Do You See What I See?
- A squirrel named Castus on the hunt and a fox named Zhu meet on a strange night in a strange place -
The Black Gull - Tavern
An ever present combination of smells greets any new arrival upon entering the Gull. Various ales and grogs, rums and wines; of course, the scents and aromas of liquors would be there. It's a tavern. But along with those airs, the underlying odor of unwashed bodies and unclean boots can be detected. It is this joining of scents that gives the Gull a very well-loved and oft' visited personality.
That, and the state of the inner commons, as well.
The scuffed floorboards beneath ones footpaws will guide anybeasts' eyes to the simplistic layout that the Gull was designed in. The east wall opens, narrowly, its mouth for a well-lit vestibule to settle uncomfortably. Light, both from the outside, and the two lanterns hung there, casts a revealing glow upon the entrants, giving the patrons within a rather decent visual. Slipping further into the Gull, the light grows dimmer, and far less frequent. With no windows to the outdoors, the tavern is held in the palm of eternal dusk.
Across from the entrance, the bar has been placed upon a, slightly, raised platform. Being open on either end, it's not uncommon to see the tavern's wenches and 'tenders hustling about, passing one another as they go about their duties. Reflecting, poorly, the goings on about the bar is a large, dusty old mirror. A few beasts have traced various crude pictures in the gathered dust around the border, but for the most part the mirror (the middle of it, at least) remains clear. Cracks of time and stains from thrown drinks stripe the looking glass in a few places. Various racks and shelves with bottles, labeled and not, settle on either side of this mirror above casks. Two doors, abused and slightly battered, rest behind the bar; One faces the west and to the barn and paddock, while the other, North-facing, gives way to the kitchens. To the south is a platform consisting of drenched, copper-brown wood (mainly from spilled blood, one might assume).
With the season changing once again, the open hearth nestled against the northern wall, along with a staircase, has roared back into life. A steady fire can almost always be seen and heard crackling lazily over dead wood. A few run-down garlands are strung about the mantle; somebeast's attempt at making the Gull a little more festive, perhaps.
"Let's... try this again, Kaltag," a red squirrel says, seated at one of the tables of the Black Gull. Woodlanders here are a rare sight, woodlanders comfortable in their element are almost nonexistent. But this squirrel is smiling, leaning comfortably back in his chair... dangling a few gold rings in front of the ferret seated opposite him. "You're telling me that for all this, you can't tell me where a certain rat got to?" "It's not that your gold isn't good," the ferret, Kaltag, sneers. "It's the questions you're asking. You're a woodlander looking for a vermin." "So a vermin looking for vermin is different." "S'right. It is." Castus rolls his eyes and begins to put away the gold. "But I didn't say I wouldn't tell you nothin'," Kaltag grumbles. Castus smiles and takes the gold back out. The others mostly ignore them, but some give the squirrel harsh stares. Either way, he looks completely calm and at home here as he would at Redwall Abbey.
Being one of the types that are in their element here Zhu isn't paying much mind to anything clandestine that might be going on around her, the vixens main point of focus seems to involve the mug that she has infront of her, not the beasts on either side of her that seem to percolate all around her. With elbows rested on the bar the vixen is doing her best right now to simply try and relax, but when your being crowded with boisterousness its not an easy thing to do. Why did Zhu come here again she wonders, she does know that the place can get rowdy, a more appropriate question then is why is she still here, well because the glass is only half empty yet she supposes, time to fix that. Raising the mug Zhu tries to down the watery ale in one go, but it is far from pleasing stuff to sup.
"... You know, some beasts are looking at you funny." "I know," says Castus. "Just keep talking." "If you keep going north, I heard a vermin group has begun establishing itself out that way. Perhaps you'll find your friend there." Castus flips him three gold rings and pockets the rest, seemingly unconcerned that he could be robbed at any moment. He rolls his eyes and stands. "You know, sometimes I think I'm just getting ripped off when I come here," he says with exaggerated resignation. "Maybe my friends need better information!" He starts to move until his eyes catch Zhu. His eyes dart up and down the fox's form. His tail twitches. Abruptly he swings round to her table, sitting down across from her. "Or maybe," he says to Zhu with a confident smile, "I need to make new ones?"
With eyes that are starting to water from the last musty dregs of the mug Zhu pops the mug back down on the table with a " PWAH!" that stuff is definitely really only meant for drinking after your tastebuds have gone numb. Atleast the stuff isn't that heady or horribly strong, that's the reason that this squirrel doesn't get a free bath of sputtered suds. Giving her throat a moment to stop burning from the horrible thing that she just poured down it Zhu looks this other beast over, then wonders why he is here, this isn't exactly a place for the woodlander types. Cocking an eyebrow for a slight simian brow effect Zhu gives the squirrel a slight nod, figuring that in the end that since he is taking that seat that he isn't here in a place like this only to meet with its sideline benchers.
