The Arrival of Katelin
12/16/2010
Location – Redwall Abbey: Main Gate, Redwall Abbey: Great Hall
With – Hafyaramla, Katelin, Jo, Otto, Wevrin
Hafyaramla pushes open the door, head craned over her shoulder, chattering at a guard in an irritated fashion. As the wind hits her she breaks off her complaints, catching a mouthful of air. She draws the hood of her cloak tight around her face, pushing her ears and headfur in her eyes. The door bangs closed behind her and catches her heel, making her hop and swear violently and imaginatively in a foreign language.
Katelin leaps around in the tree getting closer and closer to the abbey, before a sudden squeak and she nearly misses the last branch, clinging and scurrying up again hiding from view hoping she wasn't spotted but she made enough noise anyone listening would surely have herd it. Her hood is up hiding most of her face as she looks down watching, she does have a bit of a smell being without anyplace to adequately clean herself.
Hafyaramla quits with her angry display immediately and looks up, eyes sharp and gleaming behind the kohl smudged fur. She pushes back the hood to let her ears stand straight, ignoring the rising howl of the wind. After a few moments of nothing, she closes her eyes and her face relaxes. Without her worried brow and familiar scowl her face is actually quite young looking. She mutters to herself for a moment, and then calls out. "Squirrel...traveling...The winter's not going well." she wrinkles her nose. "Though i could probably have told that without..." The second part is another murmur to herself, though with the wind carrying her voice away, it is more audible to those nearby than to herself.
Katelin twitches her tail as she stays against the branch, looking down and watching, her ears forward hearing some parts but not all. She remains quiet for a few moments before she pulls something from her bag and lobs it down towards the gate, funny enough it is a raw chestnut, not really aiming at anything just throwing the nut down to the ground as if she was trying to give some kind of peace offering.
Hafyaramla watches as the chestnut clatters to the ground a ways a way, and her eyebrow arches. "....Right, well." She glares at the trees and calls out "Was tha' really necessary?" She tries to be loud enough, without calling attention to the guards on the ramparts. "Ya know, civilized beasts use words and not projectiles."
Katelin remains silent before she leaps to another branch suddenly emitting a squeek as she barely catches it but she doesn't hang on long as she slips tumbling branch by branch grabbing a hold until thud, she hits the ground, thankfully not at to high of a speed, the branches having help slow her down, but she still hits with quite a bit of force, she rolls and limps herself into a bush in a clear vain attempt to hide herself, her tail sticking out shaking all over.
Hafyaramla watches with masked amusement at the plight of the squirrel. She pauses for a moment, and then saunters over to the bush. She parts the branches and peers in well as she can at the stranger. "And a good eve ta ya." She says with a snort. “Any reason ya be hurlin' food at me?" She says, her scowl twisted into the remnant of a sardonic smile.
Katelin sits shaking in the bush, looking up with big eyes, her hood half off her head as she looks down then up before she suddenly scurries out scoops up the chestnut she threw earlier, and scurries back over and holds it up shaking a bit almost kneeling as she holds it up offering it. She seems a bit thin, her eyes closed as if she is gonna get smacked or beaten.
Hafyaramla's frown returns, not angry, but sort of piteous. She steps forward and takes the chestnut rather more forcefully than she means to. Gentility is not her strong suit. She examines it in her paw, fingers turning pink and raw from the cold. She stuffs them in her pockets. "So if I get this straight...ya cannae talk at all?" Her head tilts forward a bit, a pink tongue darting out and licking her bottom teeth.
Jo comes into the area, a curious look on his face as he sees the two.
Katelin wiggles her nose and suddenly jumps back when it is taken wobbling before she falls back not seeming to have all her balance with her, as she just looks up with wide open eyes, shaking some looking quite worn out as she sits looking up, her nose twitching. She still doesn't speak a word, adjusting her pack and tunic getting it straightened up so it looks decent again, still quite tattered.
