's the other sort-of-uncle-by-marriage. "Hello squirrel. Keeping the kilns lit?" the rat asks trying to make small talk.
Benar blinks at Amethyst and smiles, "William's wife yes? Nice to see you my dear." He then looks at Redstripe and frowns, "No... I am not the recorder. I am Brother Benar, I run the Kiln." he holds up the pot "This is a bed warmer for Flicktail."
"Yes that would be me. Amethyst Tazan," Amy says to the squirrel. "Was some hare the recorder?" she asks. "And I don't have that title yet. I haven't even decided if I'm going to ask for it yet." she adds.
Amethyst blinks, "I'm sure I heard of one that was a hare once. I don't know if she was called a 'badgermother' or not but I'm sure she was in charge of the little ones whenever that was. It was in one of the books from here we read to th twins."
Redstripe chuckles and shakes his paw. "Ah, nice to meetchya too sir. An' it doesn't matter whossa badger mum, be 'er badger or not, so long as she can be a mum. Badgers are somewhat rare now'r'days. An' all the dibbuns love Ms. Amethyst 'ere." The badger smiles to the rat. "Well marm, y'should at least have the title while yer 'ere doin' the work!"
Benar smiles at Amethyst and inclines his head, "It would mean living in the abbey permanantly however, You'd have to leave the mole deep."
Amethyst frowns, "Why do I get the feeling that if I don't watch out you'll make me Abbotess before the day is out? I didn't say I'd do it I /said/ I'd think about it."
Benar chuckles "Oh no, Lorimis would get upset with me" he smiles, "I was just letting you know what would be expecting is all Miss Amethyst."
Redstripe laughs at that and shakes his head quickly. "Sorry marm, just thought, since yer the only one doin' the work, y'should have the title, that's why I called ye the badgermum." Then he looks to Benar and winks with a smile. "The dibbuns all love Mr. Flicktail 'ere, but I dun think he'd make a good 'mum'."
Amethyst sighs and shakes her head, "I was talking to the badger but alright. He'd better make a good dad or I'd be forced to ... borrow some of his dibbuns. He has too many anyway. And his wife expecting on top of that. I'm a little surprised that fox isn't in here more often just from trying t do so much."
Benar sighs and eyes the white fox, "He does have a habit of doing too much, but then that is what the order is for. All of our Dibbuns are cared for by the order as a whole."
Amethyst says, "He adopted most of them though and tries to be a father to them but there are a lot of them."
Benar says, "Well technicly he can't adopt them all... the Abbot doesn't allow such things. The Dibbuns are Redwalls greatest resource, allowing one person to adopt them all would be wrong of us as it would be impossible for him to see to them all hence why the Abbey adopts orphaned dibbuns and everyone helps.""
Amethyst says, "He sure tries to adopt them all. And I was told most said yes when he asked them."
Redstripe chuckles as he sits down next to Flicktail, smiling down at the sleeping fox. "Aye, ifn' I was a dibbun, I'd want him as me da. Flicky here's playful, kind, stern when 'e needs ter be, respectful.... everything I'd want in me da. And me real da weren't NONE of them things!" the badger laughs again. "Ah, aye, Mr. Flicky 'ere's a goodbeast."
Amethyst says, "I wont say he isn't but he does do too much."
Benar shakes his head and smiles, "We let them indulge but the Abbey and order is why he can look after them all." HE looks at the fox, "I hated him you know, for years... I had.. a very bad time of it when I was little. My first time in the abbey he tried to pick me up and I just started screaming until my adoptive mother rescued me."
Amethyst smiles and shakes her head again, "He's likely claimed two or three generations by now I'd guess or near to that. Crazy fox. Shame I missed seeing that Benar. Could really help it on account of not having been born yet I don't think way back then. Must have been something t see."
Soft pawsteps can just barely be heard in the Infirmary's main room, coming closer. They're just slightly uneven, as if the beast they're coming from had a small limp.
Benar chuckles, "It was something I am told, me screaming, Flicktail stuttering, my mother threatening to kick him through a window if he didn't unhand her son... Foxes were not popular."
Redstripe doesn't seem to notice the new arrival as he looks to Benar. "Aye?" he asks. "Mr. Flicktail 'ere be that old?" Then he looks curiously to the squirrel. "You an' 'im are best o' friends now, right? I hears 'im talkin' 'bout ya."
"Hello whoever you are? Do you need to sit down and take some weight of that foot of yers?" Amy asks the new arrival. "Flicky's friends with nearly everybeast. Or related to them ... or both."
'Grey' appears in the doorway, looking decidedly hesitant, and despite her apparent limp, showing absolutely no sign of any recent injury. She's divested herself of her weapons, but she hasn't taken any effort to disguise herself.
