07:04 PM

RW Abbey: First Orchard
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A soft blanket of snow covers ground, bush, and branch. The trees, leafless as they are, appear stark and black against this backdrop, their branches like so many spindly fingers reaching outward and up. The ground here is mostly level, with only the occasional small hillock. Despite the invaluable purpose of this place in warmer seasons, right now it merely appears a barren, lifeless patch of the Abbey grounds.

The sun is peeking sleepily through the branches, and the occasional chirp of birdsong can be heard on the morning air.
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Exits: [F]ire [P]it, [S]econd [O]rchard, [D]umble's [L]og, [A]bbey [P]ond

Starwind wakes up a bit more and blinks,  seeing that there are others down below he makes his way the tree he was resting in, well goes down about 3 quarters of the way down before giving a little jump off and landing on his feet.

Zoe_Lang's eyebrows go up and she gives a soft tsking of her tongue. "Free time in the middle o' the day... I dunno 'bout that, lad." She considers him for a moment. "Who d'ya report to, lad? Brothah Keiran? I should think so, with him bein' a librarian 'n' yer affinity fer writin'."

Jarril is out for one of those nice carefree walks of his, paws behind his back and feeling quite relaxed and happy today.  There's quite a bit more hop to his walking pace than before as he slowly enters the orchard area of the grounds.

Quinten looks confused and scratches an ear "Yes Ma'am it is Brother Keiran, but what am i supposed to do when i have an hour spare" he looks at Starwind and then across at Zoe "I finished tending the garden and my class is not for an hour"

Zoe_Lang's lips twitch. "Well. Have you attended to yer recruit trainin' today?" Her expression remains neutral, but her eyes twinkle just the teeniest bit. Mm-hm.

Starwind remains quiet as the other hares talk, remaining polite, but his ears perk lightly at the mention of recruit training, his eyes wander till they see Jarril giving a small nod to the other before bringing his attention back to the hares.

Quinten shifts and is starting to look uncomfortable fiddling with his cowl "Of course....i went running this morning and i had boxing practice....though i'm still kinda avoiding anyone from the 67th....i'mm sorry...i'll go find something to do then..."

Jarril keeps on walking more into the orchard now but he's not exactly heading in the direction of the other hares, unless he's called for.  Right now the major seems to be in a happy mood which is rare these days.

After considering the recruit-novice for another moment, the Colonel merely grunts. "At ease, novice. Just see that ya don't spend too much time with idle paws, eh? The more effort you put int' a thing, the more you'll get out o' it." Then, she relents with a smile. "That 'n' I was mostly just teasin' ya. Go back to yer studyin', or whatevah it was you were doin'."

Quinten shifts and lowers his ears "Yes ma'am....i was working anyway" he picks up the parchemnt "I was just checking my spelling...can you..take this back home for me? it's my last Life at Sala...i won't be able to send them home now"

Coming to a stop, the major looks about and then spots the other hares before making his way over to them in a sort of jogging motion, he quickly makes it over and comes to a stop.  "Colonel, Quinten..."  He looks at the other hare and says politely.  "Sah."

Zoe_Lang holds out her paw for it with a nod. "'Course I can, lad. I can't promise how we'll it'll do on the march, but if it's damaged I'll faithfully rewrite i-" Her attention is brought to Jarril, then, and she nods before saluting. "G'day, cousin."

Quinten smiles and nods "Thank you ma'am...i'll still be writing them though...and if i can get them home to you i'll send them" he then spots the Major and salutes "Major"

Starwind nods, then blinks a bit, "Colonel?...Sala?" He's mind running..putting two and two together finally, "Colonel Zoe_lang?" His ears really perked now.

Jarril gives a nod back to Zoe.  "'ello cousin, so you're going ta be leaving soon I take it?"

Quinten shifts and takes a step back to let the Major and Colnel talk, he nods to the other hare and sits down on his log picking up his basket and peering inside it

Zoe_Lang dips her head in a nod. "That I am. Next coupla da-".. ays. The doe's ears perk and she looks around at the other, unfamiliar hare present. She arches a brow, then, and nods a greeting. "Why, hullo there. It seems you've got an advantage on me. If I /ought/ t' know you, I apologize 'n' blame m'advanced seasons." She grins.

Starwind Shakes his head quickly, "oh no Colonel, you wouldn't know me. Sir Lee Dan Starwind..just Starwind really, Knights of the order of the Moon.....um..right." He adds remembering, "Were supposed to thank you if we ever see you or a Long Patrol Officer for the care you gave our Ambassador..."

Jarril ponders for a moment to remember the said incident if it occurred while he was at the mountain remaining silent for the time being, he places his paws behind his back.

Quinten picks up an inkpot from the log and stoppers it, putting it away safely in his in the basket he stands up and moves around to Jarril "Sir...do you know if you have to go back yet?"

Oh, her memory. The Colonel considers for a long moment, but then, with a hint of embarassment, says, "Remembah me of the name?"

Jarril looks at Quinten and shakes his head.  "No, I be staying, unfortunately for ya."  He gives a wink to the young recruit.

Quinten sighs in mock sorrow and lets his ears droop back "Oh woe is me....sentanced tae seasons of yer cruel ruel regieme how ever will this young buck survive"

Starwind nods, "Sir (name) He says quietly, "It was some time ago...we would have thanked you sooner...but well..we couldn't really spare anyone for it." He gives a light apologetic bow.

