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Frozen
Dec 21, 2007 22:06:32 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Dec 21, 2007 22:06:32 GMT
*Ashnel smirks slightly and quickly out of embarassment.* Terragon's my cousin. Well... second-adopted, but don't ask. Anyhow, she's leaderess of Terralux currently. I'm the mastermind behind it though, of course, I assure you. *He smiles again.* I take it you must be from one of the pine groves too? Oakrose... *He gestures at her, having forgotten the exact location of her former home and not caring to try and remember the wrong name. Royalbrush Groves?*
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Frozen
Dec 21, 2007 23:33:32 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Dec 21, 2007 23:33:32 GMT
*Mayyie smiles at the forgetful squirrel.* Well, it's been Royalbrush groves for generations, but since Auntie and Unkie only had girls, we're just calling it Squirrel Grove.
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Frozen
Dec 22, 2007 11:42:04 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Dec 22, 2007 11:42:04 GMT
Oh, of course, *Ashnel mumbles, smiling at the floor. He looks up again.* I don't suppose you know... how close is the Squirrel Groves to the Pine Woods? Used t'be Fountain Grove and Rooks Grove? *He turns to Darron.* From the same grove as these two ladies?
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Frozen
Dec 22, 2007 14:26:38 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Dec 22, 2007 14:26:38 GMT
*Darron nods.* Yup. Known these two since we were babes. Hm... Pine Woods, y'say? Fountain Grove and Rooks Grove? I'd say... three days hard travel. *Oakrose interrupted the other squirrel's estimating.* Father, Mother, Piney and I went to visit for a weekend for some business meeting, and it took us five days. Piney was about... 10 years old, equal to 40 seasons, and I was probl'y... 6 years, equal to 24 seasons. So with two little ones from the groves, it takes a bit longer at a leisurely pace. Took me two weeks to get here from home, so if you were to travel back to Pine Woods at full speed, it'd take about two weeks. Little more, little less, maybe. Why?
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Frozen
Dec 22, 2007 19:06:39 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Dec 22, 2007 19:06:39 GMT
You've visited? *Ashnel repeats, surprised, leaning forwards slightly.* I grew up in the Pine Woods! When were you there? *Oakrose is twenty-something... older than me or Terri... when she was six years... was I even alive then? Realisation strikes him. Guiding Stars! He forces himself to remain calm, outwardly showing merely a vaguely interested smile and expression. Mossflower and Hell Gates and Hell's Teeth!*
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Frozen
Dec 22, 2007 21:19:08 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Dec 22, 2007 21:19:08 GMT
*Oakrose nods grimly, then lets a tear run down her cheek.* Yes, I've visited, now I'm the only one left to tell the tale. Well, it was quite some time ago, I turned 22 years the night before I broke up with Lonas. *The squirrel helps herself to a cup of tea and a scone bofore continuing.* So it was the middle of spring, 'far as I can recall. Piney and I picked berries and flowers along the way, and made crowns for on our heads. I don't really remember any squirrels like you... wait! Momma did say that a little boy was born while we were there, dunno if it was you, though.
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Frozen
Dec 29, 2007 9:29:35 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Dec 29, 2007 9:29:35 GMT
Wouldn't've been me, *Ashnel tells her, slumping back in his seat. He tries not to show his disappointment, so, a moment later, he sits back up again, beaming.* There was something else I was supposed to mention. Well... *He pauses, frowning.* No, I wasn't supposed to mention it, but that could mean anything. *Another grin.* Spring Festival. Being organised. *A further grin and a glance around the room at the others.*
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Frozen
Jan 2, 2008 19:19:04 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Jan 2, 2008 19:19:04 GMT
*Oakrose understands the squirrel's disappointment and nods.* It's okay. So what are we gonna do at the Spring Festival?
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Frozen
Jan 2, 2008 19:36:21 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Jan 2, 2008 19:36:21 GMT
*Ashnel shruggs.* Usual, but bigger. Sending Dragonflies out all over Mossflower to invite allies. *He shruggs again.* Everybeast in one place... too much risk of another attack if we're not careful. You a grove warrior? *Ashnel asks Darron, a little suddenly.*
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Frozen
Jan 2, 2008 21:57:23 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Jan 2, 2008 21:57:23 GMT
*Oakrose and Soilrose look very excited at the prospect of seeing old friends from Redwall and ask a question in unison.* You'll be inviting Clearstream and Clearbrook, of course? Yoo'll be envoitin' Miz Cleerstreemer an' Miz Cleerbrooker, o' coorze?
