Empty Rooms

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Ashnel has gone out. Despite the frown still creasing her impish face, Terragon is glad. After living with the silence and the emptiness for so long it still feels strange to her to look around and find Ashnel lounging in an armchair, reading, as though nothing had happened and no time has passed at all. The dark squirrel reads more now than he ever did and this somehow manages to infuriate Terragon.*
*It's not as though there has never been this awkwardness between the two squirrels before, but alone together in Starsett Hollow it seems worse than before. And Hell's Teeth! Terragon can't understand for the life of her exactly why she is angry with Ashnel.*
*She crosses the main room of the tree house and settles herself in the windowseat swinging her footpaws up onto the cushion too. The window faces onto the woodland and away from the bustle of the clearing where an assortment of creatures have gathered tonight to celebrate the first of the warm weather. Easing open the window, Terragon closes her eyes, feeling as though she hasn't slept in nights, and lets the outside breeze play across her face. Half-awake, the squirrel empties her mind, the frown slowly disappearing, and focuses only on the dark of her closed eyelids. Fragile threads of red fragment the blackness where the evening light from the window shines through and though there is nobeast in the empty room to see it, for the first time in days Terragon gives the ghost of a smile.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*A gray squirrel stumbles through the door. His shirt is torn, his kilt ragged, and there is a bloody bandage caked in dirt around his left footpaw and another over the stump of his right ear. He exudes an aura of exhaustion. A bulging pack is slung over his right shoulder, while his left paw carries a rough-cut walking stick. He looks glassily around at his surroundings, his eyes coming into focus when he sees Terragon standing at the window.*

Terri? *he croaks before collapsing in the doorway, the stick clattering across the floor.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon's eyes remain closed as the door opens. It must be Ashnel; Kael, no matter how much the squirrel protests, insists on politely knocking before entering, as does Danniar, though this is more that the petite rat's height prevents her from reaching the latch than a display of politeness. But at the sound of clumsy pawsteps, the frown returns to the red squirrel's face. Ashnel walks confidently, although admittedly nowadays he tends to tiptoe around Starsett Hollow and Terragon, so whoever is standing in the doorway...*

*And then the stranger speaks and despite the long seasons since Terragon last heard it, despite its frail- and croakiness and believing she might never hear it again, she recognises the voice which rasps her nickname.* Geordie?! *She is on her feet at once and turns, eyes wide in astonishment and disbelief. The smile on the squirrel's face vanishes prematurely, a look of shock and - though it is nothing compared to Geordie's - pain replacing it. Terragon hurries across the room, not daring to hug the grey squirrel.* Sit down, *She insists, nodding towards the seat she has just vacated and offering her arm to support the other, forgetting in her urgency that it would be near-impossible for her to take the full weight of the other.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*Geordie grimaces in pain and, taking the proffered arm, stumbles to his feet. Leaning on Terragon as much as he dares, he makes his way to the chair and then seems to just sag into it, as if his weary legs and footpaws couldn't sustain him no matter how hard he tried. He closes his eyes, his face tight with pain, then relaxing again.*

Och, lass, an' ye're a soight fer sore eyes an' ne mistake. Fer a second there Ah thought Ah was dreamin', ye ken? Ne'er thought Ah'd make me way back te bonny Terr'lux. Mayhaps Ah still am dreamin, *he adds, cocking one eyebrow and opening his slightly swollen left eye. A hint of a smile glimmers somewhere in its depths as he looks at Terragon.*

Och, weel, if'n Ah'm dreamin', lass, twouldn't want anae ither dream.

*The eye closes again as he seems to slip into unconsciousness.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon bites her lip, trying not to smile but the frown returns again almost instantly as Geordie's eyes close. The red squirrel studies his face anxiously for a few seconds, then seems to reach a decision. She dashes to the open front door again and hurries out onto the narrow front balcony. Though dusk is beginning to settle upon Terralux, the settlement calm in contrast with its leaderess' fear, a few creatures still remain in the clearing below Starsett Hollow. The group is composed entirely of dibbuns, but no matter; there isn't a creature in Terralux who doesn't know where to find the vixen healer Terragon is searching for.*

