The abbey may be getting a Bee Keeper

• • OOC NOTE: I was not here as either Oz, Rayen or Scioto..Rayen did walk into the orchards little later afterwards but wasnt there for this. Krystal asked if I could post this log and I said yes and so here it is ***

In the Redwall Orchards

The day is partly cloudy, some puddles from some rain and today was calm till a tree branch hit one of the bee hives, luckily the hive was not damaged and it was a branch way high up that need trimmed anyways, and the thunderstorm from before loosened it. And then some panic happen as a couple novice close by start swatting at bees. The mouse maid gets to the pond, but not the vole who is screaming loudly as if vermin are after her. This is where Krystal walks over calmly and starts softly humming, yeah lets walk into the bee swam, she hums softly as the bees seem to calm as well and the vole shivers clearly disliking bees very much but least she was not stung.

Elmef comes hurrying out of the trees; Brother Elmef looks around for the source of the screaming then stops and stares as Krystal calmly walks in amongst the bees and starts seeing to them with such ease.

Krystal is calm as she still hums, the bees calm or least most of them as one lands on the vole nose and she whimpers. The squirrel maid simply brushes it off and talks softly to the bees "Poor little bees...its ok." One lands on her ear as she sing talks to them and smiles, the vole whimpers and takes the chance to get farer away from the crazy bees, "Get. Me.Out.OF here!" The vole says backing away, a few bees still buzz around but most are back on the hive or on the tree trunk, about 3 are on Krystal's paw and one on her ear.

Elmef shoos the vole away toward the pond, "You really should know better than to disturb the hives Miss, now get along with you whilst I work with Krystal here."

Krystal turns to look at Brother Elmef, she usually doesn’t talk to many beasts here and seems to like to be outdoors mostly as she speaks "The branch fell on the hive" She says. The hive is not damaged, just some upset bees who didn’t like the branch on their home. The squirrel maid looks up into the tree and back to a bee on her paw she softly hums and lets it fly away to some flowers elsewhere in the abbey. “Bees are creatures as well sir....just like us"

The Mouse stops near Krystal and hums quietly to the bees flitting around in the air near him and then turns to her, "I am surprised to see you manipulate them so Krystal. I've not seen many people able to look after the bees or talk to them"

Krystal smiles, she hums softly till most of the bees seem to have calmed down, she goes to try and move the branch and it’s a little heavy so she leaves it alone for now, it’s half moved now as she looks at a bee on her paw "I..always talked to bees in the woods, they helped me and my mom one day. I like bees."

Elmef smiles and moves closer, peering at the fallen branch, circling it slowly and carefully "Hmm not sure why this fell, the tree isn't rotten... that storm must have just been too much for it." He glances back at the squirrel and smiles, "Well I am glad to see you getting on with our bees, they have anything they need?"

Krystal nods "Maybe it was a branch that needed trimmed...and the strong wind brought it down or lightning hit it maybe, but the tree looks ok and strong." She smiles "I..am sorry I have looked at your bees before without asking..the bees are in good shape, they have honey and bee's wax also, one hive is a little chipped but is ok, maybe fix it before winter sets in. Otherwise the bees are happy and healthy, and have made a good deal of honey. Just save some for them when its collected" She tilts her head and smiles as a couple bees buzz around her, "Seems a little too much was taken before..so be more careful the next time"

Elmef smiles softly, "I am afraid I have been doing what I can since Laine left us. But well if you have skill in Apiary I would be very much interested in taking you onto my staff of Groundskeepers"

Krystal blinks at this "I..know lots on bees..me work here? With the bees? Would..but I am unsure, I don’t talk to many beasts here still just Lacota and a couple novices who work in the orchards."

Elmef smiles and walks over to stand next to her, "Well then maybe you would like to join them? The novices that is, as one of them. Then you could make even more friends."

Krystal smiles "I..I have thought of it, but I have not been here long, I..Sadly grew up elsewhere can't say life was...good, but it is now and I am glad"

Elmef nods his head as he listens to her, "Well Krystal I would say think about it, join the Abbot on his Processional (check the +motd) talk to the others who live here in the Abbey. And at the summer feast if you wish to join the order you could ask the Abbot then “

Krystal listens "A.pro..proce..a what sir?" She does smile at the idea "I..could ask Lacota what he thinks, he is my..very good friend" She smiles as she speaks about him.

Elmef says, "It is a tradition, Redwall Abbey was built thanks to the assistance and help of many different places in Redwall. The new Abbot leaves Redwall for a week of travelling, he goes to visit those places that hold significance in our history and then at the end he has a huge feast"

Krystal says, "It sounds like it would be...nice." She seems to think on this and nods "I will come, but I want time to make sure my bee friends will be ok while I am away"

Elmef says, "Of course Krystal and even if you did not join the order. You would be welcome to help me with the Bees "

Krystal smiles, "I would gladly be able to help with the bees, I love caring for and talking to the bees, and..well a novice, I will..just need to think on"

Elmef says, "Of course, there is a book you can read in the Library about what is expected of a Novice"

Krystal frowns at these words and looks down as she grows quiet.

Elmef says, "It really isn't that onerous my friend"

Krystal is quiet "It’s just...I...I can't read, I was never really taught to read"

Elmef asks, "Oh, well would you like me to teach you? Or Recorder Zinnia?"

Krystal smiles and nods "I would like that very much sir, I..can read a.. a couple words but just a couple..."

Elmef asks, "Well then what about Thursday? We'll sit out in the orchard and I'll start to teach you"

Krystal smiles and nods "That sounds nice then...I will see you then, I am going to find Lacota now and tell him I..I may be a novice and ..keeper of bees" She then hurries off seemly happy at this news.