Jo blinks and looks at Katelin, then to Hafyaramla. "May I help either of you?" He asks in an even tone.
Hafyaramla glances at the otter, and raises a brow at his fancy dress, and turns away, crouching down to match the height of a normal beast, reaching a paw out to the felled squirrel. "Remains ta be seen, oh knightly one."
Jo chuckles and grins, "Then tell me what help I can give, so that I may do so." He casts an eye over to the squirrel and looks at her sympathetically.
Katelin looks at the paw carefully giving it a quick sniff oddly enough before she slowly takes it standing up slowly, her legs wobbling quite badly, seeming to be babying one of her footpaws a little, as she stands, looking more like she is gonna fall over again, her hood half over her face, her tail trying to ballence herself.
Hafyaramla looks Katelin up and down with an unreadable wrinkled expression. "Emmm, a crutch, a bountifal suppah, a thick blanket, and a couple a months ta get ovah somethin' rough." She turns to Jo and flicks an ear, the beads clacking together. "Think ya can manage?"
Jo looks over at the squirrel and walks over to her, "Are you ok?"
Katelin wobbles swaying a bit as she looks up to what seems to be an otter to her, her paw slowly coming up to try and touch the otters face curiously, her paw shaking some as she turns back to hare trying to touch her face as well, not seeming to be in the right frame of mind currently, her legs wobbling before they give out again and down she heads for the ground.
Jo moves quickly and catches the squirrel. He squats down gently and smiles a little, "Ye' need rest it seems. Tat' right lass?" He inquires of the hare. Jo stands up, still holding the squirrel in his arms and beckons to the hare. "Come, follow me."
Hafyaramla stratches her paws as though the thought of catching her almost crossed her mind. "Right. Follah..." She resists the urge to salute, but makes her opinion known with her usual squint and crossed arms. She heaves the gate door open, as Jo has his paws...occupied.
Otto comes out to greet the group saying, "Ah welcome back brother mine! How are things?" His habit was splotched all over with different shades of paint, but he didn't pay it any mind.
Jo blinks as he sees Otto,"Oh, I just saw then peeking in and thought to me self. Wonder what they be needin'." He shrugs and beckons to Otto to follow.
Katelin twitches in the paw struggling some but doesn't seem to have much energy left to fight being carried, finally she just gives up falling limp half out half awake, she seems rather light and thin for her size, not to mention smells a little having been out in the mud, grass, snow, the works, her tunic quite tattered.
Hafyaramla is a little affronted by the sudden appearance of more beasts. She left the Abbey for solitude after all. She eyes the mouse, then the squirrel, and finally she lets her eyes fall on the otter, wrinkling her nose a bit. "Things are apparently fine fah him...Not so fah this lass." She says, turning back to Otto.
Otto cocks an eye at the other, but not wanting to seem rude dusts off his tunic saying, "Ah visitors then? Pleas come, we love visitors here!" And with that the plump little mouse merrily follows the otter.
Hafyaramla's frown deepens. "Visitor. Singular." She corrects before slipping into the Abbey.
Jo frowns and shakes his head, "Some creatures..." He mutters.
The otter follows after the hare
RW Abbey: Great Hall
The Great Hall of Redwall Abbey. Countless paw falls have echoed from these stones, and untold numbers of feasts and merry gatherings have been held here. A table, not nearly so grand or large as its predecessors, but quite functional for mealtimes, rests near the center of the hall. Chairs exist here aplenty, and they are all of a matching set. High above, the stain glass windows give the Great Hall a beautiful appearance. The glasswork is exceptionally done, crafted by a skilled artist. The floor is clean and swept. A fire is kept burning in the fireplace at almost all times of the day and night, and there are several more comfortable chairs and cushions set up here, of varying sizes. One looks large enough to easily accommodate a badger.
The Tapestry hangs proud and tall, and while the rest of Redwall may still bear the scars of natural disaster, this most famous of Redwall's relics remains unharmed by beast, time, or the elements. The figure of Martin the Warrior seems to be watching over his own with an unchanging, kindly gaze.
