09:17 PM

Salamandastron: Crater
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
You are on the very top of the mountain of Salamandastron: a large, bowl-
shaped crater.  The crater is not smooth, quite the contrary in fact.
Numerous boulders and large chunks of rock are strewn around randomly,
making the crater top just as craggy as any of the mountainside.  The
crater provides an outstanding view of the surrounding country.  The sea
sprawls off to the west as far as the eye can see, and north and south
along the endlessly rolling sand dunes.  In the distant east, a tinge of
green is just visible from this height, marking the vegetation in the
foothills of the Western Mountains.
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                  Visible Exits:
[N]ortheast [M]ountainside          [Down] to Third Level

To any onlookers on the beach far below, it'd certainly look as if the mountain was alive with fire once more. To the beasts drawn to the crater, though, the source of the glowing light is apparent. A large, crackling bonfire has been started in the center of the crater, sending up dancing sparks and annihilating the air's unwelcome winter chill. Inside the mountain, the cooks have been busy. All around, small tables have been set, stacked high with all manner of hot food and tasty treats.

Rahier himself stands next to one of these tables, watching the bustling kitchen staff as they diligently bring up more food, gaze expectant. Some hares have gathered around the edge of the bonfire, talking quietly, or just sitting. The healer's eyes travel to the entryway- beasts are still filing on in.

Emerging from the entryway, Triss scampers off to the side to let others come up to the crater. Giving a quick look around to see the occupants and the array of food, she scurries to the opposite side of the bonfire to enjoy its warmth and a view of the sea.

As ever the one that has changed since his first proper war, Jarril keeps to someplace that is relatively quiet on the farthest side of the crater.  Sitting on a rock, he scans the area filling in and only gives the occasional nod here and there for the time being.  With his uniform more polished than usual, he slowly lifts a paw, adjusts his eye patch and continues to watch.

John tramps melancholily upwards towards the crater and steps away from the entrance, whiskers drooping and eyes downcast.

A feast? Well certainly, no one directly invited her, but Farren isn't about to miss a shot at such large quantities of food. She hobbles eagerly up the stairs, following a pair of leverets and one of the cooks. Yeah. She'll just blend right in here, right?

Bludstripe makes his way slowly through the door, a thick red cloak hangs on his shoulders, hood down, and a smile on his features as he makes his way to stone he normally sat upon when he came up here for thought. He turned the other way this time, and watched his hares having their fun. A good day has begun, and each and everyone deserved it. "That food smells delicious..." He murmurs to himself as he eyes a the desert table.

Leaning back lazily against a rock, Sundew smothers a yawn as she glances over the spread and then fondly over the hares waiting in eagerly to get started. Upon noticing Bludstripe's entrance, she turns to him, gesturing to the tables. "Looks good, don't it sah?"

John glances at Farren with not much apparent interest. He stands stock still next to the entrance, not even glancing at the tucker-laden table. Amazing.

Well, Farren's not the only one to miss a feast, and Keita's most certainly not one to miss a chance to 'advertise'. Walking up the steps to the crater with two bucks following behind, each with a barrel of her special brew in their arms, which they set where the tavern owner directs. Then, leaning against it, she smiles widely to anyone who passes, with the appropriate, "Hullo, there" as a greeting. Hee.

Bludstripe nods, the smile still splitting his features. "Oh aye. But I'll let you hares tuck in first. The only beast on this mountain that can put away pudding faster than you hares is myself." He chuckles softly and sighs happily.

Meanwhile, Zoe's already positioned herself near the tuck tables, every now and then gesturing a cook here and there. Always does have to be in the mix of things, she does. "'Ey, Bluddy ole pal! Nice weather we're havin', eh?" She grins, with a wink, and plucks a slice of bread from a tray as it is carried past her, and promptly takes a bite.

Sundew smiling at the Badger Lord's comment, Sundew rests her gaze on a few of the younger bucks, and shrugs. "Aye, but I d'no Sah..there's always a few cocky young 'uns think they can out-eat anyone.." She laughs softly. "But then, they probably could, with a few exceptions." She turns, still smiling, and winks at Bludstripe.

Farren wrings her paws together. She doesn't understand the concept of manners. As her first attempt to snag, not one of the hot rolls, but the entire plate, is met with looks of extreme disapproval, she pulls her paw back and does her best not to look as though she might well jump out of her fur at the sight of so much sustenance. Nrrg. She's impatient and hungry. The marten forces herself to take only three rolls, and her next attempt to put her paw right into a pudding is likewise halted, causing her to resort to the slower method of spooning it. Bah.

Bludstripe gives a wave to Zoe, "Hey Zoe, make sure they leave summat for me. I forgot how many beasts we had bottled up in this rock." He laughs and turns his gaze back to Sunny. "Well let them think what they will. A bellyache and a broken ego is all they'll get from facing off with Bluddy, destroyer of all things tasty."

Rahier grins, despite himself, as the multitude of familiar faces shuffles past. Quite the turnout. The healer clears his throat, clapping his paws together. "Welcome, everybeast!" Casting a look left, and then right, to all the creatures gathered around the bonfire, he continues. "S'been near two months since the corsairs've gone. Hasn't been easy, but we're all here, t'gether. I figure, that's cause t'celebrate.." He grins again, and gestures at the table behind him, "An', o'course, get stuffed!"

After moving a bit too far from the fire, Triss returns to the circle of its warmth, wadering around its perimeter and looking for those she knows. A tray of vegetables is carried past her, and she plucks a few items from it, happily munching on a celery stick as she spots Zoe. "'Lo, Zoe..." she greets, also looking up to Blud as well. "'Allo, Sah."

"Hurrah!" Fenrir cheers. Around a mouthful of roll.

Bludstripe roars out his approval. "Here here!" He grins and gives a nod to Triss. "We're off duty missy. Blud, or Bluddy, or Big Stripey nuisance will do just fine." He winks and goes back to looking out on the crowds.

