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 Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 4:45 pm
I SEE YOU!!! ::Faith suddenly cried with a great amount of joy and excitement that possibly rivalled Gem's for bare bitter moments as she stood there, aided by staff as always, with no other bat or helper, or watcher, or anyone else Jasmine might have set upon the young vixen to keep an eye on her...::
::But as she laughed slightly, standing there, coming closer to Eula, it had to be evident, the droopy ears, the look in her eyes, she was tired, VERY tired... and it seemed like Eula was more than likely now NOT going to get away with avoiding anyone who had been looking over that riddle all evening long as the abbess herself hop-skip-limped her way forward::
I found something, and I found- ::She stopped herself mid-excited bubble, as it seemed to burst, when she saw the two hares... and assembling all working cogs in her mind, quickly tried to shove away an errant bandage with a notably damp end, more than likely having been dragged around, or even MORE likely, she'd went and near fell asleep in her food, and let herself suitably DIP in her strawberry cordial this morning...::
::As tired as she was, she never stopped herself from greeting anyone who came through those doors as she smiled to them both, performing a clumsy curtsy as best her mind could manage, near beaming to them both:: Good day to you, good sirs.... I take it you're both friends of Eula?
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 5:15 pm
Out of all the creatures standing there, perhaps the most surprised by the sudden greeting was the youngest hare. Payton jumped in surprise and half-hid behind his father. He peered around and shot Faith a startled, distrustful look. No one told him there were FOXES here! He looked up at his father, at Eula, at Faith, and back at his father, wondering why no one looked so surprised.
Eula had to try really hard not to groan right out loud. Oh, couldn't she just have a LITTLE peace? Just a little time to spend with her family? She clearly wasn't a bit interested in what Faith had found... right now she just wanted to forget everything about the riddle, everything about her dream. She wanted to be left alone.
She turned to Faith, mustering up all her strength to put on a polite smile. "Hi Faith. Actually, this is my father. And that's my brother Payton."
"Dad, Payton - this is Faith. She's Abbess of Redwall," she made sure to give her father a good 'I'll explain it all later' face.
Shaftin clearly looked puzzled when he looked down at the little vixen. He blinked once, and was about to say something, but he caught the look on his daughter's face quickly enough.
Nodding, he bowed politely, and smiled in greeting. "Pleased to meet you Abbess Faith." He nudged Payton to do the same.
Payton looked bewildered, shaking his head in disbelief. Clearly he was not well versed on reading facial expression. "You can't be the Abbess!"
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 5:28 pm
::She stood there, smiling just a hint brighter at Shaftin's reaction, and a flickered ear indicated she'd registered the family connections at least, and her tired eyes gave a slightly weary 'I'll explain it all later' face mimicking the one Eula had only just gave her father to herself::
::At Payton however, there seemed to be a wake up call, as she stood there, EVEN younger than him with a good head or so of height advantage to him, as she laughed and looked up, with a half playful expression:: I can't?
Well, if I'm not the abbess, I must be a right sight to behold, shan't I, nothing but a dibbun held together by a few bits of gauze and a good old staff! ::At which she tilted it a little towards him with her smile held again, the same staff as yesterday... she hadn't even changed her habit it seemed, and the inscribings and sheer detail had to be the proof, the work of the badgerlord himself, delivered only a few seasons beforehand as a gift to the Redwall abbess herself...::
I must apologise for my looks... ::She bowed again, bashfully here:: Not even a good head scratch of a puzzle and I'm worn out...
::She looked again to Eula, just ever so faintly smiling again:: Although, would you mind my company a little while, or should I allow you a little time together and myself to look a little more respectful?
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 5:54 pm
"No, 'cause you're a fo- OW!" Payton received sharp pinches from BOTH sides, both his father and his sister getting him at the same time. His eyebrows drew together and he looked between the two of them with a pout. He rubbed his right shoulder where Eula had gotten him, but he had fallen into a sullen silence.
Eula returned her attention to Faith. "We're just going to get something to eat... so if you're hungry you can join us," she said in a somewhat pained voice. She didn't really mind if Faith came along, but Eula really didn't want to talk about the riddle. She hadn't told her father about it.... in fact her father wasn't even aware that she had dreams where the dead spoke to her.
She was never completely sure how to bring up that topic. Hey dad, the past five seasons have been really nice... and dead creatures talk to me in my dreams every now and then.
