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Post by Taurian on Oct 3, 2015 7:29:50 GMT -5
{An introductory post for Tsaron, and for the Gatehouse in general. Tsaron spends a great deal of time in the Gatehouse. The pronoun things with my characters can be confusing, even for me, so Tsaron is referred to as he/him, and Hiacynth as they/them for this post. Feel free to use they/them for Tsaron in replies, and she/her for Hiacynth.}
'If only Hiacynth were here,' Tsaron found himself thinking, not for the first time. In the season after Tsaron's young charge had gone off with the Guosim, he had missed the shrew dearly, wondering how he had ever gotten along without them. Hiacynth was short enough to reach the lower shelves, which Tsaron could not do without a considerable amount of back pain. Now he was alone in the gatehouse, and had to get the books on the lower shelves all by himself. The other abbeybeasts had recommended that he go to the infirmary and have Cypress get him something for his back, but Tsaron kept postponing his visit, making excuse after excuse. He felt very lonely in the gatehouse, and hoped that the Guosim would call again soon.
At least he still had the dibbuns. After Hiacynth left, Tsaron spent more of his time among the dibbuns, playing and laughing with the young creatures. It kept his mind off of Hiacynth's absence.
'They'll be back, Wisebeak. You know they'll be back. And they miss you too, you know they do,' he thought to himself. Groaning as he bent down, Tsaron's sharp gaze ran over the books on the bottom shelf, selecting one and gingerly removing it with his talons. The dibbuns had asked him to read a story at supper, and Tsaron instantly agreed. It had been a long time since he had read anyone a story.
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49 
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Post by mads on Oct 3, 2015 10:30:55 GMT -5
Cypress knocked on the door of the gatehouse, leaning heavily on his solid oak cane. He rarely made his way out there, though he found the owl's company nice; it frustrated him that his disability meant that he could not often spare energy for social calls, but he was happy to find that he had a good excuse to hobble across the lawn to the gatehouse and knock on the door.
"Good morning!" he said brightly. "I hope you're well, Tsaron. I find myself in need of some research, and I figured that this was as good a time as any."
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Post by Taurian on Oct 3, 2015 10:58:42 GMT -5
Straightening up at the sound of the knock, and Cypress's voice, Tsaron smiled at the hare, pleased of the company. "And good morn to you, Brother Cypress!" They said, bowing slightly, with a sweeping motion of their wing; an old custom that Tsaron had never forgotten.
"Now, you say you need to do some research, eh?" Tsaron asked. "I don't have a lot of the records here anymore, most are in the library. I've got mostly books of stories and riddles, and some journals of past gatekeepers. What sort of information are you searching for, brother?"
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 3, 2015 11:31:38 GMT -5
"I have had a bit of a mad idea, but I want to try and persuade some wild herbs to grow here where they are easier to gather." he said inclining his head to Tsaron politely as he stepped inside. "But first I would like to know if anyone has tried previously. Can you think of anything from any of the records?"
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Post by Taurian on Oct 3, 2015 12:39:43 GMT -5
"Hmm." In their mind, Tsaron ran over the list of titles kept in the gatehouse. "The library may have more information, but I think Brother Belar's journals mention his experiments with the domestication of wild plants. From what I can recall, Belar kept very good notes," Tsaron informed Cypress. Tsaron's eyes ran over the shelves again, spotting the journals on one of the lower shelves.
"If you don't mind, brother, would you pull out those three light green journals on the second shelf from the floor? I would, but those shelves give me troubles with my back."
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 3, 2015 18:43:34 GMT -5
He nodded. "That is really more what I am looking for- I need to know what others have tried before me, so I know where to go myself. I don't have the physical ability to adventure, so I suppose I must search the far corners of my gardening ability." he said, trying to make light of something that he was usually upset by.
The young hare shuffled over to the aforementioned journals and knelt quickly, handing them up to Tsaron before pulling himself to stand with both paws on his cane. "Your back? If it's bothering you, you should have come to see me! I have something I that I am expiramenting on, you may like it- it smells of peppermint and does wonders in soothing my leg."
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Post by Taurian on Oct 3, 2015 19:02:26 GMT -5
Glancing at Cypress, taking in his injury, Tsaron nodded. "Aye. Those volumes would be great help to ye, then." Tsaron cleared their throat awkwardly before continuing, "If'n you're ever looking for a friend to gather those herbs for ye, I'd go. I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can still be of some use."