You can make out nothing through the large windows except the faintest glimmer of stars above the smudge of dark that is the Abbey's walls. Soft blue moonlight is trickling down from the windows above.
Exits/Entrances:
[K]itchen [St]airs [C]avern [H]ole
[Li]brary [En]try [B]reezeway
Hafyaramla opens the door to the Great Hall, holding it for the others. The last comment from the otter hasn't escaped her large ears, and she watches him especially carefully as he passes. "S'pose I'll get some tea. Anythin' else sahs?" She bows, ears flopping forward comically.
Jo walks to a couch and sets the squirrel down gently, "If'n ye' can bring a bucket of warm water and a cloth."
"Nothing for me thanks," replies Otto heading over to a table covered in papers. He continues sitting down and taking a quill, "Don't want ta be spill'n anthing on my illuminated text"
Katelin's tail twitches softly as she is laid down still half out half awake, her bag still attached to her back, seeming to be tied around her waist keeping it securely on her for the time being.
Hafyaramla nods and disappears wordlessly into the kitchen. She appears some time later with the water in paw, and tea and scones balanced in the crook of each arm. She sets the items down haphazardly on the table and pulls a cloth out of her satchel, tossing it to, or rather at, the otter. She then continues to take her cloak and satchel off. She looks at the papers, and a new expression crosses her face. "Huh. Illuminated, ya said."
Jo sighs and plops down into a chair, "I swear Otto, I'm getting old."
Otto, scribbling replies to the otter with a chuckle, "Hehe Jo if your old then I'm ancient." He glances up at Hafyaramla and says, "Aye lass. Not literally of course but, well here have a look." He hands her a page with an intricate dragon designed onto it. The dragon almost appears to be made of many interlocking ribbons, circles, and knots.
The otter wrinkles his nose and sniffs as the cloth is chucked at him.
Katelin finally just fades out, laying on the couch, seeming to be out cold, her breathing slowing way down after a few moments, her stomach gives off quite an audible rumble as she lays there.
Hafyaramla glances at Katelin, pouring herself a cuppa. She slurps it loudly and turns her head away, tilting it to look properly at the drawing. "Intricate. Finely done detail." Her sharp eyes flick up to Otto. "Ya are tha Abbey recordah, then." She grabs a scone as well. all this rescuing can't be done on an empty stomach.
Jo stands up, cloth in one paw. He tosses it into the bucket and crouches down in front of the squirrel and shakes her gently, "Come on missy, wake up for just a tad so I can clean ye' up."
Otto shakes his head saying, "No not yet. I'm not even technically in the Order yet. However I hope to show these to the Abbot and convince him to let me join." He then notices Katelin and pointing a quill in her direction asks, "Will uh she be alright?"
Katelin doesn't respond to the poking and prodding, still breathing thankfully, but seeming to be out for the moment. Her tail does twitch a little but not much.
Jo says, "not sure, she has yet to wake up. Her face is mucked up, and her clothes are tattered. Oi, hare. How long 'ave ye' both been wand'rin 'round?"
Hafyaramla's face almost begins to resemble one of empathy and caring as she gazes at the squirrel. But then Jo catches her attention and she turns fierce again. "Oi, ottah. If yah'd be any bit observant, ya'd notice I'd been heah about a moon. Jus' popped out fer an evenin' walk and.." She flips a paw in a dismissive gesture. "She starts hurlin' chestnuts at me, so who is tha recorder now?" She says, bleeding her conversation with Jo into the one with Otto.
Otto shakes his head and, grumbling, hops off his stool. He pushes past the two of them saying, "Come come now. Poken and proddin the poor lass won't get anytihng done. Le'me see..." He rummages through his pockets, finally pulling out a vile of salt. He pops the cork off and holds it under the squirrel's nose saying, "I hope this revives her. I've only been able to test it on a few beetles.."