Hey! Hey, you down there-?! *Now is no time for courtesy and for the life of her Terragon cannot remember a single one of the dibbuns' names. The youngsters look up, halting their games.* One of you - the one who can run fastest - go and fetch Romula, please. And, *She hesitates.* Somebeast else fetch Captain Alashia and Alfkael, the otter from St.Ninian's. Please. *The urgency in the leaderess' voice persuades them as much as her authority and a pawful of the dibbuns scurry away, the others drawing closer to the ladder of the treehouse, staring up in curiousity. But Terragon, nodding once in approval of the two messengers, has already turned on her heel and disappeared back into Starsett Hollow House.*

Geordie? *She asks, returning to the grey squirrel.* Geordie, I've sent for a healer, *Terragon murmurs, more for her benefit than his.* And Ashnel and a friend of mine, Alfkael, should be here soon. What in seasons happened? *She is speaking more to herself now than to the other, unhearing squirrel and crosses two claws for luck, willing Romula and the other two to hurry.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*Geordie seems to waver in and out of consciousness; in one bout of consciousness, his right paw reaches up to caress Terragon's cheek, and he seems to mumble* Och, lass, ye're a braw one...Ash, eh? Tell 'im te leave me poipes alone...

*The paw drops back to his side as if exhausted and he tosses fitfully with fever.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

OOC: Ergh, sorry I haven't posted here for a few days, things IRL.

BIC: *Minutes stumble ungracefully past and finally, the sound of sharp claws on the balcony outside alerts Terragon to Romula's arrival. She is so used to the vixen's peculiar appearance by now that it barely registers, particularly in the urgency of the situation.* Romula, *Terragon smiles in relief and the vixen saunters into the room but, catching sight of Geordie slumped in the chair hurries across to the two squirrels, bangles and bracelets jangling on her slim arms, nearly tripping on the hem of her long, ragged, red skirt. Crouching by the chair, Romula pushes her red bandanna out of her eyes and takes a swift look at Geordie and searches quickly through the beaded bag at her side, snatches a small barkpaper package from within and in moments is unfolding the parchment to reveal a mixture of crushed leaves.* He should b'fine, *The healer mutters as she works.* But I need him t' take this, *She nods at the herb mixture and moves closer to Geordie, waiting for his next bout of consciousness so she can explain this to him.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*Geordie groans and attempts to sit up straight.* Och, feels loike me head's been insoide me father's wine press.

*Giving up, he slumps backwards but opens his eyes.* Se Ah wasnae dreamin' then? Ye're the Braw Terri, an' nae me imag'nation?

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Before Terragon and reply or smile, Romula is speaking.* List'n, I need y' t' chew these herbs - Terragon! Try 'nd make sure he stays conscious! - *The squirrel bolts across the room to fetch a beaker of water and carries it to Geordie, watching him closely for a sign he may be about to fall unconscious again. Romula holds the open packet of herbs out to the grey squirrel.* Take a drink, then take these, *She orders, and to Terragon;* Make sure he doesn't swallow them neither. *And with this, the vixen promptly begins searching through her bag again, drawing out a small wooden pot. Removing the lid, Romula places it on the arm of the chair and leans forwards, trying to reach the bandage on Geordie's ear.*

*At the same moment, Kael's head appears over the parapet of the balcony outside. Pulling himself off the rope ladder and onto the platform above, the otter peers into the room before tapping politely on the door, the sound far quieter than one might expect from a creature of the otter's size and strength.* Come on in, Kael, *Terragon calls to him without turning.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*Geordie obliges, taking a long slow sip from the beaker of water and chewing the herbs, trying not to choke on the taste.* Dinna fash ye'self, lass, Ah hae abs'lutely nae desoire te swallow these.

*Reaching up a paw, he rips the bandage from the stump of his ear. The dirty and frayed material ripped easily, causing the wound to bleed afresh.* There ye are lass, the blasted thin' was beginnin' te itch. Nasty bite off'a ferret, like.

*He tilts his head so Romula can examine it and closes his eyes again, swaying slightly from the fever.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Kael, crossing the room, grimaces sympathetically. His voice as he joins them, however, is casual and agreeable;* What's the herbs, Romula? Hemlock... no?
Hemlock 'nd opium, *Romula replies bluntly.* Why d'y' think I won' let him swallow 'em? *Kael nods and shuffles past Romula so he can reach the bandage on Geordie's foot.* Do you mind if...? *He asks the grey squirrel, miming unwrapping the bandage even though the other's eyes are closed. The otter glances in the container Romula has placed on the arm of the chair and nods again, approvingly, at the tallow-like mixture within.* Opium oil mixed into that? *Romula merely nods.* Good.

