Bees Do A LOT!
- Zork walked in a little later in the role play , but someone wanted more of it logged so here it is ****
RW Abbey: First Orchard
You stand in a sort of verdant sanctuary where the sun is filtered through leaves and thus comes out to be a much softer light, one that's a little more manageable. At least, more manageable than the comparatively harsh light of the more open entryway and a pond area almost completely devoid of large, shade-giving plants that this orchard has in careless abundance. A soft covering of moss and grass finds itself beneath the trees, only serving to add to the quiet comfort of the whole scene.
The stately flora has come alive with youthful blossoms. Flowers of all shades of pastel line the trees, bushes, and ground. Poking around the pink and yellow petals, some fruit has begun to form, peppering the orchard with green apricots and plums and unripe pears and peaches. The air is full of pollen that tickles the nose and dirties clean habits. After a rain, rivulets of water trickle around tree trunks, irrigating the flore before draining into the pond.
Exits: [F]ire [P]it, [S]econd [O]rchard, [D]umble's [L]og, [A]bbey [P]ond
Contents:
3 Skeps
Krystal has done a very good job with the bees since she has been here. She even fixed one of the hives that was cracked and is now checking on the bees humming softly as she looks them over and smiles. A bee is on her ear but she just gently lets it walk on her paw and back onto the hive. Others look at her like she is crazy as they stay well clear of those hives and here she is beside it.
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Elmef climbs down the ladder he has been up for the past half an hour, the young field mouse tucking his gloves behind his belt as he settles down onto the grass. He raises a paw to Krystal, "Ho Krystal, you've done a fantastic job with our bees. Yields are up all across the orchard and fields."
Krystal smiles "Well I guess they like me, I noticed they seemed sad so..well, I don't know how, I cheered them up. They are in a way just like us, well sort of." She keeps smiling "They are like a large family of friends who care for one another and help one another and work hard. They make honey and there is the bees wax, both which can be used for a good number of things."
Krystal says, "And the bees also help us by helping out food grow, they even help the healing herbs too"
Elmef says, "Indeed I know all about how important the bees are to us." He walks over toward the squirrel carefully, "It is good to have someone actively managing them again. I have no skill with them and nor does Benar"
Krystal nods, she calmly hums a little when the bees start to buzz around and then walks a little forwards before speaking again, "I am glad to help sir, I love the abbey and am glad I decided to live here. "
Elmef waves a paw, "Don't call me sir Krystal, Elmef will do just fine. We both work outside in the abbey after all."
Krystal nods "Alright then Elmef, I been thinking of something else as well"
Elmef asks, "Oh? What has been on your mind?" He leans back against a tree and smiles "If I can help I will do so"
Krystal smiles "On being a novice, as...maybe should be an order beast to really be your Bee keeper."
Elmef says, "Oh... well it is not necessary Krystal, we are glad to have you as our bee keeper regardless of you being a member of the order. But if you wish to join us you would be welcome to do so."
Krystal smiles, "I even studied your charter, with some help....To be Brothers and Sisters of peace and goodwill, living together in harmony under the protection of Redwall Abbey, forsaking all unnecessary forms of violence, not only to Mossflower, its trees, grasses, flowers, and insects, but to all living creatures. To help and comfort the dispossessed, harbor orphans and waifs, offer shelter to all creatures alike, give clothing, warmth and food to any beast or creature that is deemed in need of such. To educate and learn, particularly in the healing arts, comfort the sick, nurse the injured and help the wounded. To take our food from the earth and replenish the land by caring for it, husbanding crops and living in harmony with the seasons always. To honor and protect our friends and brethren, only raising paw to do battle when our life at Redwall is threatened by treachery and the shadow of war; at these times every Redwall creature should show courage, fortitude and obedience to the Father Abbot. Albeit the taking of another life must always be justified and never carried out in a wanton manner."