Farren startles at Bludstripe's roar. She turns her head this way and that, and the badger lord isn't hard to spot. Oh wow. Eyebug.

Jarril takes a drink from a passing by hare who walks by with a tray but nothing else.  Taking a sip of the ale, he remains seated, quite content on staying where he is for the time being.  Moving the cup to rest on his thigh he smiles briefly to one hare but the expression vanishes deep back inside him again.

Laughing at Bludstripe's response, as well as the easy banter passing between him and Sundew, "Aye, can do, sah!" She then makes her way over towards Jarril upon spotting him, because, well, she can't -possibly- leave him to to be solemn and silent, can she? "'Ey, cous-!" And it starts out as quite the roar, but it stops short at Triss' greeting, and she pauses to nod a greeting, though she can't help but feel uncomfortable around Triss ever after, these days, "'Lo, Triss.. Ah, 'scuse me, wouldja?" she smiles widely and hurries on, coming up to Jarril and throwing an arm around his shoulder, "'Ey, Jarril! How're you, you ole hare thingy?"

Triss grins. "I rather like 'Big Stripey nuisance', m'self..." she chucles, picking up a small cup of water as it passes by on a tray. Giving a nod to Zoe's departure, Tris takes up a leaning pot on a half-empty table.

Jarril looks and gives a slight smile back at Zoe.  "'ello cousin.  Enjoying y'self?"  He looks about and takes another sip of his ale.  "So where's the young 'un?"

Grinning a bit at Blud's roar and Farren's rather obvious startle, Keita idles over to the marten and pauses just behind and to the right of her. "Usually? I remind folks that 'e doesn't bite, but.. in yer case he migh' just make an exception, so I'd stay out o' his way, eh?" She quirks a brow, with a somewhat friendly smirk twitching up her lips. "'M Keita. An' you?"

Rahier snickers. "Well. Dig in, those o'you who haven't already! Cooks've made a blinkin' mountain's worth o' tuck. Wouldn't want t'disappoint 'em, aye? Leave no scone unturned!" With that said, he turns and relieves the table of some of its scrumptious load. Mm. ;p

Bludstripe spots the marten, narrowing his eyes a bit and quirking a brow. He smirks then and nods his approval, as he snags a passing server on her way back to the kitchens. "Can you fetch me one of my tankards with some ale in it Miss? Thank you kindly." She smiles and scampers off. Ah, the joys of leadership.

Farren is still staring at Bludstripe. "Bloody 'ell," she says in an awestruck voice, which seems to contain more admiration than fear--although there are healthy doses of each. "No wonder they be callin' 'im a badger lord. 'E coul' make trees weep 'n shame." She looks back at Keita with a cheerful grin. Hey, there isn't anything that's going to spoil her mood when there is this much food to be had. "I'll keep meself out o' bitin' range, in that case. There wouldn' be 'nough o' me left t'bury." She taps her chest. "Name's Farren."

Triss Leaves her place against the table and takes up a place next to Bluddy. "Oi. Off duty, eh?" she smirks. "Sendin' folk aftah y'tankard!" she grins heartily. "Wot, our tablespoon size mugs aren't good 'nough fer ya?" she holds up her cup of water, not even as big as Blud's paw.

"The little 'un's stayin' out o' reach of the fire, if'n I can do anythin' about it.." Zoe offers Jarril a grin and another pat to his shoulder before looking out over the fire and the feast, "Might bring Miette up aftah things die down a bit, though.. Mayhaps, mahyaps." She coughs innocently. "She misses her 'uncle Jarril', aftah all."

Bludstripe shrugs, "I plan on getting a bit tipsy, playing some games with the gang, and passing out in my bed with a big stupid grin on my face. If I used your cups I'd take me a season to carry out my plan." He leans back and crosses his arms over his chest. "It feels good to be outside... Been couped up in my room for far too long. After effects of being reckless."

"Pleasure t' meetcha, Farren. Ya ought t' stop by my tavern sometime, down Halyard way.. But! In the meantime, I'd recommend enjoyin' the tuck here, eh?" She picks a couple of empty mugs off of a table and presently fills them with her 'special brew' and hands one to Farren, "Enjoy the part, wot?" And she's off, having spied Rahier in all the chaos. "Rah! 'Ey, Rah!" Tch. Who'd you think the other mug was for? Herself? Never!

Jarril shrugs and looks up to where Zoe is standing, letting a ear flop down.  "Sorry, I've been kindah busy as of late.  Work, training."  He sounds a bit more glum when the next part comes out.  "Paperwork and reports ta read."  Drinking the whole mug of ale, the major wipes his muzzle on the sleeve of his uniform.  "Speaking of which, I should really try and catch up.  Behind as it is with it, doncha know.  Don't want Sundew complaining, wot."

"Aye, you 'ave been in that room fer a long while..." Triss comments. "'Aven't seen ya since you went in." She looks off towards the fire, then back to the crater entryway, obviously looking for someone she doesn't expect to show up by the look on her face. "Well, y'certainly look 'live an' kickin' t'me, Big Stripey Nuisance," she grins.

Sundew grins at Bludstripe. "Hear, hear! Sounds like a jolly good plan if I ever heard one.." Seating herself somewhere nearby, she shows no hesitation on piling her plate high with food, lost to the world as she digs in. In between mouthfuls, she chatters to anyone who'll listen- "S'good grub, this.. I allus said you should never hold back, doing food justice, wot!" She hears Jarril's comment from his position a few feet away from her, but, too absorbed in her meal, she does nothing, save for a reassuring grin to her Major.

Waggling a finger at Jarril, Zoe shakes her head, "No you don't.. You're goin' t' stay here 'n' enjoy yerself fer at least one hour if'n I have t' get an express command from the Badger Lord 'imself." She smirks, but not unkindly. "Tha' understood?"