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 1:36 am
::As simple as she could be sometimes, and as young as she was, Faith seemed to pick up everything, although she looked to Payton with a growing smile, be whatever reason she thought, she had a sudden notion she was going to enjoy company with him::
I promise I'll only be a brief annoyance, ::She solemnly swore with one paw up:: Let me at a tater-top turnover and I'll be out of your headfur right enough, promised I'd help Kusaa later with her reading.
Although, have you told them the good news yet, Eula? ::She shone slightly... oh for the love of Martin she was going to spill it, and as the words came out her mouth there was nothing she could do to stop it!!!::
I certainly can't remember any other hares in Redwall history who've been appointed Abbey Recorders... and I don't think we've celebrated it properly myself...
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 5:50 pm
Donato had remained silent throughout most of this, fighting back a grimace as he realized Payton's inevitable faux pas. He kept his eyes focused on a nearby shrub, letting Eula and Shaftin sort it out. It took Donato a moment to figure out what "good news" Faith was talking about, but when he realized what she meant, he smiled a bit.
((Worst post ever!!!))
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Jen the Quiet Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:35 pm
Well, that sealed the deal, she assumed, with Faith deciding on having lunch with them. She wasn't sure how to ask the vixen not to mention the riddle. After all, it was the buzz of Redwall now... as it was every time some creature was visited by the abbey's guiding spirit. She wondered, disappointedly, what the Redwallers would think if they knew most of her dream-visits were from Ura. She remembered how they had treated him, and how they had reacted to him... and although he had died defending Redwall, she still had her doubts on who really trusted him even in the end.
And now she could see her own environmentally-induced prejudice shining right through Payton. It was time for his lesson in humility, she knew. He would leave Redwall just a little wiser, a little less judgmental. She was never sure what her father's saving grace was when he was growing up... but he never jumped to conclusions, he never showed prejudice or disdain for those he didn't know. Her mother, on the contrary... Well, that was where it came down from to herself and Payton.
When it seemed as if Faith was about to spill her little secret, she frowned and sighed, preparing an explanation in her mind. When the little Abbess mentioned her being Recorder, she blinked. Unspeakably relieved, she gave a little smile and shrugged. "It's not a big deal... I'm sure no one else had to 'celebrate' being appointed Recorder. It's just a job."
Shaftin seemed impressed though, smiling at his daughter. "Congratulations. Wouldn't have thought you'd enjoy doing something like that."
Eula shrugged again. "I spent a lot of time reading through the books in the gatehouse... they're pretty interesting, and I thought I could do that - why not?"
"Recorder?" Payton asked. "Recorder? How boring! I thought you were going to be a warrior! I'm going to a warrior."
Eula smirked. "That too. I expect I'll be taking Turan's job any day now," she joked.
"Really?" Payton breathed in awe, looking ridiculously jealous.
"No, I was just jo-"
"I'm hungry," Payton whined, losing interest in his short conversation with Eula.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:40 pm
::Faith watched the little exchange herself, declaring with all abbess-ly wisdom she could muster and a giggle:: Then why don't you head on, I'm sure Jude and the kitchen staff will welcome any Hare's challenge to try and eat everything they can put in front of you before they can cook more!!
Just down the Great Hall there, down to Cavern Hole, can't miss it, kitchens are all right aside it...
::Hopefully that would help sate the young hare, as she began to move herself in the same general direction, still speaking to Eula and her father at the same time:: A Recorder's position is one of the highest in the abbey, Eula, you'll see with time...
If there were no Recorders, then who would tell the stories of the abbey's past and who could learn from them?
I won't take no for an answer. ::She said with a mock firmness, nodding, before looking to Shaftin:: And I hope you'll stay for a quick festivity or so perhaps?
::And that was when a dark figure suddenly fell into place behind Faith, the black wings, the silver armor, and those opal tear eyes that were Kusaa, slowly unfolded without word, it would be a test to see how he reacted to HER, as she still stood unannounced, her wings still fully open, like the open claws of a monster, everything about her screamed such darkness... Faith was one thing, but to take her without at least a flinch would be a REAL test...::
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:59 pm
Payton took the invitation straight to heart, turning to bolt in the direction Faith spoke of. However, he stopped short, nearly toppling over in shock as he was confronted with a winged beast of darkness. What was THAT? Panicked, his paw went to his hip, for the small weapon he carried on him.
However, when Payton wasn't paying attention, Shaftin had snuck the dagger from his son's belt, relieved now that he had done so. No need for the young hare to be armed while inside of Redwall.