Elmef smiles, listening to the charter and nodding along to her words, "You certainly know your charter Krystal. If you think it is the right life for you I will support you in front of the abbot."
Krystal smiles "Thank you Elmef, and abbey life does suit me I think and I like the idea of peace, outside the abbey is not always good, it is sometimes. I also never learned to fight and never would want to learn, I probably run instead of fight or climb a tree...carefully climb a tree"
Elmef says, "There is nothing to be ashamed of running and hiding instead of fighting Krystal. That is what I would be liable to do. I won't just stand there and let someone hit me but I won't fight back"
Krystal nods, "I have also learned, not all trees are good for climbing. There is one in the woods that had some dead limbs on it. I....think another tree maybe tries to grow too close to it as, the higher you went the more it sort of, tangled."
Elmef says, "Oh dear, dead trees are never good. We have had to cut down a few in the orchard over the years I have been here to make space for them. It is a shame but sadly the way of life."
Krystal says, "This one was in the woods, I..fell from it and hurt my foot paw and leg, but I am ok and..wasn't hurt too bad. I had a couple beasts to help me”
Elmef says, "Well I am glad you were not on your own Krystal but yes if you want to learn more about climbing trees ask the Abbot. He's been doing it since he was a child. He was always up them"
Krystal chuckles "Well he is a squirrel, he probably still will climb one when he gets the chance. I will also, in fall, be finding a way to keep the bees safe for winter. In winter they sleep a lot but they will also need to be kept warm and safe."
Elmef says, "Well if you need any assistance from me in the winter to help with the bees and keeping them safe and sound let me know. But if you do wish to become a novice, just ask the Abbot next time you see him."
Krystal nods "I will, I am trying to think..maybe a closed in sort of place, used just in the cold months and taken away in the spring. An opening in the front, but just a small one, that would let air in but only a little, cold winds and snow, ice would be keep out. It could cover all 3 of the hives, do..do you think it could be made?"
Elmef points at the skeps, "Isn't that what the skeps are for? Cold weather, well all-weather shelters? Our last bee keeper Laine made them specially for that"
Krystal says, "It should keep them safe, they may need made more...ummm ready for winter but that won’t take too long."
Elmef says, "Well if you need anything built let us know and we will all do what we can to help my friend"
Krystal nods "Thanks..there should be a lot of honey as well as Bees wax, just need to save honey for the bees to have food. I..I could get the honey and wax come fall, I will just need something to place the honey in and something else for the wax"
Elmef says, "Bees wax is good, I have to admit I am no fan of honey myself but bees wax is very useful especially for our candles. DO you know how to turn it into candles?"
Krystal smiles "I....have made a few candles before, my mother showed me and I know beasts with bows use bee's wax also. And honey is not just for sweeting food, it has some healing values as well"
Elmef says, "I am sure Healer Leon will be glad for more supplies that can aid in healing. I have some skill at candle making. Perhaps I can help you once we have gathered the wax?"
Krystal smiles "I would like that, we can have them made in the fall or late fall maybe"
Elmef says, "That sounds like a plan to me. I will see who else may be interested in joining in"
Krystal nods, "They are not too hard to make, and we could make lots one day and place them in a safe place. Candles are always needed and we can make different sizes as well." She hmms "This has nothing to do with candles but do you think Honeycomb be welcomed as well?"
Elmef says, "I will ask around and see who else is interested an dig out our old candle making equipment from the store house."
Krystal nods "Alright,"
Zork has decided to slip outside for some fresh air and staying inside too long would make him stressed anyways, he has wheeled slowly over to the orchards, a place he usually ends up late afternoon or early morning times. He spots the others and waves "hey ya guys."
Elmef raises a paw at Zork., "Good afternoon Zork my friend, how are you doing? It is nice to see you outside. Would you care for an early summer pear?"
