Redwall Abbey

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Up in the Northlands, some miles north of the caves Martin the Warrior originally lived in, there exists a two-story inn. But this ain't any regular inn. No, this inn is a place for adventurers, of all species, to come and take jobs, or, as they're called here, quests. In a way, Wildflower Inn is practically a guild.

And running the Inn is the otter Masika, and her wolf friend, Mara. Unfortunately, the Inn's mostly empty right now. The only ones here are a regular, Maut, a silver fox mercenary and spy who lives for the next big adventure, and his pal Veach, a...curious stoat who is Maut's partner, sitting at a corner table and finishing their meal of fish stew.

"Slow day today, eh Mara?" Masika said as she idly wiped down the counter.

The wolf nodded. "Ya said it. Hope someone comes in soon. We can't keep livin' offa Mattie & Nyika."

The door swung open barely a moment later, and almost as if he had been waiting for his que, a dimunitive mouse swaggered in. "Ladies and gentlebeasts I-" he stopped abruptly, the smile falling clean off his face at the sight of the empty inn. His eyes darted from the wolf at the bar and the otter besides her, to the silver fox seated besides a wide-eyed stoat. His disapointment became visible as a frown spread across his features. "Was expecting a bigger audience." He finished. Shrugging, he shut the door behind him.

The silver fox and stoat turned to this boisterous newcomer. It was quite clear to the fox that this kid thought that he was the next Martin the Warrior. He quietly turned back to his meal.

"Hey there, welcome to the Wildflower Inn!" Masika called out with a wave. "The name's Masika. I run the inn-"

"We run et together," Mara grumbled.

The otter frowned and put her paws on hips. "If you'd 'ave jus' waited a moment, I was going to say, 'along with Mara here.'"

"Oh." The wolf was silent a moment, before addressing the mouse. "Anythin' ya'd like...? Wait a minute. Kid, we don't serve little kids here. Go back home to yer mommy an' daddy."

Harlapple's frown deepened. Who did this she-wolf think she was? "You'll have to make an exception, I'm afraid, I travelled quite far to get here and I don't intend to leave so soon." His frown twisted into a grim smile. "Don't worry I know how to look after myself." He sauntered over to the bar and stood on tip-paw to dump a few copper coins on the counter. "I'm not here to drink if that's what you're worried about. A room will suffice... for now. To be blunt with you I'm a little bit more interested in these 'quests' I hear you're reputed to provide!"

Masika raised a brow at the mouse. "Firstly, kid, ya ain't gonna talk t' my partner like that if'n you's wants any service 'round 'ere. Second, the quests 're the main reason we don't serve little kids. Ya c'n easily lose life 'n' limb on 'em. Now, you can stay the night, but tomorrow after breakfast, our delivery girl, Nyika, if she's here, will take ya home, or Maut there will," she nodded towards the silver fox, "'kay sweetie?"

Harlapple bit back on the overwhelming urge to behead the otter then and there. His paws made no motion to reach for his axe, however. One did not walk into a seedy old bar just to fight after all. So he merely smiled in response and said 'of course' despite the sting being refered to as a 'sweetie' left on his chest. And his ego. Mostly his ego.

Turning away from the pair he made his way over to the silver fox's table and plopped himself down a respectful distance away.

Maut raised a brow at the mouse. "Well well, Veach. Look what we have here! Cluny the Scamp!"

Veach almost seemed to be snickering.

"Where's yer parents, kid? It's a long walk from any town. Are you lost?"

Cluny the Scamp? Oh I'll remember that one, fox. They'll be the last words you ever hear, mark my words...

"I'm exactly where I need to be," Harlapple said, his voice perfectly level with no trace of his innermost thoughts to them. He eyed the fox disdainfully. "And I think you'll find yourself not richly dressed enough to refer to anybeast as a scamp."

"Scamp, kid, not tramp. It's another word fer 'kid'." The fox gave him a quick once-over. "Not like you're richly dressed either. Jus' pretendin' to be Cluny."

Mara came over then. "Whatcha expect? He's a kid. I'd say he's no older 'an eight. Anyway, anythin' ya like t' eat, kid?"

"As flattering as knowing that I look half my age is, I'm actually sixteen. I'll have a soup or something. I'm not picky." Harlapple replied curtly. Turning back to Maut he shrugged and leaned forwards conversationally. "Apologies for the confusion. It seems I'll have to re-read a dictionary at some point. The name's Olaf, Olaf the Cleaver." He offered his tail to shake.

"Yeah, an' I'm eagle," Mara said before she turned and headed for the kitchen.

Maut raised a brow. "Expect me to shake your barbed tail?"

Wordlessly, the mouse withdrew his tail and offered a paw.

The fox shook his paw. "The name's Maut. The stoat's Veach."

"A pleasure to make your aquaintance." Harl smiled and added both names to his death list.

As Mara returned with some fish stew & honey bread, the door to the Inn swung open once again. This time, there was a brown wildcat with black stripes.

"Ah, Nyika!" Masika called out. "Lovely t' see you again! Making another delivery run?"

"Not this time." The cat shut the door and headed over to the counter. "I was hoping you had some quests."

Masika raised a brow. "Does Dorian know about this?"

The cat nodded. "Yup. I'm on indefinite leave till I decide t' return t' bein' his 'prentice... Tho' really, I don't think I'm going back t' that life anytime soon."

"Well, the only jobs we have right now is that you need to escort that mousechild home tomorrow." The otter nodded to Harlapple.

"Not a child," Harlapple muttered, sniffing suspiciously at the honey bread. He turned towards the wildcat called Nyika and after a moment of observation demanded (politely). "How old are you?"

"Sixteen," the cat responded.

"And yet none call you a child." Harl pointed out, frowning. He turned towards the otter. "How old do you think I am?"

Masika shrugged. "Six or eight. Ten, at oldest."

Harlapple should've been able to see that Nyika was a normal size for a teenage queen, hence why no one mistook her for a child.

(A female cat is called a queen.)

"I am sixteen," said Harlapple with an irritated twitch of his ear.

Nyika raised a brow. "Yer pretendin' t' be Cluny. Only kids play dress-up... And you're the shortest 'sixteen-season-old' I've ever seen, ceptin' shrews."

Roughtail stumbled through the forest, constantly grabbing hold of and falling against the trees to keep himself upright.  He pushed himself, stumbling from tree to tree as he made his way inland ignoring the branches that tore at his already worn and faded red coat.  It had been at least half a day since his broken form had washed up on the wet sand.  He had just about given up at that point, saluted Vulpuz, and reflected over his life.  He was glad to have gotten a half dozen kills, not nearly as many as most sea rats his age, but he was content with it.  That's when he had seen land.  He'd thought he must've been hallucinating and in fact he had assumed so, until he was able to sink his paws into the wet sand beneath him.  He'd been so happy then, the moment he realized that he wasn't dead.  Now all he could think of was water, fresh cold water. 

   His throat was dry.  His lips were even drier and crusted with sea salt.  His eyes were still red and sore from the seawater which had irritably washed over his snout continuously when he was floating out in the ocean.  It'd been days since he'd had a drink, and he would probably kill just about any beast for a drop.  His fur was soaked in seawater which was beginning to take its toll as the chilly winter winds began to blow over his form.  Shivering, with vision blurry and mouth dry, it suddenly struck the rat that he had no idea where he was going or why.  Slowing to a halt, Roughtail collapsed to the base of a tree with a raspy sigh where he proceeded to peer out into the distant, quiet forest through half lidded eyes.  He'd survived the open seas, only to die in a forest, shivering pathetically like a child.  At least on the open ocean, he'd have met a true sea-vermin's death, being carried away by the waves.  Here he would rot as the crows picked apart his flesh...

   Sitting there, a sudden determination spilled over the rat.  If he was going to die then so be it, but he was not going to give up until every last ounce of energy had been spent.  Forcing himself to his feet paws, Roughtail reshouldered the crossbow which had slid off and began trekking through the overgrowth once again.  He knew he was on his last strides, but he kept going, if only out of principal.  He was determined to die fighting till the end, it's what his mates woulda expected and it's what he said he would do; of course it's easy to say something, harder to actually do it.  He was so exhausted, so tired that the prospect of lying down and falling asleep seemed so appealing even with the knowledge that he'd likely never wake up again.  He had stumbled through the thick forest for what felt like an eternity, and if he had his wits about him he'd have realized that directly in front of him was a tavern.  Roughtail only caught sight of the building when he was all but on top of it.  If his mind was straight, he'd have scoped the place out, peeked through the windows to see who was inside before barging in, but his throat and the unquenchable thirst it possessed was now in control of his mind.  Making his way to the front door, he barged inside without a second thought. 

His already sore eyes squinted as the fire light from the tavern assaulted them, He raised his paw in defense and growled lightly.  He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there, but between the sudden warmth, bright light and a pounding in his head which seemed to have sprung up, the rat's mind began to spin.  Through his squinted and sore eyes, he could make out what looked like a fox and a stoat in the corner of the tavern.  Was that a... Mouse?  It couldn't be a mouse, there were vermin right near it.  Probably a rat... a very small rat.  A couple beasts stood behind the counter, a strange looking fox and an... otter.  They all seemed to be looking at him and the sudden attention made the rat uncomfortable, the situation as a whole was confusing.  What does it matter, I'll take what I need and leave. Drawing the scimitar from the scabbard strapped to his belt, Roughtail began swinging it around wildly and in wide arcs as he stumbled further into the tavern.  "Gimme a drink or I'll gut the lot of yew..."  He had meant it to come out in a menacing snarl, but it sounded more like a weak rasp, a plea almost.  Losing his footing, the rat stumbled to his side and grabbed hold of the counter before collapsing to the floor with a thud.  His world seemed to be spinning and before he knew it, everything was dark. 

Isaac, who had noticed the injured rat stumbling towards him and flattened himself against the wall in order to remain unnoticed, pushed the door to the tavern open and stepped neatly over the fallen rat's body with a twirl of his staff. "Greetings to you all. My name is Isaac Farran Tigereye Leaf Dappling Terring Larkington the Fourth, though you may call me Isaac Larkington the Fourth." The small fox bowed and doffed his hat.

