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Post by Aurora C. on Feb 22, 2008 20:43:41 GMT
**Aurora hated being new to a place, especially if she hadn't yet made any friends to express her feelings too. The mousemaid made her way sullenly through the crowd. Stroking her golden fur with a reddish paw, the young female sat down at a stool, with two empty seats on both sides, leaning on an elbow. How she hated being new. Nobeast she knew, and she barely knew the polite ways of this friendly society. Yet Aurora wasn't one to sit around and brood. Craning her head, she sought a glance into the conversations of others; the mouse knew no reason why she couldn't be nosy, if she only wanted to pick up information. She shifted position slightly, the crystals in her pouch tinkling a bit. The maiden turned back to her seat, clearly uninterested in the hearty, rough speech of almost-drunk otters. As the hare barmaid passed in front, the irritated mouse tapped her gently on the arm. Not bothering to ask why a newcomer was here, in hope of a new customer, the haremaid's long ears twitched. Aurora took the opportunity.**
A light ale please. So, 'ow much does it cost?
**The haremaid nodded, before turning around and heading for a trapdoor in the bar floor. Vaguely, she waved a paw in the air. The mouse took that to be one crystal shard. Digging in her brown pouch, Aurora came up with a particularly dusty one and placed it on the table, awaiting her drink. Mayhaps while she was waiting, some friendly beast would come up and offer to join her. **
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 22, 2008 21:07:58 GMT
*Starsett Hollow now deserted for the first time in... well, ever, Terragon strides in, eyes daring anybeast to comment. She slips onto a near-deserted bench opposite a fieldmouse. She looks around the Tavern - she could do with a drink, merely for something to occupy her - before finally turning to the other creature.* You don't know where the bar beasts are, do you? *Terragon asks, before doing small double take, clearly realising a moment later that the mouse is a newcomer.* Sorry, Terri Scrufftail. *She offers a paw.*
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Post by Aurora C. on Feb 22, 2008 21:19:33 GMT
**Aurora forces a friendly smile onto her face, before it comes to her naturally as Terragon sits down. The mousemaid pauses, listening intently to the squirrel, before letting her hazel eyes wander around the tavern in search of the haremaid.**
Hmmm... that haremaid was here just a moment ago, I ordered a light ale. I suppose you want a drink too?
**The fieldmouse starts suddenly, realizing she had just arrived in here and her tone was like a know-it-all. Giving an apologetic smile, Aurora turns just as the squirrel introduces herself as Terri Scrufftail. The mousemaid gave a clear answer, shaking the squirrel's paw enthusiastically.**
Aurora Ivywind Crimsonpaws.
**Aurora pauses for a moment, a memory struggling to unbury itself. She blinked in surprise as it finally did.**
Hey wait, aren't ye the leader of Squirrel Village, miz Terri?
**Just then, the haremaid arrives at the table, carrying a tray loaded with drinks. She sets a glass of ale in front of the fieldmouse, expertly picking up the crystal and tucking it into a similar pouch. As she was about to leave, the barmaid suddenly notices Terragon. Smiling, she waggles her long ears, silently asking if the squirrel would like a drink too.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 22, 2008 21:32:50 GMT
Elderberry wine, if you've got it, *Terragon says brightly. She knows perfectly well that the Whispering Willow has a vast stock of elderberry wine, but adds this anyway, faintly reminded of Danniar. Mossflower bless Danni', the only way the petite rat would ever become a drinker would be to discover elderberry wine.* Leader, me?! *Terragon laughs and after a pause, says,* Well, yes. Pleased t'meet you anyway, Aurora. New here, I assume? I'm afraid I haven't had much time on my paws recently and I've lost track of who's arriving an' leaving. Plenty o' both, with present situations... *She shakes her head with a slight grimace and quickly resumes a smile.* I'm guessing by your accent you're from this part of Mossflower, though, *Terragon comments pleasantly, changing the subject.*
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Post by Aurora C. on Feb 22, 2008 21:42:24 GMT
**Aurora nods solemnly, taking a sip of her ale. Hopefully this stuff wouldn't make her as rowdy as those brawling otters over in the corner. Yes, she was new. Too new. Aye, and plenty of beasts leaving and arriving in this place wasn't surprising.... there were a lot of nomads around here.**
Yep, I just arrived at this place. I've been hoping me friend Mystic could join too, but she didn't want to....
