Hares in a Tavern

Characters: Willow, Scioto, a stoat, Oakenpaw, William

Location: Ferravale Tavern

Willow is sitting in a corner of the room quiet and clearly unsure of this place.

Scioto walks into the tavern and sits down where he usually does and gets an ale.

Willow keeps an eye on the cat as he enters the tavern and scoots further back in her booth seat in the corner, maybe she will go unnoticed.

Scioto stays where he is, but a stoat has other ideas as he looks at the hare,"That my seat..."

Willow frowns deeply, "Umm.." She keeps focused on the staot, "Your seat, didnt see a name on it chap so sorry...not moving"

The stoat only laughs at this, "Well it be my seat lass, so ya best move or me friend.." He pulls out a dagger.."Will have to change ya mind."

Oakenpaw says, "Well hullo"

Scioto looks over and sighs, he shakes his head and stands walking over to prevent any trouble.

Oakenpaw asks, "wots up?"

Willow eyes the dagger the staot has, "Umm...well still rather not move"

The stoat smirks, "Too late..." He looks at the other hare and rolls his eyes and sees Scioto"Ya tavern seems ta have woodies in it."

Oakenpaw asks, "Wot is going on here?' he walks toward the hare maid"

Scioto stops, "I am the chieftain of Ferravale, and it be wise to behave," To the stoat.

Willow would scoot over further, but she cant and the stoat blocks her only way out of the booth.

Oakenpaw walks up to the stoat all hehas is his simple walking staff "Don't be rude suh....I hate rude."

The stoat chuckles and goes to slice at Oakenpaw with the dagger he meant for the hare maid.

Oakenpaw's training with the long patrol is still there..His powerful foot paw kicks out at the stoat's midsection while Matilda swings hard at the writs of the stoat that carries the dagger.

Scioto goes to draw his sword in case its needed.

Willow gasps "Look out!" she states and frowns, she goes to try and move if the stoat is distracted.

The stoat was not expecting a kick from the, and drops the dagger, he growls and goes to punch the hare who had the staff.

Oakenpaw reverses his staff trying to bring the other end sharply between the stoats legs.

The staot manages to back up, only to trip over a chair and slam into a table, breaking it and knocking himself out, a couple rats playing cards very grumpily move their game.

Oakenpaw looks at the hare maid "you ok Marm? don't worry were just a pesky Stoat."

Willow watches and moves herself over to a better area of the tavern and away from any fights, she catches the voice of Oakenpaw and nods "I..I am fine sar..thanks."

Scioto puts his sword away and sits down in his chair and shakes his head, he motions for a couple guards to take the stoat out of the tavern.

Oakenpaw smiles "Sorry bout that pest Chief Chap" he pats a seat beside him "Have a seat gel....wont some ale?"

Willow smiles as she gets some headfur away from her eyes, "Your kind sar, thanks, and yes some ale be good.."She glaces at Scioto and speaks to Oakenpaw "Wot of de cat, Is he...he is not dangerous is he?"

Oakenpaw says, "not at all..he's m friend."

Scioto stands, he watches the hares as he goes to exit the tavern, "I will chat later and yes I am a friend, may be wise to stay here in Ferravale, bit safer than the road right now" He walks off.

Willow frowns, "Why is the roads unsafe?"

Oakenpaw says, "there is a vermin fox that is trying to takeover Marm, but don't you worry we betaking care of that pesky beast too."

Willow nods, "Not a fan of foxes....I was on the road earlier and then came here, seen a raven close by, so the ct is correct and its safe here sur?"

Oakenpaw says, "Oh my best friend is a fox and is Redwall Abbey Champion."

Willow asks, "How is that possible?"

Oakenpaw says, "Well Martin th Warrior choose him lass."

Willow she then decides, "By the way, I am Willow Dapplewood...wot is your name?" She listens to his words, "I have heard of Martin the warrior, he built Redwall ABBEY"

Oakenpaw says, "I am tarnish Oakenpaw marm" he bows and offers his paw."

Willow smiles and shakes his paw, "Nice to meet you."

Oakenpaw says, "I am an ex long patroler, a Brother Healer of Redwall Abbey, A fine Footpaw boxes, a healer hare, and Martin was only our Patron we had Molers build it many seasons ago."

Oakenpaw takes her paw but does not shake it he bows and kisses it.

Willow smiles and giggles a little, "You sound like you have had a busy and skilled life."

Willow says, "I know how to use a dirk, had thought of joining the Long patrol but never did, my other skills are cook and I can play the lyre, but haven't in a season, had to...sale it once for food and a place to...stay."

Oakenpaw says, "well Lass there is work here if ya like....good to have a Hare maid around."

Willow says, "Would I be..welecomed here?"

Oakenpaw asks, "well I have welcomes you Wot?' he chuckles "how much more would ya like, course IS a little rough round the edges."

Willow smiles "Well so far your nice, the cat..well not sure, he seemed rather busy, the stoat was not nice at all."

Oakenpaw says, "oh that stoat don't live here..just wandered in. but matilda and I deal wi im."

