08:09 PM

Halyard Village: West Square(#93069RJA)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Halyard Village ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Surrounded on most sides by short, squat buildings, none any higher than two
levels, the main square of this small, sea-side village is covered in a fine
layer of dirt, which mostly covers the old cobble stone beneath. Many of the
buildings lining the square are homes, though some are places of business -
and, of course, there are the obligatory pubs. However, pubs are not the only
staple of a small village, especially not this one. Scattered here and there
upon sidewalks and in front of stores, various fishing nets and traps lie
about, most considerably worse for wear. It's obviously a fishing village.
Beyond that, a dirt road runs north and south from the square, with a small
scattering of homes, and behind these, a backdrop of trees. Meanwhile, beyond
the trees lies the shore.
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                                Visible Exits:
[A]ntique [S]tore               [S]outhern [R]oad
[H]alyard [T]avern              [N]orthern [R]oad
[K]nick-knack [C]at [S]hop      [M]ain [S]treet
                                [B]ack to [D]irt [P]ath

"Shh..its okay sweetie." Snow murmurs softly, bouncing her crying kit, paw rubbing his back as she walks up and down the street. Aiden continues to sob, tail thrashing as his tiny paws cling to his mother's front. "Please Aiden, your mum has a /very/ bad headache and your crying isn't helping."

Walking around the corner in a orderly fashion, Jarril has his paws behind his back as he makes his way down the street, ear perking to the sound of someone crying as he looks in the general direction.  Slowing down, the hare stops and blinks his only eye.  "Hmmm."  Making his way over, the major dips his head gently.  "Good day, ma'am and also ta ya young sah.  What's all the fuss about then, wot?"

Snowflower stops, ears perking as she hears a beast coming, glancing over her shoulder to see the hare. "Good day.." Glance at the uniform. "major. Oh, he's still a bit fussy from all the traveling down here I'm afraid." Snow mumbles, nosing the kit's cheek. Aiden starts to quiet down, sucking on his thumb while his tail curls around his footpaws.

Jarril nods slowly back.  "I see, well we can't have that now, can we?"  Moving a paw into one of his many pockets on his jacket, the major pulls out something and holds it out.  "Now..."  The major looked at Aiden.  "Ya see this small candied chestnut.  Well, this is for those that don't cry, ya see.  Besides ya matter would like some peace no doubt.  So cheer up and have this, okay."  Handing over the sweet, the hare looks back up to Snowflower.  "Just visiting here then?"

Aiden blinks, making an 'o' with his mouth before taking the sweet, stuffing it in his mouth with a happy squeak. Snow smiles gratefully at the buck, shifting the kit to her other shoulder. "Thank you for the candy. And yes. I came down to try, and locate an old friend. But, it seems I was to late.." She says softly, ears folding.

Jarril crosses his arms about his chest.  "Oh?"  Remaining silent for a moment, the major coughs, straightens his uniform and nods his head again, holding out a arm as he speaks.  "Care for a drink and a place ta sit down.  We could go into the tavern.  See if the young one would like a drink after finishing eating and all."

It's been about two or three seasons since Taye's been back to Halyard, but seeing as how it's stayed exactly the same in the intervening time, everything's familiar - even some of the creatures. But mostly he's just looking at the squat buildings, and so he doesn't really notice the major, or the squirrel for that matter.

Snowflower nods, paw rubbing Aiden's back as he eats quietly. "That would be lovely actually. I haven't had a chance to sit down since we arrived last night." Snow smiles, glancing at the dibbun just as she remembers something. "Ooh, I'm Snowflower by the way. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier."

Jarril gives a quick nod as he gives his short name.  "Pleasure in meeting ya Snowflower.  I am Major Jarril Blackpatch Fleetpaw of the 6th Runner Patrol, formally known as Major Jarril Black Fleetpaw, but that's another tale.  I am at ya service."  Making his way over to where the tavern is, the major smiles and opens the door for the squirrel.  "I would give my full name but we be here all day."

Northpaw walks up the road, swaggering up for a drink in the tavern. His probation period is over now, so he can live again! Yay! XD. He sees the Major, and smartens up. Walking normaly by, he salutes the Major, and nods hello to the others. "Hello there, chaps and chapesses. Whats the big hullabaloo about, wot?". He shifts his weight on to his left foot, favoring his uninjured paw. He raises an eyebrow.

Snowflower giggles, lowering Aiden into the crook of her arm as follows after him. "Tis a pleasure to meet you Major Jarril. Its quite alright about the name. I know hares tend to have long ones. Actually, the friend I was coming to visit was a hare." Snow nods politely to the new buck, before walking through into the tavern.
 

