02:35 AM
 

Salamandastron: Dining Chamber
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Salamandastron *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
This is the dining chamber for the mountain of Salamandastron.  It is a
veritable cavern, the necessity of feeding so many hares making the room
so big.  Dominating the room is a huge banquet table made of solid oak.
Nobeast knows how such a venerable object came to be here, but its
presence is undeniable.  Smaller tables skirt the outside of the room,
each sitting near a large torch burning brightly in its sconce.  The chair
at the head of the table is different from the plain maple chairs that
occupy the rest of the room - it belongs to the Badger Lord.  The massive
object is graced with a carving of the very mountain it is in, with the
sun setting over the sea.
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                  Visible Exits:
[M]ain [H]all                         [K]itchens
[O]ut

After the heavy energy zapping boxing earlier the Major is busy sitting down at one of the tables with what seems to be a meal to feed several beasts for a week.  Jarril continues to pile stuff on a slice of bread, not paying particular any notice to anything else but some slices of tomato which are carefully placed on top some lettuce.

Jarril looks to where Sorrel is and grins as he places more stuff on his sandwich.  "Aye but I lost the fight, mind ya, another day, who knows."  He grins.  "Didn't expect ta win on my first match though, wot."

Having gone out for a spot of fresh air after that boxing tourney down in the caverns, Darklett spotted Zeraph, and, after a little talk, made sure everything was in order, and recruited him! He leads him into the dining chamber on his little introductory tour, smiling as he finds hares he can introduce him to. "Ah, this is where you'll be spending a lot of your time, the dining hall... It's much more crowded than this at meal times, but you can always find somebeast in here eating something... Hey, major!" Sorrel? No greeting. Mwaha. "We've got a new recruit, here!" He steps to the side, letting Zeraph go on forward.

Zeraph looks a little..lost..to say the least, but he straightens as he is revealed to the major. "Evenin Major." He says respectfully, half bowing in greeting.

Jarril snerks at Sorrel slightly before the others have entered.  "Ah don't worry.  One day a fighah is going ta be beaten by a runner.  Mark my words on that one."  Finishing his sandwich and seeing Dark come in, the major nods to them both but goes to more important matters which apparantely is filling up his ravenous stomach.

Sorrel nearly coughs up some scone at t the surprise. She turns, nodding to the new arrival and...glaring in a mocking sort of way at dark. "An evenin' ta ye too, Dahklett, leutenant, sa."

"His name's Zeraph, sir. Wants to be a fighter, he reckons..." Darklett trails off at the end of this sentence, quite aware of Jarril's sentiments towards his kind at the moment. :P "Found him out on the beach. Oh! Hey, Sorrel, didn't even care you there. I mean, see, I mean I didn't see you there." He snorts in a quick chuckle, the verbal stabbing between the two leaning more towards fun as of recently.

Jarril gives a look at Darklett for a moment and coughs.  "Hmmm, does he now.  Well, thankfully I won't have ta worry about that one then."  The major goes back to eating, before leaning back slightly giving Zeraph a closer look.  "Hmmm, perhaps ya right.  Don't think he be able ta do the running thing."  He coughs slightly.  "Anyways, grab some food and sit down."

Zeraph looks confused at the major's comments and glances down at his legs, shifting them about and having done much running in his life can't figure out what Jarril means by this. Doesn't ask though.

Zeraph is soon found grabbing his footpaw and holding it up to see if it is too big compared to his head, though.

Darklett snickers. "Yes, really a shame, isn't it?" He rolls his eyes towards Zeraph once he thinks the major isn't looking... And... the new recruit is... holding his footpaw to his head. "...Ahem. Yes, as Major Jarril said, go ahead and grab a plate of food." He points over his shoulder to a buffet that is set up. "Serve yourself, hope you like scoff."

Zeraph cannot be said to not be limber, that's a fact. But loses balance at the mention of scoff. Grins up at Darklett. "Yes sir!" Stands and goes to get him some.

