Heartwarming talk in the Ferravale Tavern

Lacota arrives with Lee in Ferravale to speak with Braxton and Derean, but he has a stunning surprise waiting when he speaks with Derean

Inside the Ferravale Tavern, many beasts roam around or stand in groups, chattering, but one thing they don't do is get close to a certain otter at the bar, who has at least two empty chairs between him and the other beasts at the bar on both sides. On the counter in front of the otter is several bottles, one of which the otter is drinking at the moment. The empty bottles set to the side numbers three, not including the one the otter is drinking.

Not longer after the door opens, and a strange sight presents itself an otter and a squirrel. The otter leads his companion in, then scans the room, stopping when he spots Derean. He whispers to the squirrel and points, to which the squirrel replies with a nod, going to approach the otter in question.

Said otter in question is still sitting at the bar which has been his spot for the past hour or so. By now, he has four bottles on the side and is working on a fifth, though he is taking it slow so as not to get drunk /too/ quickly.

Lacota steps forward cautiously. "Derean, sir..."

Derean's ear twitches, and he gives a soft sigh, straightening up without turning. "Lacota?" He asks, having recognized the familiar voice, especially since he had known Lee would bring Lacota sooner or later. "Wot are you here for?"

Lacota says, "Lee told me you knew why already. I'm here to speak to young Braxton, and possibly you, too."

Derean sighs, his head lowering until it is laying the counter in a forlorn sort of way. "Then you've wasted yer time Lacota...it'd be best t' go back t' the abbey an' forget about me an' Braxton."

Lacota frowns and sits on a stool by the otter. "That's foolishness and you know it. Braxton is in jail, yes?"

Derean shakes his head slowly, staring straight ahead, not trusting himself to keep his composure if he speaks.

Lacota asks, "He was released? Good!"

Derean hesitates, then speaks, his voice breaking slightly. "H-He ran away Lacota!" He says finally, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

Lacota's eyes widen, and for a few moments, he was unable to respond. "Wh..when? How?" The squirrel is in utter shock.

Derean shuts his eyes, tears making their way down his cheeks. "I don't know Lacota.." He whispers.

Lacota frowns. "Well why couldn't the accursed jail cell keep him in? I was under the assumption he couldn't go anywhere..."

Derean sniffs. "I don't know..." He repeats.

Lacota nods. "This is not the outcome I had hoped for... not the outcome at all."

Derean shakes his head on the counter, trying to not start sobbing right there. "No...not at all Lacota.."

Lacota would attempt to place a paw on Derean's shoulder. "Listen, sir, I know you don't believe it, but I know how you feel...I may not have been nearly as close to the lad you were... But I loved him, too. He reminded me of myself at that age... and I felt a sort of kinship with him..." The squirrel pauses, sighing heavily. "Braxton's absence saddens me greatly... I will miss him terribly."

Derean lets the squirrel's paw lay on his shoulder, but he remains silent, tears falling in greater volume now for the moment, though he stubbornly refuses to make a sound.

Lacota nods, shedding a few tears himself, though he tries to maintain his composure.

Derean takes a deep breath, trying hard to remain silent. Suddenly, he gets up from his chair, going to walk out with his head low, though he has no idea that Lee is standing there.

Lacota stands as well. "Wait!" Lee also moves to halt him. "Derean, I be so sorry..."

Derean stops, looking up at Lee with a growl. "Lee, don't be stoppin' me," He says dangerously.

Lee frowns. "Now don't ye get that way wi' me. I be 'ere ta help, mate. Honestly, 'e can't 'ave gotten that far. I wager 'e still be in Mossflower."

Derean tightens his fists, trying not to make a scene. "He's gone Lee," He says through clenched teeth, tears rolling down his face.

This time, Lacota speaks up. "Aye, he's gone. But are you going to tell me you're going to give up that easily? He's a child, Derean...He can't have gone too far on his own." The squirrel boldly stands, "If you aren't going out there, then I will, with, or without you..." He goes to exit the Tavern, even pushing past Lee despite the otter's requests for him to stay put. "Lacota, it be far too dangerous for ye ta go searchin' over 'ill an' dale on yer own."

Derean sighs, his fists loosening slowly. "Do wot you want Lacota..." He says softly, going to move past Lee as well, his walk conveying his hopelessness. "I'll continue t' find where I belong I s'pose..."

Lacota stops, and looks back. "Derean... Please be safe... for me. I worried about you while you were a prisoner...but I had hoped you'd be alright after rescue... But you are not alright... And I've been where you are, sir... Don't forget that. I understand your...pain." He sighs.

Derean remains silent as he walks straight past Lee and Lacota both, heading for the door, where he finally speaks. "Lacota...just..take care of yerself, an' forget about me an' everythin' you ever knew about me..."

Lacota frowns. "No...I refuse to do that. I will not lose another friend. Your actions have consequences, both good and bad. You think about that, Derean. You take your time or whatever the hellgates you need, but I expect you get over this depression and move on." His voice is kind but firm. "If you keep up this poor mentality, it *will* destroy you."

Derean chuckles softly, his paw on the door. "Listen, I appreciate yer help, but there's nothin' left fer me anymore. I'm sure Zork an' Zinnia will hate me when they learn Braxton's gone, an' my skills aren't suited t' the abbey anyway. I just don't belong there."

Lacota nods. "I understand. That's why I expect you to remain here, in Ferravale. If you'd let me, I'd like to be able to visit you regularly, but after a few months. You do indeed need time to yourself..." His voice softens again, and he smiles softly, "Besides...us former slaves gotta stick together somehow... No other beasts understand what we've been through."

Derean looks back at Lacota, cracking a small smile even through the few tears still falling down his face. "Thankee Lacota..you don't know wot that means t' me." After a moment he chuckles, wiping the tears from his eyes with one paw. "Then again, mayhaps you do..."

Lacota smiles. "Believe me, I've been through the dark depressive periods myself. I look at how things are for you right now, and I see myself two seasons ago...It took me a long time to get better, and nobeast ever helped me...I hate to see a good beast and a friend suffer."

Derean nods slowly, then in a moment of impulse, he leaves the door and goes to hug the squirrel tightly, assuming Lacota allows it.

Lacota does indeed allow it. "No matter what your darkest thoughts try to tell you, Derean, one beast *does* care." He hug the otter warmly. "And remember, if you *ever* need somebeast to talk to, I am *always* available. No matter what. Oakenpaw sends letters to Flick regularly using the Sparra, so if you ever need me, just ask Oakenpaw to send the message, and I'll come as soon as I receive it, no matter what."

Derean sighs happily, stepping back. "Thankee Lacota. I'm glad t' have you...." He turns to look at Lee. "...and you, Lee, as friends." He returns his attention back to Lacota. "If you could, mayhaps you can tell me how Flicktail is doin' from time t' time. I know it'll hurt him t' know I won't be returnin', but I hope he understands my reasons."

Lacota nods. "I'll tell him. He'll understand in time, I'm sure."

Derean looks away. "I hope so..." He says softly. After several moments, he says, "Right, well...I should be goin'. It's gettin' a bit late an' I need t' get some food from th' market." With that, he begins to move towards the door.

Lacota nods. "Goodnight. I should be getting back to the Abbey as well."

Derean opens the door, looking back and nodding. "Aye, have a safe journey mate." To Lee, he says, "An' you too mate." With that, he walks out the door, letting it close behind him.