  Nitsyok trudged wearily through the thick forest, pushing aside a branch, holding it for his companions to file past and then letting it drop back to it's former position, repeat process three steps later, duck under a slightly higher limb, step over a low bush, carry on. It all seemed to look the same. Where was that stupid inn?
  "There."
  The two younger otters, though one was only younger by a few hours, glanced in the direction Faumyan pointed, pleased to see the twinkling flicker of flame through led-light windows. Romyan grinned and took over the lead position of the group, dodging around tree trunks, pushing a branch out of his way and letting it drop back to shower his companions in water.
  "Hey! Try to keep the noise and discomfort down, Rom. We would like to arrive at the inn not completely soaked from ears to tail."
  Rom sent another cascade of water on them in reply, chuckle at the whispered indignation, then giving in and carrying on quietly.
  The windows were conveniently free of obstructions, so the three otters peered inside before entering. There was a rat on the ground, likely passed out from too much alcohol. He appeared soaked, so maybe someone had tried to revive him with a bucket of water. Nobeast else in the place looked hugely drunk.
  A young mouse at one table wore a scowl that looked to be permanent, but was possibly depended at that moment. An otter, a cat and something absolutely huge apparently ran the place and a fox and stoat sat at another table, with the last beast in the room being another fox who looked to have just arrived.
  The only beast that looked ready to cause problems was the rat, and he was passed out on the floor, so entrance would likely be safe.
  "Watch out for the scimitar the rat's 'oldin'."
  The twins nodded and Faumyan opened the door, his bulk entirely blocking it until he'd stepped through, with the other two otters hurrying in behind him and closing the door.
  Romyan gave the unconscious beast a brief glance, then bent down and scooped him up, balancing his limp form in a chair and passing the scimitar to his brother.
  "Evenin', mates. Mayhap we could grab some water for this 'un. Another good bucketful should bring 'im round."
  Nitsyok shook his head and pushed his friend aside so he could study the rat himself.
  "That's not alcohol, mate, that's sea water. He looks half starved too. Give him some water, then a bowl of soup or something, then a good rest."

Isaac turned to address the newcomers, annoyed. "Why, you've simply ruined my entrance! At least warn a beast first before you traipse in and steal the spotlight with all your heroics!" He tried to waltz away in a huff, but slipped in the puddle of seawater around the passed-out rat on the floor and ended up snout-first next to him. The fox rolled over, groaning. "Oh, do get me some soup. And I'm afraid my jacket's ruined!"

Well, it's definitely busy now, Masika thought to herself. Things had gone by so quickly, there was barely time to react before somebeast else came in. She quickly shook her head. "Mara, the soup. Nyika, go fetch some water fer tha' rat, then see if'n ye can't wake 'im."

Mara quickly headed into the kitchen as Nyika quickly headed outside towards the rain barrels. Maut helped his fellow fox off the floor. "Clothes are the last thing ye have t' worry about 'ere, mate. Lessee if'n ya hurt anythin' with that fall."

Nyika came back in with a pint of water and headed over to Roughtail and shook him. "Wake up, mate. I've got yer water. C'mon, up!"

Mara came out of the kitchen with two trays of fish stew & honey bread and headed fer Roughtail. "Thank ye mates, but I think we can handle et from here," she said to the otters. "Ya ain't doin' him any good by crowdin' him."

Isaac nodded at Maut, dusting off his prized hat. "Clothes are the most important thing in the world, friend. And nothing is hurt except for this wonderful jacket. That filthy rat shall have to fix it up for me once he's recovered."

  Nitsyok moved his hands through the air in a frustrated gesture, shaking his head.
  "You can't just shake him up! He's been however long without nourishment, you need to be gentle! Wet his lips first, make sure his body reacts to the water, then let some more trickle in. But yes, Faumyan, Romyan, why don't you two find a seat and sort out our accommodation? I'll join you in a second."
  Turning back to the huge owner of the inn, Nitsyok produced a small jar of salve from a pocket and gestured to the still unconscious rat.
  "Lots of scratches and such. We should probably check him over for proper wounds, too. This stuff is good for bruising, cuts and scrapes of caring degrees. Need any help with anything?"
  The two otter brothers set about making themselves comfortable at a nearby table, watching their friend with amused expressions. Apparently he had forgotten his tiredness, now that he had somebeast to help.

"Nyika, take the other tray over to the new fox, the dandy wit' the ridiculously long name," Mara said. She turned to Nitsyok. "If'n ya think ye c'n help go ahead. Neither Masika or me can handle bad injuries, an' Maut," she gestured to the silver fox helping Isaac up, "an' Nyika never learned, so, we're a bit outta our depth here." The wolf then proceeded to try to gently coax water into Roughtail.

Nyika came over to Isaac with the tray of fish stew and honey bread. "Yer jacket ain't ruined, ya dandy. Jus' leave et outside overnight, beat et a bit t' get the remainin' water out, then use a willow reed t' get any wrinkles out once it's dry."

  Nitsyok rubbed his paws together, nodding eagerly. He wasn't the most experienced beast in the world at healing, but he enjoyed it and, as a consequence, had studied it well.
  "Alright, I'll take care of it. First job is to get some liquid into him, though. Here, just put some drops of water on his lips for a start. He should automatically lick them off, then you can put some more on. Don't let it go too fast or it'll be too much of a shock to his body. I'll check him from the bottom up."
  Nitsyok watched the rat's subconscious search for water, then knelt down and began at the beast's footpaws, checking for wounds, applying salve wherever a scratch or cut needed it, all the time moving closer up the vermin's body, being as gentle as he could, though there would no doubt be a bit of pain involved.

Two's company, three's a crowd and here's a horde, thought Harl, watching the newcomers with profound interest. The fox with the stupid name and ridiculous hat had the measure of a second-in-command. They were prim and proper and demanded attention, but were nowhere near smart enough to succeed with any possible treacheries. The rat had swaggered in and made to draw a blade, the threat had been pathetic and made redundant by his unconciousness but it was the thought that counted. The rat was likely a hordebeast himself, which meant pressing him into joining another one would be almost too easy. The otters presented a minor problem. From the way they leapt to the rat's aide and having come prepared with herbal salve they were clearly the type of do-gooder woodlanders that were the banes of hordes everywhere. Nothing a quick dagger to the heart couldn't fix of course but there were three of them and judging by the way they had looked into the inn before entering, were likely guarded by a healthy bit of caution. It would be best if he kept his intentions secret from them, then.

Silently, he chewed on his honey bread.

Roughtail could feel water on his lips and at first thought it was sea water, but it tasted... fresh?  It must be a dream, but he didn't care, and he licked it off his lips.  He didn't bother wondering how or why fresh water was appearing in his mouth, but he decided that if it was indeed a dream at least he would die satisfied.  Then he could smell... food!  His nose began unconsciously twitching.  Ahh it smells so good, where's it comin' from?  Suddenly a large feast materialized in front of him, larger than anything he could have ever wanted, bowls of grapes, soup, and custards of all varieties.  An ocean of Seaweed grog and a river of October Ale! Yes, I'll die 'appy indeed, the rat thought with a smile.   

"Hey, he's comin' too!" Mara said to Nitsyok. She gave the rat a bit more water. "Hey, c'mon, wake up," she said gently.

*thuk thuk thuk*

there is knocking at the door.

  Nitsyok looked up from his work to give the rat a once over. He was certainly stirring, but whether or not he'd arrived back into reality was another issue.
  "He is. When he wakes up properly, see if you can get him to drink something on his own, and try giving him some soup. Once he's satisfied, we'll put him to bed. We can sort out payment for his accommodation and care, if necessary."
  These beasts seemed kind and willing to help, but they were running a business and looking after the rat would take time and patience, plus the loss of a room, especially when it was so busy, would cost.

Masika headed for the door as Mara tended to the rat. Today was certainly proving to be...eventful. "Welcome, c'mon in," the otter said tiredly as she opened the door.

"Thank you" says the otter-maid coming in.

*she sees Roughtail laid out*

"Is he alright? Do you need help?"

Quote from: Masika on November 11, 2020, 09:33:52 AM
"Nyika, take the other tray over to the new fox, the dandy wit' the ridiculously long name," Mara said. She turned to Nitsyok. "If'n ya think ye c'n help go ahead. Neither Masika or me can handle bad injuries, an' Maut," she gestured to the silver fox helping Isaac up, "an' Nyika never learned, so, we're a bit outta our depth here." The wolf then proceeded to try to gently coax water into Roughtail.

Nyika came over to Isaac with the tray of fish stew and honey bread. "Yer jacket ain't ruined, ya dandy. Jus' leave et outside overnight, beat et a bit t' get the remainin' water out, then use a willow reed t' get any wrinkles out once it's dry."

(OOC: this bit was quite far back so is quoting it okay?)

BIC: Isaac looked aghast at Nyika.  "Beat my jacket?! Hasn't the poor thing been through enough already? Oh dear, I suppose I'll have to..." The fox strutted away, shaking his head sadly. He caught sight of a small mouse in the corner of the room, and frowned. There was something strangely different about this mouse. Curious, Isaac slunk closer. "Who are you, young man?"

(OOC: Other RPs occasionally do it, so I guess so."

Maut shook his head at his fellow fox. Veach left the table as Isaac approached and headed over to Maut, almost as if he couldn't stand the other fox.

"Dumb fox," Nyika muttered, before glancing to Maut. "No offense."

The silver fox shrugged. "None taken. He is a stupid dandy."

"I think Mara an' the otter have got it handled," Masika said to her fellow otter, closing the door. "Th' rat came in, practically on death's door, but tha' otter wit' my mate o'er there seems t' know what he's doin'."

(When Masika called Mara her mate, she means in the British/nautical meaning: a friend.)

*The otter-maid heads over to the counter to pay after she is satisfied that Roughtail will survive.*

"I would like a room for the night please. How much does it cost?"

Roughtail jolted up with a start, his wits slowly coming back to him.  he'd just been dreaming of the greatest feast he'd ever seen and was now looking for said feast.  His senses were hypervigilant, at least his smell was.  He let his nose figure out the direction of the smell, for a split second concerned that there wasn't any food after-all.  Then his eyes landed on a bowl of soup, tunnel vision wouldn't be doing the rat's state of mind justice, it was as if his entire being was possessed by his nose and nothing else remotely mattered.  Without a second thought, the rat buried his snout in the bowl and gulped it down in two quick slurps.

