May 3rd, 2011 - Past, Present, and Future

RW Abbey: Great Hall

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The Great Hall of Redwall Abbey. Countless paw falls have echoed from these stones, and untold numbers of feasts and merry gatherings have been held here.  A table, not nearly so grand or large as its predecessors, but quite functional for mealtimes, rests near the center of the hall. Chairs exist here aplenty, and they are all of a matching set. High above, the stain glass windows give the Great Hall a beautiful appearance.  The glasswork is exceptionally done, crafted by a skilled artist.  The floor is clean and swept. A fire is kept burning in the fireplace at almost all times of the day and night, and there are several more comfortable chairs and cushions set up here, of varying sizes. One looks large enough to easily accommodate a badger.

The Tapestry hangs proud and tall, and while the rest of Redwall may still bear the scars of natural disaster, this most famous of Redwall's relics remains unharmed by beast, time, or the elements. The figure of Martin the Warrior seems to be watching over his own with an unchanging, kindly gaze.

Red, blue, orange, green...vibrant patterns of color are painted on the floorstones of Great Hall by the high afternoon sun that is streaming through the stained glass windows.

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                       Exits/Entrances:

              [K]itchen    [St]airs   [C]avern [H]ole

              [Li]brary    [En]try    [B]reezeway

---

Silver is asleep by the fire....he has his two dibbuns with him who are also sleeping.....

Out of the library walks none other than Gupthie, his nose buried in a book. This is, of course, a stupid thing to do while walking, as evidenced by the yelp he gives when he trips over his own feet.

Flicktail puts a blanket over silver and the dibbuns to keep them warm

Flicktail tippy paws

Silver blinks and wakes up as gupthie falls into the room, he looks around."Err...wots going on...?"

Flicktail eeps

Gupthie shouts, "I'm alright!" as he picks himself up off the floor. "I really should have learned by now not to try walking and reading at the same time..."

Flicktail says, "oi ave trouble chewin an walkin"

Silver laughs."No that is never a good thing...but dont worry it happens to me alot!"

Gupthie picks the book up off the floor, and frowns out it. "And I've lost my place." He shuts it, looks up, and says, "Well, how is everyone today?"

Silver smiles."Rather good, how are you?"

Gupthie says, "Good. How are the little ones doing?"

Silver smiles."They are doing good!"

Gupthie says, "Good to hear. Oh, and how's... um... I don't believe I got his name, but the older hare that had to be taken to the infirmary the other day? Do you know how he's been doing?"

Silver says."Oh lot...he is doing better...have not seen him myself but biff says he is doing better."

Gupthie nods. "Good to know."

Silver smiles."So anything new with you?"

Gupthie thinks for a minute, and says, "Well, I've decided I want to join the Order here. So if you see Abbot Lorimis, let him know I'm looking for him."

Silver smiles."Well that is great!"

Gupthie nods. "I was in the Library, you see, and I decided to take a look at the great big piece of parchment in there. It is, apparently, the Abbey Charter, and I've decided I like the things it says."

Silver smiles."Well I bet the abbot will be glad to know that you are going to join!"

Gupthie says, "I can't imagine him not being glad, if the one time I've met him is any indication. He seems to be a generally cheerful beast."

Silver laughs."Aye I dont think i have ever seen him mad!"

Gupthie smiles. "I've heard that when beasts like that do get mad, it's downright terrifying, though. I'd imagine because it takes a lot to get them angry in the first place."

Silver nods."Yeah I could see that!"

Gupthie says, "But I doubt I'll ever see him get angry. I don't know why anyone would want to make someone like him upset."

Silver nods."Yes that is true...but i dont think that is something we need to worry about."

Gupthie nods in agreement, and then sits down.

Silver hmms."Do you want something to eat gup?"

Gupthie says, "I certainly wouldn't mind something to eat."

Silver smiles and stands up seting the dibbuns down on the chair and going into the kitchens

Gupthie watches the two little dibbuns, because they're infants and are cute and therefore should be watched.

Silver comes back with some soup and a pie, he puts the food on the table and smiles."Found some food!"

Gupthie smiles. "And what kind of pie is this one?"

