Remembering the past and the now, can be happy and sad at the same time
RW Abbey: First Orchard
You stand in a sort of verdant sanctuary where the sun is filtered through leaves and thus comes out to be a much softer light, one that's a little more manageable. At least, more manageable than the comparatively harsh light of the more open entryway and a pond area almost completely devoid of large, shade-giving plants that this orchard has in careless abundance. A soft covering of moss and grass finds itself beneath the trees, only serving to add to the quiet comfort of the whole scene.
The stately flora has come alive with youthful blossoms. Flowers of all shades of pastel line the trees, bushes, and ground. Poking around the pink and yellow petals, some fruit has begun to form, peppering the orchard with green apricots and plums and unripe pears and peaches. The air is full of pollen that tickles the nose and dirties clean habits. After a rain, rivulets of water trickle around tree trunks, irrigating the flore before draining into the pond.
Exits: [F]ire [P]it, [S]econd [O]rchard, [D]umble's [L]og, [A]bbey [P]ond
Zork has been stuck in the infirm the past few days, the summer heat got to him a bit too much, well a lot but hey he got the forge fixed before he passed out. You would think he stay indoors but its nice and cool in the mornings and he is in the shade of an apple tree and he is..mediating? His wheelchair is beside him as he sits criss cross under the tree, eyes closed for now.
The sound of paw's traveling through the dew covered grass of the orchard can be heard. The brown furred fox hums a sea chanty as he picks apples into a basket. Bandit the fox forgot how much he enjoyed abbey life. The care free atmosphere...and the free food. Oh how he misses the free food. Here since yesterday the fox can feel his dinner from last night sticking to his already pudgy ribs.When traveling the fox leaves his uniform at home, wearing clothing to make him stand out less...which fails somewhat when a plump bellied fox tries to wear a sleeveless black cloth vest that was two sizes too small even when he was less...well fed.
Zork opens his eyes and looks at Bandit and folds his paws into his lap, "Ello Bandit" He says softly. not his normal booming voice he has sometimes, yes its there at times but rarely now. "Wot brings ya to de abbey today?"
The badger catches the fox as he is stretching a big juicy looking apple on the higher branch. Bandit looks over to Zork and blinks in surprise. Who is this crippled old badger? Does he know him? How much money does he owe him? "Zork?" Bandit can't hide the surprise in his voice. "Er, Zork! It's good to see you again!" Basket in paw the fox moves closer, laughing nervously as he does, "Believe it or not I'm actually here on business..." he tilts his head to the side for a moment, "Was here on business. I was following a lead about a robber up north. Turned out to be nothing, but the abbey was near by so I stayed the night here."
The fox forces a smile, "You...look like you are doing good. How have you been? "
Zork nods "Well that's good that it were nothing.. I use to live very far north. Yep That was a while ago" He frowns in thought and reaches for his staff to slowly stand up as he uses the staff and tree trunk for support "I am as well as can be expected..long as it's not too hot outside." He leans on the tree slightly.
The fox cringes inside as he sees this badger struggle to support himself. It wasn't so long ago that badger was valiant and strong warrior, one whom Bandit fought along side in combat. Oh how well we age, thinks the fox. "I know that feeling." he chuckles, "After you get used to the cold weather for so long, this heat, it really does get to you." The fox sets down his basket of apples to better offer his aid to the badger. Bandit may have been out of the abbey for a season but he hasn't lost all sense of morals...yet.
Zork frowns, "Not so much use to the cold, one can achally get un use to real cold temperatures if one place too long. No tis something else as summer heat never got ta me before." He stays leaned against the tree for a little while longer and looks at Bandit's offer to help. At fist he goes to take the couple steps to the wheelchair without help but when he about falls onto his face, he decides he will take the offer of help. The only thing that prevented his fall was part way the staff and a semi quick paw onto the arm of the wheelchair.
The fox moves quickly to prevent the badger from hitting the ground. "Woops! Here, let's get you situated, eh?" He leads the badger to his chair. "Yeah, why don't you tell me all about it after we get you seated proper, ok?" The fox moves slower to make sure Zork doesn't hurt himself, or worse, fall on the fox! That's all Bandit needs, to be squashed by the badger! Or the disapproving scowls of beasts when they ask him why he didn't try to help the old warrior.
Zork nods and allows the help to the wheelchair and slowly sits down, "Thank ya Bandit, me legs hate me sometimes, they seem ta lock up and not move de right way or they hurt sometimes." There is some swelling but not a lot is seen, as he leans back in the chair and places the staff on a bar on the back of the chair and manages a small smile as he rubs his wrist a little. "Hate dis chair sometimes but tis the only way I can gets around"
The fox smiles as he nods, "I can imagine..." The fox looks at the badger and imagines himself, older and confined to a wheel chair, dependent on those around him. The thought sends a chill down his spine.
"I was planning on heading back to Ferravale this morning but, no reason to stick around a little while longer." The fox sits down in the cool grass with a grunt of effort. Paws on his knees and tail twitching behind him he tilts his head to the side, "Have I ever told you how much I appreciated you being around the abbey. It's true, you are one of the first beasts to welcome me here...wow...I can't remember how many seasons its been."