Licking the bowl clean, Roughtail then proceeded to take in his surroundings.  His matted snout was covered in dripping soup which he attempted to lick off while he took stock of his company.  Ahhh that's right, I stumbled into an Inn by the looks of it.  Next to him was a very large black... was that a wolf?  Never seen a wolf before, only heard of em in stories.  She seemed to have been tending to him, but now looked startled.  There was a small mouse sitting a fair distance away with a face that had disinterest written all over it, and seemed to be keeping to himself.  Roughtail noted the barbed tail with a gulp as a shiver rippled through his body before forcing himself to look away from it.  There was a fox and a stoat in the corner of the Inn who looked like veteran vermin, probably seen a fair bit of action.

Two otters seemed to have settled down at a table and a fox who was dressed in the oddest of outfits seemed to be approaching the mouse.  How in the world is one to fight in... that. Roughtail thought, noting the fox's ridiculous hat and cape which would only get in the way during any sort of combat.  That's when Roughtail noticed the otter standing near him, he gulped audibly as he met the otters steady gaze.  To say he felt unsettled would be an understatement, he was well aware of what otters and their kind did to sea vermin; if 12 seasons as a sea rat had taught him anything, it was to never trust any beast, especially not an otter.   Over at the door, an otter maid who he guessed was the owner, seemed to be letting in another otter.  Great, that's just perfect.  With my luck the next thing I know, there'll be an entire otter tribe camped outside. Given his current company, Roughtail's right paw instinctively moved to his side to grab hold of his scimitar, but he only found an empty scabbard.  "Where's me blade, otter?" he snarled in a low voice, glaring up at the offending beast. 

The otter-maid hears this and goes over to him without hearing the answer.

"Sir, we are creatures of peace, you do not need a weapon, and in this state, you would be horribly ineffective with it. Now, do you want more soup?."

Roughtail snorted, this is exactly the type of beast he'd have plundered a village from.  Weak and defenseless.  Peace my foot paw!  "This 'as nothin t' do with yew ya runt.  And even in my injured state I could gut ya and shove yur insides down yur throat."  He smiled wickedly at the small otter.  He didn't mean it of course, he'd like to think even sea rats had standards although he did find it mildly amusing how she thought she could comment on his abilities when she probably hadn't ever cut into a beast in her life.  "An' aye, git me more soup an' a couple pints of October Ale while yur at it.  Now let the grown beasts talk."   

She throws 6 punches, all of which connect.

"You do not speak like that to me. Now, do you want more soup ( angrily )?"

Roughtail wiped a trickle of blood from his snout. "Real peaceful aren't ya," he chided sarcastically.  The punches hardly hurt and felt more like sissy slaps, but he had to admit that the otter maid had more heart than he was expecting.  She was, however, starting to get on his nerves and testing his limits.  He wasn't in the mood for being pestered by some beast half his age. "Are ya soft in the 'ead?" he snapped after a bit, "I already said I wanted some soup an' Ale as well, now git yur tail moving, afore I show ya what a real punch feels like." 

OOC: Tiria, we generally avoid powerplaying, you can throw a punch, but you need to let the other person react to them on their own.

BIC:
  Nitsyok gave a low growl at the newest arrival and the rat, rising to his footpaws and placing himself between the ottermain and his patient.
  "Calm down, both of you! Marm, please take a seat and desist from causing fights in this inn. Sir, your scimitar is in the care of my friend, who will, no doubt, give it back to you as soon as I have finished tending your wounds. In the meantime, just sit back and stay still. You can have more food or water, whatever you need."
  The otter gave both beasts a chilling glare, waiting for them to do as they were told. Usually he wouldn't be this pushy, but matters had already gotten out of paw within a few seconds and he didn't need matters to escalate further.

She leaves, but walks backwards so she can keep an eye on him. She takes some soup and leaves a piece of searat gold.

She sits at a nearby table, still keeping an eye on Roughtail.

Quote from: shisteer of nothing much on November 12, 2020, 02:43:00 AM
OOC: Tiria, we generally avoid powerplaying, you can throw a punch, but you need to let the other person react to them on their own.

Got it, sorry 'bout that.

  Mayla whistled cheerfully and gave a little hop-skip of pure joy. She took a deep breath of the clear evening air and grinned at her friend, twirling her javelin/quarterstaff. Fern smiled wryly at the enthusiasm of the other wildcat.
  "Why are you so happy? It's almost nightfall and we still haven't come across that blasted inn. 'It's not far, just a bit further this way.' You said that an hour ago at least."
  "Deepest 'pologies, milady," Mayla's mood was as buoyant as before. "I haven't been this way in a few seasons. Besides, it's just up here, I'm sure of it!"
  She dashed ahead and Fern muttered under her breath. "I'll believe it when I see it," A triumphant shout raised her gaze. Mayla stood at the top of a slight rise and pointed ahead.
  "I told you! Now come on; I'm famished!"

  Fern creaked the inn door open and sighed inwardly, pushing the cowl of her cloak back from her face. It was rather more busy than she had hoped. Mayla stepped past her and headed toward the bar, but Fern laid a paw on her arm to restrain her.
  "I'll handle this, Mayla," she offered.
  "But you hate talking to anybeast," Mayla grinned. Fern opened her mouth to object, but realised her friend was right.
  "Good point," she conceded, "I'll choose a table, you see to a meal and a room. Deal?"
  Mayla nodded and moved unhurriedly to the bar as Fern stalked over to a small table in one corner. The wildcat gave a warm smile to the creature behind the counter.
  "Hello! I was wondering if my friend and I might be able to rent a room for a night or two?"

Roughtail watched the young otter-maid mockingly as she backed away.  He smiled sadistically as the otter continued watching him, he was going to have fun messing with this one.  And here he was worrying about woodlanders being good fighters, pfft.  If she was any example, he was quite sure he could handle himself.  Deep down though, he still harbored a doubt when it came to woodlanders.  He'd seen what otters and hares could do in battle.  He was especially worried of that big otter who had stepped in before he could lay into that brat of an otter-maid.  Without his scimitar he was defenseless... then Roughtail remembered his crossbow.  Where was it?  He looked around the Inn, but couldn't see it.  musta dropped it somewhere along the way.  He cursed inwardly, that was a well made crossbow. 

Cursing his own stupidity for getting himself in this situation, Roughtail finally concluded that it was better to appear unafraid and so he made as if to not care about the scimitar even though being unarmed was an extremely uneasy feeling.  He figured he'd eventually have to steal it back from whichever otter had taken it.

"Seein' as this otter-maid is too soft in 'er 'ead to understand the meaning of wantin' soup and ale, would either of ya fine gentle beasts mind bringin' me some" he gestured towards the large black wolf and the otter who had interjected on his squabble with the otter-maid. 

"I'd do it me-self, truly.  But ya see, me back an' me foot-paw aches like hells gates an' I fear I'll nay're walk again!"  He held his foot-paw and pretended to be in excruciating pain, an act which wouldn't have fooled the most gullible of beasts.

  Nitsyok lifted an eyebrow at the rat, crossing his paws in front of his chest and waiting for the rat to finish his performance.
  "Careful of that paw. There's a nasty cut on it and it won't enjoy being disturbed the wrong way. So far I've only found minor scratches and bruises. Please tell me if you have any proper wounds."
  Turning to the dark furred, massive creature, the otter smiled wryly.
  "Would a tad more soup be available for our friend, here?"
  He knelt down again, ready to carry on his work tending to the rat's injuries when a thought occurred to him and he turned back to the innkeeper.
  "I'm not sure I caught your name. I'm Nitsyok, by the way."

"Yeah, but at the rate beasts're pourin' in, we'll be out in no time." The wolf returned the grin. "Name's Mara."

Oy, I'll never take a slow day for granted ever again! "ENOUGH!" Masika shouted at everybeast in the room. "If'n anys of ya start any more problems, I'll throw yas out myself! You!" She looked towards Roughtail. "If'n yer gonna be like tha', we c'n always jus' kick ya back out! We're under no oblergashun ta help ya! And you," she glared towards Splash. "Don't go startin' fights wit' other beasts 'ere. We c'n kick ye out too." The otter put a webbed paw to her head and sighed before turning to the two cats. "Yeah, well, we only have eight rooms. Four beds t' a room. Ye'll prob'ly hafta share wit' the other two lasses." The otter stopped to take count. Two foxes, one stoat, one mousechild, three cats, one rat, and four otters, not counting herself and Mara. All the cats and the youngest otter were female. The rest were malebeasts... Eight malebeasts in all. "...Acshually, we might jus' be able t' get each of ya yer own rooms...per group. Anyway, welcome to Wildflower Inn."

Mara sighed exasperatedly and turned to Nitsyok and held out her paw. "Give me the blade."

The otter-maid gets up and walks towards Roughtail.

"I suppose we should try to make amends. I'm Splash, I don't care about your footpaw and I can help you get your weapon back if not, I found a well-made crossbow on the way here."

Mara held up an arm to stop her. "Don't. I don' trust 'im not t' start trouble, so don't give him any weapons...unless he's leavin'. I'm one'a the owners of this 'ere Inn, so ya hafta t' lissen t' me just as much as ya hafta lissen to Masika there." She hooked a claw towards the otter who'd just yelled for order, her pointed glare at Roughtail making it clear she was addressing both of them.

Roughtail rolled his eyes at the Inn keeper.  I was the one who was attacked, albeit a pitiful assault, it was still an assault.  An' fer some reason I'm the one they're watchin' go figure.  If the inn weren't full of other otters, I'd have clobbered the brat over the 'ead.  So far these woodlanders were proving to be more annoying than anything else, certainly not deadly.  He spared an amused look towards the otter-maid who got up from her spot and began approaching him with her proposal. 

"Ya hit me otter-maid."  Roughtail said matter of factly.  "Ya see, where I'm from amends are only made when revenge is granted.   So either yew gimme that nice crossbow ya found or I get to demonstrate what a real punch looks like on yur face."  Roughtail wanted that crossbow more than he'd admit and certainly more than he showed, but he was certain it was his.  "I'd 'ate t' ruin a beautiful face such as yurs."  he added with a cheeky smile. 

