A Strange Request

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*It is in the vanishing light that Terragon leaves Starsett Hollow. Quickly descending to the forest floor, she makes her way towards Eales' Nest. The last traces of day are gone as Terragon knocks with two knuckles on the treehouse door. Lonas and Regen might not be in... they could be at the Tavern, or, more likely, at the Guild Houses, planning.*
*The squirrel casts a look around her. A few drops of rain spatter on the rooftops and leaves and across the clearing, Leafback House's mock battlements are just visible as dark sillouhettes. She is very aware of her breathing, which, if she concentrates upon, sounds somewhat strained and noisy. Terragon scowls, remembering what Regen had said about creatures staying at the Nest. Surely somebeast was around to answer the cur'sed door?*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

Eventually, the door opens a crack and a small head pokes around the side. It is a fox, perhaps eight seasons old. He stares a moment with big yellow eyes, then turns and yells into the house.
"Mista' Eale! 'Tis bein' another suppliciant! A squirralmaid 'gain!"
Somebody, Regen from the sound of it, curses from the inside of the Nest. "Tell 'em t' leave!"
The fox stares at Terragon for a moment, takes note of the look on her face, and turns again.
"Mista' Eale! 'Dis one bein' serious! She not look happy. Come an' see!"
There is a loud thud from inside, and Regen storms to the door. Clearly, he's not happy to see anotherbeast..there's a bottle in his paw, and he's taken his boots off as if he was relaxing.
"Tomin, ye' are a...oh."
He sets the bottle down on a nearby surface, seeing who it is, gently removes Tomin the fox by the back of the other's tunic, and steps outside onto the wet porch.
"Terri. Come in."
The golden squirrel holds the door open invitingly as it starts to rain harder.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon gives her apology in one sheepish expression.* Thanks. *She steps inside, blinking droplets of rain water from her eyelids and, removing her cloak, she hangs it over one arm. As she waits for the door to close, she gives the fox cub - Tomin, did Regen say? - a friendly smile.* Some of the moles in the Whispering Willow told me the rain's set to last another day or so, *Terragon calls to Regen. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news.* That, er, shouldn't affect the walls too much, should it?

[Tinsy Stormsight]

Tomin stares back, neither smiling nor frowning. Regen closes the door and points wordlessly to a series of hooks on the wall, on which is hung his own worn blue cloak. Lonas's is nowhere to be seen.
He picks up the bottle..it appears to be grog..from the desk by the door where he's set it and shrugs. "'Course it will. We c'n catch up, though. There's been plenty o' manpower."
The golden squirrel stares at the bottle, then looks up and gestures with one paw toward what is clearly a living room of sorts..there's several chairs there, and the fireplace is lit.
"Sit down. Y' want anythin'?..there's wine an' bread, but that's 'bout it. Th' guests ate most o' what was here, an' went t' the Tavern fer more."

Tomin trots off in a lope suggesting that he's used to the forest. There are signs of several other beasts staying here, but none of them are around..one gets the feeling Regen has chased them all out.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon hangs her rain-soaked cloak up away from Regen's and sits, head turned towards the Terraluxian Captain.* No, thank-you, Regen. From what you said this afternoon, it sounds as though you need all the supplies you can get. Shame the plans to go to the trading post fell threw, but it didn't seem right to dash off again, without paying respects. *She is, of course, referring to Darron.* No, the reason why I'm here, apart from telling you about the rain, is rather... a different matter and to tell you the truth, I'd hoped Lonas would be here. *Terragon pauses, gesturing vaguely at the air. Lonas... she doubted he'd have laughed. But with Regen, it's harder to know what his reaction - if any - will be. She continues.* I was wondering if, *Terragon shruggs.* Well, Francis - the mouse, from St. Ninian's - has been telling me since the moment he arrived that I should be attending services. And I, sorry, knew Corrin and the rest of your family... what I'm really asking is, is it safe for me to go down there? I won't suddenly decide that Blackstar's doing the right thing, or, or I dunno? *Terragon? You're a fool.*

[Tinsy Stormsight]

Regen settles on a chair as Terragon talks and appears to listen carefully. The squirrel's face slowly grows more confused, and as Terragon stops talking, he thinks a moment.
"..sorry, Terri.."
"'t the church?"
Clearly, the mentions of Francis, Lonas, and Corin have confused him slightly. Regen takes a practiced swig from the bottle, swallows, and leans forward, frowning.
"Well..Lonas..he's sleepin' at th' Apothecary now wid' a bunch o' gypsies wot came in from th' woods. Rippla's away, an' someone's gotta make sure we don't wake up an' find everythin' gone."
He considers again, smacking his lips to get the dry taste out of his mouth.
"Well, can't 'urt for ye t' go..'tis the Church, after all. I ain't never been one fer it m'self, but that's jus' me."
"Nobody's gonna bite ye', if that's what ye mean."

It would appear that Regen isn't going to wax philisophical on the topic today. He does, however, set the bottle down and study Terragon in a serious sort of way.
"Somethin' goin' on? I know Ashn'l's doin'..well, somethin'..an' I know 'e was yer friend an' all.."

[Terragon Scrufftail]

Ashnel left, *Terragon says, giving Regen an odd look. Relaxing after a grudging moment, she adds,* He used to say Church and religion and superstition was all fine and proper, until it started changing creatures in the wrong way. Rain won't stop most armies from marching, but mention Hell or show them a bad omen and... *She clicks two claws for emphathisis.* But, anyway, I'm going down to St. Ninian's to find Francis and, *Terragon frowns.* That otter who came with us on the patrol a few weeks back? *She shakes her head. Nevermind.* And to... think, I suppose. Let me know if anything gets worse while I'm gone, *A thin note of sarcasm as the squirrel stands.* And, er, thank-you. Regen.