Jarril shakes his head at Quinten.  "It's not that bad, ya know."  He gives a smile and listens to the other conversation.

Quinten chuckles and winks "Just joking sir, i'm glad your staying it wouldn't be the same without you"

Kestrel's entrance is somewhat abrupt. There's a telltale rustling in the trees, followed by swaying branches, followed by the marten herself dropping to the orchard floor. She's squinting, one brow lifted higher than the other.

Some amount of recognition comes into her face and she inclines her head. "Ah, yes. Well, no need t' thank me, lad, nor bow t' me. " She chuckles. "I trust the past couple of seasons've faired well fer you 'n' yer group?"

Some amount of recognition comes into her face and she inclines her head. "Ah, yes. Well, no need t' thank me, lad, nor bow t' me. " She chuckles. "I trust the past couple of seasons've faired well fer you 'n' yer group?"

Jarril looks at Quinten again and nods.  "Flattery will get ya nowhere, ya do know that, right?"  He gives Quinten a wink.

Starwind gives a light sigh, "not truly..but things seem to be going better i suppose." The hares not best at giving info ,"WE have a new leader now, Lady Lilla Jade Ramsey..though, how have things been with the Long Patrol."

Quinten nods his had and smiles "Of course sir but it doesn't help to stay firendly with my commanding officer"

"The Patrol's been well, m'lad, the patrol's been well. I have t' say 'm anxious t' return home t' the mountain." The Colonel offers a brief grin, glancing over to where Jarril and Quinten stand nearby.

Kestrel rubs behind one ear, seemingly content to move only so far as to lean against the tree she just descended from, and say nothing to interrupt the conversation.

Jarril ears twitch to that one and he doesn't reply to Quinten right away.  Biting his lip he returns his gaze back to Quinten again.  "Er, yes, quite."

Quinten looks over at Zoe and frowns somewhat at her words then turns back to Jarril and smiles "When will we see you out on the training runs with us?"

Jarril ponders, rubbing behind his neck.  "When I have time which should be a lot after my patrah ends up heading back..."

Starwind nods, "I can understand that, the want to go home is always a strong one." He smiles a little bit, "I hope your return is uneventful and joyous."

Zoe_Lang seems oblivious to the slightly displeased looks she's receiving from the other two. She inclines her head in thanks to Star's words. "Thank ya kindly, lad."

Kestrel finally leans off of the tree and approaches, still rubbing behind one ear. "Um. Hello?"

Jarril shakes his head and moves along a bit away from the other two hares, the major looking about for a bit.

Quinten steps after Jarril and nods to Kestrel "Good day there now"

Zoe_Lang's attention shifts to none other than Kestrel and becomes rivoted there. After a moment and without explanation, her expression breaks out into a grin. "... I'd almost b'leve you were her." She shakes her head.

Quinten pauses and looks at Colonel "Ma'am?" he looks back at the marten "Who could she be?"

Jarril gives another look to the marten and smiles himself, turning to Zoe.  "Ya know cousin, ya could be right there."

Kestrel's cheeks turn slightly pinkish, but there's a faint smile about her lips. "Are you taking a vacation, Colonel?"

Zoe_Lang chuckles, sending a glance Quinten's way. "Her mothah, m'lad. None othah than Lady Kevarr. An old friend 'n' ally of hte patrol. I remembah bouncin' this'un on m'knee." She grins, then nods to Jarril in acknowledgement.

Quinten nods his head "Oh....Lady Kevarr...i have read a thing or two about here....butthere is not much on her ma'am"

Jarril knew Kevarr as he nods back to Zoe before looking at Kestral again.  "I say, has it been that long ago now?"  The hare scratches the back of his neck.  "Wow, whodda thought, wot."

Zoe_Lang inclines her head. "If there's anyin' Kev was, it was modest. I'm not s'prised that there wouldn't be much written on 'er." She turns to Kestrel again, with a nod and a smile. "A vacation? Ya might say that. Just droppin' off some troublesome recruits."

Jarril gives a cough on that one.

Quinten chuckles softly and raises a paw "Troublesome ma'am....me record speaks fer itself i'm no trouble"

Jarril rolls his eyes on that one as well.

"She didn't much like it," Kestrel murmurs, still looking a little pink around her ears. She eyes Quinten curiously for a moment at the 'troublesome recruits' mention.

Zoe_Lang drops Kestrel a wink. "Well. Mayhaps we'll exclude this'un from the 'troublesome' lot, aftah all. How goes yer novice trainin', deah?"

Quinten smiles and salutes the Colonel "Thank ye Colonel ma'am i'll take that as a compliment"

Kestrel clears her throat. "Well...it doesn't. I mean, it's been on hold for a while. I've been visiting my grandmother. I actually haven't been here for almost..." She frowns, as if mentally calculating. "...One, two seasons?"

Zoe_Lang looks surprised. "Yer grandmothah? On yer mothah or fathah's side?" Why she should be surprised, she's not sure. Speaking of which, "How is yer fathah?

Jarril quietly makes his way from the group, leaving them to continue on talking as he carries on with his walk.