"Ah. well better git going I'll come back on mah way home from Redwall."

She gave Mara some searat gold and leaves.

Mara snarled and swung her claws at Roughtail's face before heading out after Splash. "Miss, wait! Yah don't hafta go jus' cause of tha' rat! B'sides, Redwall's weeks southeast o' here!"

BIC: Isaac looked aghast at Nyika.  "Beat my jacket?! Hasn't the poor thing been through enough already? Oh dear, I suppose I'll have to..." The fox strutted away, shaking his head sadly. He caught sight of a small mouse in the corner of the room, and frowned. There was something strangely different about this mouse. Curious, Isaac slunk closer. "Who are you, young man?"
[/quote]

Harlapple shushed the nosy fox and gestured to where the searat was waking up. Still not moving from his seat at the table Harlapple watched the events unfold. A typical, arrogant, prideful and violent woodlander strolled in and proceeded to pick a fight with the searat. It had been a laughable affair, though Harlapple had not laughed, and the mouse almost wished the rat had thrown back a punch. Two more beasts had made their presence known, the prideful ottermaid had left in a hurry and- "Apparently we're sharing rooms." He turned to Isaac and said, with the biggest smile on his face. "I am Olaf the Cleaver, Maker of Widows, Beheader of Warriors. I would say at your service," he winked. "But I think we both know who's in charge here. Now, if you'll excuse me." Finishing off the last of his honey bread, the mouse pushed the soup towards the fox and stood. "I'm going to get acquainted with our searat friend."

  "You certainly have good business at the moment," Mayla laughed, sweeping her gaze around the noisy, crowded room. "Fern and I are more than happy to share a room; I'd prefer it, in fact." The wolf hurried away to intervene between two of the other customers and Mayla made her way over to Fern, shrugging slightly in answer to her friend's raised eyebrow as she seated herself. "They're very busy jus' now, pore beasts. I'll order when everything's calmed down, I think."
  Fern sighed and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. "I wish everybeast would have the decency to shut up," she growled.
  "There doesn't look t'be much chance of that, I'm afraid."
  "Mm, more's the pity."

The claws of the large black wolf came dangerously close to Roughtail's snout and the rat once again found himself unarmed and wishing he at least had his scimitar or even better... Roughtail's stomach twisted into a knot as he watched the otter-maid leave with his prized crossbow.  Probably nay're gonna see that beauty again nor shoot 'er.  Roughtail let a deep sigh escape his snout, he'd have done just about anything to get that thing.  That's when he noticed, through his peripheral, the mouse approaching him. 

His gaze immediately moved to the barbed tail of the mouse and he had to bite down on his tongue to keep from gulping audibly.  He was simi successful and instead his gulp turned into an awkward swallow which was rather uncomfortable.  Prying his gaze from the mouse's deadly tail and unconsciously moving his own tail as far away as possible, Roughtail turned to the mouse as casually as he could despite the fact that his heart was beginning to race.  He didn't understand why, why was he so frightened.  One glance at the barbed tail was the only answer he needed and the flashbacks would come flooding back into his head.  The memories of when he had only been a sea rat for a couple seasons.  And the pain, that was the worst part, the fact that the pain in his tail seemed to come back every time he was reminded of the incident.  Shaking the memories from his head Roughtail finally found the ability to speak, "Ya 'appen to 'ave any soup an' ale by chance, seems no beast 'ere'll gimme any now that I'm awake."  The question was rhetorical, or at least that's the way it came out although he wouldn't have complained if the mouse did offer him some vittles.   

"The name's Roughtail, just in case ya were wonderin' who this handsome young rat was." Roughtail said, sporting a cheeky smile and offering an outstretched paw.  It was a bold move, but he'd rather make allies with this beast than have to ever face that barbed tail.  Inwardly, he realized that this was the first beast he'd given his name to.  Fear was quite the motivator and Roughtail decided there and then that he'd be dumb to cross this mouse.  He was small, sure, but Roughtail knew a killer when he saw one. 

Isaac smiled as he watched the mouse leave. A cocky youngster, and a strange one. That poor searat sure had trouble on his hands.
The fox approached Mayla and Fern next. Perhaps they too had a story.

"I go by Olaf the Cleaver," Harlapple smiled, accepting the searat's paw and giving it a rough squeeze. He sat down. "Some nasty-looking wounds you got there," he pointed his snout at the rat's tail. "At least it matches your name." The mouse drummed his paw against the table. "So. How does a searat wash up so far from the sea?"

At Olaf's mention of his tail scars Roughtail sneaked a weary glance at the mouse's barbed tail before looking over at his own tail as if to make sure it was still there.  The mere mention of it made him uneasy.  Had the mouse sensed his tenseness?  Roughtail decided to brush past the tail comment and considered the mouse for a moment.  "Nosey one aren't ya."  He had no explicit reason to give this Olaf beast any information, but his gut feeling kept urging him to tread lightly around this mouse, and if there's one thing he learned over the years it was to trust his gut.  "Thrown from the riggin' of me captain's ship." Roughtail said after a moment, deciding it was safer to give the mouse what he wanted. "Washed up on the shore a couple leagues south of 'ere and made me way inland.  Lost me chance at plunder an' glory that day."  The rat spit at the ground and growled at the fates.  "Lost me crossbow and me blade as well." he snarled in a low voice as he glared at the otters.   

  Nitsyok shrugged in reply to the glare, weaving through a couple of tables until he reached Olaf the Cleaver's untouched soup, picking the bowl up and bringing it back to the rat.
  "Here, this's slightly colder than usual, but it's still perfectly edible and the innkeepers seem a tad busy at present. As for your blade, it has been mentioned that you'll get it back once your fit enough to not hurt yourself with it. You may not have noticed amidst all the excitement, but you're body is absolutely exhausted and you probably couldn't drag yourself up the stairs."
  Having concluded that, besides the copious scratches and the need of sleep and food, the beast was fit to survive, Nitsyok made his way to the nearby table his friends had chosen, giving them both a tired smile. He hadn't expected such drama when they finally arrived at the inn. Hopefully things settled down soonish.

"Fascinating," Harlapple said, as the otter departed. He leaned back in his seat, placing both feetpaw firmly on the table, and glanced around for eavesdroppers. Spotting none, he went on. "This old Captain of yours, anything special? Or just a run-off-the-mill loot-hunter?"

Maut and Veach decided they'd had enough and started up towards the bedrooms. Nyika decided to meet her fellow cats.

"Hello, I'm Nyika," she said, coming over to their table but not sitting down.

Outside, thunder boomed and lightning cracked, and a downpour quickly started, driving Mara back in. Masika headed into the kitchen while the wolf waited the counter. The otter came back out with pints of October Ale (and strawberry fizz for Harlapple/Olaf), bowls of fish stew & loaves of honey bread. "Sorry it's just the same thing over an' over. All we had prepared tonight."

OOC: The otter-maid returns, soaking.

BIC: "Didn't realize there was lightning." She offers some gold to Masika. "May I have a room?"

(OOC is pretty much the authors talking, Tiria)

Mara smiled at the young ottermaid's return.

"Yes, of course," Masika responded.

( okay sorry )

She heads to her room.

Roughtail hadn't meant for Nitsyok to hear his snarl.  They must have better ears than I'd thought.  Roughtail made to recover the situation and waved a paw dismissively, "ah wat ever, keep the rusty ol' blade if ya like.  Probably need a new one anyways."  It was partially true, he didn't care much for that particular scimitar, although he knew he'd never be able to replace his crossbow which he did care for.  He took the bowl from the otter's hands and began slurping it as slowly as possible as to not look desperate in front of his company. 

Nitsyok, which was apparently his name, appeared to be the one who had patched up his wounds.  He wasn't about to show it, but he was grateful for his hospitality nonetheless.  Maybe this otter wasn't so bad... Roughtail shook the thought from his head as soon as it came.  All otters were bad. "Ooh, Capt'n Toothsbane?" he said with a mouth full of soup as he addressed the mouse next to him.  "Nothin' too special, brutal beast fer sure, but what vermin capt'n ain't.  He likes t' take kits into his army, thinks they're more loyal if they've grown up most their life on 'is ship."

Roughtail thought for a moment as he wiped a soup laden snout on the sleeve of his tattered red wool coat.  "Don't think it worked, least not fer me.  Couldn't care less 'bout the old stoat or 'is ship.  I only stayed fer the chance of loot.  That an' the fact that he'd hunt me down and kill me if I'd deserted."  That was also only partially true, deep down the rat knew another reason he stayed was because he liked being in a horde with other fellow beasts.  Roughtail leaned in close to the mouse, making sure his voice was low enough that no other beast could hear.  "We was sailin' south when I was lost at sea.  Capt'n was talkin' bout some red place full of loot."  He smiled mischievously at the thought of gold.  And the rat's spirits were lifted even more as he spotted the otter-maid returning with his prized crossbow. 

Isaac finally reached Mayla and Fern's table. "Hello, you two."

  Fern glanced around quickly as she and her friend were accosted from two different directions and pulled her cowl over her face. "You do the talking."
  Mayla grinned at the younger wildcat's muffled order and waved at the two newcomers. "Hello! I'm Mayla an' this is Fern. She has anxiety issues about meeting new beasts, so she probably won't introduce herself or say anything."
  Fern peeked out from under the deep hood and glared. "I do not! I just...lack your enthusiasm for social interaction."
  "Whatever. So," Mayla turned her attention to the fox. "What might your name be?"

A knock sounded at the door.

Mara answered the door. "Hello, welcome to Wildflower Inn."

Harlapple raised an eyebrow at the rat's words and leaned in, the better to join in on the conspiracy. "Someplace red? Redwall Abbey, eh? Crown jewel of woodlanders everywhere, the most prized conquest in our existence and the bane of every horde, vermin and corsair. Sounds like you had a stroke of luck, falling overboard when you did. I wouldn't be too surprised if we hear about this... Toothsbane..." Harl wondered briefly whether the pirate had been the bane of his own teeth, or those of his enemies. "Being slain in a fortnight or two." Harlapple shrugged. "In any case he sounds inconsequential." Harlapple lowered his voice even further. "Now. Let's see what we can do about getting your weapons back."