**The mousemaid shrugged the thing off, and was clearly glad when Terragon changed the subject. The ale was doing its work the way she wanted it to; Aurora could feel herself become bright, alert, and cheery like normal.**
Aye, me parents came from 'round here, except they're a bit closer to the shore, ye know. Both of them were in the Shellbearer tribe; there wuz never a more peaceable bunch than that lot. 'Less they're roused. But I... I had to move to Redwall when the tribe was quite wiped out from an attack by searats.
**Aurora keeps up a small smile, her ale clearing her mind and causing her to relax more into her rude form, but she had to restrain a tear, hoping Terragon hadn't noticed.**
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 22, 2008 22:06:26 GMT
That's the trouble with living so close to the coast, *Terragon murmurs gravely.* There's at least half a dozen in the settlement with similar stories, but it doesn't make it any less sad for anybeast. *With a slight nod, the squirrel pauses for a moment.* Still, *She continues.* We've got plenty here from Redwall as well. D'you know Soilrose, the mole? Lettuceleaf, the hare? Le's'see... who else might you recognise...? Armeltriss - Ammy - Swiftwind? Oh, and, o' course, there's me and my sister, Robin. We were at Redwall for, I dunno, three, four years? Ran away after that with a friend, Seastar Quickrudder - one of the SS otters - I don't suppose you knew him? He... he was quite tall, very loud. Anyway, *Terragon slows her voice down, accent growing less and less prominent.* Lot's of creatures you might recognise. *She smiles again, trying not to look to closely to see if Aurora is upset. Terragon suspects she is.* By the way, Aurora, are you staying in Terralux at the moment?
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Post by Aurora C. on Feb 22, 2008 22:34:33 GMT
**Aurora smiles sadly, reminiscing in old memories.**
Aye, it's a hard life by the sea. But sure I knew those mischievious little dibbuns from Redwall! Don't tell me Soilrose is here too, and Lettuceleaf? Personally, I can't believe how all those friends managed to find their way here too! Oh yes, I remember Ammy. And I heard a bit of ye, Terragon; that bossy little squirrel, the dorm leader of, hmmm, wasn't it DD? I didn't see Robin around, though. And Seastar. I arrived a bit later than most at Redwall; only got a glimpse of ye 'afore ye ran away.
**The mousemaid takes another sip of ale. Its flavor was quite bitter, yet tangy; was that a bit of sweetness in it, too? Just like her memories. **
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 23, 2008 9:48:42 GMT
*Terragon laughs again.* Yes... well, Robin kept mainly to herself and Seastar; what's one loud-mouthed otter compared with all the otters at Redwall? I'm not sure if I remember you arriving. Sorry; in the last two seasons before we left, we were a fairly elite group. And we didn't spend a great deal of time in Redwall, *She adds slyly. Wandering out in the dead of night with a lantern and stolen apples, cheese and ale, if we could find it. Ashnel used to bring along wine from the Pine Woods too... that was good.*
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Post by Aurora C. on Feb 23, 2008 13:07:55 GMT
**Aurora's ear twitches humorously as she takes another sip of the light ale.**
Well, Terri, that was the dibbun life. Carefree and happy little babes; always ready to make mischief. Nice days, those were. Constantly slipping away from Redwall to stay overnight in Mossflower, avenging baths with more mischief.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 23, 2008 17:06:36 GMT
Good times, *Terragon agrees.* Are you staying here, in the Whispering Willow? *She asks again. The thought of anybeast camping outside of the boundries and waking up to find more wicker walls had sprung up in the night... it was laughable, but the speed at which defenses were being organised was less than so.* Some of the Guild houses provide accommodation too. The Guild of St. Ninian's does and the Woodland Guild has more basic stuff.
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Feb 23, 2008 19:30:38 GMT
The door opens abruptly, letting in a gust of wind from outside, and forcibly slams shut. Several of the beasts in the Tavern look up..one or two greet the squirrel that has come through. He gestures airily at them, shakes the spring rain out of his fur, and glances around. He's a tall squirrel, broad-shouldered, with golden fur and soft brown eyes. He's wearing black, but not in a grand way..more like he's in mourning for someone. Although, if the rough, friendly way he replies to the greetings is mourning, one wonders what happy looks like. Eventually, his eyes settle on Terragon, and he begins to stroll aimlessly toward the bar. The golden squirrel pads along, nodding politely to a squirrelmaid who tries to catch his eye (the various refugees from Mossflower Woods have all been very interested in Terralux's last Woodland Captain.) It takes some time for him to reach where Terragon and the mouse sit, but he makes it eventually. "Terri, I'm needin' a talk wit' ye," he begins without preamble. His voice has a heavy Spanish accent..he doesn't appear to have noticed the new mouse sitting next to the leaderess. "We're runnin' outta quarters fer the refugees, although we've been tryin' t' house childr'n firs'. Ev'n Eale's Nest is full." "Oh, hi." the squirrel notices the other creature sitting at the bar and offers a paw..he wears a heavy gold ring on this one, with a green stone carved into some kind of seal on it. His voice is friendly, although rather distracted. "Regen Eale, Woodlan' Capt'n. Ye' new aroun' here?"