Farren gets a mug of alcohol shoved into her paws. Whoo! She takes a long, deep swallow from it, and looks as though she might suddenly pass out. "...wow." Strong stuff. She situates the mug in one paw, the plate in the other, and finding her conversation gone, she grins and begins weaving her way toward Bludstripe. Hey, she's just got to see him closer.

Rahier has one roll in each paw, and he's taking alternating bites. Efficiency! "Mmf?" The healer perks as he's called to, quickly demolishing the last of his rolls. Can't talk, gotta swallow first. :P "Keita!" A wide, toothy grin spreads across the healer's features, and he makes to move towards the doe through the bustle. "Fancy seein' you, here. How goes?"

Bludstripe's muzzle is stuck in his tankard, but it doesn't stop him from nodding to Zoe, and bubbling an order at Jarril. "Shibbl righ. onbub houah." He spots the marten making her merry weaving way towards him, and finishes his draught, making the foam from his whiskers.

"Goes well, mate! Jus' thought I'd head on up fer a visit.. Rory opted t' stay back, unfortunately, but... well, can't have it all, righ'?" She grins a bit, slaps him on the back with one paw, and thrusts the mug towards him with the other, "Drink up! 'Tis time t' get righ' 'n' smashed, dincha know?"

Jarril nods slowly and looking down, the major's paw slips into one of his pockets and pulling out a slightly torn folded up piece of paper, he begins to unfold it and hands it over.  "I got this from some squirrel while on patrol, just after that battle with the corsairs."  The major stops and sighs.  "It was written by one of the survivors.  I knew who he was.  Redflash, nothing could get at him, he's too bally well fast for any arrah ta hit."  Looking at Zoe's eyes now.  "Tell me why I should celebrate when my family was massacred?"  Taking the piece of paper back, the major folds up the note again and stuffing it in his pocket.

Farren grins broadly as she approaches Bludstripe, looking not a little nervous. "Ahem. Err...hallo there...err...sah." Her ears perk, and she takes another long draught from the mug Keita gave her. Whoo...that gives her a little more courage. She takes one more hobbling step closer. "You're lookin'...large."

Bludstripe laughs, and nods. "Not just lookin' missy. And save the sah business for when I'm in a bad mood. Bludstripe, Blud, or Bluddy." He offers a massive paw, the other still gripping his bucket of a tankard.

Looking down and reading it silently, Zoe glances up with solemn eyes. "Why didn't ya say anythin', Jar..? Could've.. taken some time off, or... somethin'." Her lips twitch in an uncertain frown and she reaches out a consoling paw for his shoulder, "But, look.. it can't hurt t', you know, have somethin' t' eat, righ'? I know grief, and food's a good way t' damp it down a bit.." She quirks a brow, "Drink's bettah for it, but, well.. not always the best idea, that." She coughs lightly, and gives his shoulder a final squeeze before releasing. "Jus' stay, fer an hour, a'right? It'll do ya good t' be 'round friendly faces, eh?"

Soleil clambers up through the crater entrance, a late comer to the festivities. Her eyes widen as she sees all the creatures crowded into the mountain top and she pauses for a moment, wondering where to go. Sliding along the edge of the crowd to a less populated space, she stands on tip-toes looking for a familiar face to ally herself with in conversation.

Rahier laughs. "Ah, should've liked t'see Rory. Oh, well." But, hey! Alcohol! "Brilliant! Y'my favorite barhare f'a reason, y'know." Hehehe. The healer takes the proffered mug into his paws, and takes a quick draught. His eyes widen, in an appreciative fashion. Mm! "Strong stuff. Good stuff!" Indeed, he takes another drink, before grinning at Keita. Who else brings him booze? ;p

Farren sets her plate down hastily. She doesn't so much as take his paw as allow her own to get swallowed up in it. "Fine t'meetcha, Blud. M'name's Farren. And I've got t'say I ain't never seen such a massive, fine lookin' beast such as yerself in such a large mountain sort fortress as this, with such masses o' good food'n'drink, and I rather think I'm a bit out o' my league..." Babble.

Jarril nods and smiles slightly.  "Well, thanks.  That's why I did come up here and not go off again on another patrol."  He pauses.  "And there wasn't anything ta do about it.  They left, ship.  Ya know the north is riddled with raiding parties as is anywhere near the sea."  Getting up the major bites his lower lip.  "Plus I didn't want ta worry anyone."

Bludstripe chuckles and releases her paw. "Should should try adding periods to your speaking. Gives you time to breathe. Anywho, relax and enjoy the mountain's hospitatlity. I won't hurt you, Badger Lord's honor." He grins and takes another deep drink from his mug.

No one! Because Keita is the Bestest Barhare in the World, haha! And, quickly realizing that she is without the 'strong stuff', the doe hurries off to right that, but quickly returns to Rahier's side with a wide grin as she downs a bit of her drink. "Made especially fer the feast.. Think I might have t' offah some t' yer Badgy Lord.." Because then she can -honestly- say that the Badger Lord of Salamandastron drinks her brew, and, well, that's good for business, isn't it? Ohh, you sly little fox, you.

Farren picks up her plate again. She's grinning like an absolute fool, for which the drink is partly responsible, but also Bludstripe's words. "Right kind o' ye, Sah, I mean, Blud. T'would be a shame t'be chopped in two when there's still so much tuck aroun'."

Nodding in understanding, Zoe returns the smile with a subdued one of her own - given the topic of conversation. "Well, glad that ya decided t' come.. But, aye, I know what the sea's like, 'n' the area 'round it... Righ' terrible place t' live, sometimes, 'n' near impossible t' defend.. 'm' sure yer family fought valiantly."

Jarril nods slowly with a grin at Zoe.  "'le colonel took a score before he fell."  Looking at Zoe now, the eyes showing some pleading to change the subject.  Managing to get out a few words.  "So where's the best stuff then?"  The major trying to get in the mood, if only for show.