Jo shrugs slightly at the hare and just lets it blow over, he looks at Otto curiously and waits.
Katelin doesn't respond at first until suddenly she snaps awake trying to get away from the salt still looking like she is gonna pass out again swaying some as she looks around with a loud squeek, looking around in quite a daze, her tail curled tightly to her body.
Jo reaches out and gently rubs the squirrels face, "Shh, its ok. We aren' gonna hurt ye'. Jus' need to getcher lovely face cleaned up eh?"
Hafyaramla looks at the crowd and turns away, her nose twitching. She begins to break up a scone, and pulls her neglected canteen out of her satchel, filling it with the steaming tea. "Cannae see how waking the poor lass is essential ta getting her all sparklin..." She says with biting bitterness. She approaches, and thanks to her advantage in height, is able to peer over the other two with ease.
Otto immediately jerks back the vile, and corks it shut. With a slight grin he says, "Well there it is then!" He smiles gently at Katelin not wanting to frighten her. He says quickly, "Don't worry now lassy. Your amongst friends. Welcome to Redwall Abbey!" He gestures around the great hall with his arm.
Katelin pulls back a little at first but settles as she realizes she isn't going to be harmed, still swaying a little as she is cleaned, the mud and filth slowly coming off her face and out of her fur, showing her natural brown color as it is cleaned.
Jo continues to wipe the squirrels face clean, a smile gently creasing his lips.
Hafyaramla watches the otter, cringing at the sweetness that bleeds out of him. "Feel strong enough fah vittles, miss?" she asks, focusing instead on the much less offensive squirrel.
Katelin twitches her nose looking up as her face is wiped clean, her tail twitches behind her seeming to want the food her nose wiggling at it.
Jo chuckles and puts the cloth back in the bucket and takes it with him to the kitchens, hoping to scrounge up some food.
Hafyaramla smiles nd leans in, carefully lifting the squirrels head. "Ah, step ahead of deah doting ottah, we are." She says, holding the canteen to her lips. "Careful now, eh?"
Katelin slithers her tongue in sipping the tea pulling it back quickly as she tries to gulp it down.
Wevrin walks into the small area around the fireplace and grins, "Step ahead a who lassy?"
Hafyaramla allows herself a smile, but makes sure she is turned away so the buck cannot see. After a generous moment, she pulls the canteen away, offering the Katelin a bite-sized bit of scone from her lap. "Tha brave, courageous, and unthinking. Tha poster boys of all that is good and righteous." She says, holding back a scoff. She tosses stray headfur out of her eyes and looks at the newcomer, eyes glancing up and down his frame briefly.
Wevrin chuckles and shakes his head, "You can only be unthinkin if you had no mind to think with." He points out rather bluntly and takes a seat.”
Jo walks back into the Great hall bearing a tray of food, some soup. A few cheeses and some bread. "Here we are." He sets the tray down on the table and wipes his paws on his tunic. "Hello Wevrin."
Katelin tries to snag the canteen back drinking as much as she is allowed, snagging the scone and chomping it down rather quickly, her ears twitch spotting the tray of food she wiggles and squirms trying to stand and leap onto the tray.
Jo blinks and helps the squirrel up gently, "Lets get somethin' hot in ye'."
Hafyaramla is about to make a remark on that, but noticing the two are acquainted, she falls silent. She rears back as to not get accidentally hit by the squirming squirrel. "Eat ta fast and yah'll upset yahr humors, she warns, ears straight up in alarm. "By tha cold light o' tha night, yah're lively for one so afflicted!"
Wevrin shakes his head and tsks. "You gels seem to have been out in the wilderness for quite some time I take it?" He asks the Hare.
Katelin squirms and wiggles as she is lead to the food, diving in chewing up what she can get her hands on, going quite fast not heeding any word of the warning issued, making a mess of her fur again.
Jo holds back the squirrel best he can and calms her down, "Whoa, slow up a bit. Start out slow, if ye' don' then you will get sick."
