10:21 PM

Leaning against the sun warmed up rock against the mountain, Jarril munches on an apple and smiles as he looks about at the outside world, feeling the air brush past his ears and looking content and happy for the time being.  All of his duties have been done and for the first time the major can relax and do whatever he wants.

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow evening in the training room-- don't be late!" The sound of Darklett's voice echoing through the tunnel entrance to the mountain makes its way outside, the hare source of the voice following soon after, the second major on the scene taking a big breath of deep air, and... spotting Jarril. "...Major," he greets simply, copying his idea and having a seat, back resting against the rock.

Flaxpaw wanders along the passageway, lockdown lifted means getting out of the mountain, and she intends to take advantage of it. She's brought he rapier and dagger, planning to get a little practice in with real blades, somewhere away from the other recruits, maybe have a quiet think, too. As she exits the mountain, she sees the two officers, and snaps to attention, saluting. " Good afternoon, sahs."

Jarril rolls his eyes.  "Relax recruit.  Not on duty."  Giving a look at Darklett, he just bites into his apple, half chewing, half talking.  "So I heard ya been training some of the recruits.  Thought ya weren't into that?"  Grinning slightly.

"Afternoon, Flaxpaw," Darklett returns to the recruit with a casual wave. "Yeah, I've been doing some training... Not any of the regular classes, though. If some recruits want to stop by the training room outside their regular classes, I give them an extra lesson that covers things that aren't in their lessons." Darklett leans his head back, facing forward and closing his eyes against the sun. "It's not too bad, I guess."

Jarril nods his head.  "Ah, then mind not putting fight ta the death against multiple opponents into their heads.  Trying ta not get them killed before they at least gone through a dozen or so patrahs after they make private."

Flaxpaw relaxes, a little, hesitating between leaving the officers alone and wanting to stay, a little curious what they're like when not on duty. She grins happily at Darklett, then her expression falls at Jarril's words. "Lesson was great yesterday, sah, really..." obviously kicking herself for opening her mouth yet again when she shouldn't.

Darklett lets out a long sigh, his eyes opening and legs bending up so his arms can rest across his knees. With a smile towards Flaxpaw that is fleeting, he faces forward again, addressing back to Jarril, "With all due respect.  Somebeast's gotta teach the recruits what to do when things don't go as smoothly as things go in their lessons. I wrote a report on what I thought needed to be added to the lessons, and Colonel Zoe said she'd read over it."

Jarril smiles back.  "Then take up the fighting classes then.  I still have that on the table.  I ain't a fightah, ya know that.  I can only teach in my own professional expertise.  Ya have ta talk ta whoever is teaching them fighting skills."

Flaxpaw looks between them, not on duty, huh? "Sah, majah Darklett, he's right, you /should/ teach us. your way is better than..." sighs, probably going to get chewed out.

Darklett looks to almost dismiss the whole conversation completely, simply resting against the mountainside, but since both Jarril -and- Flaxpaw insist, then he is almost forced to respond. "I can't take over -all- the fighter training duties... The current major taking care of that is doing a fine job of doing what he's told to do, and once Zoe reads through my report, she'll change what's required from fighting courses, and the current major will start teaching that. There's nothing keeping him from teaching the same things that I do."

Jarril just nods his head.  "Well, call it a balance then.  Hence I hope young Flax here has learnt nonetheless."  Pausing for a moment he looks away.  "Not having a go at ya, Dark.  Just making sure that they know that it is okay ta run away if the situation warrants it.  I'd rather they run and bring back information if they have it for us than get killed and we end up with a surprise attack or something.  I wouldn't suggest doing that if it was protecting someone though, then yeah.  Fight three or four if it meant whoever couldn't could get away."

Darklett opens his eyes long enough to roll them and glance over, seeing that Flaxpaw is still there. This fact seems to keep something within Darklett in check, so he relies on his second choice of words: "I never teach them that they're supposed to fight to the death, that they're never supposed to retreat. The lessons cover that, and I don't need to. But like I said, sometimes things don't go smoothly, even retreats." He leans forward to look over at Jarril again. "You're experienced enough to know that there's more to retreat than just running." A smirk that shows he's not at all convinced Jarril wasn't just 'having a go' at him is flashed mostly to himself as he turns his body back forward.