Isaac harrumphed at Mayla disapprovingly. "Weren't you listening? Oh, I'll repeat myself if I must. Isaac Farran Larkington the Fourth. And no, you may not call me Isaac." He held out a perfumed paw for the wildcat to shake.

Quote from: Masika on November 13, 2020, 06:57:23 PM
Mara answered the door. "Hello, welcome to Wildflower Inn."

Two travelers stood outside the door, dripping wet with the rain. A ferret and a squirrel.
"Can we stay here for the night?" the ferret asked. "We ain't got us a lotta money, but I'll pay ya for a room an' some vittles, if'n it's all right wid yer. Me name's Seatar, an' this here's Ranala."

"Come on in, come on in," the wolf said as she let the two in. "Masika! Another two!"

The otter in question huffed as she set down the trays of stew, bread, and October Ale (and strawberry fizz for Harlapple). "On it, on it." The otter headed into the kitchen, hoping they wouldn't run out of food for tonight.

The wolf turned back to the two. "As ya can see, we're pretty busy tonight. You'll have to be willing to share a bedroom wit' some of the other lasses."

Nyika scoffed at Isaac. "Yer not just a dandy, yer a bloomin' idiot. These two came in after ya introduced yerself, ya dunce."

"That's no excuse," Isaac snapped.

  "Please, let's not quibble," Mayla shook Isaac's paw firmly. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr Larkington. Tell me, what brings you to Wildflower Inn?" Her odd-coloured eyes sparkled as she grinned sideways at Nyika.
  Fern coughed as the fox's perfume found its way under her cowl. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, it was just too strong for her liking. She wasn't fond of Isaac's manner either.
  "I'll thank you to watch your tone when speaking to my companion," the wildcat spoke softly, but made sure to add a growl of warning.

Isaac blinked. Had he been rude? No matter, there was time to fix it."Apologies if I offended you, madam. As for what brings me here?" Isaac's mind raced to think of a good lie. Anybeast here might be an agent sent to bring news of him back to his family. "I, er, was bored." So much for a good lie.

Nyika rolled her eyes at Isaac. "I've been deliverin' food from my hometown t' here fer months now, but I've always longed t' see the lands myself, have adventures... And this place provides exactly tha'," she said with a grin.

Quote from: The Grey Coincidence on November 13, 2020, 07:47:20 PM
Harlapple raised an eyebrow at the rat's words and leaned in, the better to join in on the conspiracy. "Someplace red? Redwall Abbey, eh? Crown jewel of woodlanders everywhere, the most prized conquest in our existence and the bane of every horde, vermin and corsair. Sounds like you had a stroke of luck, falling overboard when you did. I wouldn't be too surprised if we hear about this... Toothsbane..." Harl wondered briefly whether the pirate had been the bane of his own teeth, or those of his enemies. "Being slain in a fortnight or two." Harlapple shrugged. "In any case he sounds inconsequential." Harlapple lowered his voice even further. "Now. Let's see what we can do about getting your weapons back."

For some reason, hearing another beast call his captain "inconsequential" bit into his ego, but the rat refrained from making any retort.  At the mention of retrieving his weapons, Roughtail eyed the otters wearily before realizing and quickly wiping any doubt off his features. "I've a few ideas" he said simply, being a searat for 15 seasons taught him a thing or two about stealing.  Just as Roughtail was considering his options, two newcomers arrived.  A brushtail and a ferret. The ferret looked like a sea vermin herself and Roughtail smiled at her arrival.  Finally things were taking a turn for the best.  As for the bushtail, she didn't look like anything special.  Probably a slave of the ferret if he had to guess.  He banged a closed fist on the table and shouted at the back of the otter innkeeper as she walked back into the kitchen, "Bring me and me new messmate 'ere a couple more pints of ale would ya!"

(OOC: @Crafter Man, pay attention to everyone's posts, not just the ones interacting with your OCs. Just five posts back [not counting this one] I posted:

QuoteThe otter in question huffed as she set down the trays of stew, bread, and October Ale (and strawberry fizz for Harlapple). "On it, on it." The otter headed into the kitchen, hoping they wouldn't run out of food for tonight.

)

Quote from: Masika on November 14, 2020, 10:29:44 AM
(OOC: @Crafter Man, pay attention to everyone's posts, not just the ones interacting with your OCs. Just five posts back [not counting this one] I posted:

QuoteThe otter in question huffed as she set down the trays of stew, bread, and October Ale (and strawberry fizz for Harlapple). "On it, on it." The otter headed into the kitchen, hoping they wouldn't run out of food for tonight.

)

OOC: I know, I did pay attention to all the posts.  The idea I was going for was that Roughtail shouted as the otter was going back into the kitchen, hence the phrase "shouted at the back of the otter innkeeper," the implication there being that she was walking back into the kitchen like you said.  I'll add something to make that more clear, probably something along the lines of "-as she walked back into the kitchen" or something like that.  Sorry for any confusion.  Also Roughtail is a prolific drinker (quite proud of it as well) so he was calling for more before he had even started the ones brought out.  I think I forgot the word "more"  my apologies for that.   

Masika grumbled at the rat's attitude as she got another two more pints of ale and started cooking other foods, as she was scraping the bottom of the pot (somewhat literally) of the stew. She slammed the pints on Roughtail's table, not caring that some of it splashed onto the table. She was quite tempted to pour it on his head. "I think ye could stand t' learn a little manners, sea scum," she growled. "'Fore I decide t' toss ya out on yer tail...without any weapons."

Roughtail Smiled toothily at the Otter as she slammed the pints of ale in front of him.  "Feisty one ain't she"  Roughtail said to Olaf with a half hearted laugh that only served to cover up his mild concern at her threat.  Pushing the strawberry fizz aside with a dissatisfied sniff, Roughtail handed the mouse a pint of October Ale before downing his own pint in one gulp and smashing the cup onto the table.  "Now that's a drink me 'earties!" He shouted boisterously before grabbing another pint. 

Masika growled as she cleaned up the glass. Mara smiled at Seatar and Ranala. "Pardon me, ladies." The wolf then slunk behind Roughtail and brought a paw down, aimed right between the rat's ears. "Ya know pay fer ev'rythin' ya break, don'tcha, ya lousy, drunken vermin?" Despite her pleasant, almost casual tone, she was grinning sadistically at the rat.

Splash walks out of her room ( without the crossbow ) .

"May I have some soup? I know I already had some but I have more coins."

She sees the scene.

"Oh deer."

Roughtail nearly bit off his tongue as a massive furred paw came crashing down on his head, making him spill a decent portion of ale over his wool coat.  Growling, Roughtail stood up and faced the black wolf who towered over him.  Thats the second time a beast has attacked me in this stupid Inn.  Roughtail wasn't about to be made a fool, he knew how this worked; no one would respect him if he let a beast hit him without retaliating.  In a flash, Roughtail grabbed one of the shards of glass and went for the Wolf's ankle.

"We're outta stew, sweetie," Masika said apologetically as she passed. "I've made salad, an' I've got some hotroot soup an' deeper'n'ever pie cooking right now, though."

The wolf saw his paw go for the glass and she quickly stepped back. She then swung her claws at his face.

Roughtail Jumped back with a squeal as the wolf's claws grazed the fur on his snout.  Then he began growling savagely, most rational thought being pushed aside for the time being.  He held the shard of glass in his mouth and began approaching his target on all fours, he was faster and harder to hit this way.

Isaac, startled by the rat's growl, turned away from Mayla and Fern. "Oh my," was all he could think to say. The fox was torn. Duck behind a table, or join the fight? The intelligent part of him said he should try to break it up- that way he would have the goodwill of almost every beast in the inn. But the rest of him had spotted the unattended strawberry fizz on the rat's table.

"Thank you anyway"

Splash notices the fight and tries to trip Roughtail while he charges.

Roughtail scurried over the otter-maids foot paw that was outstretched in an attempt to trip him, which would've been difficult seeing as he was already on all fours.  The rat made his way over to the wolf taking a non linear path and making his movements as erratic and hard to predict as possible.  When he thought the moment was opportune, he jumped out and attempted to latch onto her fur and clamber up on her back whipping his snout back and forth savagely.  His snout's grip on the glass shard had slipped a bit which rendered his slashing less effective.   

Seatar started for the rat. "Git offa her, ye bilge rat!" She pulled out her curved sword. Ranala stood by the door, unsure of what to do.

The wolf simply slammed her back, and the rat, against the wall behind them.

 Fern and Mayla both leapt to their footpaws as soon as the fighting began. "Do you need a paw?" Mayla asked the big wolf, twirling her quarterstaff. Fern's dagger was in her paw and she had thrown her cowl back to prevent it hindering her vision if she needed to join in.

  Nitsyok, Faumyan and Romyan kept paws close to their weapons, but stayed relatively calm, remaining seated. Mara looked like she had things basically under control and jumping in would likely only complicate matters.
  They were still ready, though, keeping an eye on both the rat and the other beasts in the inn. Roughtail wasn't the only vermin in the area and, at this stage, it would be a good idea to make sure nobeast else got involved.

The sea rat dropped the glass shard as he was crushed between the wall and the large wolf before falling to the ground gulping in air.  He'd gotten the wind knocked out of him, something that he'd experienced countless times before when roughhousing with other vermin, just not quite as hard as this.  The sudden shock of having the wind knocked out of him jolted the rat back to his senses.  He realized he was outnumbered, and even if it was a fair one on one, the wolf had the size and strength advantage over him.  Roughtail knew when he was beat, it was the fact that he'd fought that mattered.   

Despite the heavy blow, the rat recovered fairly quickly and rose to his feet, spitting blood from his snout as he did so.  He'd had fights like this many times on the Bloodyscab, and was quite used to losing them to far better vermin than himself.  Why's everyone acting so weird? Roughtail was used to cheering and shouting and laughing during his scuffles with other beasts, but instead everyone seemed to be gravely tense and quiet, watching him.  It was mildly unsettling to say the least and if the beasts around were hooting and cheering like normal, he'd have probably jumped back into the fight.  The glass had cut into his mouth a fair bit and the rat had to spit out a decent amount of blood before addressing the wolf and the inn as a whole.  "Ya do yur reputation as a wolf justice, I must say."  Roughtail laughed and spit out another mouthful of blood. "One day, -I'd like a rematch with me weapons."  He smiled toothily, showing his bloody teeth to the wolf before stumbling over to his table and downing another pint of ale.  He was feeling mildly dizzy, but in good spirits nonetheless.  He'd taken on a wolf, something he was sure few vermin had ever attempted even if it was just a playful scuffle. 