Darklett watches Zeraph go off to the buffet, and chuckles, dragging out a chair and sitting down in the general vicinity of the major. "Have you seen Buckthorn, sir? He never paid up from the little wager we made... What about Thistle? She was really tough, then... Too many fighters get a little scratch and whine about it for seasons on end."

Jarril looks at Zeraph and shakes his head slightly before looking at Darklett.  "As for ya, sit down.  I want words about before."  The major looks at Zeraph again and rolls his eyes now.  "Yep, definately a fighter or a healer...."  He coughs.  "Now, about before.  Ya were saying about me and Northpaw?"  The major gives a slight frown, waving his pasty about.  "I make this quite clear for ya.  It was my first fight, ya put money on me, I lost on my own choosing as I rather have the only eye I have than lose both and I am not going ta lose that in some boxing match.  War yes, but a boxing match, no.  You be remembered to remember that the next time ya put money on me, lose it and get annoyed because of that, wot."

Jarril looks at Zeraph for a moment.  "Ya sure he be okay in the patrol?"  Listening to Darklett's comments, he nodded.  "Ah, well.  One day a fighter is going ta lose.  Mark my words on that one."

Zeraph returns after a while with a plate heaping with food. Setting it down. Pauses and wonders if he needs permission to sit.

Darklett sticks his tongue between his front teeth and his upper lip. "He seemed enthusiastic enough. He's a recruit," he mumbles out of the corner of his mouth so Zeraph wouldn't hear. "Almost all the recruits act like this at first. He'll probably do it again when he first gets his uniform..." He stops talking as Zeraph returns and sets his plate down, looking up to Zeraph as he just... stands there? "You gonna sit and eat, or just stand there and look at the food?"

Zeraph folds his ears over his eyes and sits, hunkered there and feeling totally retarded. "I'm sorry sir." Used to possibly getting his head thunked.

Jarril chuckles a bit. "Ya don't need permission ta sit unless we have a badger lord who has ta sitr down first."  He continues to eat again.  "Ah well, he learn when the main group of the patrol come in and steal his food while he stands there, wot."

Darklett chuckles. "Ah, yeah, he'll learn the ways of the mountain quick enough," he agrees. "But you can't tell me you weren't a little overexcited during your first days as a patroller, can you, sir?" He laughs, thinking back. "I know I was..."

Zeraph lifts an ear to look at the major and smiles, perking them both up now. Begins eating.

Zeraph room-pages, "Now ye see! Why didn't I join you guys a long time ago! This is some of the best rp I've ever had!".

Jarril ponders on that one.  "Actually I was only here for like two days and then had ta go off ta Mossflower after they had a er."  The major ponders for a moment.  "Earth movement thing.  That took a season so by the time I got back, I was mature and then got promoted."

"Ah... Well, I guess I'm in the same boat with you, then." Darklett smirks. "I had to go help out with the abbey wall being rebuilt, only I had been here just a little longer. Took a while to take in all of the mountain, and such... Well, you know all about that, you were there." He chuckles, turning to Zeraph as he begins to dig in. "I'll see what I can do about getting you your uniform tomorrow."

Zeraph nods but doesn't even try to speak. However his ears bow for him in a respectful thank you sir gesture. He hasn't eaten good food in a while.

Jarril doesn't say much for the time being.  "Ah yes, then make that going ta Mossflower twice then.  CAn't say I have been here much ta be honest."

Darklett looks at Zeraph for a few seconds, turning to Jarril. "Well, looks like he's enjoying himself." He scratches an itch on his opposite paw a few times, before folding one paw over the other. "Heh, I don't know whether to envy or pity you."

Zeraph is still just eating.

Jarril gives a slight look at Darklett slightly.  "What do ya mean exactly?  Envy or pity?"  The major taking a swig from his tankard.

Darklett shrugs. "Well, on one paw, you're not cooped up in one place all the time. That's why I might envy you. On the other paw, this big old lump of rock is one heck of a home, and time away from it couldn't have been the same. So, pity."