Silver smiles."Apple...or maybe just some mixed berrys!"

Gupthie takes a slice of pie. "Apple's my favorite." He takes a bite. "It's definitely apple."

Flicktail heads over towards the Stairs..

Silver nods."Very good."He gets some soup and thinks..."Well it is rather quiet...but i guess thats not a bad thing!"

Flicktail sits down neat Silver andbegins examining thehare's bandaged arm

Gupthie says, "This abbey food... I don't think I'll ever get used to how good it is."

Silver smiles as flicktail looks at his arm."Hello flicktail!"He looks back at gupthie."Yes it is very good!"

Flicktail asks, "howis yer Arl Sil-fur?"

Silver smiles."Doing good, how about you?"

Flicktail says, "Me arm be fine..howlong ya gonna be all bandaged?"

Gupthie quietly eats his pie.

Flicktail says, "ello Gup" he smiels and waggles his paw"

Gupthie exclaims, "Hello, Flicktail!"

Flicktail asks, "how be ye Gup? Oi been practicing my bow shootin"

Gupthie says, "I've been doing good. Great, in fact."

Silver smilse." I will be takeing them off soon."

Flicktail asks, "wot makes ya so great? Sil-fur didn't eat alla pies?"

Gupthie laughs. "Well, I've decided that I want to join the Order. All I need now is to find Abbot Lorimis and ask him about it."

Flicktail's ears erk "why ya gotta finds im? If yer willin ta be a apprentice, oi put in a good word for ye

Silver smiles and eats his pie...

Gupthie asks, "Well, if I want to join the Order, don't I have to ask the Abbot in person?"

Flicktail tries to nab a tsate of the hare's pie

Flicktail says, "Oi be sure th abbot come find ye"

Gupthie nods. "Thanks."

Flicktail moves over to hug the little mouse

Silver laughs."Wots with you and hugs flicktail?"

Gupthie is suprised by the hug. "Hello there, Flicktail."

Flicktail says, "The Mouse got soft fur"

Silver laughs."YOu also say everyone has soft fur!"

Flicktail says, "well it not be every day a Champ gets ta hug a new prentice o the order"

Gupthie, looking a little disconcerted, says, "I'm not an apprentice yet... One of us still has to talk to the Abbot about it first."

Silver hmms."Yes that is true ficktail..."

Flicktail smiles "oi loikes ta be optmstrick

Gupthie smiles. "Well, like a wise beast once said, 'Don't count your pies before they've cooled'."

Flicktail says, "not around Sil-fur anyways"

Silver laughs still."Yes leaveing pies around me is not the best idea for anyone, well other than me!"

Gupthie laughs. "I've heard stories about hares and food."

Flicktail says, "just watch ol Sil-fur"

Silver laughs."Well i bet the storys are true!"

Gupthie says, "This old mouse who lived in the village in Mossflower where I used to live would always tell the best story about a hare that would bring famines to whole cities, he ate so much."

Flicktail says, "I like th Hars though...nice ears..interesting tails"

Silver laughs."I still dont see why we even have them!"

Flicktail says, "causethey benice....skut they call em"

Silver hmms."Why dont they just call them tails ?"

Gupthie frowns. "Because they're far too small to be proper tails."

Silver laughs."Well that make me feel great about my skut, gup!"

Flicktail says, "I like a Skut..they are cute"

Gupthie chuckles a little, and eats the last of his pie.

Silver smiles and gets him self another pice of pie..

Silver smiles."So anything new with you flicktail?"

Flicktail says, "oh just enjoyin th pEace..wentto see Regent Eugene at Castle Floret...was real noice"

Gupthie asks, "Where is Castle Floret?"

Flicktail says, "oh off ta th east oi things"

Silver smiles."Thats nice!"

Gupthie asks, "Is it in Mossflower?"

Flicktail says, "beyond"

Gupthie says, "Wow. That must have been a very long journey."

Flicktail says, "but well worth it, Eugene be such a nice fellow"

Silver smiles."Well gald to hear you enjoyed yourself!"

Gupthie says, "If you say he's a nice fellow, then I shall have to meet him someday."

