Snow blindness...does it really happen so fast?

Redwall Abbey- Great Hall

Zarok, Shandar (+Casper and Odira), Corinne

Zarok creeps in as if he's stalking prey; he isn't, but it's still fun to act as if he is. He scuttles along the floor and nips behind a pillar.

Shandar comes up from Cavern Hole- more specific, Casper comes up from Cavern Hole with Shandar. He has slung her over his left shoulder, left paw on her back to keep her steady as she struggles. Neither of them notice Zarok. Casper's face is straight and impassive, until he cant hold it in and breaks out into laughter as he sets Shandar on her own two paws.

Zarok watches from behind the pillar silently, barely even breathing, rigid, blending in.

Corinne has been outside, a bit too long playing in a snow fort, she walks a little slower than she usually does as she makes her way inside.

(Casper takes another moment to stop laughing as Shandar waves to her friend. "Hi Corinne! Were you havin fun outside?" )

Zarok slips behind one of the chairs, probably going unseen, still just watching. He's not sure why he's remaining hidden.

Corinne rubs her eyes and then starts to cry some, she blinks several times and then sits down by the door.

(Zarok is still not seen by Casper and Shandar- whether that is because Corinne's tears now has their full attention, or because he's very good at hiding, is unknown, but most likely a bit of both. Shandar hurries over to the other mouse's side. "Aw, what is it?" Casper follows, looking slightly worried. Here is yet another beast he does not know, and now she's just burst into tears. What is he supposed to do?)

Zarok walks out from his hiding place and trots over to the group. "You okiez?" he asks.

Corinne rubs her eyes and this seems to make matters worse, she now panics and crys more and backs up only to bump over a chair and frowns,"Eyes...hurt...no seees....."

Shandar is puzzled by this. "Eyes hurt? What, like a headache?" Casper frowns and walks closer to Corinne. "You were just outside, yes? Um...snowblindness? Cummon- we should take you to the infirmary." He at least knows where the infirmary is. He kneels down, hoping that if Corinne can see anything at all, she'll come to him and allow him to carry her up the stairs.

"Wot 'appen?" Zarok asks, nibbling on the tip of his tail, concern glittering in his black eyes.

Corinne whimpers, right now all she sees is some shapes and alot of whiteness, she stays still now afraid to fall or bump into things.

Zarok steps forward and reaches out his tail. "Hold onna Zarok tail an' juz' walk an' we can finda healer."

Shandar stands around awkwardly, not knowing what to do, as her brother kneels next to Corinne, a paw on her shoulder. He speaks gently. "My name is Casper, Im related to Shandar, she's a friend of yours, I take it. Im just gonna pick you up and take you to the infirm. You'll be fine in no time." He looks at Zarok. "She may trip over the stairs or somesuch. If what Shan tells me is true about some of her relatives, I dont want to be in trouble for letting her get hurt. And I will get in trouble, as the oldest." He chuckles. "being new and all, that would not be a very good first impression."

"You need help liftin' 'er?" Zarok asks Casper. "I zztrong..." And he actually _is_.

Corinne reaches out and feels the lizards tail, long as she walks slowly maybe she wwont fall, she frowns, "Eyes ouchies"

(Casper looks over the mousemaid. "Uh..you want to help, go ahead. Though I dont think twill be /necessary/, exactly." He bends down and swoops her up, one paw around her back, the other under her knees. "Cummon. The longer we stay here, the longer your eyes will hurt." Shandar follows him to the stairs. )

Zarok trost in their wake, occasionally snapping around to gaze behind the group balefully, protecting them, in his mind. He bares his teeth at any bystanders in the Hall, as if to say, 'Don't even think about stopping us.'

Corinne allows him to pick her up, she whimpers.."WANNA UNCLE...."

"It gonna be okies," Zarok whispers in a soothing hiss. He begins buzzing an oddly placating, if unusual, tune, soft, humming.

" I know." Casper has yet to meet Leon, but thanks to his chatty sister, he's heard of Leon. "Maybe he'll be there."

