Meet Locota

Vannon returns to redwall after searching for Bandit to find some unsettling news and a very unsettled squirrel.

A commotion can be heard from the direction of the kitchen, and not long after, a squirrel appears, looking rather perturbed. "Next time, you'll cook it better!" he yells through the door, "I don't care if you guys *are* supposedly the best cooks in Mossflower, what you really need IS. A. FRIAR!!!" He stomps over to the table in a huff, muttering something about inept cooks.

Vannon comes wondering in through the front doors of hte abbey when he hears the commotion in the kitchens. The young grey fox has shed a few pounds since he last visited the abbey. Being trapped out in the cold for a few days will do that too you. He blinks once or twice as the squirrel stomps over to the table. Rasing an eyebrow Vannon says, "Bad day?"

Lee likewise looks completely surprised. "Aye, sir, are ye ok?"

The squirrel merely frowns. "No! I AM not alright, sirs. Your Abbey cooks are, quite simply, only second rate, at best. The food they prepare is good, *but*...it is far from what I would consider, *Great*, matching the legendary standards all beasts have come to expect. Really, where is the Friar? Is there not supposed to be a friar to oversee such things?"

Vannon exchanges a tired and weary glance at the otter before replying to the squirrels statement. "I'm new here, fraid I don't know any friar." the fox rubs his eyes, "At the moment I could use some food, great or otherwise. I've just spent the better part of three days out in the wood searching for a fat and flabby fox. I don't know how but he has just completely vanished." To Lee he says, "I'm sorry Lee but either your pal teamed up with his slaver buddies or else he fell pray to some kind of beast. I can not find any tracks or hair to show he is even still alive."

Lee glances at the squirrel. "Well, sir, I must admit I never seen a friar anywhere around. I don't think there is one, meself, seems like the last one were never replaced." He then nods in reply to Vannon. "I can put yer mind at ease...Bandit were arrested in Ferravale, an' Scioto ain't been very keen ta let 'im go..."

Lacota blinks a few times. "No Friar? How can this be? That's a travesty...why, the Friar of Redwall Abbey is famous even as far away as the snowy North for the truly legendary Redwall cuisine...You must be joking, mr. otter, sir. You cannot be serious!" He looks truly appalled.

All this talk about fiars and food is lost on Vannon for he can only focus on one thing. "They found bandit...in Ferrevale?" The fox lowers his head to the table and pulls at his ears while he whimpers. "Ale. I don't care who, just some one bring me some ale and a wood pidgeon." The fox doesn't care if they don't cook birds here in redwall, he could REALLY go for one now.

Lee frowns. "We don't eat our feathered friends, Vannon. I'm not 'appy about where Bandit is, either, but not much can be done 'bout it."

Lacota hmpfs, but really, he's used to it by now. He gets up and heads to the cellar, then returns with a mug of ale. He presents it to the fox with a, "Here you go, sir..."

Vannon grumbles as he take s the ale in one paw and drinks it down. "No birds, no meat. Just fish. How do you expect us carnivors to survive?" The fox snorts, "What do you recommend I eat then Lee? I didn't go tracking some beast through the cold to come back to a plate of veggies. Not to mention finding out that fattened fox has been hiding out in a Ferrevale jail cell this entire time..."

Lee continues frowning, but he also observes the squirrel's seemingly odd behaviour. "Lissen, Vannon, Flick is a fox, an' survives quite fine on fish. Anythin' else is cannibalism..."

Lacota remains standing. "Perhaps I could prepare something for you, sir, I'm sure I could find *something* you'd like..."

Vannon snorts to Lee's comment. "Pity...you abby beasts do fatten yourselves up so well..." The fox waves his paw idly to ward the squirrel. "Sweets always made good comfort food. I could KILL for a cake right now."

Lee sighs. "Vannon, are ye sayin' ye'd honestly eat me, after riskin' me life ta save yer furry butt from crazy lizards?"

The squirrel nods, and, for whatever reason, he rushes to the kitchen as if his life depends on it, and returns a short while later with a large cake. "Here you go, sir, enjoy." It possibly has something to do with the fact that Vannon reminds him strongly of the beast he poisoned...

As the squirrel leaves the fox replies with a chuckle, "I find it more interesting if I DON"T answer that question." The fox's eyes bulge at the sight of the cake. His stomach growls at him 'what are you waiting for stupid? EAT!" and the fox digs into the cake with much gusto and ravounous hunger.

Lee stares at the fox a moment. "Yea...per'aps best ye don't..."

Lacota remains standing nearby, very oddly. "Anything else I can get you, sir? I hope the cake is pleasing to you, you won't whip me again, will you?" Yeah, he's gone a little mental again, which happens sometimes...

Vannon pauses at this comment. "Um...how about you just go and bake another cake." The fox turns to Lee and whispers, "The blazes?"

Lee stares at Lacota, trying to make sense of what he just heard. He quickly whispers to the fox, "I was told he's a former slave...it seems he's...not well, as a result. Please, bear with me, I've never seen 'im act this way before..."

Lacota just nods. "Yes sir, thank you sir...There's another already prepared, I'll bring it out to you, sir." He makes his way to the kitchen.

