Quinten Log 35 - 27 01 2006

Salamandastron: Level Two

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You are in a medium-sized circular 'room' from which several passages

branch off. Each passage fades off around a twisting corner, winding

around in the bowels of the mountain. One passage, however, hardly more

than a short, straight hall, ends abruptly with a large wooden door - the

forge room.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

With:

[IC] Calvert

Calvert is standing in the hallways watching the busy Hares go by, his lance in his paw he smiles at the does

Quinten is padding along the corridor, not in uniform but dressed in clean white clothing and with a headband tied around his ears holding his ears back, the short youngster has a wooden sabre tucked into is belt and is padding along te corridor

Calvert nods to the recruit, the visitor standing easily watching the wondrous mountain, his ears held straight up

Quinten smiles at the stranger "Wot ho there chap, you new? not seen ye about afore?"

Calvert says, "I say there young Suh... Just visitin I am... you look quite spiffy and dapper if I do say... a real long patroller"

Quinten laughs and shakes his head, tied back ears flopping "Me? nah i'm just a second class recruit, lowest of tha low, so wot bring you to the jolly ole mountain?"

Calvert says, "Legends me lad Legends, Never say your JUSt a recruit, I'm not even that....Wot? why I know does who would fall over just seeing as you ARE a recruit"

Quinten looks down at his plain white Gi, green belt, thin leather gloves tucked behind his belt "Dressed like this? aye don't even look like i'm with the patrol"

Calvert says, "I recognized ya lad... just from yer bearing...I say just look how ya hold yourself wot? Head up.. shoulders back, right military bearing if ya ask me"

Quinten salutes, heels clicking "Tis driven inta us sir, aye'm Quinten Taran Marben Teno Aluioscious Tof'marole Delmenare, tha honourable third triplet an recruit second class oh tha long patrol"

Calvert nods and bows "Clavert Hubinger, healer to the badger Lady Apple Northstar at your service Suh

Quinten chuckles and shakes his head "Not mine technically aye'm at yer service sir if yer a guest of the Colonels"

Calvert says, "Heaven't no Never even met a Colonel.....just was escoted here with the Lady Badger by a Luftennant"

You ask, "Ahhh which lieutenant? Lt. Zeraph?" the recruit bounces closer, bobbing on his paws "Was it him?""

Calvert says, "that was the one the very same...bit of a role modle? wot?"

Quinten sighs dreamy eyed the young buck nodding his head "Ya.....real role model"

Calvert says, "Yep A right spiffy chap.. darned decent, look up to him me self I do"

Quinten nods his head still with that dreamy eyed look "Oh yes sir....he's a real looker an h'officer is our Lieutenant raph"

Calvert says, "Thav'e asked me to apply to the Patrol... don't know..maybe once Apple has er Dibbun.... You might be me boss"

Quinten laughs and shakes his head "I doubt it sir, i'm sure they'd take you in as a Private....ye'd outrank me, most beasts do in fact, an tha Badger is pregnant? an travellin about the countryside?"

Calvert says, "aye lad, head strong beasts them badgers..nothing but trouble..." he smiles "I care for er wi me life"

Quinten looks at you, the day dreams running through his hormone plagued adolescent mind forgotten "Proper ol traditional hare aren't ye sir...hope she's payin ye well"

Calvert says, "I'd do it for nuttin lad... A hare's place is by their Badger lady or lord"

Quinten shakes his head "Livin in tha past matey, tis not like tha here in tha mountain, me place is in tha patrol." he nods

Calvert nod "and though I understand ye don't ave a blinkin Badger Lord... isn'yt that why there IS apatrol?

You say, "Tha patrol is here tae protect tha shore, when the right badger comes we will know it my friend""

Calvert says, "aye and then you ill be his.. or hers"

Quinten grins "Aye sir then but now aye'm a patrol hare, so wot brings this here badger to the mountain?"

Calvert says, "as I said lad Legends, always heard o the patrol.. me whole life I got a lance, and studied how the patrol fights and and traines, been prac-tizing me formations and with me lance, and I am a right quick galloper"

Quinten nods his head "You'd probably find yourself a place in the ranks of the runnah's sir, me aye'm a boxer" he bounces left and right on his hind legs, paws jabbing at his shadow "an a good one too.. an i'm learning tha sabre too"

Calvert says, "I'd not mind being a Runnah...wouldn't wont to met you in a dark passageway for a fight though..get me bleedin beazer poked I would"

Quinten grins at you ears flicking "Kind of you to say so sir, i'm nothing compared to Sorrel or the lt. though, they are true beasts"

Calvert says, "even still.. yer better n most I'll wager"

Quinten smiles "I am doin me best sir, i want to take me exam soon"

Calvert asks, "an exam for Boxing Suh?"