Castus watches the show with raised brows, a small smirk on his lips. "You know," he says, "some might ask what a woodlander is doing in a vermin tavern, but it's just as pertinent, I think, to ask why somebeast goes to a place where they so obviously despise the drink. That stuff'll rot your teeth eventually." He grins, showing off his pearly whites and squirrel buckteeth. "M'name's Castus. And I'm sure I can show you places much better to have a pint than this."
The reasons as to why Zhu is here in the first place have long been concluded but the reason as to why she is still here have to do with waiting long enough for the beasts present to be to beyond being able to walk far enough to follow her out. The mug, with it's bad excuse for an ale was simply there as a shield to stop beasts from trying to get her drinks and was the thing that she could order with simply a raised paw. The first statement of the squirrels causes the whole of Zhu's brow to go upwards slightly then to fall back to more of a ya think? expression as he goes on. Once the squirrel has finished with what he has to say Zhu has half a mind to just leave, this isn't a place after all that one goes to to be seen with woolanders " The drink is ta stop foolish creatures from doing what ah think ya are ah tryin ta get at there woody. " there let him simmer with that!
Castus makes an 'o' with his mouth and his ears twitch visibly. His smile remains. "No doubt I've done many foolish things, and coming here was one of them. But at least this was the company I sought. Taverns *are* for socializing after all," he counters with a wink. "I'm a social creature. I'm trying to get at nothing but a name and a pleasant way to pass the time! Although," he says with a grin and a shrug. "I do like to leave 'pleasant way' open to interpretation. Keep your options open and life can really surprise you. Like speaking to a strange squirrel in a vermin-only tavern."
Really? That is how the squirrel wants to play it? Is he just that daft? Or is he looking to get those big teeth of his loosened? These are some of the thoughts that cross Zhu's mind, some her face which is working it's way into an unkind toothy tight smile. " Another thing that ya need ta get into ya lug is the fact that not all beasts tha go to a tavern are allwus lookin ta be sociable, let alone with a beast that ain't apparently backwards in being forward. " With that being said Zhu slides her chair back in preparation to find some other place to be, while she usually is a bit more sociable than this the horrid drought of ale has left her feeling a bit on the prickly side, that and of course having the only woodlander in the establishment singling her out.
"I can see I've struck a nerve," Castus says, holding up his paw. "But let's not squander an opportunity to make friends! May I apologize for being so forward, if that will soothe any tension between us?" He gestures back and forth between him and herself. "I am *sorry* if I disturbed you. But I haven't stayed alive here this long without asking a lot of questions. It's a habit of mine and I've been on the road a long while." His smile lessens into something a little more contrite, a little more sincere. "Being here seems equally lonesome for the two of us. All I ask is a few minutes of being without company together. What do you say?"
"I can see I've struck a nerve," Castus says, holding up his paw. "But let's not squander an opportunity to make friends! May I apologize for being so forward, if that will soothe any tension between us?" He gestures back and forth between him and herself. "I am *sorry* if I disturbed you. But I haven't stayed alive here this long without asking a lot of questions. It's a habit of mine and I've been on the road a long while." His smile lessens into something a little more contrite, a little more sincere. "Being here seems equally lonesome for the two of us. All I ask is a few minutes of being without company together. What do you say?"
"And," he says, crossing his heart, "I won't buy you a single drink. Here or anywhere else! Your company will be *without* that insidious opening."
Well, if being something of a mouth at least the squirrel is trying what woodlanders would call being somewhat polite if nothing else, though he is not what Zhu saw herself talking to this evening. To help keep other beasts away Zhu raises a paw for another horrible ale, figuring that a woodlander seemingly cornering a female vermin might draw more attention than Zhu wants to have to bother ignoring. " Speak ya piece squirrel, ya are workin on steppin on just about every nerve tha I have an I've alf a mind ta let ya deal with the trouble tha will follow ya for bein 'ere to long. " The vixens last words bring the hint of a smile to her features, come to think of it maybe that would be entertaining, a bar brawl would get eyes off of her long enough for her to steal enough to actually be able to afford another drink.
