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Post by Captain Bigwig on Feb 16, 2016 18:58:18 GMT -5
Dianthus looked awkwardly between the dibbun and Cypress, trying to think of a way he could reply. Playing with dibbuns sounded quite fun, but not just yet, although the idea of turning her down seemed cruel.
"We'll play later," he promised, giving her a wink. "This old fellow has some business to attend to."
As if on queue, the Major called his name, and Dianthus immediately straightened. The Major... wanted him to come? Wasn't this meeting with the Abbot important? What had he done to deserve this honor? Swallowing, Dianthus slid from the ranks as the hares began to break apart to investigate the Abbey - and mainly, snoop around the kitchens. The chorus of hare voices wailing for food almost made Dianthus laugh, but he pushed those distractions away, jogging ahead to stand at the Major's side.
"Dancepaw reporting, sah!"
--
From her window, Mildred watched with tired eyes as the Long Patrol filed into the Abbey.
The larks grew silent.
Rising from her seat, Mildred gathered her large journal into her frail hands, shakily making her way down the staircase. It would take her some time, at her current speed, to get anywhere very quickly, but as she made her way to the hall where Martin's tapestry hung, she could already see everyone dispersing. Lowering herself, she sat at the bottom of the staircase, opening her journal and beginning to write without so much as a greeting to anyone.
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Post by Margorr on Feb 16, 2016 20:19:16 GMT -5
As soon as the hares started wandering off, Rylee did too. The promise to play later was good enough for her, now she only had to remember which of the hares she had asked!
The Major nodded at Dianthus as he reported in. He addressed Torren first.
"Torren, go eat when food is ready, but as soon as you're done, I want you to pick ten hares out and start patrolin' the walltops, keepin' you're eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary! You are dismissed."
"Now then, Dancepaw," he said, pausing to regret his choice a little bit before continuing on. "You know I've just spoken with the Abbot. He's holdin' a council meeting for us within the hour. You're t' accompany me, which is a great honor considerin' you'll be in the presence of some of the most important beasts in Redwall. I don't want to hear a peep out of you unless y've got somethin' sensible to say, wot. If there's no questions, be down in Cavern Hole in half an hour. Not sure when we're starting the meeting exactly but y' don't want to be late."
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Post by Taurian on Feb 17, 2016 7:01:12 GMT -5
"Ah, yes. There's a young ottermaid who I don't think ye've 'ad the pleasure of meetin' yet." Tsaron turned his head to call to Taurian. "Pardon me, Taurian, but would ye'd be so kind as t' 'elp the good Father Abbot t' the kitchens?"
"Of course," the ottermaid replied, striding over to stand by the abbot. She offered her arm, and then turned her head back to where Tarlya and Gus stood. Grinning, she said, "I dinnae know if I can make it tae the kitchens. I may get lost. Tarlya, would ye care tae accompany myself an' the Abbot tae the kitchens? Just so I dinnae wind up in the dormitories or somethin'. An' Gus, was it? Well, if ye're goin' tae the kitchen too, ye'd mind as well come wi' us!"
Tsaron sighed. "Tarlya, look after the Abbot, will ye? An' that grinning maid o' yours." The owl shuffled off in search of the rest of the abbey elders. They soon came upon Mildred, sitting on the step. They cleared their throat and rapped their talons on the floor, trying to get her attention, but not wanting to disturb her unduly.
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Post by Captain Bigwig on Feb 17, 2016 18:08:02 GMT -5
Dianthus listened to the Major obediently, expression grim and serious as could be. Not a single pun or joke ran through his head in that moment, and he felt as though he might begin to tremble with nerves. It really was an honor, and he swallowed harshly, reaching up to scratch between his ears.
"I suppose I do have one question, sah. Why are you asking me? Please, don't think I'm not appreciative, this is one of the greatest honors I've ever received, but..."
But no one likes me because of my undocumented lineage.
But no one likes me because I'm not a true Long Patrol hare.
But no one likes me because I'm not serious enough, not good enough, not willing enough to die -
"But I just don't understand."
--
Mildred's large ears twitched at the sound of the tapping, and she took her time in completing the paragraph she was working on before looking up at the owl quite calmly. Adjusting her glasses, her nose twitched a greeting, and she slowly folded her journal shut.
"Care to tell me what exactly is going on here?"
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Post by Margorr on Feb 18, 2016 3:16:54 GMT -5
"Oh I'd be happy to accompany you to the kitchens!" She replied. "But what's all this about? Why is the Long Patrol here, Father?"
--------
"I suppose I do have one question, sah. Why are you asking me? Please, don't think I'm not appreciative, this is one of the greatest honors I've ever received, but..."
"But I just don't understand."
Truthfully, Boggs wasn't entirely sure why he picked Dianthus either. He hadn't trained Dianthus, nor had he been on Patrol with him, so he wasn't the most familiar with him, but he'd heard enough from the other officers to form some opinions, mostly negative ones.