Bludstripe nods his agrrement, and stifles a burp. "Oh yes, far too much to let go to waste." He does a mental calculation and nods, "About time I tucked in. I think I gave those hares plenty of time don't you Farren?"

Rahier catches Soleil's entrance at the edge of his vision. Grinning, he tosses a wave to the doe, before looking back to Keita. "S'good stuff." An affirming nod, and a sip. "He'd prob'ly like it." His gaze travels over to Blud, and.. Farren. Well, that's amusing. "Say. Y'know what'd be good? Some music." A glance to the barhare. "Y'think?"

Taking the hint, Zoe grabs Jarril by the forearm and charitably drags him off towards one of the main tables, "Aye, well, s'far as I c'n tell, -this- is.." And she gestures expansively towards the table, piled high with everything imaginable. "Dig in, eh? I'll stop talkin' yer ears off 'long enough t' let ya grab somethin', I will."

Farren nods enthusiastically. "Well I've jus' been nibblin' meself. Wouldn' be mannerly t'hog it all." Hah. Seeing as she's already emptied most of her rather filled plate. "You go righ' at it, sah Blud."

Jarril blinks and is lifted up and dragged over by the colonel before sitting down at the other hares busy'ing over eating, singing, telling tales or jokes.  Moving his gaze down to the food, the majors paw takes over and picks up a pastie, instantly going into his mouth.  Midway through eating.  "Oh and just."  Chew, "Are you going ta talk about, cousin?"

Bludstripe pats her shoulder as gently as he can as trods off to a table. He takes a spot between two young hares, shouldering either over a bit playfully, and grinning like a dibbun. "Watch a pro fellas." And he's off. First its a pie, and then a few tarts, a small salad, and then a cake feels the wrath of his hunger, all this washed down with his big jug of ale.

"Oh, 'tis music ya want, is it? Well, doncha know? I remembered t' bring m' baby along wit' me.." And, hurrying off, she returns soon enough with a fiddle and bow in paw before calling out to the crowd. "'Ey, everyone! Care fer a bit o' entertainment? Rah? Any requests?" And suddenly she's joined on the right by a squirrel toating a lute, and another with a flute, and she grins widely, "A regular ole band, is it? A'right, then."

Thump, thump. Farren nearly falls over. She regains her balance and hobbles after Bludstripe, taking a spot somewhat down near the end of the same table. Then she empties her tankard and begins gobbling in a manner to put most hares to shame.

Chuckling at Farren's enthusiastic conversation and the replies ever so typical of Bludstripe, Sundew leans back in her seat, taking a break from the food. (Can you believe?) Sighing gently, she props her chin on her paw and watches the conversations made between mouthfuls, or aimiably over a cup of ale, and she zones out for a minute, the noise and chatter slowly revolving around her as she stares blankly into space.

Soleil grins and waves back at Rahier, but doesn't make any move to enter the main crowd just yet. Instead she spots the food table and wriggles her way through until its right before her. A platter sized plate is piled high with pastries, scones, and other yummy sticky goodies. She turns and searches for a place to take her food. Seeing Farren she waves and disappears into the crowd moving that direction.

Moving off towards the fire, Triss sips at her water, staring into the flames...lost in space.

"Why, I plan t' talk about why evah ya haven't found yerself a gel, yet, deah cousin." Zoe smiles widely at Jarril, and gestures around to the many young and available does wandering about, "Really now, ya ought t' ask one o' them t' dance!" She gazes across the crowd, spying Keita and the fiddle, "Looks like we're goin' t' have a bit o' music soon, even." She hmms. "Ask Colonel Sundew! Sure she'd love t' dance." Oh, yes. Zoe's ever so innocent.

Windpaw peers out into the rabble, pawing at his eyes. "Oi... No one woke me up f'the tucker... Bloody 'ell Bludstripe 'as already started diggin' in." He fully wakes up at the thought of missing out on food and bounds off to find himself some grub. "Oi! Bluddybritches! Save some for those of us who only have one stomach eh?" He laughs and begins his own campaign on the food menace.

Jarril splutters out some of his salad and looks at Zoe.  "Oh I couldn't.  I mean, I ain't exactly danced before."  Looking back at the table, the major grins and spots a huge slice of pie and takes it.  "Besides I am busy eating, cousin.  Food first, wot."

Rahier blinks at the sudden impromptu band, before hrming. Nothing title-wise springs to mind, so, "Somethin' merry. Y'know. Dancin' music?" Hehe. Paralleling Zoe's suggestion, he turns to the crowd. "Hoy, everybeast! This find group o' creatures is gonna be playin' some music. If y'ain't stuffed t'th'gills with tuck, y'might fancy some dancin' an' revelry!"

Bludstripe chuckles, "Go burry yourself in a pudding and leave me alone flopear." He snickers, and actually does take a rest on the food. He may eat like he has two stomachs, but only one is there, and its getting a bit full.

Hesitantly climbing up the passageway to the crater, Lain peers into the crowded space, feeling her stomach lurch with a certain fear. Catching sight of first Soleil, then Rah, then... Frowning as she catches a glimpse of the hare-staring-fire through the bustling of creatures, she slowly edges towards the major, trying to avoid all confrontation with others as possible in her attempt to reach Triss. "...?" she touches the forearm of the major, peering questioningly up.

The prospect of music snaps Triss out of her staring and she turns to the band. "Hmm..." she mutters, moving off to the side as somebeasts begin to make a bit of space for dancing.

Farren has her nose half buried in a full vegetable pie. Even so, she spots Soleil's wave, and she scoots to one side, making room. Not a difficult thing, as the surrounding hares have given her a decent berth.

The prospect of music snaps Triss out of her staring and she turns to the band. "Hmm..." she mutters, moving off to the side as somebeasts begin to make a bit of space for dancing. The tap on her forearm completely startles Triss out of her skin, the water she was drinking ending up down her front. A chuckle escapes her, though, and she smiles down at Lain. "Oh...'ello, dear," she says, handing Lain a piece of celery. "Come t'join the festivities?