Fluttering their wings to clear their thoughts, Tsaron addressed Cypress once more. "Hmm, peppermint, eh? Per'aps I'll give it a try. Any chance you could send someone here with it, with instructions on usage? I always mean to go up to the infirmary, but so many things keep coming up..." Tsaron trailed off and began to intently study the gatehouse floor, an unusual occurrence for them when they were in the midst of conversation.
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 3, 2015 19:20:26 GMT -5
Cypress took the journals and tucked them in his pocket with a grateful dip of his head. He noticed Tsaron's discomfort and reached out to touch their wing. "I will bring it myself- what kind of an infirmary keeper would I be, if I couldn't help a friend in need?" he asked, tilting his head with a smile. "I'd very much appreciate it if you could help- I would go with you the first time, of course, so that you know what you need. I've tried it on my own, but I tend to get myself into trouble when I'm alone." he tried to help the owl cheer up from whatever was making them uncomfortable.
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Post by Taurian on Oct 3, 2015 19:27:53 GMT -5
"Aye, you should be careful. Of course I'd come with ye! Wouldn't want out infirmary keeper to hurt himself, now would we?" Tsaron chuckled. "And many thanks to you, Brother, in advance, for that miracle peppermint of yours!" Their awkwardness out of the way, Tsaron made to follow Cypress out of the gatehouse, tucking the storybook under their wing as they did so.
"Now, let's be going. I've got to go read to the dibbuns soon, care to join us, Brother?"
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 3, 2015 22:23:41 GMT -5
Cypress chuckled at that. "Well if I /did/ hurt myself, I could fix it up in no time and none would be the wiser, would they?" He headed out, moving as quickly as he could so he wasn't holding up the kind gatekeeper. "Thank you, I'd love to see the little ones. They are so energetic, aren't they? I wish I could bottle that up and pass it around! Also little Beetee twisted a paw yesterday, I'd like to take a look at that, and that better a time than when they have someone reading them a good story? They'll rarely hold still long enough otherwise."
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Post by Taurian on Oct 4, 2015 8:37:47 GMT -5
"What a better time indeed!" Tsaron agreed, chuckling. "And I don't plan on letting ye hurt yourself, Brother, so they'll be no need for ye to patch yerself up, busy enough with the dibbuns and us elders with our creaking limbs, eh?" The owl smiled at the young infirmary keeper, then frowned. "Poor Beetee, how'd the rogue manage that?" They asked, concerned. Beetee was a scoundrel of a youngbeast, always rushing about, never listening to any of the Brothers and Sisters. They'd listen to Tsaron telling a story, though, as most of the youngsters would, and the distraction had allowed Cypress to heal the little ones in the past.
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 4, 2015 11:47:04 GMT -5
"He tried to climb the trees in the orchard with the young squirrels, silly little creature. Though you know how it is- if they are wild and adventurous as dibbuns, they make good natured older beasts." He mused, smiling at Tsaron. "I am sure that our Beetee will go on great adventures someday."
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Post by Taurian on Oct 4, 2015 12:47:30 GMT -5
"Should've guessed. The other day Beetee had a feather attached to his bottom. Said that he'd nicked it from Mildred, and that he was a 'squirrelybeast' now." Tsaron sighed. "But indeed, some of the wildest dubbuns turn out to be the greatest of heroes. I just hope the abbey can withstand his dibbun years!"
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mads
Dibbun
Posts: 49
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Post by mads on Oct 5, 2015 14:18:15 GMT -5
Cypress chuckled. "We had best have the walls reinforced." He replied, following them to find the dubbuns. They seemed delighted to see Tsaron, less so to see Cypress- he was known to make them take medicine and hold still.
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Post by Taurian on Oct 5, 2015 14:47:04 GMT -5
"I'll suggest that to Foremole, when I see her," Tsaron replied. They chuckled at the dibbuns, waving their wing enthusiastically at them as they crowded around.
"Now, now, young'uns. Get to yer seats, all of ye, afore I have the good Brother Cypress dose ye with nasty-tastin' physick!" The owl threatened playfully, shooting an apologetic look at Cypress.
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bye!