Halyard Tavern: Main Room
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Halyard Tavern ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Warmly lit by torches along the walls and lanterns set upon the many tables
scattered around the room, the main room of the Halyard Tavern is an often-
populated area. One corner of the tavern is taken up by a stage, about a
foot or two higher than the rest of the floor, where live entertainment
performs, while circular tables, both large and small, are set up in front
of the stage, spreading out into the center of the room. Meanwhile, around
the perimeter of the tavern, booths are set, and, of course, the obligatory
bar rests against the far wall, a bartender or barmaid always on duty.
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                                Visible Exits:
[O]ut to [E]ntrance

Jarril comes in after Sunflower, nodding his head.  "A hare?  Could I have a name, I may know something about it being from this region and all, wot."  The hare moving over to one of the tables and pulling out a chair for Sunflower to sit down on, the major keeping up his good manners as any upper rank officer would do.

Growl! Watching the buck 'til he's exited entirely, though he grumbles whilst doing it, Keita scowls towards his table just as a kind of 'warning' to the rest of the bucks, there. Grr. Then, she turns, and quite well ignores everyone 'til she's behind the bar. Throwing on an apron, she then steps over and behind Lily, and without a word removes /her/ apron. Apparently Lily's off-shift, now. ;p "Sit." She points a paw past Lily to the stool often kept behind the counter.

Snowflower takes a seat, cradling Aiden in her arms, paw stroking his cheek. "His name was Duncan. He wasn't in the patrol, but he had come down to visit Darklett. Dark told me last night of his death, but he said we'd talk later." Snow replies, frown starting to appear on her face.

Lily her eyes follow the other until she's lost behind where Lily currently stands. She surprised as the apron is taken off. Blushing, the doe lets her ears fall down about her shoulders. As the command is barked out Lily follows it in true Long Patrol form, giving a small squeak and lowering herself on the stool, keeping her gaze to the ground. "Yes, Marm."

The major does give a frown, hidden from Snowflower as he still stands behind her and hearing Darklett's name.  Removing that look, Jarril smiles as he comes back into full view again.  "Ah well, Darklett kinda moves in his own ways.  I shall remind him that he has ta see ya if I see him before he see's ya though."  Moving to a seat opposite, the major rests his paws on the table, looking at Snowflower.  "So where have ya come from then?  Mossflower, Northlands, southsward?"

Northpaw walks into the tavern, limping slightly from his fight with those vermin on the beach with Darklett. He walks over to the bar, and orders a ale, he's also off duty right now, another bonus! As his waits for his drink, he leans with his back to the bar, his elbows resting there too. Again he nods to everyone listening to Snow, he pipes up, "I was there when Duncan died, but fortunatly, ummm, I was put out of duty for a while. Let just leave it at that. We saved a little squirrel chapess. Would she by any chance be your young'un?

Snowflower nods, offering a meek smile to the major. "Thank you. I would appreciate it. Oh, I'm came from Mossflower, up near the abbey. I..lived there for a long time before some things happened. Then I decided to come down this way to look up Duncan again, since he had moved down here." Snow blinks, turning her head towards Northpaw. "No, I only had 4 kits, and 3 of them died at the beginning of winter."

Yeah, the family resemblance really does come out most when Keita's angry. She is /definitely/ Zoe's child. Arms crossing over her chest, she leans back against the counter, and regards Lily with still-angry but tired eyes. "I toldja not t' let 'em take advantage o' ye." Squint. "And I don't care fer that sort as a customah." Not that... you know, that's not half her usual patronage, but she's in a bad mood right now, so bah to that.

Lily raises her glance and see's a black furred version of the colonel in front of her. Gulp. "I... we... didn't do 'nything... he was jus' ramblin'." She protests weakly. "He was drunk... didn't do nobody 'ny harm. M'too tired tah say 'nthing back anyways." She says and drops her gaze, feeling as this particular string of excuses weren't going to cut it.

Jarril makes his excuses for a moment and then heads to the bar.  Not leaning on it, he fixes his uniform again and begins to make his order.  Flicking an ear, the major turns to face Keita, raises a brow but then turns his attention back to the task in hand.  Carefully picking up three mugs, two smaller than one, the hare makes his way back, placing the drinks for Snow and her child, before sitting down again.

"I'm not sure /who/ made ya believe that yer worthless, Lil', but ya need t' learn t' stand up fer yerself." And at this point, even /Keita/ knows who she sounds like. Heh. She cuts her eyes away from the other doe, and shakes her head. "Jus'... nevah mind." She uncrosses her arms and drops them into her pockets. "I c'n handle the bar fer the rest o' the day. Someone ought t' be comin' in at some point fer work, so..." Shrug.