Maut came downstairs just then, Veach on his heels, rubbing an eye. "Any reason why ev'rybeast's being so-" Then the two saw Mara's fight with Roughtail. "Oh. What's happ'ning?"

"That ungrateful rat decided t' attack Mara after she conked him on the head fer breaking one'a our tankards," Masika explained.

Mara grabbed the rat by the tunic and hosted him in the air. "Ya really think yer still welcome 'ere after ya tried t' slice my throat?" she growled. "Yer even stupider than I thought." She turned to everybeast in the room. "Whaddaya think? Should I throw 'im out, wit'out 'is weapons-?" A cheer came from Nyika and Maut, with an assenting nod from Masika. "Or should I take pity on this half-brained sea scum?"

Roughtail was completely bewildered as he was hoisted into the air.  He was used to scuffles like these uplifting the mood during gatherings, this one seemed to have the direct opposite effect.  "Ya attacked me!" He half growled, half pleaded.  "An' I wouldn't 'ave cut yur throat! What're ya insane, was but a scuffle.  Nothin' like a scuffle t' brighten up the mood eh?"  Would I've cut 'er throat?  Roughtail gulped at the large black wolf, now more scared than ever, "I'll pay ya back fer the stupid cup aight!" 

The wolf brought the rat to her face so they were (literally) nose-to-nose. "Ya think this about a stupid tankard?! Ya've been nothing but rude, threat'ning, ungrateful an' disrespectful t' the beasts who saved your sorry, no-good, flea-bitten hide from the moment ya walked in here! And then ya have t' gall t' attack me, after I helped tend t' ya, simply over a bonk on the head!" The wolf bared her fangs, looking like she might bite him at any moment.

"Throw 'im out!" hollered Seatar. "Rats is vermin, 'e's just goin' t' cause more trouble for yas, 'tis best if'n ye throws 'im out!"

"Bit rich for you to call anyone vermin, isn't it, ferret?" Harlapple chided. The mouse sipped casually at his strawberry fizz, eyeing the October Ale with disgust. "I wouldn't throw him out if I were you." He went on, now adressing Mara herself.  "Nobeast was hurt, bar fights bring in crowds and thus revenue and really, tossing an injured beast into the rain sounds cruel." Even for your standards.. "Here, you said we had to share rooms. I'll take him up to mine and see that he doesn't cause anymore trouble." The mouse put on his most winning smile.

The now petrified rat cringed away from the barred teeth of the wolf, shutting his eyes tightly as if he was scared to watch his own demise.  Then he had heard the voice of the mouse, so calm and collected, it almost made him feel like a stupid kit.  Regaining some confidence at Olaf's words, he opened his eyes and smiled at the mouse before turning to face the wolf. 

"Your goin' to tell me you've nay'r 'ad rude beasts, bar fights, or smashed glass in this inn of yurs?"  Roughtail chided rhetorically, spitting another glob of blood from his mouth and onto the floor below him.  He wasn't really surprised that the mouse had given him an out, it's what he would have done to a mate in a similar situation, but he was relieved nonetheless.  "An' yah, I think I'll head back to me room fer now, anything t' get away from the lot of yew."  He eyed the ferret with disgust, "Aye, I'm vermin an' I always will be.  Guess that makes ya an angle does it?"  He laughed, "I know a pirate when I see one, I've been lookin' at them me entire life, an' if I 'ad t' guess I'd say yew be some sorta slave driver so shut yur gob

Mara dropped the rat onto the floor. "We've had nastybeasts, they jus' knew not to insult an' pick fights wit' the hosts," she sneered, now almost like a high-ranking officer. "There's plenty of fights on the various quests we host." She looked to Harlapple. "If'n ya like 'im so much, keep 'im...and keep 'im outta trouble. You two!" she barked at Nitsyok and Splash. "Hand his weapons over to Masika. 'e's not t' get 'em back while 'e's inside the Inn. That's an order." She looked to Seatar. "A bit rich, comin' from you, lass. I see many beasts here that most would call vermin. Him, Nyika an' her companions there," she gestured to Nyika, Mayla, Fern, and Isaac, "Maut an' Veach on the steps there, me...you..."

"Got it."

She leaves and comes back with the crossbow, and hands it to Masika.

"Here you go."

Roughtail straightened up as he was put down, using both paws to flatten his ruffled up wool coat before flattening his head fur with his right paw.  He avoided eye contact with the wolf who had utterly humiliated him in front of the entire inn and now reduced him to a defenseless kit by all standards.  The rat watched with resentment as Splash handed the otter inn keeper his crossbow.  It looked to be in good shape and it still had the three bolts stowed in the undercarriage which he'd built into the shaft of the weapon, an addition that he prided himself on.  Giving the weapon one final look, Roughtail walked over to the table where Olaf was sitting and downed a pint, this time taking care to place the cup down gently.  Any good mood that he'd had before was all but annihilated and he only drank with hopes of drowning out his embarrassment.  He reached for another pint of Ale. 

Seatar shook her head at Mara's comment. "That ain't what I meant. Somebeasts may call ya a vermin, cause yer a wolf, but ya don't act like a vermin." There was no point in explaining, Mara would have to figure it out herself. And there also wasn't any point in arguing, so she let it drop and went over to a table near a corner. Ranala followed her. "Are you angry?" the squirrel whispered. She herself was a little scared.
"Nah, not really. Just sorta upset..."
Ranala nodded. Somebeasts never really understand. Just because Seatar was born a ferret didn't mean she liked being cruel to others like most ferrets did.

(OOC: For some reason, most of my posts begin with Seatar and end with Ranala. My. apologies, it's hard to manage two characters at the same time.)

(OOC: Perfectly fine, Flib. I keep forgetting about Nyika and Maut. You don't have to make a character do something if they're not doing anything important.)

"Alright, show's over folks," the wolf barked before heading into the kitchen.

Masika came over to Ranala and Seatar's table. "Anything you'd like? There's salad, and we've got deeper'n'ever pie and shrimp and hotroot soup cooking."

"Well, definitely an interesting night, eh Veach?" Maut said to his stoat companion.

"Oh, shrimp'n'hotroot soup? I ain't had that in a long time!" Ranala smiled at Masika. "I'll leave some for ye, though. I never knew a otter that didn't like hotroot!"
"Er, I think I'll have some too. Is it spicy?" ventured the ferret.
"Nothin' spicier in all o' Mossflower Woods, Seatar!" Ranala warned her friend. "Are ye sure ye want it?"
"If I didn't I'd say so!" Seatar told her. "Two hotroot soups then, please!" She was starting to feel better already.

Splash hear about Hotroot soup.

"Could I have some as well?"

Isaac sat back in his chair, happily sipping his recently stolen strawberry fizz. At the mention of hotroot soup, however, his eyes widened in shock. "Hotroot soup?! No! NO! I will not allow it! Oh, please, somebody tell me you were joking about the hotroot soup," he spluttered, strawberry fizz forgotten.

  Mayla resumed her place at the table. "You don't like hotroot soup? It's not my favourite, but I do like it. Though," she laughed, "It is necessary to have a large tankard of something close to paw."
  Fern sheathed her dagger and sat beside her friend. "I'm with you, Mr Larkington. I can't stand spicy things."
  Mayla raised her eyebrows in mock astonishment. "She talks! You must feel really at home here, Fern."
  The smaller wildcat shrugged. "It's not to bad," she stifled a yawn. "I'm looking forward to my bed, though."

Isaac looked anxiously at the two. "You... you agree?" They really seemed to be warming to him. He smiled toothily and puffed out his chest. "I mean, I'm glad you agree. It's certainly lovely to know you share my opinion." The fox leaned in. "Besides, it means that there's a table in this inn free of that mangy stuff. Oh, and you may call me Isaac the Fourth, if you like."

"Certainly, dearies," Masika said to three wanting hotroot soup.

Nyika shrugged. "It may be extra-spicy, but I love the shrimp. Although, crayfish is arguably better."

(OOC: Before anyone asks, crayfish are small lobster-looking crustaceans that live near rivers and streams and such. Yes, they can be found in Europe, including the British Isles. Yes, I've had them once. The meat looks like grey shrimp, and they taste just like shrimp (at least cooked; never eat raw crayfish), but just a bit chewier.)

"Hotroot soup is hotroot soup and always delicious"

Harlapple gave the rat a look of disgust. "I wouldn't advise you to drink. You're foolish enough sober, and nobeast ever wisened up on alchohol. Picking a fight with a wolf." The mouse shook his head from side to side in disbelief.

"She attacked me first."  Roughtail grumbled to himself, snout buried in his crossed arms as he rested on the table top.  Foolish t' drink? The only smart thing I've done since gettin' 'ere was load up on ale an' vittles.  The sea rat suddenly had the urge to go, not uncommon for him after drinking. He gave his new mouse friend a lethargic pat on the shoulder, "I'm mighty tired mate, why don't ya find out which room's ours.  I'm goin' outside t' take a leak, duty calls."  With that, Roughtail stood up and grabbed a piece of bread, shoving it in his snout before turning towards the door to the inn and making his way over to it. 

Rolling his eyes at his newfound companion's sudden call of nature, Harlapple made his way over to the bar. "So, which room are we staying in?"

(Sorry Grey — had to count all the characters again!)

Mara mentally thought out the sleeping arrangements a moment. "Last room on right," she said as Masika headed back into the kitchen to check on the shrimp'n'hotroot soup.

Harl nodded. "I get a key or something?"

Mara nodded, grabbed the key, and handed it to Harlapple.

"Thanks," stuffing the key into his belt, Harlapple made his way back to the table to await the arrival of his roommate.

