Spring Feastday [Open]

[Treble Tiderunner]

It was two weeks after the woodlanders had taken back control of Redwall, two weeks after Lorna had fled Mossflower for the sea. The injured were healed, the destroyed restored. Redwall sparkled from every window and corner, as everybeast pitched in to repair and scrub every inch of their beloved Abbey.

Spring had arrived full force and now was showing every intention of staying as the sun shone warm upon the unfamiliar stones. Many a beast had only seen Redwall as a fort of oppression, but now it was restored to their beloved Abbey, and they adjusted.

Skipper backed out the front door, helping to carry one end of a heavy wooden table. The ottercrew together brought it out to the orchard under the trees, where grass was starting to grow and trees to bud. The trees were old, mature, and once properly tended started to throw out buds. A few had had to be chopped down, but they had been immediately claimed by carpenters, the wood wouldn’t be wasted.

“Whew.” Skipper straightened and wiped his brow, the morning was already hot. “Is that the last table we ‘ave to ‘aul out ‘ere?” He asked of no beast in particular. He already knew it was. They had already brought the others out. Other beasts now followed, bringing the benches.

“Well now, lads an’ lasses,” He squinted up at the sun. “Should be about feast-time soon.” They were having a combined feast for the victory over the Fort and for the naming of the new season.

[Silas]

The morning sun shining down on the assemblage blinded Silas temporarily as he came outside, carrying one end of a bench to the lawn. He cast an eye about him, still quite taken by the restored grandeur that is Redwall. He was particularly interested in the architecture, how each stone fit into its proper place, a part of something far larger than it would ordinarily be. He felt that this transferred to the beasts about him, working in harmony to produce a grand celebratory feast. It was quite exciting, as the squirrel never felt so inclusive before. He set the bench down and went off for the next, hearing Skipp's voice as he went.

"Should be about feast time soon."

He smirked and responded good-naturedly despite having no former acquaintance with the otter, a clue as to his present mood. "Well we'd better hurry up afore we waste away carrying these benches!"

[Tirael]

"Brend, try this!"

The shrew eyed Laila's cooking dubiously; the lumpy, bread-type thing she had thrust eagerly at him looked as appetizing as wet soil. Seeking an excuse, he said, "Uhh, well, I've gotta get these tablecloths out to the grounds, so I--"
"So let me get this straight," Laila said sweetly, though the look in her eyes was decidedly ominous. "You think that my special bread, the best bread you will ever have the pleasure to see, isn't good enough for you?" With each word, she had gotten closer; by the end, she was practically touching her forehead to his. Brend, wide-eyed with fear, nervously grabbed her sample and shoved it in his mouth. He was pleased to find that it actually was tasty; smiling, he muttered a compliment through the last remnants of 'special' bread. "Good," Laila said, and she returned to cooking.

Once he'd swallowed, Brend picked up several bundled tablecloths and struck off for the grounds. Initially, he'd been very leery of returning to the Fort; when he'd finally relented to return, however, it was well on its way to becoming an Abbey again, and he found himself making the mental adjustment rather well. Laila still seemed disturbed by the place, but even she seemed less temperamental than when they'd first come back and she'd muttered, "As if I'd want to come back here."

"Here's the tablecloths, Skipp," Brend said cheerily, setting the pile down on a bench. "Need anything else, or should we start getting the food out?"

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Well we'd better hurry up afore we waste away carrying these benches!"

Skipper looked over at the young squirrel as he helped bring out another bench. The otter didn’t know his name, though he’d seen him walk in the front gates with their missing friend, the Badger Lady of the North. Their paths had not really crossed, Silas being roped into helping the squirrels in the heights and Skipper and his crew working on getting the abbey pond properly flowing and clean again.

“Aye,” he agreed, seizing the opportunity--he liked to know every beast’s name. “Skipper o’ Otters matey, wot’s yore moniker? Saw ye come in wi’ Lady the Pike.”

"Here's the tablecloths, Skipp," Brend said cheerily, setting the pile down on a bench. "Need anything else, or should we start getting the food out?"

Skipper’s attention was taken from Silas’ conversation, he looked around at the rowdy otters, squirrels, mice and one shrew about him. “Ah no, Brend lad. Better we get off t’ th’ pond to wash-like, stay out of the cooks way, eh?”

The ottercrew whooped and led off at a run, Skipper walking along more sedately and smiling.

[Tirael]

“Ah no, Brend lad. Better we get off t’ th’ pond to wash-like, stay out of the cooks way, eh?”