Flaxpaw looks between them, and down. "wasn't the majah made me, um, think that, sah. Just don't like other beasts gettin hurt because of me. learnt quite a lot recently, sah, an-" she shuffles a little, then looks up. "You don't want to spend your time off duty talkin about some idiot recruit, sahs." She looks about to go.

Jarril nods.  "Aye I know that."  Jarril's voice has remained in a honest, calm tone throughout the whole conversation.  "So planning on going ta the village and getting drunk?"

Darklett drums his paw on his knee, smiling as Jarril... Well, as Jarril doesn't keep giving him trouble. "No, Flax, heh. Stay, no reason to go back inside after so long of being stuck." He chuckles at the other major's question, shaking his head out towards the sea. "No, probably not. Need to catch up on some training after the injury set me back."

Flaxpaw smiles, and leans a little against the wall,  " 's lovely to be outside, sah." She takes a deep breath. wow, cool! hanging out with the officers.

Jarril nods.  "Aye, that as well."  He pushes himself off from the wall and looks about before popping the cork into his mouth.  He goes to say something else but stops himself.  Taking a deep breath Jarril turns around and faces Dark.  "Listen and I am saying this in front of two recruits as well.  I am getting ta old for this ta carry on so I am burying the hachet right now.  Besides I have other problems ta deal with."  Slowly he turns around and walks out a bit before slowly starting to do some stretching exercises.

Terrance meanders out to just inside the niche intime to hear Jarril's comment. He looks around and spots Flaxpaw and goes to take a piece of the wall next to her, saluting if he passes by one of the majors of course. "Hey there."

Flaxpaw considers her hero. too old? other problems? hmm. She looks at Darklett, not sure what's going on, but trying really hard not to paw in it. She smiles at Terrance. " 'lo. that was quite the statement majah made, eh?" she whispers.

"Sure thing, Jarril." Darklett watches the major pace, then start to stretch out his leg. "We should get a drink or something sometime." He leans his head back against the warm mountain and seems to leave the matter right where Jarril did, a smile that shows he's content simply to be outside without an armed patrol alongside him. After all, the lockdown -was- his idea in the first place.

Terrance glances back to the majors and then looks back to Flax with a shrugs, "What part?" he whispers back.

Jarril continues to do some loosening exercises, though he's going more on one leg than the other as though he's testing it.  Not caring if word got about anyways about his injury or if Taye said anything the major remains quiet nonetheless deep in thought, frowning at some thought in his head.

Flaxpaw leans back to Terrance, " 'bout being old and all that. seems fine t'me." she whispers.

Terrance smirks and says, "Well that's a prerequisite for bein' a high officah ya know" quietly enough so hopefully he doesn't draw the attention of one of the two good majors.

Darklett takes a deep breath of sea air once again, enjoying the beautiful early spring weather. An eye flicks open to watch the major continue stretching, "...Oh, you're really serious about getting off my back, aren't you?"

Jarril turns his head around before stopping and getting back up again and nodding his head.  "Come walk with me, we can discuss this."  He gives a nod to the recruits.  "We be back shortly."

Terrance straitens up and nods to Jarril in response, "G'Day sah" he says before relaxing again.

Flaxpaw shoots a little disbelieving look at Darklett, but nods. "yes, sah" she leans over to Terrance again. "Think they'll be ok together? seem pretty tense."

Darklett opens his other eye, and nods to the Major. "Alright." The younger of the two officers stands and walks towards Jarril, paws folding behind his back, waiting for Jarril to lead.

Terrance waits for the two to head off a little ways before looking back to Flaxpaw, "Aye they'll be fine. Most they can do is throw a few fists aftah all. It isn't tha first time tha two majahs 'ave butted heads anyhow."

Jarril nods slowly and walks away from where the other hares are and remains quiet for the time being.  When he's absolutely sure that they are out of earshot he stops and turns to face Darklett.  "Yeah, I mean it.  And I owe ya an apology.  Let's just say that I learnt a few things that's all, besides I have other issues ta take care of now and that requires my time."

Terrance glances around as he receives no response from Flax and just leans his back against the mountain wall.

Darklett walks alongside Jarril, stopping only when he does, listening silently to him. Even after he's done, Darklett sits on his words for a while, and finally responds. "I really didn't think I'd ever hear you apologize. I just wanna know why you were always on me in the first place... That's all I ask. What'd I do?"