Quote from: Jarky Thistlebrush on November 16, 2020, 05:06:20 AM
Isaac looked anxiously at the two. "You... you agree?" They really seemed to be warming to him. He smiled toothily and puffed out his chest. "I mean, I'm glad you agree. It's certainly lovely to know you share my opinion." The fox leaned in. "Besides, it means that there's a table in this inn free of that mangy stuff. Oh, and you may call me Isaac the Fourth, if you like."

"Thank you," Fern replied sarcastically. Mayla smiled at Isaac and hoped he hadn't noticed. Fern was annoyed that the fox dismissed anybeast who didn't share his opinion as 'mangy'. It showed a small-mindedness and lack of empathy that irritated her. Not that she was well-known for being empathetic, Fern thought and smiled wryly to herself.
  "So," Mayla tried to restart the conversation. "You were bored. That's fair enough. What do you do most of the time? Fern and I pretty much just wander from place to place; sometimes working for a while, other times not."

(I assume Mayla was talking to Nyika?)

"I'm an apprentice weaponsmith. I also help unload ships back in my hometown, an' I also deliver food here occasionally. Heh, had to learn to properly salt veggies an' carry barrels of live fish if I didn't want to the food t' go rotten," Nyika responded with a small grin that seemed a mix of pride and embarrassment.

(She wasn't, but this works ;))

"I see," Mayla shifted slightly to face the wildcat. "Do you have a cart or something to carry the barrels? Also, how far away is your home town? Surely not too far if you bring that much food."

Nyika snorted. "Of course I have a cart. How else would I deliver food? And Karravale's a week north, slightly west, of here."

Quote from: Masika on December 11, 2020, 06:08:12 PM
(I assume Mayla was talking to Nyika?)

"I'm an apprentice weaponsmith. I also help unload ships back in my hometown, an' I also deliver food here occasionally. Heh, had to learn to properly salt veggies an' carry barrels of live fish if I didn't want to the food t' go rotten," Nyika responded with a small grin that seemed a mix of pride and embarrassment.

(Let's just go with it)

Isaac, a little perturbed at being interrupted, considered snapping at Nyika but decided against it. It wouldn't do to make enemies this early on. Instead, he stood and made for the door. A little fresh air might help clear his head- he had offended what, three beasts already? This wasn't like him.
As he reached for the doorknob, however, the door swung open, revealing a tall grey and red fox. She cast her eyes around the inn before spotting Isaac cowering by the door.
"Isaac. Come with me. We're going home."

Lightning cracked and thunder crashed outside. Mara came over to greet the new arrival. "Hey, c'mon in outta the rain. I'm Mara, one of the two owners of this inn. Wouldja like t' spend the night? I don' think this rain'll let up anytime soon."

The grey-red fox blinked, then stepped fully inside. "Of course. Stay the night. Thank you. But after that, my cousin and I are going home." She straightened her rusty red tunic. "I'm Kyran. Kyran Larkington."

"Wouldja like anything t' eat? We've got salad, honeybread, and shrimp'n'hotroot soup an' deeper'n'ever pie cookin'."

Masika came out then with trays full of soup and honeybread just then.

"That's Masika, the other owner of the inn."

"Good to meet you, Masika. I'm Kyran. I'll take shrimp'n'hotroot soup. But I won't pay for anything my cousin here stole," Kyran said politely. "He has plenty of his own money."
Isaac spluttered indignantly. "I- I didn't steal anything yet! And Ky, shrimp'n'hotroot soup?! Have you fallen so low?"
Kyran's voice was as cold as ice when she turned back to Isaac. "Isaac, you call me Kyran. Not Ky."
Isaac stood stock still for a second, then slunk off to sit with Fern and Mayla.

Roughtail paid little mind to the new fox who had just entered the Inn except to note that she seemed to be related to the other fox, the one with that ridiculous hat.  As Roughtail made his way over to the door a thought struck the sea rat.  He was technically leaving the Inn even if for a brief moment so that should allow him his weapons.   He walked up to the innkeeper otter, "Aight water-dog, I be goin' outside.  Outside this blasted woodlander infested Inn, so lemme 'ave me weapons while I'm out there."  The night was dark and the storm outside raging, last thing he wanted was to be out there defenseless. 

The otter raised an eyebrow. "One, do ya not see my paws are full, literally? Two, are ya headed out fer good or just answerin' the call of nature? 'Cause all ye need fer that is a shovel." Masika started giving the beasts who ordered them bowls of soup with a loaf of honeybread for each table.

Mara snorted. "Nice try, rat. That's like trying to kill a woodlander an' askin' t' go unpunished fer it. We ain't given ya any chances t' start trouble again. Oh, and if a vermin-hatin' badger happens t' come yer way, well, hope ya c'n outrun him!" Mara sniggered.

"Eat fire dog!" He snapped at Mara.  It was worth a shot.  I didn't really expect em t' give me them did I? either way, I'll get myself some weaponry an' they'll be sorrier fer it.  Scowling at the two Inn owners, he turned and made for the exit, grabbing a lantern and stepping out into the stormy night.

       Gurt was sloshing his way toward the inn door when a rat exited, a mere few steps later had them passing one another. The mole tugged his snout as Roughtail approached, "Whoi, guday to ee zurr!-Erm..?.." This particular varmint did not appear to possess the greatest of moods at the moment as he practically barged his way past, possibly oblivious to the moles' presence, "Hurr, that'd be ee furst, oo ur!" Making his own way through the door, he brought his quizzical, but still cheery expression with him as he trundled on in with another greeting tug, "Howdy do miz Mara! Miz Maz'ka! Er, who'um spait in that'ns zoup?" A hefty digging claw gestured somewhat whimsically from his outstretched arm before snapping in front of his mouth in sudden realization, "Oo! Wurr moi marners!? Oim drippin' abowt evry'wer loik a swimyun h'otter, ooh, burr aye! Spare'n ee' toweler miz?" The drenched creature blinked in embarrassment, still moisturizing the inn floor below him.

There would be a tap tap at the door before a similarly drenched Stoat would peak in. Staff entering with him as the old creature smiled at those inside. "If there is an extra towel that would be helpful. Otherwise I shall wait under this awning to be a little more dry." Before he ducked back out and moved the door to be more shut. Can't be letting the cold get in after all! Though he did move to the window to look in which was thankfully covered too.

Din nodding at the very homely atmosphere in there and in such a place like this it was wonderful to see. He had a slight fear that the fox who had told him about this place had been telling fibs but seems he wasnt. Looked like a great place to fill up with warm food and a real bed.

(Hope the entrance works peeps <3)

"Gurt! Great t' see ya mate!" Masika slipped into more otter-like speech*. "Mara, a pair o' towels, if'n ya please." She set down the last of the food.

Mara nodded and headed for the cleaning closet upstairs.

Masika stuck her head out the door. "C'mon in, mate! Yore not a water dog like myself, you'll catch somethin'!" She turned back to Gurt. "Ay, tha' rat came in here, passed out, so Mara an' one'a our otter mateys took care o' him, an' 'ee's been nothin' but rude an' demandin', like 'ee thinks 'ee's in charge. Mara conked 'im o'er the head fer breakin' one'a tankards, which lead t' a fight an' us confiscatin' 'is weapons. 'ee tried askin' fer 'em back to answer Mother Nature, I said no, Mara said, 'If'n a vermin-hatin' badger comes yore way, hope ye c'n outrun 'im!'" Masika shook her head. "'ee's trouble, that'n."

Mara came down with the towels and handed one to Gurt. "Here ya go." She stuck her head out the door. "Hey! Get in here 'fore ya get sick!"

(*Hopefully! I'm not quite shore if'n this is how water dogs talk!)

Lifting his snout into the air, he took a deep breath.  It was a blessing to get away from the crowd.  Some fresh air even if it was sided with lightning and rain was still a welcome sight.  As a searat he'd been soaked many a time and a storm was only a problem if he were on a ship, on land he didn't see what the fus was. 

Roughtail gave the stoat, who had just walked up, a nod.  "I'm Roughtail, the one she speaks so highly of.  She's right 'bout one thing though ya know.  I've seen many a beast fall ill from the elements.  Not a good way t' go." 

       "Hurr hurr, oi 'pear to 'ave arroived et quoit thee toime!" Gurt accepted the towel with haste, doing his best to dry off without causing a scene, not exactly the easiest accomplishment for a mole, much less a burly one. Still shimmying about, he shuffled over to make some room for the stoat, "Moi gurtest apollergies zurr, thurr be room naow." His bundle clanked as he hoisted the burden from his back gently, "Et's b'en ee longin day, burr aye. Oi bain't too late fur zupper em oi?" He looked to the hosts, eyes brimming with hope as much as his little squinty orbs could.

"We're acshually on the second round, matey," Masika replied. "Salad, honeybread, shrimp'n'hotroot soup, and deeper'n'ever pie just outta the oven..." Masika stopped a moment. "Oddly, almost ev'rybeast wants the soup, not the pie...or the salad..." After a moment, she shrugged.

(Do you guys know the full name of this dish? Deeper 'n Ever Turnip 'n Tater 'n Beetroot Pie. Take one look at it... It's vegetarian pot pie! Seriously, pot pie doesn't sound delicious? My favorite part of pot pie is the veggies. *shakes head*)

(Thats a good sounding pie)

Glancing back at the door as he was told to come in Din smiled and bowed his head. "Many thanks fine Otter." Thumping inside as he took the towel and patted down his face, paws, and then clothing to get most of the drips off his clothing. The rest would be done near the fire which he moved over toward once he was inside. "If we're allowed to choose the bread and salad will do me initially. And if there are any soup left that sounds very nice."

Looking around for an unoccupied chair he started to settle himself in before he looked back up at the assembled creatures and did a little bow. "Dinah by the by fellow creatures. Though most just call me Old Din." The elder smiling as he settled himself into a chair happily.

Quote from: Jarky Thistlebrush on December 15, 2020, 06:20:55 AM
"Good to meet you, Masika. I'm Kyran. I'll take shrimp'n'hotroot soup. But I won't pay for anything my cousin here stole," Kyran said politely. "He has plenty of his own money."
Isaac spluttered indignantly. "I- I didn't steal anything yet! And Ky, shrimp'n'hotroot soup?! Have you fallen so low?"
Kyran's voice was as cold as ice when she turned back to Isaac. "Isaac, you call me Kyran. Not Ky."
Isaac stood stock still for a second, then slunk off to sit with Fern and Mayla.