Redwall Abbey- Infirmary

Corinne stays quiet, most of the crying now has stoped , she clings onto Casper even though she doesnt know him, she is afriad to let go as she could fall.

Zarok trots in, still guarding the rear flank of the party.

Now that they're in the Infirm, Zarok slips out, waving with two claws in farewell.

(Casper enters the infirm, a nurse holding the door open for him, and he sits Corinne on a bed. Shandar follows, sitting next to Corinne on the bed. Casper leans against the wall by the bed as the worker comes over. "What has happened?" )

Corinne frowns, her eyes are somewhat swollen some from rubbing them and watery as well, and it seems they hurt alot right now.

Shandar shrugs, and Casper follows suit. "Dont know. She came in crying, said her eyes hurt and couldnt see. She came from outside, so I was thinking maybe snowblindness. But Im no doctor- my guess is only backed by 'traveler sense.'" The nurse is none oother than Odira, and she looks over Corinne before going to a table. She gathers a bowl of lukewarm water, a cloth, and she tosses a dash of salt into the water. She bends down in front of Corinne, and squeezes the water out of the cloth. "Here. Hold this to your eyes."

Corinne does as she is told, she still frowns and is most likely scared and worried.

Odira leans back on her sandal-ed heels and sighs. "That may sting. I'll take a look at your eyes in a few minutes." Shandar leans back into Casper. "What /is/ snowblindness?" Odira looks up. "You'll find out in a moment, Shan. Why dont you go play with Andi? She should be in the dorm." Shandar stands and nods gleefully before skipping out of the room.

Corinne frowns, it does sting, she moves it away once and then places it back on her eyes, she still cant see it seems.

"Ok. Let me see." Odira stands, and gently takes the cloth from Corinne, places it on the rim of the bowl of water, near her feet on the floor. She waves a paw in front of the mousemaid's eyes, wanting to see if she'll follow it.

Corinne doesnt follow the movement, she frowns as she sits still, her eyes burn so she goes to start to rub them again.

Odira tuts and goes to take the dibbun's wrists, placing them on the bed. "Keep them there. I know your eyes hurt. They will for awhile." She takes a paw and raises Corinne's eyelid. They look mostly normal, but slightly 'smoky,' and attribute of snow blindness, and definitely puffy from her rubbing them. Odira sighs again. "You were right, lad." She pats Corinne's cheek gently. "You'll have to stay in here a few days."

Corinne frowns as her paws are moved and wiggles some, she whimpers some now.."Wanna....." she starts to talk and just frowns again, clearly upset.

Casper wishes Shandar had not left- he doesn't know anyone here now. "I'm Casper, Ms..." Odira looks up sharply. "Casper? No. I thought you looked familiar..." She starts to smile, something that looks slightly out of place on her face, as if she hasn't had cause to smile in a awhile. "Wait for a moment." She turns back to Corinne and gives her a hug. "Leon will be here soon, and you can talk to him. You've given yourself snow blindness. You wont be able to see for a few days, and dab your eyes with this often." She hands the mouse the cloth again. "Ill give you fresh water in a bit. It will bring the swelling down, and help the pain go away. Ill give you some herbs shortly. Even when your vision comes back, it'll still be blurry for a bit. Dont stay too long outside, and when you do, wear a hat, it helps cover your eyes."

Corinne listens some, but she is a dibbun so she doesn;t fully listen, she does touch the cloth to her eyes a short time and then lets it fall onto the floor and curls up on the bed.

(Casper picks the cloth up before Odira can, and just lays it across Corinne's eyes. "Keep that there. Go to sleep or something. Im sure you'll feel better when you wake." He fishes around in his bag for something. Odira watches. "Casper....Shandar loved to talk about you. After she got over...some things. We should talk later. I'm Odira. Mother of Ahndia, whom Im sure you've met." Casper nods. "Lovely little girl." Odira smiles softly, then stands to go take care of a few other patients. )

Corinne whimpers but does soon go to sleep