You say, "No to pass from 2nd class to 1st class recruit""

Calvert says, "Ah I see lad....what kind of test?"

You say, "Discipline, seeing how me weapons ave progressed and such""

Calvert says, "not quite sure how that works Suh...how does one test Decipline?"

You say, "Marchin and stuff, aye don't know all the details""

Calvert asks, "then how do ya study lad?"

Quinten rolls his eyes "I do as aye'm told, the weapons and order takin is tha important parts"

Calvert says, "quite so lad...shows ya how much I abe to learn wot? are you allowed to ave a drink Suh?"

Quinten nods "I can indeed sir Calvert, i'm currently got soem spare time"

Calvert asks, "Let me buy you a drink lad? if I can find thebleedin bar"

Quinten laughs and offers to head you along "Its this way friend Calvert, i won't say no to a drink wot"

Calvert says, "Oh Jolly good Suh lead on"

Salamandastron: Recreation Room

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The recreation room for the army of the Longpatrol. Here soldiers come to

relax after a hard day's work and the officers come for a game of cards or

a quick drink by the fire. The room is quite large, having to deal with a

lot of hares at one time. Along one wall there is a large worktop with

some cuhsioned stools lining one side of it. On the other side of the

worktop there stand many kegs and bottles, lined so that they can be

easily opened by someone standing on the inside of the bar but well out of

reach of the rowdy hares on the other side. There are a few woollen cloths

on the bar and mats in front of each stool. The next thing nearest to the

bar are the round tables, each with 4 chairs around and a lantern in the

middle of each one. There are a couple of slightly larger oval tables with

8 seats around, obviously for larger crowds. The other end of the room is

littered with armchairs, comfortable armchairs, each pair with a small

table in between. The armchairs are near the fire, used to heat the room

and provide extra comfort for the relaxing soldiers.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Contents:

Calvert has arrived.

Quinten arrives with: Calvert

Quinten leads the way into the rec room and over towards the bar, the barhare Neville is behind it serving up drinks

Calvert says, "what ye drinkin Me boy, anything ye wont for me new friend"

Quinten chuckles and grins at you "Never say that to a recruit friend"

Calvert says, "no I insist me lad... nothing but the best...."

Quinten hops onto a bar stool and waves at Neville "Hey something fer me....yer best"

Calvert says, "I'll have an Hoctober ale"

Quinten smiles as he is handed a foaming tankard of ale sipping it happily, Neville frowns at the older hare with a discerning look as he draws off a tankard for you

Calvert cocks his head as he get's a furry foam mustache "what is it lad?

Quinten looks up and grin "Tis mountaindew...proper good ale this sir"

Calvert says, "just wondering about yer bar hare there...seems to have something up.. mebbe I am wrong"

Quinten glances at the barhare and grins "Nah he just doesn't let us recruits order alcohol unless were with a responsible adult" he winks at you

Calvert says, "oh well that WOULD explain it" he hands the hare some coin to include a large tip"

The hare just grins and winks at you then heads off down the bar, Quinten meanwhile is chugging back the drink happily

Calvert says, "so Good Fellow.. tell me about the DOES aroudn here"

Quinten looks up and shrugs "Uhm there's Colonel Zoe she's really nice, married too i hear, then there's Sorrel she's engaged....an tha's about it"

Calvert's face drops some "ah a shame... I coudl fansy myself with a Colonel for a mate yaknow?

Quinten laughs into his drink, blowing up foam "Dinnae let tha colonel hear ye say that"

Calvert asks, "oh? she's not a boxer to is she?"

You say, "Nah not the colonel she's healer"

Calvert asks, "I'd need one if I'd mentione it wot?"

Quinten grins over his tankard and nods "Yup"

Calvert says, "I see... well you see any pretty doe recruits you'll let me know wot?"

You say, "I will if yer still arounf sir...me i think..i like the bucks more""

Calvert cocks his head "the Bucks? I'm a buck....

Quinten looks up at you and nods "So ye are sir, but yer not tha buck aye'm dreamin of...though yer mighty fine..."