Windpaw plops down next to Farren and grins broadly. "Hows the vittles? I always know to ask the beast that everyone slides away from, most likely 'cause they'll lose a paw." He winks and pulls a bowl filled with a steaming apple cobbler toward himself. "Anywhichway, I'm Windpaw Formellius Darenno, but y'can call me Windy." He offers a taped up paw to the marten along with a half cocked grin.

"Merry, is it? A'right, then.." Grinning conspiratorially, Keita leans in to whisper to the other two and, with a final nod, she turns to face everyone and begins tapping out a beat with her foot as she prepares to play, "A one an' a two an' a three!" And they're off, with a jaunty tune, perfect for a bit of lively cavorting and dancing about.

Soleil plops herself down next to the marten and slides her mountainous plate onto the table in front of her. "Mph, s'chood! Y'got schome yet?" crumbs sprinkle as she tries to converse with a full mouth.

"Ahh, yer not gettin' off -tha'- easily... Colonel Sundew! Sunny! SUN!" Calling out and waving a paw over the crowd ni the direction of the other officer, Zoe grins innocently, "Jarril wants t' DANCE with ya.. get yer bushy tail on OVAH here, wouldja?" And she steps back, just out of smacking distance. And she avoids looking anywhere in Jarril's direction, to remain out of -glaring- distance. :D

Offering a weak smile at Triss' wet tunic, Lain quickly glances around at the seemingly larger crowd before shaking her head to Triss' question. Grasping the major's wrist gently as she shyly moves around her, an anxious eye on the creatures in the crater, she gives a slight shrug as she looks around at the creatures present. "You seemed lonely," she murmurs softly, barely heard in all the noise, as she grimaces at Zoe's bizarre actions.

Farren finds herself with a talkative hare on either side. She licks gravy from her nose and shakes Windpaw's offered digits firmly. "That's a twister o' a name and no mistake. Ye can call me Farren, I ain't got no others repeatable in respectable company." She nods toward her plate. "Oh, an' I've gone right and died now, m'sure of it. I jus' don't know what I did fer such a loverly afterlife." She nods at Soleil. "Some." Heheheh.

Jarril giving his eye a roll, the major mutters something.  "Thank you so much, cousin...."  Taking a deep breath, the major gives Zoe a playful shove with his elbow.  "Alright then, time ta make a fool of m'self."

Windpaw's ears perk as he hears a familiar voice, and as he looks towards it he sees it's paired with a familiar face. He smiles and gives a waves a paw to her. Sure he hadn;t spoken with her in months, but thats no reason not to be friendly eh? He gives her a rougish wink and resumes eating.

"Nah...not lonely, just by m'self," she replies, also giing an odd but amused look to Zoe. ""m suprised y'showed up...y'usually don't go good with large crowds..." A smile creases Triss as the music pipes up, hares beginning to dance.

Bludstripe toddles back, tankard empty and belly full, to a seat next to Zoe. "Mmmmmm MMM! Good tucker, and a fine brew, although I seem to be out." His ears droop a bit comically as he snickers and shakes the empty tankard out upside down.

Snickering at the playful shove and mock-rubbing at her arms, Zoe spies the wave from Windpaw and returns it with a wide grin, because, well, she's in a good mood, whether she's not spoken to him in months or not. "'Ey, Windypaw!" But then, well, there's a badger sitting next to her, so she turns her attention to him with a nod, "Aye, good tuck, that's fer certain.. Good music, too, eh? M' eldest sure does have a knack." And isn't it odd to hear 'eldest' from Zoe? Hee. "And how're you doin', ole friend?"

Jarril stays where he is and hopes that Sundew did not hear Zoe shout out, as he picks up some more scones and munches away, the hare not eating well for the past week or so and making up for lost time.  Stopping only briefly to take a sip of ale, the hare goes off again at full pelt, emptying a plate within a minute or two.

Kail has escaped again! The dibbun has finished his nap, and his li'l belly is telling him he wants food. But why is there almost nobeast in the mountain? The squirrel is close to tears as he enters the crater, to suddenly find everyone, as well as music, and food! :P He toddles over to the fire, seemingly entranced by it, until he spots the food. He reaches up, trying unsuccessfully to get something from the taller structure, starting to get a little upset. "Daddy!" he calls into the throng of hares. It's also noticeable now that his dibbunish accent has a very slight touch of hare accent to it.

Aaaand.. Keita keeps on playing, though the music suddenly shifts, speeding up to an even jauntier pace, more inclined for the dancing of younger beasts than older, really, but then again, Keita, being young, isn't really one to consider the aches and pains of the elder lot.

"My plan is working out perfectly. Soon I shall be inebriated enough to get on the dance floor, and make a full of myself and no be able to remember tomorrow." Bludstripe says with a laugh, catching the little exchange between Zoe and Wind, but ignoring it for the time being, a smile lighting up his features like a beacon.

Windpaw shouts out over the crowd, "I want the first dance Zoe!" He laughs and takes a deep drink from a stein nearby, ignoring the younger hare who shouts something about that being his. "'ey we're all family here. Share and share alike righ'?" He smirks and gets up, stretching a bit.

Rahier shuffles along, moving quite jauntily to the music. One paw grips the mug, and his gesturing means that at least some of it ends up slopping over onto the stone below. But he doesn't care. Cha-cha-cha! ;P Kail's call cuts distinctly through the hubbub, and he redirects his course to take him towards the little squirrel. Not losing pace in his 'dancing', Rahier scoops up the squirrel with his free arm. "Heya, Kail! Come t'th'party?" Grin.