Jarril looks away for a moment and then slowly returns his gaze again once his thoughts are in place.  "The whole situation with Taye unsettled me.  That's all in the past now though, but hearing others talk about it before I even got official word on it didn't help matters..."  He goes quiet for a moment.  "I suppose it hit me harder than I will ever admit, ya the future of this patrah and I know eventually someone like ya will replace someone like me who's shall we say, not exactly in prime condition right now."  Turning his head away to look at the sea.  "I was jealous for really petty reasons."  Slowly he walks away from Darklett and bends down to pick up a stone on the beach before flinging it outwards into the sea with a plop.  "It's in the past now though, I have more pressing issues ta worry me now."

As Flaxpaw heads off, Terrance glances around some more then shoves off the wall and heads back inside, he's gotten his fresh air.

Darklett turns and watches the major as he continues on, watching the rock sail out into the air. "...Jealous..." he murmurs, his head shaking before he follows over to Jarril. "I didn't think you were jealous, Jarril. And, in my opinion, you're not necessarily out of it yet. There've been much worse, I'm sure..." He shrugs, standing a short distance away from the other major. "If some of the things I said to you in return were a little on the harsh side, I guess I'm sorry for those, too. You understand, I had to at least defend myself..."

Jarril frowns slightly and nods.  "Not something ta be proud about when lower ranks are seeing, is it?  Buy aye, I was jealous, un-nerved in a way."  He goes quiet again and looks out to the sea.  "But yeah I understand otherwise I wouldn't have apologised.  And ya do teach the youngest around here better than me at any rate."  Smiling a bit more.  "Well, some of the recruits have said that anyways."  Bending down for another rock he looks at it for a moment.  "I'm leaving by the way, think it be good ta get away from it for a while, doncha know."  Throwing the rock he watches it splash. "Different scenery and all that."

"...You're leaving?" Darklett's eyes widen slightly as he watches the major, ignoring the rock this time. "Who's gonna take over for you when you're gone, though? You've got a good patrol, and... I don't know if anybeast could cover your leadership properly, if at all."

Jarril chuckles.  "Ah, should've said something more clear."  He coughs and clears his throat.  "No, I still be in the patrol but I am going ta head over ta the 67th for a bit, see how things are going over there and also take a few recruits on this exchange that has been arranged over the seasons.  Funny it seems I was the only one who put my name down for it.  Nevertheless it be good if I leave for a bit, I am sure ya be able ta cope on ya own."

"...Oh," Darklett's tense shoulders relax visibly. "That's good, I heard about that exchange thing with, uh... The abbey. Didn't get around to getting into it, and all." Of course, Jarril knows from experience just how Darklett feels about the abbey. "So, what, is Zer gonna be in control of your patrol in the time between?"

Jarril nods.  "Aye, that or another majah."  Clasping his paws behind his back he carries on talking.  "I need a proper rest, not ta mention leaving the area for a bit.  Nothing ta do with ya though, but some things have become complicated.  Best ta allow it ta die down a bit."

"...You keep saying that." Darklett says, after a moment of pause. "What's getting complicated? You seem to be pretty worried about it." He walks up beside the major, staring out over the sea, a slight squint in his eyes.

Jarril doesn't reply at first and just looks out into the sea.  "What has Taye told ya about what happened at the village and er, that other incident?"

Darklett's ears flick. "...What?" He looks quizzically at the other major, turning to the side. "Taye hasn't told me anything... About either. What happened?"

Jarril frowns.  "Let's forget about the other thing, that's in a report anyways, ya can read that at ya leisure.  As for the village..."  He goes quiet for a moment.  "I ended up being beaten up by another hare.  Long story."  He rolls his eyes.  "Very long story, wot."  Looking down to the sand.  "But let's just say nothing happened with the hare.  Don't think it would solve anything, even if it is against a non patroller from injuring an officah."  Pausing again.  "I ain't making any sense am I?"

Darklett's ears flick again. "...It makes sense, but... Why? What was..." The major stops, and shakes his head quickly. "What made the other hare pick a fight with you, anyway?"

"Because I was looking for a fight..."  Jarril blurts out but recomposes himself.  "Actually I wanted ta kill him.  Let's just say something happened before ya arrived in the patrol when I was at Mossflower for the first time.  Was just a private then, a young private that broke rules, got drunk and also pretended ta be a majah."  Grinning slightly.  "Its how I got my rank as well.  Seems someone noticed my leadership skills when all hell was going on one time.  Anyways..."  He swallows before taking a breath.  "I met this doe and well, one thing led ta another..."