Calvert says, "well purhaps in time I can become a buck o yer dreams" he chuckles"

You say, "Aye don't know sir....the buck in me dreams...is a very special chap""

Calvert says, "ah well as you like we all wantto be special wot" he smiles"

Quinten nods and finishes off his drink in a long swig and sighs, slumping down on the bar top, ears flicking as he stares off "Not tha i've got a chance wiv im....he's older...but he's magnificent"

Calvert nods "ye ever change yer mind jus giveme a holler

Quinten chuckles sadly "aye....yer ...will mista..."

Calvert asks, "hmmm? wot's that?"

Quinten lays still starring off across the room, eyes vacant and starring at nothing "notin..."

Calvert says, "I'd elp where I can lad"

You say, "Thank ye mista""

Calvert says, "O course lad"

Quinten slips off his stool "Well i should get back to work sir...thanks fer tha drink"

Calvert says, "take care lad"

End Log -

Salamandastron: Underground Spring

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

This is a small, circular room with a pool in the middle - the lifeblood

of Salamandastron. This freshwater spring allows the mountain a water

supply in the event of a siege. The spring bubbles up from the center

(and providing a great assistance to bathing: having the water already

warm). A passage leads slightly uphill to the Store Room for easy

transport of water between the two rooms.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

In a sudden hopeless thought, Zeraph has retreated from his duties and everyone else in the mountain, down into the cavern. The Lieutenant glances around as he enters, ears pinning back as he scowls. A reassurance of being alone in the large underground area makes him suddenly just scream, loudly, the sound bouncing off of the stones of the cave. All frustrations and worry being helped to be released. The buck kicks a loose rock to make it go tumbling off, before he just splashes into the spring and sits down. Of course, this makes him get very wet. However, he just tucks his head in his folded arms and waits there, trying to calm down.

Quinten pushes open the heavy oak door and blinks as he catches the tail end of that scream... the young back is black and grey from head to toe, his fur is thickly full of charcoal dust and his white fatiques are a mottles shade of black and grey, His ears twitch, dislodging dust as he looks around, he stands peering over at the liuetenant in shock.

Zeraph doesn't move. His ears lay heavily down the back of his neck, eyes tightly closed even though his face is hidden within his arms still. These are rested upon his knees, water causing his clothing to cling to him. The Lieutenant isn't aware of the recruit's presence. He kicks out of footpaw to send a spray of water and a rock flying away from him, before curling up again. Stress...it's bad.

Quinten looks very worried and pads out into the water splashing softly "Lieu...lt. Zeraph sir? everything alright ol chum?"

Zeraph flinches as he hears the splashing, then the other buck's voice. He rubs his eyes across the sleeve of his tunic quickly, almost in an unperceivable way. "I'm fine. I'm living." His voice comes out an angry growl for being caught down here, but also trying to hide something else.

Quinten kneels down in the water, it comes up to his things even though this is the shallow end "Sir...you don't fine if i can say so" the water around him is slowly tiurning black as charcoal rinses off him, the rest of his fur still dry

There is a silent moment where Zeraph just gazes at the swirling black, then his attention turns up towards Quinten, as he is completely seated. His dark blue eyes hold the same emotion of indignant anger as his voice did, but also an unexplainable worried sadness as well. "Leave me alone."

Quinten sits down himself in the water, pushing his legs out before him, idly watching the water "can't do that sir, yer me Lt. wouldn't be right" he leans his head on the other bucks shoulder and watches the muck washing off him "Tis never easy being on yer own aye should know"

Zeraph tenses when the younger hare lays his head on his shoulder, and his muzzle is again buried within his arms, biting down hard on the sleeve of his tunic to control himself. One paw tightens into a fist and he mumbles something, eyes half closed as he gazes at a far wall.

Quinten closes his eyes and flicks his ears back "sitting in the dark on yer own screaming doesn't help....ye need yer friends about when yer down....at least ye ave friends tae be wiv ye sir, i was on me own when all the stuff appened tae me....then ye found me" he opens an eye and hugs the lt. "least ah can do is be here"

Zeraph is about to yell at Quinten, actually sending a glare towards him, but then he is hugged. This surprises the officer and he slowly uncurls from his protective ball. Nothing is stated, but he doesn't push the recruit off.

Quinten keeps his head right where it is, eyes closed, nestled into the officers neck, probably getting the lt. filthy but he doesn't care, he's hugging him! and not being pushed away...that and he probably needs a hug"

Zeraph is grey anyway, so it wouldn't show as much on his fur. For a while, he just stares dully at the far wall, eyes drooping slowly, before a heavy sigh is given and he rests his cheek on the recruit's head. Quint has become a very useful prop, nestled as he is. Even though the officer remains silent now, a tear slowly slides down his cheek, ignoring it.