The shrew nodded, eager to stay away from Laila's aggressive bread-making mood. Seeing a friend heading toward the pond, he followed the ottercrew's example, breaking into a run. The environment around the pond quickly dissolved into gleeful chaos, with friends and family enjoying the cool water and each other's company.

Among them, less rowdy but still happy, was an otter who was beginning to lose his voice. "Stugg, quit eating sand, you'll be sick! Maybelle, Pan, you're going to ruin those smocks--STUGG!" Having no other option, Tirael had to pull the baby otter, who was still attempting to scoop up the bottom of the pond for a pre-feast snack, over to the bank. "Here, go play with them. PAN! Don't put that in her fur!" Wading over to the squirrel, he took the worm before it could be placed on a mouse's head, then released it in the sod. With a sigh of exhaustion, he stooped to regain his breath. These Dibbuns were going to have him gray before his time.

Upon straightening up, he noticed the Skipper approaching. Waving cheerily, he sloshed to the bank closest to his father. "Please tell me that the feast's starting, I can't keep these monsters from killing each other much lo--STUGG! STOP EATING THAT!"

[Rakko]

Shugaru had never been a working member of a team before. Ssure, he had led the Salamandasteron hares into battle plenty of times but he had always been in charge then. Now, he was no more important to the cause then the next beast. Dispite this, he found it quite pleasing.

The gigantic badger lifted three benches in his paws and followed the sounds of an otter in front of him. He had yet to get used to the halls of his new home, though he was learning quickly and he knew the front lawn and foyer well enough to no longer need assistance.

The Badger carefully set the benches on the grass, trying his best not to squish anybeast. His ear flickered slightly as he listened to the conversations of Skipper, Silias and Brend; he was learning to recognize the new voices as well. He nodded to them, as well as to the other creatures helping to bring out benches.

”On’y two left an’ we’ve got em, Shu” a passing otter told him. The badger nodded and turned as he heard Skipper’s ‘battle cry’. Ah, they days of young when you could run down and jump in the water with no fear.

__________________________________________________
Very few things ever go as planned, especially in a war and things where no different for the brave little ‘otter-hare’ from Salmandasteron. Saki had traveled with his harefolk to the Abbey where they fought in the final battle. Of course, they where overjoyed at their win but devastated by their losses. Many died on both sides and many injured but few where as injured as young Rakusagi.

His legs had been crushed by a few vermin who had all fallen dead on top of him. He did his best to fight from the ground but blacked out not long after the accident. Many, believing him to be dead, had run over his legs, worsening the injury. When the fighting had seased and the death toll taken, he had been brought to the makeshift infirmary where Tireal had helped wake him up and check the damages. He would not be able to walk for some time.

A makeshift wheelchair was built for him so he could still maneuver but he was still in need of assistance. Luckily, the beautiful Grath hardly ever left his side. Now, two weeks later, the healing is running smoothly and he is as happy as could be. Unfortunately, due to his inability to march, the hares had to leave him behind as they returned to the mountain but Saki will follow once healed completely.

As the feast preparations where being made, Saki found himself looking around wondering what he could do to help. He glanced at those in charge waiting for a task.

[Treble Tiderunner]

“Woohooohahahahahaa!” Tam whooped, scooping up a young mousebabe who seemed bent on trying out Stugg’s idea. Carrying the dibbun, she approached the bank where Tirael had accosted Skipper. “Fierce liddle beasts, aren’t they?” She said good humouredly to both males. The dibbun wiggled to get down, so she let him go, he scampered over to see what Stugg was doing.

"Please tell me that the feast's starting, I can't keep these monsters from killing each other much lo--STUGG! STOP EATING THAT!"

“Ah—” Tam hooked Tir around the neck as he went to try and prevent Stugg from, once again, eating dirt. “’E’s gotta learn sometime, Tirs…When isfeast time, I’m absolutely starved! She grinned, jostling Tirael playfully.

Skipper was just arriving at the pond when he was accosted by a dripping Tirael, who was soon joined by Tam. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves, but it was Tirael who had the hoarse voice, Tam was much more laid back. “The feast should be soon, the tables are all laid out.” He told his son, looking down at a tug on his paw.

“C’mon Skippa! C’mon!” Stugg had given up on his experiment and now was joined by other dibbuns in tugging at the Skipper, trying to get the older beast to play with them. Skipper chuckled and allowed himself to be pulled into the pond. “Don’t worry Tir, I’ll take the little terrors off’n yore paws.” He winked at his children and dove into the pond.