Krystal nods a hello to the badger, he is one of the abbey beasts she rarely talks to, "Hello"
Zork grins as he goes over to them, "Well can't always be inside ya know and tis shady here..sides I come ta mediate in de orchards, yeah missed a few days but that be ok. An a pear would be nice Elmef"
Elmef walks around a few of his pear trees and then picks a pear that is close to being ripe, he comes back with three in the end, handing them around to the others, "Here we go, they may be a bit tart but they should be tasty"
Krystal takes one and nods her thanks." Pears are something I rarely seen before living here, apples yes and there is cherry trees in the north."
Zork smiles as he gets his pear, "Must not be too far lass, lot further north ya will see mostly pine trees and de like, hard ta grow too much in de Northlands, it’s doable but not very well, and not too many choices either of wot ta grow."
Elmef says, "Growing pears here in Mossflower is no easy thing either. But we are blessed by the abbey's location. It allows us to grow things well."
Krystal smiles "And the bees may of helped a little as well."
Zork hmmms "Bees? I always stayed away from bees, luckily they don't bother me when I mediate, by de way anyone seen Benar taday was gonna talk to him"
Krystal chuckles "Bees tend to leave beasts alone unless they are bothered by beasts getting too close"
Elmef says, "Bees are very useful creatures Zork,. without them we would have no fruit or grains for they pollinate our flowers"
Zork says, "Never knew that bout bees, always thought they flew around and just stung ya, they were rare in de northlands, came out fer couple weeks in de spring, maybe a week in summer as thar were times of, somewhat warmth up thar."
Krystal smiles "I think I will head inside, it was nice speaking with you both"
Elmef says, "Bees will not normally sting you unless you disturb them or their hives. Now Wasps and Hornets, those are nasty creatures indeed"
Zork watches the squirrel maid head off as he takes a bite of pear and nods " Well good ta know, I surely don’t need a bee or anything ta sting me, someone already worries too much..." He frowns a little now as he lays his pear down on his lap, “I mean.....I know why."
Elmef tilts his head and looks at Zork, "You mean Zinnia don't you? Please do not be too worried about her Zork."
Zork is quiet before responding, "I try not ta, I know she has those who will be here fer her when she needs it. She just needs ta learn to talk with others more be all. She is very very smart on many matters, maybe from all de time in the library and I know she got a lot of info from de trip as she read me some of it and gave me a chance ta read de rest. She is even able ta read wot be on de bells in de bell tower, I..I sadly can’t, yes I know I redone some of the writing when I repaired de bells but I be sort of..foggy on de details. But also I were gonna talk ta Benar as he mentioned this trip or something he was thinking bout havin' couple beasts do..."
Elmef says, "I know Abbot Benar is planning to send an Ambassador to the Mountain of Salamandastron, to inform them that there is a new Abbot... I hear that he is considering Zinnia and DoraRose as those to make the journey."
Zork nods as he takes a deep breath and coughs a little, he then speaks after clearing his throat some, "I..believe Zinnia would make a good choice for Benar to send and she went before I remember" He smiles a little " She left me a note and I didn’t find out till later that day, forgot who prevented me from marching off after her, I..I were so worried and maybe over protective of her back then.." He sighs, "I most likely would be still..somewhat." He looks at the mouse. " I..won't be around...f...forever, and she knows that and I do. Still I know she is able to handle things well, she is strong in mind and..will get through anything needed, a trip may be good fer her and having Dora along be good too, a friend she trusts"
Elmef says, "Make sure to tell Benar that you think it is a good idea too. I am sure that would help him put her name forward. Ambassador of the Abbot of Redwall is a noble task"
Zork smiles "Yes, it is..I will tell him later taday, before I go ta bed." He leans back in his chair. "Elmef...I...I want ya ta help make sure Zinnia knows she be well loved and has her friends thar always, she..she will need to know that more than ever when I am..am no longer around. I already know it won’t be easy for her that day."
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Elmef says, "I will make sure do not worry Zork. We all care for Zinnia just as much as you"