"Well, I can't pretend that going around asking random creatures about a very specific task of mine will get me anywhere. But if admitting to my business will help: I'm looking for a rat named Riptail. Used to be in the service of a bigger rat called Skarl Swan-Slayer. When I find him I get paid." Castus shrugs. "We can talk about how little you probably know of him here, or take a walk outside where there's fewer, ahem, /murderous glares./" Not that he looks bothered by that. "After that, we can see if you find my company still amenable. If not, you're free to go!"
It's about that time that a serving wench bangs down a fresh mug of the horrible house brew and snatches up the mostly empty one. Zhu picks up the mug with its terrible contents weakly trying to pretend that they are in fact a brew by foaming up a shallow head and replies " If nothin else than ta get one out of here for now an two ta get ya gone faster fine, I'll go fer a walk but ya better be knowin that I won't be a fraid ta use this wee thing o gut rot on ya if needs be. " The last bit was Zhu's attempt at a wry humor, the first mug of ale is starting to have a small effect on the vixen since she bolted it down so quickly. Since Zhu's chair was already pushed back from her earlier thoughts of making an early exit she rises to her foot paws, giving the room a quick surveying while she is at it and noting the direction and amount of looks that are being passed around.
Castus doesn't give the ale a second glance. It's clear he's abstaining from pretty much anything here - probably for the best given how much some vermin look like they want to stab him in the back. Castus seems to brush off the looks in contrast to how much Zhu is paying attention, and even holds the door for her with a pleasant smile as they walk into the twilight air. "I know you aren't afraid," he says quietly. "That's partly why I chose to sit down. By the way, I didn't catch your name...?"
On her way out the door Zhu stops at the thresh hold and looks over a shoulder, there are a few things shouted and cat calls made to which she replies with some rather unkind gestures and shouted remarks before going the rest of the way out. Zhu isn't that worried about being out here with the squirrel now, figuring that she can if nothing else stun the dry squirrel with a face full of horrid ale, giving her ample time to run away, scratch that, kick him while he is down and rob him then run away. Sizing the squirrel up now that they are out in the clean night air Zhu gives the squirrel her title, figuring if nothing else that since she moves around so much that he will likely not bump into her again any time soon " Zhu Lonachaa, an ta answer ya own self answered question from earlier, no the name means nothin ta a wee poor vixen like me. ". Taking a quick look around to see if any beast followed them out or was already lurking out here Zhu goes on " An what are ya called bark chewer? "
Castus raises an eyebrow at the cat calls, and at Zhu's response to them. He nods gently, looking a little impressed, and then slides outside after her. There are fewer shady characters out here - but when aren't vermin shady? At least they aren't watching. "Castus," he says. "And for the record!" He holds up a paw as he begins to stroll along. "Chewing bark is a misperception about squirrels. We're much more partial to nuts and fish bones." He jokingly clacks his jaws together. "I thought Riptail would mean nothing to you. But maybe you'll hear about /me/ when I catch up." He nods over his shoulder, back to the tavern. "Do you get... /that/... very much?"
Looking back to Castus now that they are out the door and the noise inside the gull is a receding hubbub of laughter and counter claims being made Zhu speaks " Some things are expected ta be said o woodlanders in places like tha ya know? " Catching an errant whiff of the horrible stuff that she had brought out here with her Zhu makes a face and holds the mug a bit away from herself, her mouth already tastes foul and isn't deadened enough yet to make drinking that stuff any easier. " An here I thought ya were a sayin tha bein in a place like tha didn bother ya, what did ya expect when walkin out with a vixen whats known not ta be taken? Course tha place is mostly full o drunken louts what ain't got a decent thought between any three o em. " With that last bit Zhu starts to chuckle to herself, of course not even vermin usually say nice things about each other.
"I don't care what they say about me," Castus with a smirk. "But unwarranted insults to another is something I cannot abide. If it helps, I can walk back in with a black eye if that will silence any uncouth rumors." He winks again. "I can't say I have *no* indecent thoughts in my head, but I like to think I can say I *keep* them in my head. For the most part. So, *I* am out here hunting evil and bringing justice to a rough land. What brought you to that den of iniquity, where pretty vixens aren't given the respect they deserve?"
With something of a snort Zhu bursts from chuckles into full blown laughter, causing her to slosh the mug and its ichor about dangerously. Once the vixen gets herself under control she starts in on giving an answer to Castus's questions " While ah would not mind beltin a good one it would be for naught, not ta tha lot in there. An as ta ya thoughts, just keep em an ya paws to ya self an we will be gettin on fine for a wee ways I do think. An as ta why I am there is business o mine meant fer me ta know an I don't quite feel like a tellin just yet. I do have ta ask why ya think tha place is the kinda place where they even know what tha word Respect even means let alone how ta spell it! " Thankfully not much of the ale found it's way to the ground where it isn't burning holes in the dirt if anyone bothered to check but it is however spreading it's noxious odor more efficiently now.