Willow asks, "wHO IS Matilda?"

Oakenpaw asks, "Hmm?' he picks up his staff and shows itto her "This is Matilda."

Oakenpaw says, "been wi me along time."

Willow nods "I see, guess naming a staff can be helpful, beasts do name swords I have seen. I may stay,least a little while Oakenpaw."

Oakenpaw says, "I'd lie that not many hares aroun ere and I be lonely."

Willow smiles at him again, "Well maybe I should stay for you then, wot," She is in a good mood now, "So some vermin fox causing trouble on the road? Well hopefully he is gone soon and I don't plan on venturing on the road any time soon."

Oakenpaw says, "aye he has a bunch o crows in his army."

Willow shivers some, "I am afriad of birds, one scared me pretty bad when was a dibbun."

Oakenpaw says, "Hmm well we have falcons and a Eagle..roight noce chaps."

Willow shakes her head, "Don't like birds..but if could proove they were on my side, well have to think on it chap."

Oakenpaw says, "I am sure we can do that Marm."

Willow listens and has relaxed some now that she knows his safe in here, she offers another smile, "So, how long have you been here?"

Oakenpaw says, "oh I been ere maybe a season."

Willow keeps the smile,"I am still not sure what I could offer the village,....maybe help with cooking in the tavern, whom is in charge if that?"

Oakenpaw says, "well I'm a hare we always need a bit o tuck Willow."

William enters the tavern after a long day's work. The village's new potter is ready to relax in the tavern and try and get to know some of the locals. The one-eyed rat noticed the hares right away from glint of the Brother's pin. Will orders a drink and walks over to the hare's table. "This a private table or can any beasts sit down?" he asks the pair.

Willow nods a hello to the rat, "Hallo sur."

Oakenpaw says, "hello Suh Join us, i was just telling this Maid, i am also th bar tender beast" his ears raise straight up as he gazes into her eyes.

"Looks like yer a bit more than that," the rat says gesturing at the hare's acorn pin. The hares' behavior amuses the rat and he smiles behind his glass of whiskey.

Willow blushes some as Oakenpaw looks at her, she blinks and looks back at the rat.

Oakenpaw smiles and shins his pin.

Oakenpaw turns to teh rat "Tarnish oakenpaw sr, you're a very pleasant fellow.”

"William Tazan," the rat replies, "Village Potter now, looks like. What brings you up here, Brother. Yer a long way from th Abbey," he asks.

Willow introduces herself as well, "Willow Dapplewood, I'm new here tell the truth wot, interesting so far and the chieftain mentioned safer here than the roads right now."

Oakenpaw says, "ahh We need pots that is true."

Oakenpaw says, "you can stay at th inn Willow."

Willow nods, she stands "It was nice ta meet you Tarnish Oakenpaw and...thanks for stopping that stoat from injuring me." She smiles at him and slowly heads out to the Inn"Good night ta you both...", And with that she exits.

Oakenpaw says, "My please m'gel."

William waves at the haremaid leaves. "Ya didn't answer my question," the rat says to the remaining hare. "What's a Redwall Brother doing in Ferravale?" he asks again.

Oakenpaw says, "Healin my good rat, and tending th bar."

Oakenpaw says, "I was sent by Father Lorimis."

"Don't they have their own healer beasts here?" the rat asks. He hasn't been in the village long enough to have needed a healer yet.

Oakenpaw says, "Who ya think trains em Lad" he chuckles "'sides Never have too many healer beasts."

"Redwall trying to take over from th inside?" Will joked. "I suppose yer right. Can't have too many healers around, but no beast here already knew how t do it or teach others how?"

Oakenpaw shrugs "never really asked Chap, just showed up and healed.”

William says, "Doubt they minded th extra help either way. Been a while since ya were down Redwall way I hear. Haven't been there in a long time myself."

Oakenpaw says, "I light to fight too" he chuckles.

"A hare that likes t fight? That don't surprise me," the rat replies with a grin. "Suppose you spend time over there," he waves his mug toward the fighting pit.

Oakenpaw says, "aye alla time then I heal the chaps Matilda and I whack."

"Matilda?" Will asks. He'd thought the other hare was called Willow. Maybe not.

Oakenpaw holds up his oaken staff "aye Matilda

Oakenpaw says, "this is her."

The rat's eye lights up with recognition. "I think I've met one of Matilda's relations on more than one occasion," he says. "The missus has a stick," he clarifies, "I've learned t stand out of range."

Oakenpaw chuckles "your a verra wise beast, it is not good to get on Matilda's bad side.

Will nods and says,"I'd think not. I'd guess you'd have better aim too." The rat is quiet for a moment. "Seasons back some otter tried t fight a hare without a stick. Otter shouldn't have took up the hare's challenge, but the otter wasn't too bright to start with," Will recalls.

Oakenpaw says, "Well Riverdogs spend so much time not breathin" he winks and yawns "getting late chap, I hope I see more of you but for now I think i shall yurn in."

William nods and waves at the hare. "I should be heading back in a bit myself. Good talkin t ya," he says.