Old friends...(responce to 'Hello?')

[Terragon Scrufftail]

B'cause o' the way we left, *Terragon replies, her old accent becoming more prominent.* We did a Bragoon and Sarabando an' caused a bit o' panic from what I've heard from travelers coming from Redwall.
It was your idea, *Ashnel reminds her gently.*
Seastar helped.
*Danniar is still standing around a little awkwardly, not liking to mentioned that Oakrose has not paid her yet. Ashnel notices and bites his lip slightly. Dunno if I've got three crystal shards. Jupiter, how long's it been since I've had one fixed job? Y' can't live on what your sister left b'hind forever, Ash'... He tries not to enjoy remembering the haughty letter he received and offers a silent prayer. Why d'you still do that? What do you actually believe in now? Honestly...? You're a fool, Ashnel Alashia, like Terri and Ayeny said.*

[Oakrose Crew]

*Oakrose notices Danniar standing around.* Oops! Here ya go, four cs's.

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Regen chews slowly on a piece of bread, then turns his eyes to Oakrose. *So..ye said ye were from a pine forest?
That's right, make some conversation, Reg' - you're respectable now, right?

[Oakrose & Crew]

Yes, a pine grove near Salamondastron. I journeyed to Forest Fort a few years back, but I travelled here recently.*Oakrose replies, nibbling her peice of bread.* Where are you from?

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Regen nods, glancing quizzically at Ashnel, then looks back at Oakrose.*
*I'm from way down south - the Arkains. That's a mountain range - my family's a fairly influental barony, and also we make wine.
*He grins slightly. *I like it better up here, personally - no distant relatives running around.


OOC: That would be the Catalan mountains in Spain, if you were wondering. Regen's got Historical Background, ya'll.

[Oakrose & Crew]

*Oakrose grins.*You can say that again. It seemed like every other treelimb was loaded with cousins, uncles, aunts, great-relatives, or just some other beast that like ta eavesdrop on ya. It was hard to keep track of relatives, especially when new squirrels came. Some fell in love with relatives, then there were more distant cousins, neices, nephews, brother in-laws, sister-in laws, oh, it was confusing!Did you have any bad neighbors? There was this one old, toothless squirrel that sat there and peeked over like you didn't know he was there looking at you!

[Terragon Scrufftail]

OOC: My brother climbed those with his army cadet group!

BIC: Only Lonas, *Terragon adds in response to Regen's mention of the lack of relatives in Terralux, before continuing to nod, laugh or give Oakrose a sympathetic gesture or expression when needed, while Ashnel moves slightly to allow Danniar to share his chair, which she does wordlessly, listening intently to the newcomer.
As Oakrose finishes speaking, the barmaid glances at Ashnel, puzzled. Why 'as 'e said nothin'? Somethin' t' do wi' Melamia?* Ashnel, *Danniar hisses in an undertone.* I thought you were from - *The squirrel pushes the rat subtly - and a little cruelly - off the chair. He acts the part of looking surprised and helps Danniar up, a look of understanding - or maybe renewed rivalry - passes between the two and the rat moves her head ever so slightly in a nod. 'E is worried, jus' like Romula said as she was leavin' aft'r the Midsumm'r Solstice par'y.*

[Oakrose & Crew]

*Oakrose leans forward, more seriously now.* Actually, I need to tell you all something. I was born different. I had an uncanny knack for avoiding trouble as a Dibbun, such as knowing when to leave an Elder alone. I'm *she leans forward more and whispers.* a seer.

[Tinsy Stormsight]

*Regen, about to say something involving his "next door neighbors", closes his mouth again.*
*You're a what? What's a seer? Isn't that like...a witch? Like Romula, th' one vixen that turns up occasionally.
*He frowns, takes a swallow of his drink, and stares at Oakrose thoughtfullly.*
Although, some beasts say Lord Blackstar has magic powers. Anybeast with sense puts that off as reg'lar superstition, though.

OOC: Hey, Terri...I know I oughta PM you about this, but I hate PM'ing people. So, how's about a treehouse for Regen and Lonas?...and maybe some other beasts, if there's anyone who wants to bunk with drunkards. I figure it's time for them to move out of the Tavern.

[Oakrose & Crew]

Well, I don't use them like, for evil stoat warlords or anything. I don't really use them much at all. *She pushes Clearbrook's cup back from the edge of the table.* Okay, maybe a bit, but not much. I try to cover it up, I don't want people to think I'm weird, but I told you all because I couldn't stand it... and I needed to explain some of my actions. *She turns her gaze to Ashnel.* That's how I knew something was going on. *She lowers her gaze to her wine goblet.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

OOC: Heh, as a matter of fact, I've been meaning to suggest that for a while, but am trying to cut back on the number of useless PMs I send. I was going to just post it at some point.
If y' like, you can post a description and name for the house here.

BIC: *At once, Ashnel wants to leave the room. His head swirls in a way that has nothing to do with the gluvine, and he fights the urge to throw up. Not like Romula! Please, not like Romula... Danniar feels the squirrel tense and remembers at once why Romula said she and Ashnel don't get along. No' the reas'n abou' the Guidin' Stars... the oth'r one. Wha' she said 'app'n'd a few Autumns back - She is cut off from thinking about this further as Terragon, realising the silence, speaks.* Is that why you deciding to travel? *She enquires quietly, her accent gone now. Like Romula, Terragon can almost hear Ashnel thinking it.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

OOC: Eale's Nest has a good ring to it. A bit cheesy, but what can you do?
A description...hmm. Here, you can copy this:
A fairly big treehouse sits in big oak, a good distance from the others. As you get closer, you can tell it's been painted a garish shade of green. Nobeast appears to be home, but a big sign over the door reads "Eale's Nest - Please Knock Loudly."

I'll post something from Regen later..

[Oakrose & Crew]

Well, no, not exactly. I was just tired of everyone knowing me, and nothing being new except relatives. I needed adventure, and new people. *Shifting her gaze to Ashnel, she looks down, suddenly overly interested with twirling her goblet. Great Oakrose, now everyone thinks you're a freak, she thought.*
*Clearstream suddenly scoops up Clearbrook, deciding the youngster needs a nap.* Er, c'mon Brookie, time fer your nap, um, bye. *She waves with her free paw to the beasts in the Tavern.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

See you later, *Terragon agrees.*
Bye. *Ashnel adds, smiling at the smaller of the otters. Both squirrels look back to Oak- and Soilrose.*
I'm afraid Ashnel, Robin and I have been here at Terralux for the best parts of two and a half years now, *Terragon admits happily.* Nobeast's really seen the need to move away.
Or, at least, we've never been gone from Terralux for more than a few weeks, *Ashnel adds.*
Everybeast had their share of adventures on the journey from Redwall to here. *Both help themselves to bread and salmon, trying not to smirk. The fish reminds Terragon very suddenly of Seastar and she turns her face away, pretending to cough, least any unwanted emotions ruin the mood at the table.* Sorry.

[Oakrose & Crew]

Oh, um, that's okay Terragon. *Oakrose gives the squirrel a simpathetic look. She takes a bite of her bread, then asks* So, who was Romula? If I'm treading on tender spots here, just say so...