Casting a shy smile to the side at Triss' comment, Lain gives a slight shrug. "Crowds are the last place anyone would try t'do anythin' t'you," she replies almost ambiguously, but her implication is evident. "Oh..." she brightens, rummaging in her pocket for something. "Mean t'give this t'you earlier but..." she reveals a small figurine of a hare holding a javelin at ready with a small smile. "Here," she says holding it out for Triss to take. "Rah made it..." she adds.

Moving a huge spoonful mountain of trifle, the major plumps it down into his bowl and goes takes another big huge mountain full of the sweet stuff and watches it fall down.  Right away the spoon jabs in as Jarril starts to consume as his usual rate of speed, no letting down whatsoever for a runner of his age.

Kail rubs his belly as he's scooped up by Rahier. "Daddy!" he repeats again, now definitely sounding like a happy haredibbun rather than squirreldibbun. "Scone!" he requests, saying it properly. "Scone, wot!"

Soleil laughs as she swallows her bit of food. "I'd say ye'd had more than some," she jokes with Farren nodding to the empty plate. Popping another tart in her mouth she turns around to better watch the dancing. Ahh, a nice fire, good music, and great food. Her eye crinkle with happiness as she watches the beasts twirling on the dance floor. She spots Rahier dancing with Kail in his arms and her grin grows even wider.

"Ahh, but ya should -always- be able t' remembah a wonderful party the next day, Bluddy! Tch, if yer not careful you'll start t' get a reputation as not bein' able t' hold yer drink, if'n ya can't even remembah anythin'.." A wide-eyed, innocent, mischievous, and mostly evil grin surfaces, but she's distracted from the badger by Windpaw's call, "'M -certainly- not drunk enough for dancin', doncha know? Only make a fool of m'self when -I- know I won't remembah it the next day." She winks.

Blinking at Lain's reasoning, Triss blinks yet again when she's handed the figurine. "Rah made it, really?" she examines the little model, smiling at the accuracy and skill of the work. "Its beautiful..." she comments, smiling a bit at the relevance of the javelin. A unidentified look passes over her face before she returns her eyes to Lain. "Thank you," she says with a smile.

Jarril scrapes the spoon at the empty bowl and licks it clean before taking a huge slice of cheese, still content in just eating himself until he has to be rolled into the infirmary or bed.

Bludstripe laughs, "What I have already put away would put you light weights under the table." He shakes his head and coughs once, "But anyway. More of the drink, and then work it off on the dance floor."

Farren does nothing more but grin and continue eating. She doesn't understand why there are actually beasts getting up from the table. Dancing? Bah. Food is what she's here for.

"Scone, wot?" Rahier questions back, laughing appreciatively. "Well, I think we can handle that, aye?" The healer 'dances' over towards the nearest table, where the majority of everyone else is gathered. A shift, and he plops Kail down onto the chair, pulling over a basketful of the scones in question. "Scones!" Grin. ;p The hare takes another drink from his mug, looking down the table.

Jarril looks to Blud and shakes his head.  "I ain't finished eating yet, sah."  Moving to taking another few slices of pie and piling up his plate once more to mountain size portions.

Windpaw gets up from the table and plops down between Zoe and Blud. Well maybe not so much plopping as asking Blud to shift his girth a bit so he could have a chatter. "Well Zoe, if you won't dance then I'll just settle over here and bother you." He grins largely, and tilts his head. "How've you been?"

The squirreldibbun claps his paws delightedly, and picks up a scone in both paws. "Scone!" he announces to all creatures in the vicinity, before taking a bite. "Wot!" he says with a full mouth.

Elbowing Jarril in the side, Zoe smirks, "'Ey, stop eatin', or ya won't be able t' glide about properly on those twinkle toes o' yers." Snicker-snicker. She then looks to Blud, "Aye, well, I know ya c'n drink -me- undah the table.. Not too difficult a task, as ya well know."

The words take a while to sink in Sundew's brain. Snapping out of her daze, she looks up, laughing as she spots Zoe waving at her. "Dance? With a thing like me, wot? Not bloomin' likely!" she calls back, "I think it was more like you want him to get up off his tail 'n' I'm the one most likely to make 'im.." Chuckling softly to herself, she shakes her head and moves over to the two cousins, clapping Jarril on the back and grinning at Zoey. "What's this, eh, Jarril, won't dance, hmm?"

After another song or two, Keita thankfully hands over her precious fiddle to another creature, who fills in for her nicely and, retrieving her mug, she searches Rahier out and grins at the little squirreldibbun, "Well, hullo there, 'n' how're you? Enjoyin' Rah here's company, aye?" Sip-sip. Ahhh, it burns aaaall the way down, just the way she likes it.

Jarril coughs and swallows his food down before looking back to the two female hares.  "Oh ya know what Zoe's like?"  He reaches over and swats a paw from trying to take his food while his back is turned.  "Come on, I ain't that dumb, wot."  Taking the pie and eating it rapidly.

Ahem. Zoe stomps down 'gently' on Jarril's foot and attempts to push Jarril towards Sundew, "C'mon, then, dance a'ready, wouldja? 'Tis eithah that or I'll have t' go out there 'n' make ya dance, Jarril, 'n' me with m' bad leg 'n' all.. Heartless, ye are, simply heartless." Beam.

Windpaw realizes that Zoe is a bit preoccupied, and decides to wait his turn all gentlebeast like. He sits back and sighs happily.

Sundew shakes her head at the poor Major. "And you'd do that to a poor cousin? You ain't the hare I thought you were, Jarril! Only tryin' to cheer you up and all, wot!" She plonks herself down next to Zoe, with a wink.

Jarril shakes his head and reaches over for that last scone, doing tug of war with Zoe until he grabs it and then allows himself to be pushed into Sundew.  The scone already gone before facing her.  "Well, shall we?"  Holding out a paw and a slight bow.  "Nah, I wouldn't hurt a hair on my counsin, just playing around, wot."

Kail looks up at Keita, waving belatedly. At the mention of Rahier, he points to said hare, as though Keita couldn't find him. "Daddy!" he says, proudly.