Flicktail says, "aye you likes im"

Gupthie smiles. "What type of castle is Floret?" he asks.

Flicktail says, "um...big?"

Gupthie laughs. "Well, besides that."

Silver just watches the two talk...

Dagda heads outside and into the Abbey Entry..

Silver hmms."So gup, tell me about your past."

Flicktail says, "aye oi wanna hear bout Gup'spast"

Gupthie sighs, and says, "Well, I was born in a small village, in the northeastern part of Mossflower I believe. It may have been northwest. At any rate, it was north. The name of the village was Rundrak, and there weren't many beasts there. It was mostly older beasts, who were too old to have any more dibbuns. I only had one or two other beasts to play with there. I remember every Wednesday we'd go to old Mr. Sprucetail

Gupthie continues, thanks to the odd placement of apostrophes next to the enter key, "Go over to old Mr. Sprucetail's house. He'd teach us things, like how to read and write, and he'd tell fantastic stories. Especially the ones about Redwall. Then he died. One of my friends left, claiming he had to go on some quest or something, and he never came back. It was just me and Elton then as far as the youth of the village. Then last season, a plague came. It took most of the old folks, along with my papa and Elton, too. So my momma says it's time to pack up and leave the ghost town. So we left and made for Redwall. Then, about two weeks ago, we're almost to the Abbey, when in the night I hear rustling in the bushes. My momma told me to hide. So I hid in bushes real quick. I heard fighting after that, and when I came out of my hiding place..." Tears are rolling down Gup's cheeks.

Flicktail continues to eat pie, enjoying the strawberries

Silver frowns."Oh..."

Flicktail nods "very tragic story aye

Gupthie frowns as the tears reach his nose. He says, "...but now I'm here, where it's safe, and there's no bad beasts..." He sniffles.

Flicktail says, "aye we try to keep it as appy ere as we kin.....oi beglad ye be me friend Gup\"

Silver frowns."I know wot its like gup....I lost both my parents when i was only a season or two old..."

Gupthie wipes some of the tears away, and says very quietly, "I think I could use another hug, Mr. Flicktail."

Flicktail says, "my parenmts tried ta feed me to me brothers and sisters"

Flicktail offers another warm hug

Flicktail asks, "you ok Gup?"

Gupthie smiles a little. "I think so."

Flicktail says, "aye Oi grew up in a vermin Horde"

Gupthie says, "That sounds... bad."

Flicktail says, "aye it wern't good"

Silver nods."And i grew up alone in the woods..."

Flicktail offers a lap for Gup to sit on

Gupthie says, "Well, you're both great beasts, I think. So there's some hope I haven't been totally screwed up..." He forces a smile, and looks at the lap offered. "No thanks, I think I'm gonna be okay."

Flicktail says, "oh Oi just offer because me lap be cold" he smiles"

Gupthie laughs a little. "Well, I think I'm a little old to be sitting in beasts' laps."

Flicktail says, "Oi do it all time" he smiles "ever chance oi get"

Silver laughs."You are a very odd beasts flicktail!"

Flicktail says, "Aye Odd be fun"

Gupthie says, "I like you Flicktail. You're a good beast."

Silver laughs.

Silver laughs."Aye that be true flicky!"

Lorimis moves down to get some dinner

Silver smiles."Ah hello father abbot!"

Lorimis says, "Good evening Silver bravepaw"

Gupthie looks and sees Lorimis enter the hall, and his face brightens. "Abbot Lorimis! I've been trying to find you all afternoon!"

Lorimis looks up a bit of lettus in his paw "you have? well I am in the great hall at present" he says with a smile

Gupthie nods, and says, "Yes. I've decided I want to be an Order beast."

Lorimis says, "I see.....and what has brought you to this conclusion?"

Silver eats hise pie...

Gupthie says, "Well, most of it was the stories I was told as a dibbun by a mouse who lived in the same village as I did. He claimed to have been a Brother here once, by the name of Furgo. Then I was in the library today, and got to reading the Abbey Charter. I really liked the things it said."