Jarril grins as he places the tankard down on the table.  "Ah, well.  I am ordered ta where-ever I am order ta.  If it means I am ta leave here and never come back, then I never come back.  Comes with the job."  He looks at Zeraph.  "That and ya get a different frame of mind once ya been through a war, wot."

Zeraph swallows some food and looks up with big eyed wonder because he felt the major's eyes at that last comment.

Darklett glances to his paws, which begin to work against each other at their spot on the table. "Yeah, guess that should be expected. I don't know how it is to go through a war, and, even though it -is- my job to serve in that case, I hope I never see one, but I bet it would give anybeast a different outlook on life." He can't help but glance at Jarril's eyepatch, but his eyes avert down to his paws again. "Heh."

Jarril gives a nod.  "Well, I have heard before during the boxing match about me actiging older than I looked and I know a few didn't like me just giving up like that."  The major gives a slight frown.  "If this is ever mentioned elsewhere ta anyone I will get ya thrown out, is that understood?"

Zeraph nods and says 'yes sir' just in case the major was talking to him too, before going back to the food.

Darklett sighs, shaking his head very slowly. "I heard things, too, especially North's comment. That was disrespectful to a superior such as yourself. You did the right thing throwing in the towel on that fight, and I'd do the same thing... What I said was a result of the moment, sir, nothing more." He quickly nods, understanding the major's sentiments about the privacy of the conversation. "Yes sir."

Jarril looks at Darklett.  "I have aged, ya can't escape it.  War changes ya, I mean, look at me, I've got so many scars and lost a bally eye for me not ta have changed."  The major smiles.  "But if anyone asked me if I would've gone back and changed anything on my mistakes or my actions.  T'ch, I wouldn't even dream of it.  Best ta just live the moment and see what happens, but I doubt I be the type that thinks nothing will happen ta ya now and as such, I don't push if it means risking more damage.  Not that is a weakness and I'll bally well kick ya tails if I ever get that impression from ya both as well."  He looks at Dark again.  "Go on, what is it?  Ya been looking at my eye patch now a few times."

Darklett smiles as the major reasons with him, his head moving up and down in an understanding nod... But he tilts his head, narrowing his eyes. "You wouldn't change -anything?- Huh... I know there are a few things I would. I'd name them, but..." He gives a glance to Zeraph, which is only fleeting. "You probably know which ones I'm talking about." He perks his ears, looking a little apprehensive to respond to the major's inquiry, but he eventually does. "I was talking to a friend in the mountain just after my promotion, and he pointed something out to me that's got me worried. He said that I was probably gonna be at a larger risk in battle, being an officer." He glances at Zeraph again, then back to the major, his voice flat and steady.

Zeraph turns an ear listening to Dark and Jarril, just in case he is spoken to but doesn't look up, because nothing concerns him yet.

Jarril blinks at Darklett and then just laughs out loud.  "A higher risk to injury during battle.  Who gave you such stupid bally words."  The major ends up getting tears welling up in his eye as he wipes it with his sleeve.  "Oh my, that's the best thing I've heard all bally day, wot."  He coughs and looks about before turning back to Darklett.  "Lad, listen here."  The major leans forwards to where Darklett is and speaks softly.  "In battle, everyone has an equal chance of heading ta the dark forest.  It doesn't matter about what rank ya are or anything.  If an arrow has ya name on ya or a sword, then it will happen.  The only thing ya can do is make sure ya don't question yaself in battle.  It's either you or them.  Ya hear me?"

Zeraph swallows his last amount of food. He has ripped through it all accordingly. Now he is sitting up and watching the Lieutenant and Major talking as well as listening. Gets up to take his plate back, before returning and sitting again.

Darklett scoots back in his chair at the sudden boisterous laughter of the major, not expecting that sort of reaction at all, His eyes are slightly widened at the suddenness, a brow quirked up as he watches the officer laugh. His ears perk at attention as the major starts to speak to him, a slow nod starting as he hears him talk. He looks reassured, at least, but it still looks like he's got some sort of question in his eye, perhaps a little leftover cynicism. "Yes, sir, I hear you, and make no mistake, I'm confident in my abilities." As Zeraph leaves to take back his plate, he leans in and speaks quietly. "But you know just as well as any other beast who was with us at Redwall, sir, that I'm renowned to screw up under pressure."