Hafyaramla sighs and rubs her forehead. Apparently no beast can see or hear her. "Just met her tonight, actually. I have been decidedly out of the wilderness for most o' the wintah." She says, too exasperated and worn to be angry.
Wevrin nods slowly and looks over at the squirrel, "Why would yew not be in doors lass? One like you can stand the cold only so much."
Katelin is quiet easily held back, having managed to at least snagged some cheese chomping on it reaching for another piece her paw still shaking a little as she seems to have gained some energy. Still wanting more, before her legs wobble again and slowly losing herself to gravity once more.
Jo ruffles the squirrels head-fur and grins, "Can ye' understand what I'im sayin'?"
Katelin slowly nods her head nabbing another piece of cheese finally and chews on it, as she looks up.
Jo says, "ahh, there ye' go then. "
Hafyaramla rolls her eyes as if to say 'well, obviously' but otherwise keeps her bitter silence. She falls on the bits of scone herself, and tosses the canteen aside, instead pulling a corked flask out from one of her belt's pockets.
Wevrin chuckles and shakes his head, leaning back in the chair and looking at Jo fondly.
Katelin nibbles the cheese slower, looking around with huge eyes as she sits on the floor, shifting her tunic again.
Jo stretches and looks over at Hafyaramla, "If...I was rude to you, forgive me."
Hafyaramla tries to continue looking affronted throughout the apology. All crossed arms and scowls like usual, loathe to admit that she had simply been shown up. "You were not, but I am not in anyway in a forgiving mood." She takes a swig from the flask as a punctuation.
Wevrin frowns at Hafyaramla, "You know, even our kind can sniff out the bad in others. And I suggest you make friends here instead of jauntily waving your paw at anything that you don't feel like bothering with." He wrinkles his nose and sniffs, leaning back in his chair with a flat look.
Katelin slowly plants herself into a chair chowing down the food rather slowly now taking her time her nose twitching her tail curled around her body.
Jo grins at the squirrel, ignoring the verbal jab.
Hafyaramla rears back slightly from her perch on the back of the chair. Her gaze is sharp and severe. She closes her eyes for a moment, and then speaks, her accent not quite disappearing, but a lot less prominent. "Surely your sense of...smell...cannot be too accurate ta judge on an instant. Hiding behind your years, using it as authority. I may be unsavory and petulant, but I have no hippocracies. What of yah? Kind and patriarchal, yet judgmental, like all woodlanders, and unsettled. I am not sure if you are worse than those who kill and yet claim to be on the side of tha righteous. The virtuous do not harm, and to heal is simply a quick stitch-up. An after-the-fact plea fah forgiveness." She shakes her head. "You may judge me, but I am allowed ta judge ye back. Tell me have ye sniffed out tha truth from me yet?"
Wevrin puts a paw to his face and rubs his cheek wearily, "No I am not judgin' you, and I'm not a woodlander mind you. The fact is, you are bein' snobby and rude to the one I raised most of his life. But a thing I know, you can never fully trust someone. Its like most vermin that come in through the gates, they come in for food and shelter. But in the end, usually end up in the wrong and flee."
Jo sits down at the table and picks up a slice of cheese and nibbles on it, still being amused by the squirrel.
Katelin finally makes it to the soup getting halfway untill she blinks, leaping from the chair heading for the door with a squeek her tail wrapped around her body still causing her to walk funny.
Jo blinks as the squirrel gets up and starts walking away, he gets up and starts to follow
Hafyaramla is speechless for a moment, and for some reason a genuine smile stretches strangely across her face. She is about to respond but pauses as she watches the squirrel, body tensed and ears standing straight.
Katelin's tail twitches as she stuffs her head into a push, the sound she emits not of a good nature, her tail still kept wrapped around her body as if like a jacket for her chest and waist.
Wevrin blinks slightly and scratches his head, pondering who would make such a noise.
Sudden disconnect