Zork tilts his head "I was? And I don;t plan ta ever leave de abbey, tis me home. I may not be a warrior now but thats ok. I still can fix things and someone will be taking over de forge soon." He seems to remember some times back, "Guess I done a lot ere'...helped ta rebuild de bell tower, de gates be stronger than ever, I mean I did gets a bit better after that...ummm monitor fight, which almost ended badly and very well could of. I was in de infirm half a season. Still had some trouble walking but I could, then I got worse again."
The fox stuck out his tongue in disgust, "Ugh, don't remind me of the infirm. I spent more time there than the kitchens, and always when Che-" the fox pauses, as if saying the cat's name would summon him. "Always when Cheshire was on surgery duty. Trust me when I say that nothing else in this world has taught me the importance of learning to dodge a blade than being under the care of Cheshire." The fox leans backward, "How long HAVE you been at the abbey?"
Zork says, "Let me see....whoa like 11..maybe 12 seasons, well when first came, left a couple seasons and came back so stayed 10 seasons then?" He smiles "I remember I were so happy ta finally find Ozzy . It was great! I helped with many things like fighting that Stormfeather beast, a few others also like even Marek when he was a baddy, also that Nightfur beast, yeah remember him well. He was a slaver that had Zinnia, I saved her from him and adopted her" He smiles "And de day I became blacksmith, that was great too when Lorimis asked me to be blacksmith here, course never knew one day I be brother and now elder"
The fox barks out a laugh, "Oi! Old Nightfur. Blazes that has been a while." The fox draws his legs closer, folding his arms around them as he remembers being captured by the fox. Starved, beaten...and the terrible escape. The fox is most grateful when the trip down memory lane turns to more pleasant waters. "You know...I kind of wish I had more memories of this place, like you. I mean, all I remember doing was all the trouble we got into with warlords, and lazing about...and eating myself silly." The fox chuckles, holding up two fingers, "This abbey killed two of my diets. I swear, I had to avoid the place and all its good food less I stopped fitting through the front gate!" The fox pats at his stomach. "I might still be well on my way to such a fate..."
Zork chuckles "Yeah, and Nightfur be hard to forget too. I..he was a reason I lost control and slipped inta Bloodwrath, think that led to me weak heart a few seasons later." He frowns "I barely remember I killed like 30 of his beasts and was in that cell..and you were there. I was in bloodwrath a couple days I think, cause do remember ripping chains off the wall and we did get out forgot how but that's de past." The badger smiles now "Yeah feasts be good, thar be on in the quarry in less than a week and I may or may not go..." He chuckles loudly and then tenses up and takes a couple deep breaths, ok deep laughter is bad for him, he seems fine again after a couple minutes and frowns as he leans back into his chair .
"I would...rather not remember to be honest." The fox let's out a forced laugh. He remembers eating a rat...and mauling a lizard with his teeth. The fox then gives the beast a concerned stare at the badger when he tenses. Offering him a smile mostly for his own reassurance the fox stands up, dusting grass from his legs, "Well so long as you are 'around' for the next feast I will be happy, eh mate?" He pats the badger on the shoulder, "I can smell them serving up breakfast. I was planning on grabbing a bite to eat before I head out...do you want me wheel you to the kitchen?"
Zork is quiet and nods slowly "I..hope to be, I mean talking ta Leon he seemed ta think I would be ok fer de Summer feast, but..." He looks like he is holding back tears, he won't let them fall in front of anyone he doesn't care if it makes his chest hurt a little to hold them back, he then wipes his eyes as he coughs a couple times, managing to calm himself as he looks at Bandit, "Breakfast? Oh yeah...sure thing."
The fox smiles, grabbing the wheel chair he begins to lead it down the path to the kitchen. This has been an eye opening experience to say the least. It reminds the fox of his own mortality, that he is going to one day growl old, and eventually die. With his diet, and adventurous life he wonders if his 'golden year's will be even half as good as the badgers. He can only imagine well he will fair.He remains silent as he pushes the wheel chair forward.
Zork doesn't say anything and then speaks, "Bandit?...I, I know you don't come by the abbey too often and it was nice to see you. Most likely won't see you again. This..well stupid weak heart thing is just getting worse and..worse." He talks softly, he has yet to really talk to, well anyone on it. But he needs to get it out, "I'm..." He closes his eyes, "I'm dying..I mean not like days, not that soon...least hope, but this feast could very well be me last." He then is quiet, maybe waiting on a response to what he just got out.
The fox continues to remain silent as he pushes Zork along. He nods slowly and finally replies, "I...know. I'm afraid that it isn't too hard to see Zork." He keeps his eyes strait ahead less he start crying himself. Often in times like this the fox wishes he had the way with words that Wilks the story tell had. But for this occasion, he thinks, would... should BANDIT say? And so he speaks, "I can't tell you that things will get better Zork, I can't tell you that this will be your last season...or if you will continue for another. But I CAN tell you that you have lived...you have really lived, and a good life at that. And I can most certainly tell you that I am proud to have known an upright beast such as yourself. And that the beasts here will help you through this..." The fox wipes a paw across his eyes, "How about we get that breakfast now eh? Feel free to pick out anything you want...I'll buy." He says with a laugh.
Zork chuckles and smiles, he goes along with the buy thing, he knows it's free here, "Sure Bandit and thanks for being a friend." He ends up getting some oatmeal, an apple and some greensap milk and lets himself be wheeled to the cavern hole where most beasts will be eatting breakfast.