Darklett doesn't get any -less- surprised when Jarril said -he- picked the fight -himself.- "...What?" He blurts out in return, but lets him explain himself, Darklett getting more and more relaxed and somber as the other major goes along. "...Oh, I, uh, I see."

Jarril nods.  "I get ta why in a moment..."  Looking out to where some seagulls are swirling around something out at sea he carries on.  "Well, two wars, several smaller battles later and the bloodthirsters.  I find out that I actually have a son."  He goes quiet and nods his head.  "Thought that would shock ya."

Darklett is indeed shocked by this, his brows raised, eyes open wide, mouth even dropping a little at this. Speechless, the other major just raises his paw and runs it through the top of his head, folding an ear back as he tries to gather this correctly.

Jarril doesn't let go of the bombshells.  "He's actually in the patrol as well, though for now I won't say exactly who."

Darklett actually sits down on this one. He bends his knees and falls backward on the sand, staring out with a paw on his forehead. "...That's... pretty heavy, Jarril..."

Jarril shakes his head.  "Thought so..." He turns his head to look at the other hare.  "Want me ta carry on or have I just knocked ya out without throwing a punch?"  Smirking a bit.

"...There's more?" Darklett looks up at Jarril incredulously. "...Carry on, if you want. I'm not gonna push it, but... There's more?!"

Jarril nods his head.  "Yeah and ya know ya uniform's going ta get in a right mess lying there."  Looking back out to the sea again.  "So where was I?  Oh yes.  It also seemed that the doe also lives nearby but with another hare now.  Well, one thing led ta another and things got out.  The other hare had a lot of bad things ta say about me and about the patrah.  Very insulting things come ta think about it.  However, seems like my son hit his er..  Father.."  He pauses and moves a paw up to rub his temper.  "Ya know, this does sound a bit heavy..."

Darklett just stares at Jarril, blinking silently. A few seconds pass, and Darklett can finally muster up enough of himself to speak. "...What 'n the... I can barely even follow this, Jarril. This's... Yeah, this is -real- heavy."

Jarril shrugs.  "Anyways, cutting most of it out.  I found out that he was hitting her so I went down ta try and knock some sense into the hare but for some reason my son didn't tell me this hare was built like a mountain.  I ended up with him popping out my knee."  Sighing slightly.  "Hence I ain't sure if I can run yet, never tried.  Hence me burying the blade so ta speak.  Not sure what use a runnah will have if he can't run and I admit I am ta scared ta try in case my injury returns."  Giving a frown, Jarril's paws have moved to his side and clenched up a bit.  "Hence why I am leaving for a bit.  This situation could give the patrah a bad name with the village and all."

Darklett looks away finally, content with watching waves build and crash. After Jarril stops speaking, there's a longer, more contemplative silence from Darklett, the younger major putting words together in his head before he finally speaks up. "...I guess you have a point, there..." Another pause. "...How big is this hare again?" He asks... -very- pointedly.

Jarril turns to looks at Darklett.  "No offence but I refuse ta answer that one, it be ta easy for ya ta spot him and all.  I know what ya would do."  Looking away.  "I'd rather it be left alone and I don't think Taye will say either, though glad he was there ta stop it though.  The result of my stupidity could've had more serious consequences."

Well, at least Jarril didn't say Dark couldn't do it. :P "...Yeah, you're right. It's best left alone... Not fair, but it is best that way." The major stands up, brushing himself off. "...So, how long do you think it'll be?" He casts a look over his side at the other officer. "Till you get back, that is."

Jarril thinks.  "I honestly don't know what the arrangements are for this swap.  I ain't even sure what sort of reception we get at the abbey either.  I may end up not having a rest and sorting out any misgivings that has arisen lately between us.  It's not like things have gone that well or according ta plan."  He gives a frown.  "Would help if there wasn't something else going on sticking their noses in either causing trouble..."

Darklett nods slowly. "Stay as long as you need, major. I'll help the mountain cover your absence as best I can." He nods affirmatively, his paw grasping his forearm behind his back. "Just... don't be too long. Hares may take the jobs of other hares, but they'll never -replace- those hares."

Jarril snorts. "Please, this mountain won't fall ta bits just because I ain't here.  Besides, my cousin wouldn't allow it."  He grins on that thought.  "Mind ya.  There be enough happening here with those Abbey Ordah beasts.  Not sure how they will cope with Patrah training...  Gets a bit tad tough from time ta time, not ta mention the injuries."