The fox raises an eyebrow. "Oh kay...I'll see what I can do." Vannon gives a chuckle, "Must have been a hefty beast, this master of his to keep a cake waiting after the first."

Lee shrugs. "I dunno, he's been a mighty secretive beast ta me. He's not usually so...submissive, really. I think I'll talk ta Leon about it. Per'aps 'e can 'elp...I just wonder when the poor beast will be back to the way 'e was earlier..."

The squirrel in question returns not too long after, this time carrying a cake even bigger than the first. "Here it is, sir, your cake, sir. I hope you enjoy it, sir..." He cringes a little.

Vannon is not a bad beast. Really. He is going to hate himself in the morning for taking advantage of the beasts poor state. Then again it may be a bad idea to refuse this 'gift'.

Digging into his meal Vannon pauses. "This...is...GOOD! By the light man, you are a good cook!" The fox begins to gorge himself.

Lee shakes his head a little. "Yer honestly gonna play along with 'is...er, delusion?"

Lacota smiles. "Oh, thank you, sir! I knew you'd enjoy it! It was a special recipe! Shall I draw your bath and prepare your bedchamber now, sir?"

The fox leans back in his chair, belly bloated to the point of exploding. He has a content look on his muzzle until the last comment. "Wha-wha? Er...no. That's fine. Why don't you take the night off, uh...er, squirrel." Vannon whispers to Lee, "I don't know what else to do! Is this like sleep walking? SHould I play along? Should I wake him up?

Lee sighs. "'Ow should I know? 'E seems ta genuinely believe yer 'is dead master...wait a minute...ye aren't 'is ol' master in disguise, are ye?" His eyes narrow.

The squirrel frowns, seeming uncertain for the first time. "Night off, sir? The only time I get night off is when you whip me and chain me up...Oh, Master! I displeased you! I'm so sorry, please don't hurt me! Please! I'll do anything, sir! Please!" He cowers, whimpering, and at that, Lee glares at the fox. "Oh, now look wot ye did, ye terrified 'im!"

The fox looks shocked, both at the accusation from one end and the groveling squirrel, "Blazes...um..." ok, so good things equal bad things for the squirrel. He has a feeling the beast won't leave him alone until he feels Vannon is satisfied. "Er, make me some more dinner?" The fox offers. Hoping that will appease the troubled squirrel.

Lee shoots a dirty look in the foxes direction. "'Ow 'bout I try somethin', hmm?" He gets up from the table and approaches the pitiful squirrel. "For the love o' Martin, this poor beast musta endured unendin' abuse, ta be this traumatized..." He kneels beside the cowering beast, and lays a paw on his shoulder. "Come, Lacota...yer safe now, hmm? Can ye 'ear me, mate? I be a friend, ye can call me Lee..."

The fox lifts himself up. After consuming so much cake it really is quite the chore. He tries to kneel down next to the squirell. "I aint your master mate..."

Lacota flinches from the touch. "He's gonna hurt me...Please, don't hurt me..." he's sobbing now.

Lee leans close and speaks again, "Lissen, mate, nobeast is gonna 'urt ye, I promise, on me word as the 'ead guard, I won't let nobeast harm ye, ok?"

The fox sighs. Resting a paw on Lacota's shoulder he says, "I'm not going to hurt you...not unless you trie to hurt me, or someone else, or have a bounty on your head. THen again the concept of hurt can be..." the fox shakes his head, stopping himself, "Sorry, point is. I ain't yer master. My name is Kydo Vannon, and I don't have any slaves.

The squirrel flinches again, but it seems his break with reality is nearing its end. "Y...you won't, s..sir?" He chokes, "I..I mean, y..you aren't?" He risks looking upward. "You...aren't..." He seems rather dazed for the moment.

Lee breathes a sigh of relief. He looks up at Vannon. "I think he's recovering, for now, but I be afraid I'm gonna 'ave ta talk ta Leon about it soon..."

Vannon nods. "Yeah...you, do that." the fox shakes his head, "Oh boy. Just another day in Redwall." He begins to move away from the pair of beasts.

Lee helps the squirrel to stand. "Do ye recall where ye are, Lacota, sir?"

Lacota look thoroughly confused for several moments, but then finally nods gently. "Y..yes sir. Redwall Abbey, right?"

Vannon goes back to his drink and finishes what is left. "Welcome back. Also...thank you for the food. It was delicious."

Lee assists Lacota to a chair. "Sir, would ye like some tea or...?"

The squirrel slumps in the chair, looking completely spent. "I don't know, Mr. Otter, you make up my mind for me, will ya?" He looks over at the fox. "You're welcome...I guess...Ya know, you remind me of somebeast I used ta know....He...'died', though..."

Vannon chuckles, "I very much doubt any fox can have my rougish charm or good looks."

Lee heads into the kitchen, then returns with some tea. He pours a cup for Lacota. "Here, sir."

The squirrel accepts the cup with shaky paws, and takes a nervous sip. "You are correct. The one I knew had no charm, only hate..."

Vannon smerks, "He had good taste in cake though." The fox finishes his drink and moves off to the stairwell. He is looking forward to sleeping tonight in a real bed...

Lee says, "Goodnight, Vannon."