"Dad- hurry it's- dad... come..." Payton looked back incredulously. "Dad!"
Shaftin hurried up and put his paws on Payton's shoulders. "You need to calm down, son. You're in a different place... there aren't just hares here. There are other creatures, do you understand?"
Payton twisted around to look up at his father, and asked in a perfectly audible whisper. "What is... it?"
"She is a bat," Shaftin informed him, still with a tight grip on his son's shoulders. Using his grip on Payton, he started to steer him in the direction of the main abbey. "Now let's go ahead and get going, I know how hungry you are..."
Eula sent Payton the most puzzled and angered look that possibly existed, not believing his reaction to Kusaa. Though in all fairness, the bat was creepy, even for her species. She decided then she wouldn't go into Kusaa's history and how she had tried to kill the abbey warrior. Twice.
Thanking the powers that be that she had a patient and quick-thinking father, she followed with them. "Hello Kusaa," she said, somewhat awkwardly after what happened.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 2:19 pm
::Faith let the others get just a little ahead of her and Eula when she looked at Kusaa herself:: Good morning, Kusaa, good evening?
Quite... ::The bat responded, seemingly distracted as her wings made a wide flap and began to curl slowly around herself in cape-like form:: What a strange little creature... ::She followed Payton with her eyes, before looking back to the other two:: I'm just heading upstairs after a night's guard...
I thought you may appreciate some help on the riddle Mother Abbess... ::Kusaa seemed to regain her normal formality, ready to bow, when Faith urgently waved her paw aside, thankful for the small distance::
We're working on it later... ::Faith said in utmost secrecy, as the bat actually went right down to let Faith's muzzle nearly fall down her cockle-shell shaped ear:: Just now... ::She fell away into a set of whispers, before Kusaa nodded, rising again::
I'll see to it, Mother Abbess...
Can you not call me Mother? ::Faith asked with a half-laugh::
As you wish Abbess. ::And away she went, as her wings snapped open, and away she went, with Faith sighing, and nodding to Eula, with a surprisingly large smile herself... before moving to go catchup with Payton and Shaftin:: I'd say we have a FEW more species than hare here...
THAT would have been Kusaa, we have three bats here at the abbey just now... and it has to be said, if you ever see what she can do with her rapier, I daresay THEN you'll really have a reason to keep an eye on her... ::She giggled down to Payton:: She's one of our best warriors, right up beside Turan, so you or your sister will have to beat her before either one of you can get a shot at being Abbey Warrior...
But if you can handle a white fuzzball like me, and you can handle Kusaa, then I think you'll be hard pressed to be surprised by any other beast you meet here...
Moles, hedgehogs, mice, hares, a rabbit, bats, me and my mother, skunks, otters, squirrels... I think that's about our full stock, anyone I managed to miss out Eula? ::She turned back to her, hoping to get some conversation running again::
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Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:31 am
((Fine, I'll post! xp By the way, that five minute get-together in the chatroom never happened. We're redoing the entrance. Right-o. Jen, I made it so you HAVE to post now. 3nodding ))
Payton, even as his father kept him walking toward the main abbey, attempted to swing his head around and get another look at Kusaa. Spooked when he found the bat looking right back at him, he continued quickly to the abbey.
Eula reached out and took Donato's wrist, tugging him along to make sure he followed. She heard Kusaa mention the riddle and was relieved that her father was too far ahead to hear about it. Her own ears perked curiously and she realized Faith was whispering to the bat. Sighing, she rolled her eyes. What was that little fox planning now? She turned to Donato. "It's too much to ask to have a normal, quiet lunch with my visiting family, isn't it?" she smirked.
When they arrived at the doors to the Great Hall, Shaftin opened them and held them open for all the others, herding his son in.
Payton consistently kept his distance from Faith, still shooting her curious glances. His eyes widened when Faith mentioned her mother. There was ANOTHER fox? And older fox? These Redwallers were crazy. Didn't they know what foxes did? He kept close to his father, wary. When Faith mentioned Kusaa's rapier, he suddenly recalled his missing dagger and shot his father a reproachful look.
Which he dutifully acted as if he didn't notice.
"Raccoons," Eula added thoughtfully. "And a badger, of course. He gave me the Recorder job."
When everyone was inside, Payton looked mournfully at Eula. "Can we eat yet, huh?"
"All right, let me go talk to Jude-"
"I wanna come!" Payton immediately piped up, looking excited.