Castus smiles. Apparently he's glad he got her to laugh, if nothing else. "All right, I concede, silly question. A tavern is not the place to find respect." He wrinkles his nose at the smell of the ale. "I've had some of my best experiences in taverns," he says with a wistful tone, flicking an ear to the sound of pawsteps behind them, but seems to ignore it for now. "But also some of my worst. Ever been around Mossflower way? Now *there* are some good inns. Much better company, I have to say."
"Not that the present company hasn't been terrific of course."
At least now this Castus does not seem so bad to Zhu, that and she doesn't have to worry as much about prying eyes. The pause before the last comment causes Zhu to raise another brow at the squirrel, he wasn't doing that bad until he pointed out the flaw of his argument to the beast that falls on the wrong side of it. " Well ya do know how ta make a beast feel welcome it seems, even when it's less than desirable company at a reputeably disreputable place. " With that Zhu sticks her snout in the air for a moment just to make Castus squirm before she chuckles at her own foolishness and continues " I've been around a tad, only ta places tha will put up with my ilk o course but if ya are talkin about tha places what I'm thinkin of they don't know how ta party like some o these places do! Course they usually end badly an much messier. "
Castus does have the presence of mind to duck his head and coil his tail at his little faux pas. Then he laughs. "Oh, goodness. That reminds me of a party at a tavern I had back when I was still a young lad... well, younger," he says, as he has only recently left his teens behind. "It ended in a siege by river rats, and that's how I got these." He holds up his arm to show some of the faded scars below his arm. "One of the revelers got a little enthusiastic with his knife tricks if you know what I mean." He shrugs. "Personally I don't see why those other places shouldn't put up with your 'ilk.' There's angels and demons in woodlanders and vermin both, as far as I can tell."
With a slight nod Zhu speaks " Well, some from back there would call them little scratches er bits ta be a bragin about. I make it a point ta be gone before things get to rowdy or atleast ta know where ta hide till things settle. ". Looking back at the gull the vixen thrusts the paw holding the mug towards the place, splattering more of the ugly concoction out onto the ground as she goes on " Take tha place fer instance, there be several other rooms what hardly any beast uses an plunty ah winders ta use as quick back outs if it does turn ugly quick. ". Demons of woodlanders Zhu has heard of, but angels of vermin are something that the vixen would have to see to believe, and she voices this " Now I have seen a ferret what was ok with workin with or even helpin woodlanders on occasion but ta call him an angel would be somethin else, I've yet ta see a vermin what don't follow tha color o their hide. "
Castus smiles and turns to regard Zhu. "I think I'm looking at one now."
This makes Zhu stop, some beast calling her an angel? Either that was something that was supposed to be not mentioned as per earlier agreement or this beast really knows nothing of why they say foxes are sly. " Then I think ya need ta get ya eyes checked because I ain' any where as nice as ya are thinkin, mostly cuz ya don't know what I get up ta be only talkin slightly with me, tha or I am gonna end up takin ya on part o ya earlier offer an belt ya one. " Unsure of what exactly of her interpretations of what Castus said is on the side of truth, if any, Zhu raises the mug, trying to make it look like she is doing so to jokingly fend him off, but has it there in case she thinks that she needs to use it for real.
Castus, instead, takes a step back. "If there's one thing I've learned," he says, all traces of sarcasm and mirth gone now, "it's that even a hundred little talks will never tell you the true measure of a beast." Another step back. "It's a matter of the heart. Not words, not even actions most of the time. No, I don't know you, and you don't know me, and I don't think we ever will. But on a strange night a foolish squirrel and a /devastatingly/ pretty vixen took a walk together and /didn't/ stab each other in the back. I think that has to mean *something.*" He smiles once more. "I could be wrong. I have been before. But I'm not wrong on this: you were very good company, Zhu, and I thank you sincerely for the pleasure of meeting you." He bows slightly, straightens. "But for now I must take my leave."
Taken aback by the squirrels reply Zhu just stands there like a dumb vixen and slowly raises a paw to wave at Castus, realizing to late that it was the ale paw and that she just slopped that nasty stuff everywhere. Then Zhu mentally kicks herself, she didn't steal a thing from the squirrel and there he goes, just great, well, atleast she got a 'free' mug that isn't worth carrying around do to what is staining it's insides. " Well, at least ya didn't give me the chance ta pull a fast slight a paw on ya, later ya tree jumper! "