"'Course he is. Too much tuck t'not have a good time. 'Scones,' y'know." Rahier laughs, ending with another trip to the mug, near finishing his drink. Yum. The healer turns, looking from Kail to Keita, setting his mug and its near-empty contents on the table. "Say, Keita," he questions, slyly, "How's 'bout a dance, eh?" Heh. ;p

Farren is still going at it, having abandoned conversation entirely. She's going to be absolutely immovable tomorrow with what she's putting away. The only time she pauses from eating is to take a drink from her mug.

Sundew returns the bow and takes the offered paw. "Of course y'were.. both of you, jokers, y'know, two peas in a pod.. wot!" She allows herself a smile, leading Jarril away from the table. "So, my dear Jarril ole pal.. " she begins, pleasant a manner as ever, "Still feel under the weather, eh?"

Smirk. Keita sets down her mug and stands up, offering her paw to Rahier, who's still sitting. Because, well, she's -got- to be the dominant one in stuff like this, after all. "Why, Rah, always -did- know ya were partial t' me... but s'pose what Rory doesn't won't hurt 'er." Mwaha.

Watching Jarril and Sundew wander off with a pleased grin, Zoe sits herself back, propping crossed legs up on one of the now-empty chairs and relaxing. "Ahhh.. now see, Blud? That's the way t' do it. They'll be married by spring." Hee. Of course, she's joking, but what's a Salamandastron feast without boasting?

Jarril walks with Sundew and smiles.  "How could I end up under the weather when I have good food, a caring cousin and ta dance with a lovely officah such as y'self."  Jarril gives a smile, the major goes into position and leading the way, he begins to dance to the current tune playing.

Farren finally snags her plate, fills it up again, and trundles over toward Bludstripe and Zoe. Because...she and the badger lord are good buddies, right? Riiight. Amazingly, all that drink and food seems to have subdued her mood, rather than made her more cheery. Good thing too.

Bludstripe's eyelids begin to droop a bit as he stifles a yawn. "Guess I shouldn't stay away from bed so long yet." He scratches his chest, scars itching like a dickens  beneath.

Kail watches Rah and Keita go, making sure to try and remember where they're headed, before he turns back to his scones. Ooh, and look, some beast left half a mug of alcohol nearby. He sniffs it, and takes a sip, feeling his throat and belly suddenly warm up. He giggles at the feeling, and drinks some more. Bwa!

Following Jarril's lead, Sundew realises how long it has been since she has danced. "Smooth talker, eh, Major? Not a bad dancer, though," she notes. Glancing back at his 'caring cousin', she laughs out loud at Zoe's comment. "Oy, I heard that!"

Rahier takes Keita's paw and stands, grinning. "Wha', little ol' me?" The slyness remains, despite that air of affected innocence. Ha. But lead he does, leaving the table behind, over towards the 'dance floor'.. which is, mostly, just a clear spot in all the goings-on. Now, ah, hm. What to dance? :P

Jarril smiles as his glum mood billows away the same way as the smoke from the fire, drifting up and away like smoke, twirling around and giving Zoe one of those looks or was it a wink, who knows?

Waiting patiently with paws on hips for Rahier to -do- something, Keita finally gives a mock sigh of impatience, grabs hold of Rahier's paw, and pulls him into some crazy dance or other. In which she leads. Ahaha. If Rahier lets her, anyway. "Hope yer not too tipsy t' keep up, Rah m' lad."

Returning the wink or whatever it is with one of her own, Zoe turns her head towards the sleepy Bludstripe with a contented grin, "Well, if'n ya pass out, 'm' sure we'll manage t' drag ya back down t' yer chambers somehow, aye?"

Farren has by now reached the badger and the colonel. She smiles rather than grins, looking a little sleepy herself, and takes a seat without invitation. "Ello an' all that."

Sundew notes a change in the music. It's much faster, this time, and she grins slyly as she takes over and leads Jarril into a quickstep. "Sure you're able to keep up with me, eh Major?" she chuckles.

Jarril grins back as his paws move quickly in tune to the music, while grinning back. "Aye no worries there, Colonel."  The runner quite happy at this sort of pace and keeping up with Sundew's every move.

Rahier falls into step, adapting admirably to the crazy dance. Of course, he -is- somewhat less than sober, so he is rather not as coordinated as he could be. But he manages. "Keep up?" The healer grins, and moves to flourish Keita out, and draw her back in in a quick little take on the increasing pace of the song. Mwah. XD

Blink-blink. Oh. He's already asleep. Hmm. Zoe considers nudging him awake, but instead is distracted by Farren's greeting. "'Ey, there.. And how've you been, then? Enjoyin' the party, I hope?"

Farren sighs and rubs her forehead with a palm. "Col'nel, ye call this a bloomin' party? I ain't never dreamed o' such a revel, not once. There's a season's rations still piled up an' untouched."

Sundew's pace speeds up ever so slightly once more, and she nods appraisingly at her dancing partner. "Impressive, Jarril, very impressive," she states, all the while never letting herself fall behind or make one step out of time. Amazing how it all comes flooding back after so long.

Kail continues drinking the alcohol...and after a few more sips, the dibbun is already throughly drunk. c.c "Wot!" he called out to nobeast in particular. "Wot wot!"

Jarril nods his head back as he keeps up, the blood flowing quickly now as all sadness drifts out of his mind.  "And you dance so elegantly as well Sundew, considering the pace."  Taking another quick turn and a twist, the music flooding his ears as both hares keep to their fast pace style

"Well, nevah let it be said that hares don't know how t' revel, eh?" She leans over and nudges the marten almost.. playfully? What? Zoe being nice to 'vermin'? Unheard of. "Just about s'well as we figh'. Evah stopped by the boxin' chamber down in the caverns? Ya ought t'. The fights're legendary, doncha know?" She takes a sip of her ale, as she watches Jarril and Sundew 'dance'.