"Hmph. You've done well enough for yourself to earn the rank of Corporal, haven't you? War isn't all marching an' fighting laddie buck! If y' want to get anywhere with this Patrol, you'll do what I say without question, an' take this as a learnin' opportunity. We'll make a proper officer of you yet, wot!"
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Post by Taurian on Feb 18, 2016 9:57:36 GMT -5
"Pardon the interruption, but the Long Patrol is 'ere, an' it ain't just a friendly visit, Mildred." Tsaron's large eyes blinked worriedly. "Major Rifflerun said there were fivescore 'ares at our door. I fear trouble's on it's way. The abbot is calling a council of elders, and I'm just doing the legwork of gettin' them all t' Cavern Hole."
--------------------------------
"I don't think that they're just 'ere for the vittles, although I wouldnae blame them," Taurain remarked. She sensed the approaching trouble like a storm over the lake by the old holt. "Father Abbot, I dinnae know if'n we've been h'introduced. My name's Taurian Riverbull, an' I'll swear tae defend the abbey from whate'er the 'ares came tae warn us about tae my dyin' breath."
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49 
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Post by mads on Feb 18, 2016 16:06:16 GMT -5
The young hare patted Rylee's head as she wandered off and watched after her for a moment to make sure that she ended up in the right place. He headed back towards the Abbey, then- he had a bad feeling, like a twinge in his leg, that was telling him that there was something about to happen, and that he had best have plenty of medicine made up and on hand.
On his way he spotted Tsaron and Mildred, and gave them both a polite nod of his head. "This is certainly a development, isn't it?"
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Post by Constable 216D on Feb 18, 2016 17:45:38 GMT -5
Relief washed over Abbot Whittle as Tsaron beckoned to one of the creatures lingering in Great Hall. The Abbot held out his empty paw, turned upwards so his guide could place an arm within his grasp. The maid's voice carried a thick Highland brogue, and Abbot Whittle judged by the texture of her forearm fur that his guide was an otter. He listened in quiet amusement as she invited two other creatures to accompany them to Redwall's kitchens, one of whom was curious as to the sudden appearance of the Long Patrol at the Abbey. Abbot Whittle shook his head slowly while he waited for the one called Taurian to finish speaking.
"Thank you for your willingness to help, my child," the Abbot said warmly as he waited for the ottermaid to begin moving. "I do not know what news the hares of the Long Patrol bring, but no matter! As long as there are creatures like you, Taurian, who are willing to stand for Redwall, no evil of ill-intent can conquer this place." He offered the young ones clustered around him a beaming smile. "Unless, of course, our new guests have such ravenous appetites that they eat us out of the Abbey!"
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Post by Captain Bigwig on Feb 19, 2016 12:09:30 GMT -5
Dianthus might have scoffed at the Major's words if he weren't so intimidated, and nodded his head after a moment, showing to be in general agreement. He'd love for the Long Patrol to have nothing to do with war, become diplomatic - but what a ridiculous fever dream! No matter, if the Major chose to take the plunge in attempting to rely on someone who'd never been relied on before, that was his call, and Dianthus would do his best to prove himself.
"Thank you, sah. I will do as you say."
Eyes widening, Dianthus jerked a little, as if he were just about to leave and then recalled something.
"Sah - I know this isn't the best time, but, I just... I have to say, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry about Lucerne. She was one of my only real friends, and I just wanted to say... That if you ever need anything, I'm... I'm sorry, sah. This - This outburst is unprofessional, isn't it? I'll just -"
Cutting himself off, Dainthus scowled to himself as he spun around, heading for Cavern Hole silently. He'd sit and wait for the meeting to start, he wouldn't open his mouth, and hopefully he'd retain enough information to be of some use!
--
Mildred absorbed Tsaron's words slowly, the light in her eyes still as bright as when she was but a mousemaid, and she tapped her chin in thought. When Cypress arrived, she nodded her head, slowly gathering her things into her arms and rising from her seat.
"The Long Patrol never visit the Abbey for pleasantries, my friends. As well as we have always gotten on with them, to come for a visit is highly unusual - when I saw them marching through the gates, I knew trouble was bound to follow! Loud, smelly things, those hares... No offense, Cypress. As an Abbey Beast, you certainly fit in more with us than with them, I daresay."
Oh, old mice and their moody opinions -
"Either way, I'm off to Cavern Hole, then. Good luck finding anyone else who might like to come, Tsaron, and for goodness sakes, you'd do well to find someone to mind the pesky dibbuns before they come bursting into a meeting that may very well determine the future of Redwall!"
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Feb 20, 2016 14:03:44 GMT -5
If Mildred's comment about where he fit in irritated the young infirmary keeper, only a slow blink betrayed it. He knew that she was right- he had called the abbey his home for so long that he barely had any memories of Salamandastron.
"Cavern Hole? I suppose there will be a meeting to discuss all of this... should I accompany you, Mildred?" He asked. He usually sat in on such things- he thought that the elders could usually use a younger voice, and as the Infirmary Keeper he felt that he had some responsibility.
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bye!