OOC: Opium and hemlock were used as pain killers around about this time in nearly all of Europe, not so sure about whether opium had reached England (please, correct me if I'm wrong). Opium mixed with lard was often used as an antiseptic/analgesic.

[Geordie Brushtail]

OOC: Opium had been in the west ever since trade with China was opened by the Polos, so I think it's okay to use it here.

IC: *Geordie opens one eye and sees Kael standing by his foot.*

Och, dinna think Ah ken ye, lad. Still, it's been awhoile sence Ah was here. Ah reckon alot has changed roon' boot here.

Ye can address yore attentions te me footpaw, it willnae moind it. Ah'm sure they'll be a soight better than the 'tentions that stoat captain wah payin' it. But firs' tell me yore name.

IC Note: the wound on Geordie's footpaw is a nasty, gaping cutlass slash that's infected, which is the source of his fever.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Kael nods again, but his face lights up at Geordie's accent. He eases the bandage from the squirrel's footpaw and, taking one look at the deep gash, Terragon fetches a flask of water from the table and a clean bandage from Romula, who has begun to rebandage the wound on Geordie's ear, and places it beside the otter. Kael quickly begins to wash grime from the cut, talking while he works, partly out of courtesy and partly to distract the grey squirrel.* Alfkael Fjorir Ageirr, sir. But it's a little inconsiderate to ask anybeast to remember all that; I'm just Kael.
*The otter inclines his head slightly to show it is impossible to shake Geordie's paw at the moment as politeness dictates. He takes the clean barkcloth guaze from Terragon and the opium mixture from Romula and begins to redress the wound, frowning slightly at the signs of infection.* I hear from your accent you're from the Highlands too, sir? *He continues, attempting to both divert and make conversation with the squirrel again.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*Geordie winks at Kael before grimacing in pain at his and Romula's joint attentions.* Aye, Geordie Brushtail o' Heather Hall, at yore service lad. Tha Braw Terri's been te me home, she can tell ye aboot it fer me.

Ye'll fergive me, but Ah havnae slept in days. Ah wah tryin' te foind me way here te get some medical attention, loike. Seein' as how Ah done se, Ah'd loike te catch wee bit o' shuteye. If'n the braw lassie attendin' what's lef' o' me ear says Ah can *he amends, darting a quick glance to Romula.*

Dinna ken yore name either, lass, but dinnae fash yerself wi' intr'ductions naow. Ye could be tha divil himself an' Ah'd not say nae te ye at tha momen'.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Romula gives a small, lop-sided smile and indicates a bowl on the arm of the chair for the herbs.* O'course. Terragon, is it alrigh' if we leave 'im here?
Of course! *Terragon echoes in surprise and with that the healers finish their worker and leave the grey squirrel to sleep.*

*Night has fallen and the pale indigo of the clear evening surrounds the treehouse. Sat around the table of the main room, voices hushed least they disturb Geordie, Romula, Kael and Terragon continue to talk, the subject of their conversation unclear, each failing to mention one name.* ... I never asked, *The red squirrel is saying.* I mean, he's a Canopy - not by blood, of course, but what does that matter? - we're all reckless, you've met Robin, Romula, and she's level-headed compared with the worst!
Y'don't think he's dead though, do you? *Romula asks in a fierce whisper.*
I have no idea, Romula, *Terragon answers with an exasperated sigh.*
You want to know, *The vixen states matter-of-factly.*
I don't care. It's Ashnel business and if he won't even talk to me about it-
It's not difficult t'find out, Terri. You've ev'n thought about asking me, *Romula persists.* It's a clear night t'night... stars... not difficult at all-
Romula. *Kael speaks suddenly.* I've said before I'm not comfortable with the idea of astrology. If Terragon's prepared to allow you to read the stars then, please, I'm happier not to play a part in this.
*The vixen stares at Kael for a disconcertingly long moment.* Fine. *She answers at last, her voice barely louder than the breath hissing between her clenched teeth.* We can talk later. *Terragon's eyes dart to Geordie and back to Romula, worrying for the hundredth time that night that she is unable to hear his breathing over the sounds of the hushed conversation.* He's fine, Terragon, *Romula murmurs, barely looking away from Kael.*