Northpaw turns around, the barkeeper bringing his drink to him. He gets his drink, and takes a gulp, savoring it, as though it might be the last drink he might have in a a while. As he brings his glass down, he smirks, and bites his lip. His eyes eyes are sparkling, as they do when he's in good spirts. He stops biting his lip, and says with a smile, "Major sah, are y' gonna give the little squirrel a whiskey, or ale? I would give it some finne wine m' self, wot!". He takes another drink, still smirking. He wipes the smile off his face, he doesn't want to be on probation again, this soon

Lily turns her head so that not only are her eyes facing away, but the whole of the doe's head. "I'm jus' fine, Kei." There goes that nickname again. Urg. Lily grits her teeth. "M'not worthless." She says, trying to sound confident. "M'jus' nothing special." A weak smile lights her features and she looks up at Keita with a slight 'heh'.

Snowflower returns from the back room or something, having rushed off to feed her fussy son. Aiden sleeps peacefully now, resting in the crook of her arm, while she move back to her table. Snow lets out a quiet sigh, slumping in her chair as she brushes a stray piece of her hair away from her eyes, looking very worn out.

Jarril coughs and lowers his mug before turning towards Northpaw.  "Excuse me?  The little squirrel?"  giving a slight frown, the major speaks to Northpaw.  "For someone who has met miss Snowflower before I would've thought ya be polite enough ta mention her name properly, do ya hear me fighter."  Turning his head around and away from Northpaw, the major smiles and sips his ale once more.

Keita doesn't look back at the other doe. "Ya think what ya want, Lil'. I can't change tha'." She shrugs and glances out into the tavern. No, no one needing drinks just at the moment, it'd seem.

Mrf. The ex-patrol doe grumbled, her bottom lip suffering the wrath of her buckteeth. "T'was only jokin'." She says, looking up. "Please tell me what's the matter, Kei. You haven't seemed like yourself in the last few days. Is it me? If it is... I can change... I can fix it." The doe says, almost pleading with the other.

Snowflower has no idea what the two are talking about, so she pays no attention. She carefully rests the bundled up kit in her lap, paw brushing through his hair, while humming softly.

The major sups his drink, pulling out the piece of paper again as he unfolds it, looking at the map, while rubbing his chin fur softly.  Placing it back into his pocket again, Jarril takes another sip of his ale and looks about the room again before breaking the silence as he speaks to Snowflower again.  "So you thinking on staying in the area or moving on again?"

Snowflower blinks, glancing back up towards the bar. "Oh..I hadn't really thought about it actually. I guess I'll stay around here for awhile. I'm sure I can find some type of job or something to do." She replies quietly, twirling a piece of her hair in thought.

Jarril nods.  "Well, speaking a bit biased here but it's an okay region to be in.  Lots of fresh sea air.  Can't beat it really.  Been inland before but well, ya know.  It's a bit stuffy sometimes, especially during the summer."

Awr. Keita looks down at the floor. "It's not you, Lil'. It's nothin' wrong with you. I'm just feelin' a bit, ah... undah the weathah." She shrugs, and then glances towards the door. Squint.

Lily crosses her arms, not believing a word of it. "T'wasn't born yes'erday, Keita." She says in a strong voice, one that had been absent. The doe suddenly looked more confident than she had in the last few weeks. "C'mon... out wid. I cin take it."

Snowflower nods, smiling some. "Yes, it is a rather lovely area with the sea so close by. How long have you been in the patrol Jarril?" Snow glances off towards Keita and Lily, debating on whether or not to order a drink since they seem to be talking.

Jarril ponders for a moment.  "A few seasons.  However, I don't seem ta be staying much within the mountain though."  The hare gives a small grin.  "It's always being sent here, there or anywhere really.  Been ta Mossflower twice, Southsward once and now I am on another mission north of here."  Shrugging slightly.  "Can't say it's a boring job though.  More like a dangerous one, wot."

Keita grabs a mug off the counter for something to be doing with her paws. Turning it 'round absently, she looks down into it. "I just.. got some news, s'all. Actually, I was gonna ask ya - if ya see Rah, would ya tell 'im I need t' talk t' him about somethin'?" Squint.

Snowflower nods, looking down to her son for a moment. "I'm sure its rather interesting though, traveling all over on different missions." Snow sighs, glancing off towards the two does again. "Um..not to bother your conversation, but could I have an ale? A rather strong one."

Lily nods slightly, looking at her oddly. "Of course... but news? What... what news?" She says, thinking for a moment. "Why... did you get a response from your... er.. Aunt?" Lily adds with hesitance, not really remember what relation Keita held with beast Rory had stayed with.

Jarril nods and gets up.  "Well, I have ta go and get things ready.  My patrol isn't staying here for long.  Nice meeting ya Snowflower.  If I don't see ya before I leave again, I hope things go well for ya from now on.  But since this place is close ta the mountain, no doubt ya see me from time ta time."  Straightening his uniform again, the major nods once more and makes his way out.