Jarril looks at Darklett and smiles.  "Show me a woodlander or a vermin that doesn't screw up at one time or another and I'll go on a diet for a whole season, wot.  Not going ta bally well happen, wot."  Placing both paws on the table now.  "Go one, out with it.  What else is on ya mind?"  He looks at Zeraph.  "Ya full up now, then?"

Zeraph noddles in joyful response. "Yes, Major sir." He does look content now.

Jarril snerks slightly.  "Well, get used ta it, ya won't like patrol rations, wot."

Zeraph smiles at Jarril. Nodding in response. Has decided he likes the major. Well..what he's seen of him.

Darklett manages a smirk to the major as he makes the mock wager, his paws -still- running uneasily over each other. At the request, he again glances at Zeraph, looking back almost painfully as he shifts in his seat. "Just one more thing, sir." He clears his throat, raising one of his paws to cover his mouth before lowering it back to his other. "Not that I'm regretting my promotion at all, but it seemed so sudden and without warning that I can't help but wonder the purpose, or even the reason."

Jarril blinks.  "Who promoted ya again?"

"Major Rahier, sir," Darklett responds.

Zeraph yawns deeply now that tiredness begins to kick in. He flicks an ear standing.

Jarril nods.  "Perhaps that is best for ya ta ask him that one instead of me.  I am sure he would give ya his reason for doing so."

Darklett looks over to Zeraph with a smile. "Welcome to the patrol, your dorm should be on the second floor." As the new recruit leaves, he turns back to the major, shrugging, the smile somewhat carrying over. "I did ask him, but his response was that he thought I was ready for the responsibility..." His eyes go to the major's. "Again, I'm not complaining, nor am I saying I no longer want the position, but after all that I have done to -not- deserve a promotion over my time here, it makes me wonder just what was going through his head... Or whoever's head made the decision."

Jarril nods slowly.  "Hmmm, well maybe knowing the sort of responsibilities ya have ta face may mellow ya out a bit."  The major smiles slightly.  "Look, before ya had ta look after yourself or had someone else look over ya.  Now ya have yaself and also the patrollers who are below ya and trust me, they will make mistakes and that they will also look up ta ya and ya major on how ta act around others."  Pausing for a moment.  "If he thinks ya ready then ya are.  But also remember that ya actions will not only affect ya but those below ya now.  Trust me, it gets worse the higher up ya go."

This helps the nervous hare a little, it would seem. Darklett smiles to the major, his paws unfolding and simply resting as slightly balled fists on the table. "Gotta... set an example. I think I get ya, sir. I'll have to get used to it, I guess, though the thought of the protection of other patrollers under me seems scary. I have to get used to it, because if I don't, then I've got no place to be a higher rank than the fighters, healers, and runners in my patrol, right, sir?" His smile grows wider. "I can't have the hares that rely on me seeing that I'm just as worried as they are... That's not a very officer-like thing to do." Empowering self-monologue. :P

Jarril nods his head.  "Why ya think most of us, insult our enemies and act like it's all okay.  Take for example the last patrol when I had ta help out Neville.  Things were pretty bad but I wasn't going ta let the lower ranks sure that.  They rely on ya strength and ya current mood.  If ya show that it bothers ya or that ya not in control then it can be as deadly as any arrow or blade."  The Major smiles.  "Besides, what best way ta practise but ta send insults back and forth when ya fighting in practise or in a boxing match, wot.  Comes in handy when ya need ta send an occasional insult ta the enemy.  Although it cost me this eye of mine but I am living and he isn't so I won out in the end."

Darklett's face is decidedly more optimistic-looking than it was before as he listens to the more experienced hare's words of assurance. His ears flicker at the words, nodding as he listens to the major speak. "I'll have to remember this, sir. This could help out a lot."