Lorimis says, "well.... it takes alot ofhard work, there is much you must learn before you cantake the oath....."

Gupthie says, "I can work. I like to learn."

Lorimis asks, "hmm I dunno, what do you think Silver? Gup should have somone sponsor him do you think Gup can do it?"

Silver smiles."Oh i think gup would make a great abbey brother!"

Lorimis says, "I see...well Gup..I'm affraid I can't make you an order apprentice....."

Gupthie looks disappointed. "Why?" he asks.

Lorimis says, "because your not wearing the silver acorn on your tunic" he fishes in his robe to pull out a silver acorn "ahhh here you go...." he smiles warmly"

A great beaming smile lights up Gupthie's face. "Oh, thankyou, Father Lorimis!" he says.

Lorimis chuckles "oh don;t thank me till AFTER all the dishes are washed" he chuckles and smiles gently to thelad

Silver laughs."Well your first job gup!"

Lorimis says, "We call them Chores Silver" he chuckles"

Gupthie, still smiling, asks, "Should I go do that now, or should I wait til more beasts have eaten dinner?"

Silver laughs."Dont kill his fun!"

Ribbert seems to have acclimated rather well to the norms and etiquette of the Abbey, as evidenced by his respectfully quiet entry into the Great Hall. His attire supplies yet further evidence of the change that has come over the toad in the weeks since he arrived: he wears a rather fetching felt cap, and a tunic tightly girds his upper body. Indeed, by some feat of engineering and some unholy straining of the laws of physics, he is even donning pants this evening. His grand head nods a taciturn hello to those whose faces he now knows, as he settles his chunky form by the table.

Lorimis says, "that my dear Gup is up to the Friar cook"

Gupthie nods. "Alright."

Lorimis says, "Well hello Ribbert you look quite dapper"

Silver smiles."Hello there ribbert!"

Flicktail says, "Ello Ribber ye big toad"

Even Ribbert's speech has been transformed by his time here: "Greetings, furbeasts. Good evening."

Gupthie turns around and is shocked to see a toad. "Hello there."

Lorimis says, "Novice Gup why don;t you see to Ribbertscomfort"

Ribbert's eyes boggle back at the young mouse. "Greetings, yes. Hello, hello. Goodevening." His words have the odd ring of rehearsal about them, but his eyes shine with is either sincerity or a fresh coat of pond scum from a recent dip. Probably sincerity, though.

Silver smiles."You are looking rather good tonight ribbert!"

Gupthie nods, and says, "Of course." He heads over to the toad. "Pleased to meet you sir. Is there anything I can do for you?" he says.

Lorimis says, "Ribbert, Gup is our new Apprentice second class"

Ribbert returns Silver's compliment with a courteous tip of the head. The hat seems poised to tumble off, but he saves it in time by inclining his wide face again to look at Gupthie. "Hello, mouse beast. Ribbert like rot hoop soup." He eyes Lorimis. "What is Gup?"

Lorimis pointsto the mouse "THAT, is gup

Gupthie smiles, and says, "I'm Gup. And I'll get you some soup right away, sir." He scurries off into the kitchens.

Silver smiles."So how have you been ribbert?"

Ribbert heaves a sigh of contentment. "Ribbert hunt wasp. Many bee and wasp in field this day. Delicious."

Lorimis asks, "Yes I am glad somone does, I fear being stung" he smiles to Gup "may I have some tea Gup?"

Silver smiles."Sounds like a good day!"

Lorimis says, "Novice Gup"

Lorimis says, "where haveyou been Ribbert, I havenot seen you and I missed you"

After a moment, Gup returns to the Great Hall, cup of tea in one paw, bowl of hot-root soup in another. "Here you are, sirs!"

Ribbert says, "Ribbert sing at night and sleep at day. No lady toad come yet."

Lorimis says, "ahhh love"

Ribbert blinks. "What is love?"

Silver laughs.

Lorimis says, "singin for alady toad"

Gupthie hands the tea off to Lorimis, and presents the bowl of soup to Ribbert. He's still beaming.

Ribbert asks, "Abbot beast sing for lady toad? Should sing with Ribbert at night."