(Forgot to control any of my characters beside the hosts! x_x)

Masika nodded and headed back into the kitchen, mumbling to herself that they might need a bigger inn.
"Nice t' meet ya, Din. Name's Maut," the silver fox introduced himself as he and Veach sat down at his table.
Nyika sniggered. "Wow. Yer cousin has you whipped. What she got against you, huh?"

Taking out a brown scarf, Roughtail wrapped it around the top of his head, letting the slack hang down the back of his neck before stepping out from under the awning.  Walking across the tall wet grass, he made his way to the edge of the clearing where the Inn was situated.  The rat stepped into the treeline and then walked further into the forest beyond.  Finding a bush, he set the lantern down on a stump and began relieving himself as he contemplated his options.  Running was the clearest, safest option. Or mayhaps going back an' robbin' the dummys would be better.  Would be 'ard t' do with nothin' but me wits though.  Lacing up his trousers, Roughtail turned back towards the Inn.  That's when something caught the rats eye.  A mischievous smile spread across his snout as his eyes fell upon a hefty tree branch laying on the ground.  It was about the length of a spear, just what he needed.  Picking it up he tested its strength a few different ways.  His leg injury wasn't too bad, but he could easily pass it off as being bad enough that he needed a walking stick. 

As Roughtail was picking up the lantern and preparing to head back, he heard some disturbance within the forest thicks.  "Who goes there?"  He called out, holding up the lantern and peering through the trees.  Squinting through the rain and darkness, he could faintly make out the silhouette of... is that a squirrel?

"Who in hellgates-" before he could react, a beast jumped out of the darkness and tackled him. With a grunt, the searat fell to the ground completely knocked out of his wits.  Startled and assuming he was under attack, Roughtail grabbed for his cutlass, but of course it wasn't there.  He reached for the stick he'd found, but by the time he'd gotten hold of it his attacker had made off towards the Inn, "Heeeelp!" she cried.  Her cries carried through the wind like a whistle, "Heeeelp".  Staggering up, Roughtail regained his bearings before making after her with haste, stick still in hand.  It was more curiosity than anything else that drove the rat forward.  Who was this bushtail an' why'd she run off in such a 'urry

Bursting through the door of the inn, the squirrel-maid collapsed to the ground, soaking in water and coughing up a storm almost as bad as the one raging outside, "T-they're coming!" she finally got out, "The slavers are coming!"

Quote from: Masika on December 16, 2020, 05:17:55 PM

Quote from: Jarky Thistlebrush on December 15, 2020, 06:20:55 AM
"Good to meet you, Masika. I'm Kyran. I'll take shrimp'n'hotroot soup. But I won't pay for anything my cousin here stole," Kyran said politely. "He has plenty of his own money."
Isaac spluttered indignantly. "I- I didn't steal anything yet! And Ky, shrimp'n'hotroot soup?! Have you fallen so low?"
Kyran's voice was as cold as ice when she turned back to Isaac. "Isaac, you call me Kyran. Not Ky."
Isaac stood stock still for a second, then slunk off to sit with Fern and Mayla.

(Forgot to control any of my characters beside the hosts! x_x)

Masika nodded and headed back into the kitchen, mumbling to herself that they might need a bigger inn.
"Nice t' meet ya, Din. Name's Maut," the silver fox introduced himself as he and Veach sat down at his table.
Nyika sniggered. "Wow. Yer cousin has you whipped. What she got against you, huh?"

Isaac looked at his footpaws awkwardly. "Well, I um, I-" he was interrupted by the arriving squirrel. "Who are you? And what are you doing dripping all over my prized silk pants?" he cried out in horror.
Kyran, however, rushed to the squirrel's side. "Slavers? Did you say slavers?" she said, almost a little too enthusiastically.

"Oh, Dark Forest!" Masika exclaimed, rushing to the squirrelmaid. She looked so thin and to be barely in her teens. "Mara, matey, get some food, right away!"

The wolf nodded and headed into the kitchen.

Nyika rushed over. "Ey, calm down, missie. Ev'rythin's fine. Practically ev'ryone here's a warrior. You're safe from slaverbeasts now."

Mara came out with a hefty slice of deeper'n'ever pie, honeybread, and October Ale. "Here ya go, missy. This'll do ya good." She set it down at the nearest table, which Masika helped the squirrelmaiden over to.

Maut came over, Veach at his heels. "We're here t' help, Miss. An' trust us, there's nothin' t' be afraid of here. We'll take care o' ye."

Aukryla was overwhelmed with the amount of beasts she saw, some asked questions, others were comforting.  She was only concerned with wolfing down the pie that was placed in front of her, making sure it was all down before anything else. 
"I-I was attacked out there.  A sea rat, not far from here."  The squirrel said with a mouthful of pie.  She looked around anxiously as if someone would come out of nowhere any moment to snatch her and take her back to the slavers.

Roughtail burst through the door, panting and soaking with his stick still in hand.  He removed the scarf from the top of his head and looked around until he spotted the squirrel-maid.  "Ay yew!" He barked over, "Ya wanna explain t' me why ya just jumped me!?" 

Her only response was a wide eyed stare of horror as she hid behind the wolf who'd given her the pie. 

"She said ya attacked her," Nyika informed. "She thinks yer a slaver."

Just then, two ferrets entered behind Roughtail.
"May we come in?" one asked.

"Yeah, come in," Mara said, not really caring right now.

Despite having just got himself settled in the seat when the Squirrel maid crashed through the door shouting about slavers the old stoat was on his feet immediately. Limping his way over to the door to keep a look out. Moving slightly to the side when he saw a creature thundering their way toward the door as the rat moved in again. Shouting and pointing at the Squirrel.

He had seen this one leave just as he came in and it would be a new ploy for slavers to scope out a location and then come back after their cover was blown but Din didn't want to discount it as he moved behind the rat and placed his walking staff against the back of the rats neck as he put a hand on his shoulder. "Lets all quiet down now. Get some simple words between us all to make sure of the possible fiends and friends we have here tonight." He glanced back at the two ferrets but mainly focused on the rat. He was the most unknown now after all.

Roughtail brushed aside the stoat's wood staff with a paw, "Git yur grimey paws off me or I'll shove that stick down yur throat.  Wouldn't wanna bloody mine, after all." The rat grinned toothily as he displayed his 'walking stick.' 

The squirrel maid sat down in a chair, shivering as she hugged herself.  "M-my mamma, a-a-and my p-pappa.  You have to help me save them!" She was now sobbing into her shirt. 

"Ah will ya shut yur snout!" Roughtail was in no mood after having just been attacked in the middle of the forest.  "No one cares 'bout yur mamma an' no one cares 'bout yur pappa!"   

"Actually," Splash says after a long while of silence, "there are people in this world who aren't selfish pigs." She drew out the last two words for emphasis. "I care about her parents and I care to rescue them if..." She glanced at the squirrel maid. "If they aren't beyond rescue."

She moved her chair over to the squirrel maid and asked "What is your name?"

"A-Aukryla" The squirrel sobbed, now burying her head into the Splash's chest.  "Please, Th-they're being held in a camp, I don't know where b-but I could try an' show ya, but please we have t' leave now!"  In her utter horror and fear she scarcely noticed the other beasts in the tavern. 


"Well ain't that classic."  Roughtail said, spitting at the ground.  "Yew attack me,  an' then try an' play all victim like.  Yew woodlanders are all the same, no brains an' dull claws.  Now squirrelly puff, I'ma ask the question we're all thinkin', includin' this Splash feller...  ifin we 'elp ya, what's in it fer us eh?  What duh we git in return? 

Aukryla only looked up at the snarling rat, wide-eyed and seemingly in shock.

Stepping back once he was pushed Din just stayed silent. Having enough experiences like this to know that rising to the rats challenge about a stick measure contest wasn't needed now. Besides he was old, and the rat could clearly see that. Best let him get confident before he gets a staff speared between his eyes to quiet him down for several minutes. But he did what he could to keep ready should the rat move on the Squirrel as he took in all the angry and panicked words from both.

"We get the satisfaction of making sure others are not forced into that life. It can be a long thing life, and most deserve to have it last long." Din commented at the rats request for reward as he kept his eyes on him. Not trusting that he wouldn't try to bolt or make a move on someone here.

Quote from: Crafter Man on May 29, 2021, 05:19:28 PM
"A-Aukryla" The squirrel sobbed, now burying her head into the Splash's chest.  "Please, Th-they're being held in a camp, I don't know where b-but I could try an' show ya, but please we have t' leave now!"  In her utter horror and fear she scarcely noticed the other beasts in the tavern. 


"Well ain't that classic."  Roughtail said, spitting at the ground.  "Yew attack me,  an' then try an' play all victim like.  Yew woodlanders are all the same, no brains an' dull claws.  Now squirrelly puff, I'ma ask the question we're all thinkin', includin' this Splash feller...  ifin we 'elp ya, what's in it fer us eh?  What duh we git in return? 

Aukryla only looked up at the snarling rat, wide-eyed and seemingly in shock.

"Ignore him." Splash suggested to Aukryla "I'll help you." She turned to rest rest of the inn. "Do  any of you wish to join me? Aside from this... vermin."

(OOC: I'm dropping out, I'm no good at this, and besides I'm really busy with other stuff. You guys can keep going without me.)

(OOC: 'Ight, bye, Flib)

Glancing at the new ringleader of this possible rescue Din nodded. "I will - but I dont think it would be wise to charge out there into the darkness without more information." Turning to the Squirrel maid he attempted a friendly smile. Though how well it showed on a vermins face, even if they were old, was likely not the best.

"Now, lass, is there anything else you can tell us about the slavers? Numbers? Equipment? Do they have a travel craft of some kind of others in their chains? Anything can help us here."

Splash goes to ask other people.



@Crafter Man @Jarky Thistlebrush @Ripred the Gnawer 

(OOC: I have too much trouble with this, I think I'm gonna have to drop out too. Sorry, Sika.)

(OOC: I think this RP is mostly dead anyways. Masika hasn't been on in ages.)

(OOC:Unfortunate.)