The water ripples as Quinten's bob tail flickers, the recruit splays his ears apart as the older bucks head rests on his and he noses in at his neck fur "Tis ok sir...yer not alone ye see"

A soft grunt is given in response, then Zeraph clears his throat. "I guess not..." He mumbles very quietly, ears pinning even further. "....thank you.." His eyes remain closed, body relaxing now into the hug.

Quinten shivers and flicks his ears back and forth kissing the neck fur of the buck and squeezing him "Yer welcome sir, tis a recruits duty when his officers is down"

Quinten shivers and flicks his ears back and forth kissing the neck fur of the buck and squeezing him, feeling the muscles underneath his wet clothing, the lean buck is also warm to hold "Yer welcome sir, tis a recruits duty when his officers is down"

Zeraph feels the shiver and he begins to raise his head. "Are you-" His ears perk suddenly as he is aware of his neck being kissed, and the buck sits up all the way, blinking down at Quinten with a whisker twitch.

Quinten is lying still ahgaisnt the lt. eyes still closed, holding him. his fingers laced together, no sign that his lips are anywhere near the lt.'s fur. "Hmm sir? wot is it ol bean"

"Excuse me?" The officer is gazing down at Quint, brows furrowed. Zeraph goes to shift away from the recruit, though not breaking the younger hare's hold on him first. Maybe expecting him to just release.

Quinten unlaces his fingers and leans back looking up at the older buck "Sir? ye feeling better now i hope? an sorry fer the muck on you"

Zeraph is unable to stand up right now, without fear of dragging the smaller buck with him, as he still has his arms about him. He grunts again, eyeing him. "Hmm.. Maybe. Maybe not. Don't worry about it."

Quinten hugs the buck tigher "ahhhh wot ever is the wrong sir? something upsetting ye an i can hardly show off me new practice sabre if yer all upset"

Zeraph feels the arms tighten on him and he goes to bolt up, but winds up slipping, from the mixture of water and clinging hare, then falling on his back. This makes for rather startled officer.

Quinten erks as the officer slips and falls down, releasing his hold he sprawls forwards over the officer, rolling out into the water and vanishing with a splash, his head re-appears, streaks of wet charcoal rolling off his fur, only his head showing

Zeraph gets sprawled on by the recruit, before he witnesses him disappear into the water. His ears flick curiously, and he sits up, suddenly not seeming to be worried anymore. "Quint?"

Quinten shakes his head, water sloshing out of his ears "I say sir....bit slippery there wot" he smiles up at the buck and sinks down in the water "An aye'm a right sight...an out of uniform, some recruit i am"

Zeraph eyes Quinten for another moment, then he goes to get up, completely wet now. "I'll leave you then."

Quinten sighs and tilts his had to one side "You should wash of fthat muck too siur....an then i can show ye me sabre....if ye want to see it"

Zeraph shakes his pant legs out, trying to get them a bit more dry. "Don't worry. It'll be washed off." For now, he is worried again.

Quinten nods and stands up, the water is up to his chest as he removes his top and after wading out to put it to the side he wades back in....

Zeraph pauses to glance back only because of Quinten getting out of the spring, but then the officer makes for the door, to get away.

Quinten turns and watchhes you leaving...stood in the warm water and slowly washing off his fur

Quinten carries on cleaning himself up before getting out, drying off and canging into a fresh uniform

End Log -

Yet later that day Quinten met the Lieutenant again

Salamandastron: Crater

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You are on the very top of the mountain of Salamandastron: a large, bowl-

shaped crater. The crater is not smooth, quite the contrary in fact.

Numerous boulders and large chunks of rock are strewn around randomly,

making the crater top just as craggy as any of the mountainside. The

crater provides an outstanding view of the surrounding country. The sea

sprawls off to the west as far as the eye can see, and north and south

along the endlessly rolling sand dunes. In the distant east, a tinge of

green is just visible from this height, marking the vegetation in the

foothills of the Western Mountains.

• -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Zeraph has arrived.

Quinten arrives with: Zeraph

After a good bath, and a bit of wandering, Zeraph has decided to hide in the most secluded place he can think of at the moment. This just happens to be the crater. He has leaned himself against a large boulder, kind of hidden from view if someone were to look from the way out from the mountain. The hare gazes off towards the sea.