Silver laughs."Yes sing with him at night father abbot!"

Lorimis Oh I havenot sang in some time

Silver laughs."Singing can be fun!"

Ribbert looks merrily from Gupthie to the bowl of soup and samples it with a flick of his tongue. "Sot root hoop delicious."

Silver hmms."Myabe if you sing for the lady toads in the daytime they will come!"

Lorimis says, "plenty more where that came from"

Gupthie laughs at the talk of Lorimis singing to attract lady-toads. He says, "Yes, if you want more soup, just ask. Silver, do you want anything?"

Lorimis says, "I cannottell you howpleased we are to haveyou here Ribbert"

Silver nods."Some hotroot soup would be nice!"

Lorimis asks, "Do they make Hot root pie?"

Gupthie says, "Coming right up!" and begins to run back into the kitchens, but stops himself at Lorimis's words. "Would you like me to check, Father Lorimis?"

Ribbert looks up from his soup. His mouth is coated in flecks of soup. "Hot root pie?"

Lorimis chuckles "no Novice I was simply speaking in jest

Silver hmms."Might have to make one..."

Gupthie shrugs, and says, "I wouldn't have been surprised if we had some with some of the marvels that come out of this kitchen here." He then continues on to fetch Silver some soup.

Silver asks."How are you doing father abbot?"

Lorimis asks, "I am a bit tired but I am well silver, how is yer arm?"

Silver smiles."Its good, going to take the bandage of later....just have not had time to do it!"

Gupthie comes back into the room, carrying some soup for Silver. He presents the soup to the hare, and says, "Here you are, Mr. Silver!"

Lorimis says, "Do try notto get any more"

Silver laughs."When did i become MR. silver?"

Gupthie stops for a moment to think about that, and says, "I guess it must be the good mood I'm in!"

Lorimis says, "Well it does sound almost as good as Mr Flarhty"

an Abby Mouse arrives with a Green Habit and offers it to Gupthie

Silver laughs."Well call me wot you want i guess!"

Gupthie turns to see the mouse with the habit. He gently takes the habit, and says, "Thankyou!" He smiles some more, and puts it on over his tunic. He pins his silver acorn to it, and smiles broader.

Lorimis says, "Gup...what do you think you'd liek to study? Orchards? Bee keeping? perahps wood working?"

Gupthie frowns a little, and says, "Do I have to choose now?"

Lorimis says, "no I only asked what you thought" he smiles"

Lorimis exclaims, "BIFF! wel bless my buttons it's greatto see you, look Ribbert is here, He has been out singing"

Silver smiles."You will think of some thing gup!"

Biff walks down the stairs and blinks."Why was he singing?"

Lorimis says, "looking for a lady love I believe"

Biff laughs."Well i hate to kill the fun but i am alredy married!"

Lorimis says, "Well not to a Toad" he chuckles"

Gupthie waves to Biff. He turns back to Lorimis, and thinks for a minute. "I'd kind of like to do something with reading or writing. Or perhaps cooking..."

Lorimis says, "You coudl lern under the Abby historian"

Biff laughs."I think i will stick with silver, sorry ribbert!"

Silver just laughs at biff...

Lorimis says, "Maybe Ribbert can teach silver to singlike a toad"

Biff laughs."But than I would have to hear silver singing like a toad all day!"

Silver hmms."Maybe..."

Lorimis raises "Well Novice Gup you will have your chores assigned" he smiles "I must be about my abulations

Ribbert's head jerks up; he seems to have snatched a moment's sleep after his hearty liquid meal.

Biff smiles."Hello ribbert!"

Ribbert's bulbous eyes blink away sleep. "Greetings, furbeast. Goodevening, hello." He dips his head in Biff's direction.

Biff smiles."How are you doing ribbert?"

Ribbert licks the dried remainder of the soup from his lips. "Good, good," he says in his creaky voice. "Ribbert eat hot root. Delicious. Sing again tonight."

Biff smiles."Well have fun singing!"

Ribbert bows, causing his cap to once again slide forward precariously. "Goodevening, lady furbeast." As he scrambles toward the door, the sounds of his vocal warmups trail behind him.