Farren blinks and grins at the nudge. "Well I've been hearin' lot o' stories 'bout yer fightin'. Seems ye gave those scummy corsairs a run fer their tails." She scratches an ear. "Err...whot's boxin'?"

Sundew snorts, this comment amusing her somewhat. "Elegant, that's something I ain't never been called before.. proud, 'n' something of an observer, but never elegant! Thankye, Jarril," The young Colonel finishes. After another pause, in which the dance never falters for a second, she shrugs, "'n' I won't be old for a while," she chuckles, "So dancing's never out of the question,"

Jarril gives Sundew one of his sly smirks and replies back, still keeping in step.  "But Sundew, I only speak of what I see as the truth.  Ya can't blame me for that, can ya?"

Sundew raises an eyebrow at him, and shrugs her shoulders. "I guess not," she murmurs. Nothing much she can say to that, is there? As the dance draws to a finish, she slows her pace and leads Jarril back to their seats. "I should love to dance until sunset," she declares, "However, I can't help feelin' that if I don't get some more food down me I shall perish, wot?"

Laughing at Rahier's move, Keita steps up on tiptoes and kisses him lightly on the cheek, with a grin, before whispering in his ear, "Yer a lucky catch, Rah.. Luckily for you, I don't care fer bucks, eh?" The grin changes into a smirk and she flourishes -him- and then draws -him- back in. And... -imagine that-, the music slows down, just while Sundew and Jarril are dancing... Ahaha. Ahem. Keita stops dancing, herself, and glances back over to her barrels, "Care t' get somethin' t' drink?"

Jarril nods and pours Sundew a mug of ale and hands it over.  "Here, thank ya for the dance anyways."

"Aye, and thankye too, for the dance and the ale!" Sunew returns the nod, sinking into her chair and levelling a gaze with Zoe, sipping quietly as she does so. Shaking her head at the other Colonel, she chuckles, before turning to the plate in front of her and filling it up again. Ah, contentment.

"'Course we did.. Corsairs don't last long 'round here, doncha know?" Zoe gives a decisive nod and a sober wink to Farren, taking another sip of ale, "An', well, whoever wants t' box, I s'pose. I head a boxin' club, so folks just kinda show up 'n' box, really... Though," she pauses, bring one paw into a fist, with the obligatory cracking of knuckles, "S'pose I could give ya lesson, if'n ya were interested in doin' a bit o' boxin' yerself." Ahem. See? Blud's not the only one that's big and scary. Not that Zoe's all that very big. Just, well, ah... scary?

Jarril returns back to the task of getting at the food, the dance making the major that bit more hungry than when he started.  The food piling up again at a fast pace.

Scary, yes. Except Farren takes it the wrong way. She brightens extremely at the offer. "Think ye could, Col'nel? I mean, if'n it's not too much trouble."

Rahier earned a kiss! Woo. XD The healer grins at her whispered statement, before sighing in an overly dramatic fashion. Aiming to paint the tragic picture of the comically defeated, but falling somewhere short in the moment, as he's spun away, and back. Laughing, he too slows to a stop, looking over to the barrels. "Yeah, t'would be nice."

Jarril chuckles as he looks at Zoe.  "Oh she's not that scary, but go on.  I think ya have fun, wot."

Kail actually topples from the chair, though isn't hurt. The dibbun is reduced to crawling again, and crawls through the forest of hare paws over to Rah and Keita. ;p

Jarril returns back to his pile of food, without another word being spoken.

Foiled again! Argh. Zoe's eyebrows go up in comical surprise, and her mug pauses halfway to her lips, "Ah - well, a lesson? Yer sure? Ah, well.. sure, then, I s'pose. Any time ya want." She attempts to recover, with a shrugging smile, and a glance over to Jarril, "Oh, shush, you, I'm plenty scary."

Jarril turns head around with mouth full of food.  "If ya say so, cousin."

Farren claps her paws. "Grand. Jus' grand. Thanks so much, Col'nel. I'd love t'learn from a fightin' hare o' Salamandawhatsit." She raises her mug and mutters into it, "'Specially if certain beasts show up..."

Jarril blinks and swallows his food, hearing that quite clearly being nearer.  "On who shows up?"  Turning to face the marten.

"Aye, aye - 'twould be, indeed. So, let's." And she wraps an arm around his shoulders and steers him in the proper direction, though, of course, on the way over the has to pipe up with a jaunty drinking tune. Of which the lyrics are perhaps not overly appropriate for the little Kail creature that's wandered over to their feet. "'n' they aaaaaahh..." She pauses, and takes a deep breath, "All! ... went home happy that night!" At which point she blinks, and glances down. "Oh. Ah. Hullo." She coughs, innocently.

"Aye, er.. who?" Zoe glances from Farren to Jarril, having not quite heard what the marten said, but taking her cue from Jarril's reaction well enough. "And, ah, no problem. Like I said, 'm free fer a lesson whenevah ya'd like."

Rahier is, again, led along. His shoulders, while being covered by Keita's arm, shake with laughter at the song. But he doesn't join in, rather, listening, to pick up the lyrics. It's a good one. As they pause, he blinks, before looking down to the crawling Kail. "Oy. Whatcha doin' down there? .. I left you at the table." For being 'daddy', he obviously isn't -all- that responsible. ;p

Farren shrugs and offers up another grin. "Jus' m'father is all. If he showed up 'round here, I'd want t'know how best t'mess up his face." Wink. Still, she doesn't seem entirely jovial about it. "Thanks, Col'nel."

Jarril mutters something.  "If he comes here causing trouble he end up with a arrow in his chest....."  Getting up, the major's mood changes yet again.  "If ya excuse me, I got some things to do."  Not letting Zoe get any word in, the major makes his way off again down into the mountain.

Kail makes a few little hiccups, and tries to climb up Rah's leg like it's a tree, digging claws in. Hah. XD "Wot!" he slurs happily. :P