"I don't think that's a good-"
But Payton grabbed Eula's arm and dragged her off, but clearly had no idea where he was going. He stopped short and frowned at Eula.
Sighing, she shook her head. "All right, come on..." and she turned him to lead him off to the set of double-doors that led to the abbey kitchen. She looked back at the others quickly. "If we come back empty-pawed, blame him," she said, pointing at her brother.
She walked into the kitchen, Payton following her like a shadow. "Don't touch anything," she whispered fiercely. "Jude, you here?"
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:35 am
((Hee x3 No one says I can't get a post in the meantime....))
::Well, scratch the conversation on species, but Payton himself seemed to be a barrel of it, being sent rolling down the stairs, Faith couldn't help but smile for some reason, as much as he threw his distrust and disbelief every where, for some reason, over the seasons of seeing the same behaviour, it seemed she was past any insult, taking it fully in her stride::
::She quickly nodded as thanks to Eula's father, performing a quick hop-skip-hobble to get past quick enough through the door, and onward she followed, until she was positively sticking to Eula and Payton like an otter on hotroot, a second shadow who came behind Payton too, suddenly piping up after Eula, unable to hide her chuckling any more::
The Abbess has a small request to make, and a few bellies that need attention!
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:43 pm
Speaking of raccoons, who could be sitting there in the great hall but Terra. She turned and spotted the group as they came in, smiling a little at Eula, although she was with a few people she wasn't familiar with. Hearing the hare say she was going to get food from Jude, Terra did her best not to laugh when the younger hare asked to join. Asking for food was a euphemism, really, but the younger one obviously didn't know that.
She walked over to Eula as the other entered the kitchen, giving her a pat on the shoulder and nodding in agreement with Faith's shouting, "You know I'm a picky eater, Eula. Make sure you get only the best from Jude." Perhaps it was her prolonged exposure to the hare maiden's sarcasm, but Terra couldn't help but sometimes be a little snarky.
She turned to look at the you hare with her, gently nudging her in the side as a way of saying Introduce me, please, so I don't feel like a moron.
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 3:08 pm
((Lol, wherever Terra got her dirty mind, it was most certainly not Eula's fault.))
Eula blinked rapidly as she was joined in kitchen by yet two MORE creatures. Clearly getting food was a much more difficult task than she had originally thought it was.
Payton, clearly uncomfortable being that near Faith, scooted around Eula and made his way across the kitchen.
"If you touch anything, I'll skin you," Eula warned, looking around for Jude in the large kitchen. Perhaps the mouse had gone down to the cellars? She looked back behind her at Terra and Faith, and shook her head.
"I'm perfectly capable of handling this myself. I only brought Payton along because he's never been here before. I just thought he- Payton, don't touch anything!"
The young hare had found a basket of candied chestnuts and was wiggling his paw in, pilfering a few for himself. He took his paw out quickly and looked at Eula with a pout. "I'm not." When she looked away, he popped a chestnut quickly into his mouth.
And all this left Shaftin and Donato, humorously enough, alone.
Shaftin watched as the four other creatures disappeared into the kitchen. He waited a beat, two, then looked at Donato. "Donato, I like you, and you know I do. I did when I first met you five years ago. But, if you hurt her, I will hunt you down."
He let that soak in for a few moments, then rubbed his paws together and went to take a seat. "Well, I'm looking forward to some Redwall food!"
((And with that, yes, we have converted to YEARS. No more of this seasons nonsense. Our characters now age in YEARS. Thankyouverymuch.))
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Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 4:25 pm
((Been waiting for that line for a good long while! XD))
::Faith couldn't help it herself, really, as Terra made a good way to distract Eula, a little impish side of her awoke that her mother had never really been able to fully suppress... and as much as Payton felt uncomfortable about her, she was making it a hard act to keep away from her when she made her way over, and then nonchalantly past with a giggling whisper:: The best ones are in behind the oven door, just cooling, freshly made and everything!
::And just to make sure Eula didn't go on a sudden inquisition over what she had been conspirating against her now THIS time, she took a small set of steps the mole maids of the kitchen used to reach worktop height, yanking it over with the aid of her staff, and making her way up with an innocent hum, her staff keeping her balance as she made her way up, tail moving animatedly as she looked eagerly at a jar of plums pickled in their own juices...:: I'm sure Jude wouldn't mind if we get something to eat in his absence, very unlike him to let any goodbeast starve, very sure he'd understand!
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