12.28.08
Location: North Abbey Walltop
Characters: Dmirti, Teela
RW Abbey: North Walltop
Trees line this portion of the rampart although none of them even begin to level out at the level that this rampart stretches above the forest floor. On tree, however, stands out among the rest, a giant, ancient elmtree. Many beasts -- even burly otters -- would have to stretch their paws around in order to encircle its great trunk completely. A gnarled look is about the tree -- as many years living through droughts and storms -- as well as battles -- could do to anything. The elm extends at least several mice-heights higher than the wall, towering over the rest.
Snow lays, like a fluffy white down blanket, on every surface of the top rampart. Along the rampart itself, it is trampled down by the passage of enough beasts since it last snowed. However, up on the higher portions of the battlements -- where beasts haven't leaned over to look at the winter wonderland below them -- it is still large, puffy, and crystaline, laying in absolute perfection and just about untouched. Down below, a thick blanket of snow coats the ground -- with a minimum of pawprints through it. After all, who would want to be traveling in this weather? Snow hangson the evergreen branches and coats the diciduous ones in thin columns.
Exits: [D]own, [W]est, [E]ast
- THIS ROOM IS BROADCASTING **
It is simply too dark and too cold for a creature of Dmitri's years to be out, even ensconced as he is in his heavy fur cloak. His walking stick rests between a crenellation in the lip of the rampart, and the tod holds his eyes to the stars, peering up at them as if trying to read some distant script, the starlight its ink. Frost has formed on his whiskers.
Teela is up and about this eve as well, seeking solitude. The mousemaid has been pacing the ramparts, having headed off the other direction and circled around to the northern wall. She walks slowly, each step methodically placed to make no sound just for the practice. Then she hits ice. "Eep!" she squeaks, arms flailing a little to keep her balance. She does, thank goodness.
The cry catches Dmitri's ears and he turns to see Teela struggling to hold onto herself. Chivalry, always rooted in a certain condescension towards the 'fairer sex', asserts an irresistible hold on the tod's sensibilities, and he grapples for his cane as if he might be able to use it to reach Teela in time to help. The plan, though it was not much planned, backfires rather grandly. His too-quick paw knocks the cane over the ice-crusted snow and sends it sliding over the edge. Now it is he who grips the edge of the wall to try and keep his balance, blushing under his fur with embarrassment. So much for gallantry.
Teela's ears perk at the sound of the other beast, an apology immediately escaping her. "Oh, I'm so sorry to have disturbed you!" she says, making her way around the ice to where she heard something drop. "I'll get that for you." Though she has no idea as to who it might be.
Dmitri peers over the edge of the rampart, down the sheer drop of the wall, "Ach... nothing to be done about it," he says, wrinkling his nose, disturbing his frosted whiskers, "You'd have to wander all the way outside the walls, and I wouldn't dare inconvenience you so," he tilts his head, then smiles, "Lady Teela. Of course it is you. Why else would I be so quick to scramble at just the sign of your discomfort?"
Teela moves to peer over the side as well. "Hmm. Well, we will have to send somebeast to get it first thing tomorrow," she says, stepping back a little. "Dmitri! How good to see you again. How are you this eve?"
Dmitri gives a small grin, a bit sly, a bit mischievous, "The Abbot's widow ought to have the Order at her beck and call. It's rather like being a queen, after all," he gives a low chuckle, paw rising to brush snow from his features, grooming in a sudden fit of either vanity or self consciousness, "Better for meeting you here, to be honest. The beasts of the Abbey... I fear many of them seem rather frivolous to me. Perhaps it is only nostalgia, but I long for an older, finer set of creatures, wiser and more perceptive of greatness."
Teela finds a bit of pink rushing to her cheeks and ears as well, dipping her muzzle. "Well, I'm afraid I don't have /too/ much power over the Order..." Her voice trails off as she laughs lightly before her features soften and sober. "Not all beasts are raised to be respectful." Not quite what she wanted to say, but it will do. "Seeking a bit of solitude as well?" she asks with a glance around before gazing at the tod with a soft smile.
Dmitri motions to the heavens, "From mortal beasts, at least," he says, "I think I can endure the presence of divinity this evening," he smiles back at Teela, "Or those close enough that they can at least reflect the ordered glory of the sky."
Teela "oh's" in soft surprise at the compliment, a smile of genuine fondness pulling at the corners of her mouth. "I hardly think I am fit to be put in that high of a station," she replies with a light laugh. "But I am not so daft as to not take the compliment."