*Darron is surprised at the sudden question.* Yes, I was fer a year after I turned 15, th'n I went, er, travelling. Needed adventure, somethin' different, 'ome was gettin' too borin'. When I returned, I was fer another three years until I came here with Mayyie. *The squirrel then went on to explain his weapons.* I've got a sword, t'was my dad's and his b'fore him. Usually I polish it ev'ry month, at least. I'm also handy wi' a stave and a javelin. *Oakrose had many thoughts during Darron's speech. Yup, I was so proud of you that year before you left, we were dating. Daddy was real happy with my choice, a Clan Warrior! What?!? You left because home was too boring! Was I getting boring? If I ever get my paws on you alone, or if you ever try to kiss me again, I'll knock your teeth out and give you a fight to remember!*
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Frozen
Jan 4, 2008 11:00:13 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Jan 4, 2008 11:00:13 GMT
*Ashnel glances between Oakrose and Darron, his expression unreadable, maybe even faintly amused.* Same, *He tells Darron, adding after a second or so.* More or less. More travelling, less returning. *Weeks later, Ashnel thinks back to these words, surprised he even remembers them. Somewhere on a road, miles from Terralux, unfamiliar probably to even Darron, the squirrel Captain nods slowly, slightly. Had that moment been the turning point? How long had he been subconsciously planning to leave? Ashnel breathes out heavily and glances upwards to the cloudy heavens. A weak glimmer of winter sunlight shines down and he recalls the rest of the short conversation.* Anyway, must be going. *He grins.* If you happen to see anybeast between now and Wednesday morning, remember to tell them... *He pauses and decides to phrase his next words in a cheerful voice.* All the gloom and doom about the Village Square. Doors and windows locked, same old. *With a quick nod, Ashnel stands.* Nice to meet you, Mayyie, Darron. Shall I show myself out, Soilrose? No sense in us both standing up if it's only me leaving.
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Frozen
Jan 4, 2008 22:53:43 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Jan 4, 2008 22:53:43 GMT
*Oakrose stands up quickly before Soilrose can reply.* No, I'll show you out. *She walks to the door and opens it, stepping outside. She doesn't seem too mad at Ashnel, and seems to have cooled down about Darron. Oakrose does seem a bit annoyed with Terragon's friend.* Something... something doesn't fit here. Or doesn't make sense, at the least. You'd tell Soilrose and I if something was wrong, right? Well, what is going on here? You've mentioned a gypsy raid of sorts, and then asked Darron if he was a warrior! There's something more going on, isn't there?
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Frozen
Jan 5, 2008 9:41:40 GMT
Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Jan 5, 2008 9:41:40 GMT
*Ashnel turns, almost angrily, but then pauses and looks away, refusing to meet Oakrose's eyes.* Yes, there is, *He admits finally, staring down at the frost beginning to spread across the doorstep.* This summer... it was warmer than usual, despite the rain. Romula told me it would be and for once - *He pauses again.* - And she was right. But the rain means that there's more travellers coming down from the coast than ever. Some of them are fine, they leave Terralux well alone. But the others. They fight. And if they don't fight, they bring worse. Plague. Another dry summer and all of Terralux... that's if we're not overwhelmed with the travellers' numbers before then. *This is the most Ashnel has said in a while and he has spoken in a low, urgent voice, to prevent any of the creatures inside from hearing. And now he falls silent, as though he is unable to say anymore, or does not wish to.* Good evening, *He tells Oakrose politely and turns once more to go, not quite managing to apologise. She asked. There's no point in lying.*
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Frozen
Jan 5, 2008 16:04:20 GMT
Post by Oakrose & Crew on Jan 5, 2008 16:04:20 GMT
*Oakrose's eyes grow wide, then she looks frightened.* Oh God, Ashnel! I won't tell anyone, don't worry. *She waves to the squirrel's retreating back.* Bye. *I wish my frozen heart could let loose some of its cold to make it rain. That would help so much. Hellsteeth, now I've got to keep it a secret! With these last few thoughts, Oakrose heads back inside.*
OOC: End of thread? Unless someone else has something life- shattering to post...
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