Quinten has been pottering around the mountain for the last few hours now, fres uniform snug and fur mostly dry now from his wash in the spring, looking out of the crater he nods and moves out into the afternoon sunshine, its warm enough and there is enough space here for him to get some decent practice in, the runner class has taken over the main training room."

Zeraph's ears flick to the side as he hears Quinten step out onto the crater. He glances towards the recruit, then sighs and leans his head back against the boulder. For some reason, he can't get rid of that kid right now, when the hare wants to be alone the most.

Quinten doesn't seem to have seen the lieutenant, hopping up to the rim of the crater he pauses looking down at the shore and nods at the view before he tugs on his gloves and pulls the wooden sabre out from under his belt, holding it up he holds it out infront with both paws testing the weight

Zeraph shifts as he sees the other pulling out the wooden saber, so that he can be able to observe what Quint is doing better, without being in sight himself. He half closes his eyes, just resting against the boulder still for now.

Quinten is frowning looking rather unsure of imself as he weilds the piece of wood, seems he has the grip right and he starts to falteringly move through the basic motions of block and turn, twist and thrust,

Zeraph perks his ears, not being able to help but be interested in what the recruit is doing. He watches him, trying to pick out what he is doing right and what he is doing wrong, at the same time.

Quinten seems to have the movements down right, pretty basic sword manourvers but his stance and balance is all set wrong which ultimatly leads to disaster, he takes a step back and his foot finds the ground is half a foot lower, he stumbles aving to go into a running scamper for a few feet

Zeraph closes his eyes and pins his ears, with a shake of the head. The Lieutenant goes to stand up finally, with a grunt. "Don't fall off.. I don't want to have to report that." He seems to be mostly dried as well, clean uniform on.

Quinten turns his head and look sup at you "Lt. i didn't see you there sir" he salutes with his practice sword "Sorry to disturb you again"

Zeraph huffs and shakes his head once more. "No worries. Something's telling me /not/ to be on my own today." The officer grunts, scratching his whiskers on the one side as he regards the recruit.

Quinten hops up to stand before the lieutenant and holds out the wooden sword I finished it sir, and the colonel showed me how to make a grip"

Zeraph's instinctive response is to reach out and take the 'saber' as it is held out to him. He backs away from Quinten, slicing the wooden weapon down through the air, to be held at his side, then spins it up so that he can gaze over the carved grip. "Very good work, there. You did a good job on this."

Quinten smiles, or more beams happiness at the praise "You really think so sir? i followed what the book said and made it the right weight for my height"

Zeraph tosses the blade over to catch it in his other paw, then moves to hand it back to

Quinten. "It seems just right."

Quinten grins up at you ears perking forwards "Thats good to hear, i'd hate to have gotten it wrong"

Zeraph goes to pat Quint on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, kid." The Lieutenant moves towards the entry to the mountain. "Though you need more practice."

Quinten watches the buck walk off and trails after him "Aye thats why i came up here sir, the training room is full of runners"

Zeraph pauses at the opening, looking back towards the recruit as he trails after. "Well, that's very good." He seems a little unsure what else to say right now.

Quinten nods "Ok sir, see you later i'll stay up here and practice..." he tilts his head "You sure your ok now?"

Zeraph flicks his ears backward and clears his throat. "Maybe not. There's always something on my mind lately."

Quinten hops a few steps closer "Don't worry about it sir, it'll all be fine and you can always talk to your friends or your annoying recruits"

Zeraph sighs at Quinten. "Annoying recruits..." He mumbles, then shakes his head. "Well, I won't worry about talking to friends. Don't need to." Plus, he isn't feeling so close to his 'friends' anymore.

Quinten tucks his sabre through his belt and hops from paw to paw "Well there's always the recruits sir, or the Colonel you seem to be good friends with her"

Zeraph bites his cheek, though it isn't noticeable from the outside, and he doesn't flinch or anything. "Hmm.. I suppose. Though I don't like to talk problems with recruits. And the Colonel is very busy."

You say, "Ye ave to talk to someone sir, like i said bottling it all up inside is bad for you""

"I'm just worried, recruit. Don't bother with it." Raph goes to leave off of the crater again, not wanting to go 'officer' right now.

Quinten nods and hops back up to the top of the rim to resume practicing, letting the other buck leave, its obvious he wants to be alone and Quint respects that

End Log -