Jarril chuckles.  "Oh ya do fine.  But was this a low ranking telling ya about getting killed more easily?"  The major grins more.  "If so, ya get more of that.  Ya not part of their world now, those days are over.  If they can, they're try and get one over ya.  Be on ya guard."

Darklett clears his throat, smiling awkwardly, as it seems like a dumb thing to think about after this talk. "Heh, yeah, it was. Told me my uniform would draw more enemies to me in battle. I'll have to be on my guard in the future... Not let stuff like that bother me as much as it did." He grins, letting out a little shoulder bounce of a chuckle.

Jarril nods.  "Thought so, ya get more of that in the future.  So coping with the extra workload, paperwork?"  The major smiles.  "There's more of that the higher ya go as well."

Darklett looks dismayed as he's informed of the paperwork increase. "Oh, you're kidding me, right? I thought I was just doing the grunt work for the higherups, but that can't be true if it increases--" He looks alert, suddenly, as if he'd momentarily forgotten he was talking to a MAJOR.

Jarril grins.  "Oh come on, ya probably get some of ya major's workload yes.  But then ya have private work ta do such as patrol evulation reports, reports on conduct, patrol reports.  It adds up."  The major picks up a scone and looks at it.  "Now I dread becoming a colonel.  I have several majors under me and then all the paperwork of their officahs below them.  Right now I cope with just who is in my patrol, wot."

Darklett chuckles, glad that his casual tone wasn't caught, apparently. But still, he decides to not push it again. "Ah... I guess it's a good price, though. I don't mind the paperwork so much, since that's just what I do to fill the time when I was usually bored to tears. Occasionally, it cuts into my training time, but not -too- often."

Jarril nibbles on his scone slightly.  "Anyways, ya sure this new hare be good enough?  Ah well, ya be training him anyways.  I just don't want him ta be looking at his feet when it comes ta actual work."

Darklett smirks. "He -is- a fighter. Us fighters are disciplined when it comes down to it, sir." He grins, looking to the door as if Zeraph had just left through it. "I'll make sure he's fit for the job, though. I couldn't turn him down, sir, I had a good feeling about him. Had a good feeling when that Thistle doe came wanting a runner position, too. She said she'd run for nearly a complete day without stopping to get to the mountain for her position, and she -still- had the energy to scoff."

Jarril hmms.  "A day, that needs to get up a bit."  The major ponders.  "Now if it was two or three days, that be impressive."  Taking a swig of his drink.  "So any plans, patrols ya scheduled for?"

"Uh, in her defense, sir, she only stopped because she got here." Dark smiles with a shrug. "And... Well, nobody's told me anything about a patrol, but honestly, I think I'm about ready for my first as a Lieutenant."

Jarril nods.  "Ah, that's okay then.  Didn't know, wot."

Darklett smiles. "Yeah, she can really hold her own, can't she? I was expecting that new fighter to pulverize her, but that didn't quite happen. She put up a decent fight, she's just not built for throwing punches."

Jarril nods and gets up from his seat.  "Well, think on this one for a moment.  Fighters are usually in a group when they go off ta fight."  The major leans on the table and smiles.  "Think about the runners who sometimes have ta go off on their own ta scout or send messages.  We come up against quite a lot of dangers and have ta deal with it on our own sometimes.  And in that situation, ya do what ya do in that situation, even if that is fight unfairly."  Straightening up, the major smiles.  "Most runners sometimes come up with a situation that they have ta deal with, without the support of other hares around them.  And vermin, well.  They like ta think they can bally well bully or kill a lone hare."  The major tips his head.  "Well, I have things ta do as I am sure ya do as well.  So I will bid ya goodnight, lieutenant."

Darklett is quite ready to listen, since the major already helped him out greatly tonight. When he's done talking, he nods understandingly, a smile on his face. "Heh, I catch your meaning, sir. You're right, I've got some things to take care of before I turn in." He stands up and offers the major a salute. "Good night, Major Jarril."

Jarril nods.  "Same ta ya."  Turning around, the major briskly walks out and leaves the room.