Talking In The Great Hall

• • • • • No funeral happen yet(icly or oocly) just some random chatting in the great hall. But was still a good role play either way*********

Zinnia enters from the library, she had just arranged a few more books while she had some free time and then sits by the fireplace.

Lee walks in through the front doors. "Afternoon, Zinnia... 'Ave ye seen Benar or even Thorn around the Abbey, today? I was 'opin' ta ask when I should 'ave the bellringer start ringin' the bell for the funeral... It shouldn't be too long mow, I shouldn't think."

Rayen comes in shortly after Lee and sits down in a soft chair.

Zinnia shakes her head "No sorry, Benar has most likely been busy is my guess and not sure about Thorn except she missed a class today, but I am not really upset about that seeing as what today is, a lot of beasts are still upset over Lorimis..death"

Leon frowns a little as he sits down to wait

Lee hmms, frowning. "Thorn missed a class, ye say? Not terribly surprisin', given the funeral an' all, but ye think I would've found 'er in 'er room or somethin'..." He then shrugs. "Ah, well, I'm sure she be 'ere somewhere. Probably will turn up just in time for the funeral later."

Leon says, "I am sure everyone will gather in one place here soon"

Lacota walks down the stairs slowly, dressed in a simple habit. "Well, I see everyone is in here. I'm surprised no beast is ringing the bells yet. That's LillyMoore's job now, as I recall."

Zinnia listens. ”Yeah”

Lacota holds up both his paws, once he reaches the head table. "Either way, I think a general time of calm and respectful silence would be ideal for now... So please, in respect of Abbot Lorimis' memory, let us have no raised voices at this time. Benar is still preparing, as far as I can gather, but once the time for the funeral nears, I believe the bells will be rung. Thank you for your patience, everybeast."

Rayen nods, "Yes, that is true and this wouldn’t be a...well simple one to plan"

Zee wanders into the large room and leans on his staff as he looks around at the gathered beasts.

Lacota nods. "Exactly, Miss. There's not only that, though. There is also the decision of who is to be our next Abbot. It's a tough choice... There are many well qualified beasts that can handle the job... Who do we pick? I shan't reveal who my choice is."

Zinnia shrugs "I am unsure whom would be abbot next, I didn’t get a chance to ask..sorry"

Nightbreath walks into the room and takes his hood off, moving over gracefully to the group without saying anything, since he couldn't vote for Abbot anyways.

Lacota says, "Indeed, I'm afraid Lorimis passed without naming his successor... It has been difficult."

Leon says, "Whoever is chosen will be told soon I am guessing anyways, I am not sure how one is picked as Lorimis was here when I first got here."

Lee stands quietly near the door, content to only listen for now.

Lacota says, "Leon, in the event that an Abbot does not name a successor before he, or she, dies, it falls to the Elders to decide, based on what member of the Order is most qualified. As an Elder myself I can confirm there is a strong candidate, but I'm not at liberty to say who it is at this time."

Zork wheels carefully into the room and sits close to the fireplace.

Leon nods, and leaves it at that.

Zinnia says, "And it may take a little time to choice the right best for the job"

Lacota says, "I will say, however, that the few suggestions that *I* might be qualified were squashed by me, myself. Much as I love Redwall, and consider it my home, I have no desire whatsoever to be put into a position of leadership like that. A couple elders did suggest it, shockingly."

Rayen says, "Well you’re the friar, so you do already have an important job"

Lacota nods. "You make a very valid point, Miss Rayen, though I am assuming that if they made me Abbot they'd find some beast to replace me as Friar. But I say no. Do not even ask me, please. I will turn you all down flat. There are other beasts with far better qualifications than my own.

Nightbreath merely listens, saying nothing but nodding to himself a little.

Zee decides to sit down in a chair by the doorway and wait quietly.

Zinnia says, "Let’s not worry on it now, whoever is chosen will be chosen because they are the right beast for the job"

Lacota crosses his arms. "Quite right, Zinnia." He leans forward, then says in a near-whisper, "Besides, I have a secret... I went from Novice directly to Elder in just one day... Don't you dare start letting everybeast know that, mind you, but Abbot Lorimis... Well, I guess you could almost say he gave me preferential treatment because of my enthusiasm to take over the Kitchen..."

Nightbreath closes his eyes, thinking back on memories of Lorimis, all the times they'd chatted, their conversations in Ferravale and at the Abbey.

Zork has been quiet this whole time, then he doesn't have much to say today and right now is just waiting to see where Benar is.

Rayen sighs softly as they wait

Lacota asks, "You remember when I came here, right? I was a wandering traveler, who just so happened to have a knack for cooking. When I turned up here and discovered you lot did not even have a proper Friar, I was frankly appalled, and I admit I *did* commandeer the kitchen without anybeast's permission."

Leon chuckles "But you did very well making meals and guiding the cooks in the kitchen"

Zinnia says, "I didn’t get along with many beasts when I first came here, then I slowly did and I am glad of all my friends and loved ones"

Lacota says, "And you know, Benar told me that if I wanted to become Friar, first I had to join the Order as a Novice, and work my way up... And yes, Leon is right... And you know, I do believe it was that very first Spring Feast I planned and cooked and set up... It won over Lorimis, and you can't tell me it didn't, because that very day he appointed me the new Friar... And bam, I stopped being a Novice .It was... rather unexpected."

Zork grins as he listens to Lacota, “And hopefully your be friar for a long long time too"

Lacota nods. "I should expect so. I *am* the youngest 'Elder' on the Elder Council... The oldest is almost as old as that old Methuselah I read about.”

Leon says, "I forgot how long it took me to be Master Healer. I know when I first came to the abbey, I was not planning on staying more than a day or two at the most. But...well things changed and I stayed and am still here"

Lacota hmms. "Well, you are a fine healer, lad. I was rather worried back when it seemed you were going to die." He adjusts his glasses.

Leon frowns, "Yeah I did come very close to death. I don't think it would of be as easy to replace a Master Healer though and hopefully it won’t be needed for a long time"

Zinnia says, "I rather not see any one die any time soon"

Zee speaks, "No one's choice when they die, we all have a certain number of days and not all beasts can be saved when the time comes or is close and others can be saved to live for a while longer"

Lee nods. "Aye, that be very true."

"He lived a good life," Nightbreath puts in. "Accomplished much. I think he died happy."

Lacota' says, "Lorimis lived a full life... It was his time to go. I think he was ready."

Zee nods slowly “Heard he died in his sleep"

Nightbreath nods. "As I heard. I hope he dreamed well that night."

Zee says, "I had an Uncle Soot who died in his sleep, he was old as well..think dying in one sleep would be a peaceful way to go"

Rayen leans back in her chair, she looks at the stairs fir any sign of any beast else.

Lacota nods. "I would tend to agree."

Leon sighs "I just..wish I could of done more to help Lorimis."

Zinnia says, "I am sure you did what you could Leon"

Leon frowns as he stands, he walks on out the entry and to the gatehouse.

Rayen frowns as Leon gets up to leave.

Zinnia sighs as everyone goes quiet, this will be a long day it looks like.