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Post by Lettuceleaf on Feb 23, 2008 19:58:29 GMT
**Following Regen, a hare scrambled into the tavern, his worn maroon tunic slightly askew. His eyes roving over the various beasts present, the hare straightened the collar of his tunic, attempting to look slightly orderly. He strolled over them nonchalently; although he was a newcomer to Terralux, the beasts could hardly deny him a drink and a chat. Extending an arm in greeting, the hare winked at Regen, terragon, and his fellow newcomer, Aurora.**
H'llo. My name is Lettuceleaf. You may have heard o' me. Probably not, eh? **He chuckles lightly, taking a seat on a stool.** So, nice bally weather we're havin' 'round here, wot? **His playful hazel eyes focus on Aurora. **Ah, so they've persuaded a lovely haremaiden to come down t'greet me. Well, jolly well considerate of you, my good squirrel. **With this last remark, he gives an elegant bow to Terragon.**
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 23, 2008 22:17:15 GMT
*Terragon nods to Regen as Lettuceleaf wanders up. The look she gives the other squirrel is clear. One moment.* Lettuceleaf? *She repeats, standing to shake the newcomer's paw.* Yes, I think I have heard of you. You were down here for the Myth, Murk and Legend Festival, weren't you? But anyway, Lettuceleaf; Aurora and Regen. Regen, Aurora Crimsonpaws. *She gestures vaguely at the fieldmouse and Terraluxian Captain in turn.* But, listen, *Terragon continues with barely a pause.* I'm going to have to leave you two to talk - you were both at Redwall at similar times. Lettuceleaf, I've ordered a drink, and if you're fine with drinking elderberry wine, you're welcome to it. If not, get y'self an ale or something and I'll pay later. *She takes a breath and turns to Regen, and indicating with a tiny movement of her head that they should talk outside. It's cold and there'll be fewer creatures around them.*
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Post by Tinsy Stormsight on Feb 24, 2008 13:02:56 GMT
Regen grins at Lettuceleaf, nods once by way of greeting. "Lett'celeaf..think I've seen ye afore. Maybe not. Nice t' meet ye'. Miss Crimsonpaws..likewise." He smiles vaguely at Aurora, since he's busy listening to Terragon, nods again, and turns to shove a way back through the crowd. "..I'll wait for ye' on the porch."
The golden squirrel does, indeed, glad for a fresh breeze even though it's raining. He stands to one side (water's dripping through a small hole in the porch's roof, right in the middle of the stairs up) and leans against a rail. Looked like Terralux was finally getting some new people..some that might even stay here. The refugees would all be gone in a month or so..but maybe these two beasts he'd met would stick around.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Feb 24, 2008 18:35:06 GMT
*Terragon gives a sheepish smile.* Sorry to rush off like this, but, well... as you can see, we're all swamped at the moment. Especially Regen. Hopefully when this is over, I can introduce you both properly. Back in a minute, I hope. *And with this, she too makes her way into the crowd, which has closed up since Regen passed through. Ye fates, what did the Captain do differently? Terragon forces her way through with a grimace and an "excuse me" that comes out as a snarl as a hedgehog brushes roughly past.* *Arriving out on the porch, she is glad to see it deserted, bar Regen, leaning on the railing. Terragon settles herself against the opposite railing, resisting the urge to clamber on to it and sit. The warm, damp air of the Tavern and half a day traipsing, (sp?), back and forth between the Chapel has left her dizzy. Still, as hoped, the rain and near quiet, (except, of course, the drumming of the water overhead), helps to clear the leaderess' mind a little.* We're running out of space? *She repeats, as though there had been no pause.* What about the Guild houses and - and the empty treehouses? All full?
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