An Awkward Silence

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Terragon sits on the desk in her room, staring out of the window, footpaws resting on the window sill. Arms folded over her stomach, her eyes have taken on the slightly glazed look of somebeast who is miles away.*
*She had meant to wander over to visit Kael at St. Ninian's today but had never quite got round to it despite being bored at Starsett Hollow. The squirrel is faintly aware that she has work she is supposed to be doing but doesn't budge from her place on the desk. The dull, blustery September day outside does little to improve Terragon's mood and she barely hears as somebeast knocks at the door.*
*There is a pause and the door opens.* Sorry... you didn't reply, *Ashnel tells her. Terragon glances over her shoulder at him before turning back to the window and rolling her eyes.* Mature, *Her cousin mutters and Terragon looks back again, frowning.* I can see your reflection in the glass, *He explains. A small smirk hovers across Terragon's mouth before she realises and stops herself. Ashnel grins in return and, opening the door fully, enters and wanders across the small room, taking a seat in the vacant chair by the desk.* So... how're you? *There is a short pause.* Are we really having this conversation? *Terragon asks sceptically.*
We do live together, *Ashnel answers with forced nonchalance.* And I've been told being on speaking terms really improves these kind of situations. *Terragon shrugs.* I'm fine, yourself?
Not bad. Being allowed back in the Whispering Willow is... good. *The red squirrel laughs.* Seasons, I'd forgotten you'd even been banned from that place. How did it feel, breaking the rules? A novelty?
Speak for yourself! *Ashnel retorts in mock-anger.* If it weren't for me, you'd still be living at Redwall Abbey behaving yourself.
Like Martin, I would! *Terragon laughs.* And you, you'd still be, what, an Officer in the Pine Woods.
... Deputy Captain, *Her cousin corrects and rolls his eyes at his mistake as Terragon yelps,* Exactly! Listen to yourself! *There is another pause before Ashnel speaks, more quietly now.* Maybe there are some advantages to keeping to rules. Makes a creature feel more loyal to a place or their family. *Terragon shrugs again.* I'm not really that angry about it anymore. Never really was.
I guessed, *Ashnel replies and then, opting for some honesty.* Or, at least, Kael told me. *Terragon gives a loud smirk.* Fair 'nough.
Sorry? *Ashnel offers, inwardly cringing at the word. The red squirrel nods.* Same back.
Tavern? *Her cousin suggests. Another nod but the awkwardness has been broken again and Terragon returns Ashnel's grin grudgingly.*

*The Whispering Willow is packed, though Terragon and Ashnel spot a group of Guosim shrews leaving a table and manage to push their way through the crowd to reach it. Seated, both squirrels glance around for familiar faces. Despite having been back in Terralux for over a season now, Ashnel has yet to properly celebrate his return.*

[Engel]

(mind a long-absent threadcrasher? )


Engel . . . Engel- *Balder is audible before he is visible, which is a little odd for the soft-spoken fox, and especially odd, given that the next few sentences he spits are incomprehensible, growling German, which he usually tries so hard not to speak in public. Whatever he says must strike deep, because Engel freezes just inside the doorway, bristling and baring small, sharp teeth for a moment before she remembers herself.*

Here- I didn't mean to put it that way, *she murmurs, leading further inside the tavern as she speaks to the sullenly-trailing fox.* We're both tired from traveling so far. But I just want you to consider it.

You're not my mother, Anna, I-

Terragon! *Engel interrupts him with a cheerful smile and wave to the two squirrels at the one half-open table, slithering her way through the crowd. She knows that Balder will be sullen about having been interrupted, but this isn't an argument she wants to get into in the middle of a crowded tavern.* And Ashnel, too! Good to see you. *Balder manages to work his way up to the table, finally, and slumps down into a chair with a quiet wave of greeting.*

Does anyone else want a drink, as long as I'm braving the crush? *Engel asks, turning for the bar*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

OOC: Not at all, welcome back.

BIC:
*Terragon's look of surprised is matched by her wide grin.* Engel! *She cries, standing to hug the stoat. Ashnel follows his cousin's suit a moment later and rises from his seat, nodding to the newcomers and extending a paw in greeting.* Are you sure? *He asks Engel.* I'm sure you've got plenty to tell us about where you've been. Plus, this is my first excursion to the Whispering Willow in a long time, you wouldn't deprive me of getting the first round of drinks, would you, Engel?

*Terragon rolls her eyes at her cousin's politeness but agrees,* Better do what he says and besides, he's right, you have to tell me where you two have been all this time!

[Geordie Brushtail]

When Ah strode out on a foine May morn, broight an' clear was tha weather, * Geordie sings as he strides through the door. The limp he had is all but gone, though he is conspicuously missing an ear. His kilt is his standard hunting tartan, in greens and browns and heather blues.*

A mug o' tha foinest ye got, laddie! *he calls out in the general direction of the bar, not bothering to see who is actually serving the drinks, looking around the crowded room. He grins when he spots Terragon and starts to work his way there, picking up his tankard along the way.*

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Ashnel seizes a recently vacated chair from the neighbouring table and sets it down next to Terragon's for Geordie, greeting the grey squirrel with a nod.* Sit down, we're celebrating a guilty conscience dragging me back to Terralux, *He announces casually. Terragon frowns slightly but decides to ignore the brash statement, adding with a nod to the other two newcomers,* And Engel and Balder are back. Ash? *The red squirrel nods towards the bar in an effort to remind him of the offer he made to get drinks moment before. Ashnel nods and turns back to Engel and Balder.* What can I get you both? Apple cider, right, Terri? *He barely glances at his cousin as he recites her usual request.*
Barley wine, please, Ash. *Terragon replies offhandedly. It is Ashnel's turn to frown, but like the red squirrel, he does not comment.* And, Geordie, you've already got a drink, *He says instead, changing the subject.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

*He plunks down in the seat, raising his glass to Ashnel.* Weel, lAsh, that's if'n this one lasts tha trip, which Ah sorely doubt...

*Geordie takes a deep draught, emptying half the glass, and winks at Ashnel.* If'n ye kenn what Ah mean, laddie.

[Terragon Scrufftail]

*Ashnel grins.* Another ale then, *He agrees.* Crowded this evening, *The former Captain adds, looking about at his surroundings.*
Creatures working on the harvest, finished an honest day's work, *Terragon explains.*
I remember that, how about you, Geordie? *Ashnel replies mock-nostalgically.* I'll go and get the drinks in a moment, *He continues, turning politely to Engel again.*

[Geordie Brushtail]

Ach, Ah remember harvest toime in tha Highlands, oop at Heather Hall...bringin' in tha barley, an' makin' corn mash fer tha potcheen...*Geordie sighs wistfully and drinks the rest of his ale, looking mournfully into the glass.*

All tha lads'd be oot in tha fields, clad in nobbut their shirts as they made their way through tha acres o' barley an' wheat an' 'taties. The lassies'd be bringin' us jugs o' whiskey an' fresh baked bread, new cheese, te refresh us.