Benar says, "We are friends yes, he's a very important part of the abbey, we would not be the same without him. It took me a long time to get over my hatred of Foxes but Flicktail helped."
Redstripe smiles warmly and nods to the squirrel. "Aye," he says. "Flicky's good at that. Gets beasts unscared of many things, 'e does. Then again, 'e's champion, right?" The badger chuckles and leans back in his chair. "My da was a hater of vermin. So much that.... well, I don't want ter talk 'bout it, but I fer one decided to be somethin' me da aint." Then he looks to Kevarr, squinting. "'Allo there.... um, do I know ye?
Benar turns to look at the marten and smiles "MIss Kevarr I am glad to see you again it has been quite some time." he looks back to Redstrip and nods to him, "Well we are glad to haev you here in our abbey."
"No," is the marten's immediate response to Redstripe, but as Benar speaks her ears twist back, and she looks as though she's been caught rather flatfooted. "Uh..." There's no sign of recognition from her.
"You can sit down marten. We aren't gonna do anythin' t you. Not if ya don't give us reason to," Amy says. She can smell the marten but doesn't call her by name.
Redstripe laughs lightly to Benar as he leans forward to the squirrel, nodding. "Aye, well it's good ter be havin' by ye Abbey! Good place ter live an' work, it is! And thankee Brother Benar. Kevarr eh?" Then he looks back to the Marten curiously. "Aye, I know I've seen ya but.... weren't yer name somethin' like Grey?" If he knew what Grey did, he doesn't seem to look angry in any way, or threatened. Recognition comes to his eyes now. "Aye, I do know ye!" Then, surprisingly, he smiles. "Aye, you kept Hactor's vermin from hurtin' other beasts, I rememberin' hearin' y'say, 'nobeast gettin' 'urt in this Abbey', things like that. Yer be a goodbeast, no reason ter be lookin' all afraid."
Benar says, "I know you miss, I am Brother Benar, I have heard of you as Redstripe says it is hard not to recognize you"
"Brother Benar could you show the badger how to work the bedwarmer please," Amy asks hoping to distract them so they wont pester the marten too much.
"Heard of me," Kevarr repeats. She makes it sound very dubious, and the face she pulls at Redstripe's words is a little sour. She does, however, turn and slump onto the edge of an empty bed.
Redstripe looks curiously to the marten, but then looks to Amethyst, knowing what she's trying to do, and nodding as if agreeing to it. Looking to Benar, he says, "Aye, Brother Benar, how do ye' use it?"
Benar says, "Oh of course" he takes off the clay lid and points "See you just add in the charcoal, it is a specuial mix, slow burning then you just light it, make sure the flame takes and tuck it back into the bed""
"Do you have a preference for what you want to be called?" the rat asks the marten. "If not I'll keep t using 'marten' for the present."
Kevarr waves her single paw. "I don't care. I've been going by Grey, others keep insisting on calling me Kevarr. Doesn't much matter now."
Amethyst frowns a little and suggests, "Would like a new third name and then forget the other two?"
Kevarr says, "No. That'd get even more confusing."
Redstripe tilts his head to the bedwarmer while looking inside of it. "Won't it get TOO hot, or.... does the clay 'ere stop that?" The badger looks over to the marten, frowning a bit but still not getting involved keeping his attention on the bedwarmer, looking more concerned than anything.
Benar smiles "The clay helps and the charcoal burns very slowly, so it just warms it"
Amethyst says, "Then it would help if you picked one of the two names you have to use all the time."
Redstripe nods his head slowly. "Aye?" he asks, looking somewhat amazed at the thing. "Did ye' invent this thing?" he asks curiously as he goes to touch it, then stops, thinking better of it.
Kevarr shrugs unhelpfully, especially since Amethyst can't see it. "I really don't care."
Amethyst says, "Very well marten. Do you need anything? I'm sure you know where things are if you need somewhere to sleep or you get hungry."
"Anyway everyone" he smiles "I made it Redstripe, i didn't invent it, we've had such things for seasons but the Vermin smashed most of the pottery it seems. Abnyway I need to get back to the kiln I will see you all later""
Redstripe can't help but get involved as he seems to be too caring of a creature. The badger turns, looking to the marten, offering a friendly smile. "Marm?" he asks. "A suggestion? I like Kevarr best, the nam Grey's kinda.... I dunno." Then he chuckles. "It's too grey, eh?" Then he nods to Benar. "Take care Brother Benar!"
"Try to come in to eat now and then squirrel," Amy calls after the brother.
Benar exclaims, "I will do not worry Miss Amethyst!" he waves and smiles, "See you all soon!""
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