Dmitri chuckles, "Perhaps I am simply becoming a flatterer in my age," he says, "Or, more likely, too easily swayed by a fair of fine eyes. But I find it difficult to admit it to myself, both because it speaks too little of my wisdom, and, well... because I, will admit, rarely found much that moved me in mousekind," he dips his head, a concession of his prejudice, "So I see fit to think that you are some pristine exception, rather than to think it is mere beauty, in a mousemaid, that makes me feel so."
Teela nods a little, beginning to understand where he's coming from, even if the root is prejudice. "I feel honored then, to be such a mousemaid." She curtsies slightly, dipping her muzzle.
"Ah, honor!" Dmitri says, "Such a high and distant feeling. So like the stars, lovely but unreachable," he chuckles, "But I shall take it, and ask no more, for it is more than is owed or even expected. Thank you, Lady Teela, for being such a mousemaid."
Teela dips her muzzle again, eyes sparkling a bit from the unexpected praise, you might call it. Her paw moves to the tod's arm. "How are you tonight?" Perhaps a repeat question, but the mousemaid is feeling put on a pedestal, though any embarrassment or discomfort from the conversation does not show.
Dmitri nods to the paw at his arm, "A far better thing than a stick of wood to support me," he says, with a smile, "I'm well. Still seeking my enemy's grave. Even if I do not find it, though, I trust she will see the effort I make, and judge it almost as worthy as my pilgrimage's success."
"No one has pointed it out for you yet?" Teela asks, ears laying back gently. "That doesn't seem right with all of those who knew her." The mousemaid sighs. It's been a tough season. Many losses. So maybe it's not all that surprising. "I will look through Josiah's books and see if the location is documented there."
"She was always intensely private. Perhaps her mate, a bitter and reclusive creature to be sure, buried her in some hidden locale," Dmitri suggests, though his tone suggests its pure postulation. He sets his paw upon Teela's, "I would greatly appreciate it. For all my excuses, I would leave feeling a touch of failure if I did not find the place where she was buried."
Teela nods, giving his arm a slight squeeze. "Far be it from me in my station to allow an Abbeyguest to leave in failure," she offers, somewhat tongue-in-cheek. "I seem to remember the gravesite mentioned somewhere." The mousemaid hmm's to herself. "Perhaps I could ask the Abbey recorder if there are any document regarding the site."
"Praise be to Teela, key to the Abbey, secret queen of the Order," Dmitri says, with a grin, "I promise, I will not betray the cypher of your power to any other beast. Your shadowy influence will remain wreathed in imperial darkness." His words are purposefully overwrought, even for him. His hand presses her gently, and he says, with earnesty now, "Thank you."
Teela laughs very quietly, her free paw moving to rest on her growing babybump. "He didn't know he was to be born a prince," she says with a smirk. Her eyes move back to the tod. "You are very welcome, of course."
"No prince does," Dmitri says, with a slight nod, "I hope he is grateful for the station. It can, of course, be as much a burden as a blessing."
"Indeed, it can," Teela agrees. "I only hope he will not think he has to fill anybeast;s shoes, but be himself instead." Her smile fades slightly. "I have wondered lately if the Order will want to mold him into his father." A slight shrug.
Dmitri wrinkles his nose, "Woe to any son who is asked to mimic his father in entire. What is the purpose of a new generation, if it does not vary and, in fact, improve upon the last? My sons are better beasts than I, I hope, fairer minded, gentler natured," he chuckles, "And not so easily swayed by beauty... though I would not wish them immune to it."
Teela smiles softly as she listens to the wisened beast, nodding a little, and willing her ears to stay less pink. "Perhaps it is simply the idle fears of a mother," she says.
"Do you consider yourself a willful beast?" Dmitri asks, "And was your son conceived in willfulness?"
Teela considers the question for a moment. "I suppose yes to both questions."
"Then you can have faith he'll bear will enough of his own," Dmitri says, tone one of adamantine certainty, "Through blood and circumstance we are forged into the beasts we become. Both are on his side."
Again, something to consider. "You make a fair point," Teela agrees. "A good perspective for me to keep in mind."
Dmitri chuckles, "But you /will/ worry," he says, "Because that is a mother's lot," he takes a slow breath, "I fear the cold is chewing away at me. I should descend. Walk with me, 'til I can find my way to my rest?"
"As I worried for the twins, so shall I worry for him," Teela admits in response. "Of course. I should be digging out some books for you before I sleep." She takes his arm, letting the tod set his own pace.
"Twins provide twice the worry, of course," Dmitri says, "As I well know," he smiles, "Thank you, once again. Given the chance, I'll find some way to repay your kindness, not that you would ever ask for repayment, but simply because kindness offered freely deserves kindness in return."
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