Darklett grins. "Oh, I know... But it still will put a little bit of extra effort on every other officer's shoulders. You need time off, though, Jarril, so..." He shrugs. "I'm sure the abbeybeasts'll be absolutely flattened by the workload..." He chuckles to the major, trying to add in some lighter mood.

Jarril grins.  "Ya mean the kitchen staff.  Aye, been thinking about that one, gotta see if I can still swipe something without being noticed.  That will be my mission, I heard they don't like hares visiting there for that very reason.  Not sure what they do with several hares and patrah hares as well."

Darklett tilts his head back in a laugh. "Ah, I didn't even think about that... Hope they've been stocking up for a while, or they might fall into famine..." He snickers a few more times, shaking his head. "I'm worried about the recruits, though... You know how bored they're gonna be? Who knows what they're gonna come back like... Behind on training, for one thing."

Jarril moves an ear slightly.  "Dark, I hope ya not stating that I won't be putting them through patrah training on top of what training they get from the Abbey."  Giving a slight evil toothy grin, the hare rocks a bit on his large footpaws.  "They don't know that one yet, best ta let them think it be easy so we can get as much interest in signing up.  It won't be no holiday I can assure ya."

Darklett's grin spreads across his face. "...Oh, Jarril, I shouldn't have doubted you for a second." He chuckles a bit, nudging the other major in the side... Probably the friendliest he's ever been with the major. "Don't let 'em get soft on me, alright?"

Jarril grins. "I wouldn't dream of it.  Besides gives me an opportunity ta take them through some other training within mossflower itself.   Open ground patrolling is all very fine but thick foliage patrah is a completely different matter.  Something this patrah needs more practise off if ya ask me."

"...Huh..." Darklett thinks for a brief time, ears bending back. "Putting it that way... I think I'd like some training in Mossflower, too..." But he shakes his head. "I'd better stay here. No point in leaving the mountain short -two- of their finest..."

Jarril grins.  "Never know, if and I mean if things go okay and nothing stops the patrah and the abbey from reinforcing their friendship.  There could be other opportunities in swapping recruits and ordah beasts back and forth.  Could go on the next one."

"Yeah, maybe." Darklett doesn't show any sort of certainty in this, though, just leaning backward and forward alternately. "Of course, there're other places besides Mossflower..."

Jarril nods and looks back towards the mountain.  "Aye, well.  We need ta sort out a few long patrah's anyways.  I think most of what we used ta patrah has been allowed ta get away with a fair bit."  Pausing.  "Come back towards the mountain?"  The hare starts to make his way back up the beach.

Darklett heads back towards the mountain with Jarril, nodding. "Yeah, should be around dinnertime, anyway." Darklett walks along with the major, looking over at him a few times, before finally saying, around a laugh, "I won't tell anybeast that you -are- capable of emotion, hehe."

Jarril sniffs slightly.  "Good, I have a reputation ta keep up, besides the recruits are scared of me, well some are anyways."  He pauses.  "I would like that other bit I told ya about ta remain secret for the time being.  Be easier for me ta sort it out without everyone watching, wot."

Darklett nods. "Never planned on tellin' anybeast--" And the major, obviously full of jokes and jabs today, adds, "--just keep me away from alcohol for a week or so, and you've got nothin' to worry about."

Jarril goes to answer that one but instead just digs his elbow into Darklett's side instead with a chuckle.  "Ya know, we keep acting like this and it's going ta make some question it.  Hmmm, how ya for confusing?  Why should they know how we suddenly got friendly, they can work it out for themselves."

Jarril goes to answer that one but instead just digs his elbow into Darklett's side instead with a chuckle.  "Ya know, we keep acting like this and it's going ta make some question it.  Hmmm, how ya for confusing?  Why should they know how we suddenly got friendly, they can work it out for themselves." *repose*

Darklett sways and stumbles to the side at the elbow, grinning and laughing in good nature with the other major. "No kidding... They'll think we've gone mad, or one of us brainwashed the other... We could just say we sorted things out! Nothing other than that."

Jarril nods.  "Aye, that will do."  Coming up to the mountain again he looks up at it and then looks to the small hole in the wall.  "Hmmm, must check out that sentry room as well.  See if it's still clean."