[Grath]

Grath tugged at the fake ears Major Saki wore on his head. “Och, when will ye be takin’ these off, Saki? You be an otter, not a hare!” She pushed him down towards the pond, where many a worker was washing and many a less serious beast was playing. She was in awe of how wonderful the abbey looked, and the soaring architecture had impressed her the moment she first walked in the gate, despite the effects of forty years of disrepair.

She fingered one long black scar on her cheek a moment. How her family would love to see this! Perhaps she would travel later in the spring to see them and bring them back here. Suddenly she realized Saki had been speaking.

“I be sorry, what?

[Rakko]

Saki rolled his eyes in playful annoyance. "Ah said, Ah'm never gonna take off the blasted ears cept fore washin'! They's who I am an' they'll stay, wot!" He glanced around the grounds. He hadn't seen the Abbey before the take over but he was glad to see it starting to look right again. The beautiful red bricks where shining again, the grass was starting to grow back and a kind vibe had started to refil the place once more.

Then his hare stomach growled like a thunderous beast. He glanced down at it givving it a somewhat confused look, like he had had no idea where the noise had come form. "Hmm...t'would appear I'm flippen fammashed, wot!"

[Tirael]

Tirael turned toward Stugg, fully intending to keep the otterbabe from eating dirt if he had to lock him in the gatehouse to do it. He didn't get far, though, as Tampa grabbed him about the neck.

Somehow, the otter imagined there were better places to grab a person.

“’E’s gotta learn sometime, Tirs…"

Pulling Tam's arm off, he muttered, "Well, he sure doesn't look like he's learning," but he didn't pursue the matter, or Stugg, who now seemed eager to show an arriving mouse the delicacy he'd discovered under the surface.

When is feast time, I’m absolutely starved!"

“The feast should be soon, the tables are all laid out.”

Tirael sighed in relief as Skipper headed off with the crowd of hyper young ones. The healer didn't dislike Dibbuns, but having never been a rowdy, energetic type, he had difficulty controlling them. Thus, his relief only increased when he noticed Fern approaching, tugging a large cart of towels along behind her. Her timing was perfect. After telling her as much, he looked at the revelry with a somewhat pensive expression. "How are we supposed to get their attention?..."

"Well, that's easy," said a voice behind him, and Tirael was somewhat surprised to find it belonged to Brush. The squirrel cupped his paws and shouted, "HEY! TIME FOR THE FEAST! IF YOU'RE NOT DRY, WE'LL JUST START WITHOUT YOU!" Offering a satisfied grin to the two otters, Brush said, "See you two there," and headed for the tables.

[Enon // SoMtW]

Enon made her way slowly out the main doors, blinking in the light. While the infirmary was well lit, nothing truly compared to the brightness of the outdoors. The welts on her face were scabbed over, her right eye now cloudy instead of merely drooping. Despite having lived and adjusted and even used the old scar on her face in battle, she couldn’t bring herself to fully adjust to the thought that she’d never see well again.

How could she have been so weak? She stepped down the stairs slowly, with exaggerated care. This was her first time out of the infirmary, and she was not confident in her ability to judge distances. Sure enough, one footpaw just missed the stairs and she flailed backwards a moment before catching her balance. Looking around to see if her misstep had been noticed, she put her feet solidly on the grass and strode towards the orchard, trying to look nonchalant.

[Rakko]

"HEY! TIME FOR THE FEAST! IF YOU'RE NOT DRY, WE'LL JUST START WITHOUT YOU!"

Saki's head snapped to attention at the mention of the start of the feast. With energy almost borrowed fromt he dibbuns, he started to rock the chair and pound his clenched fists on his knees. "Com on Grath! Wheel me over to the flipin' table afore I die of blinkin starvation, wot! Wot're yew tryin' to do murder meh!?" His voice was filled with both playful and sincire whining as he waited rather impatiently for Grath to wheel him to the table. Of course, weather or not he actually forgot about the fact that he could in deed wheel himself one will never know. Perhaps he was just trying to get her attention.

[Treble Tiderunner]

"Com on Grath! Wheel me over to the flipin' table afore I die of blinkin starvation, wot! Wot're yew tryin' to do murder meh!?"

“Ach, wheel yourself!” Grath grabbed a pair of passing dibbuns and rubbed them down with a towel before drying herself off. “Ye have not broken your arms!” She broke into a run, racing Tampa for the tables.

Tam, limping only slightly now, was late out of the pond as she helped her father gather dibbuns and send them to be dried--somehow Skipp had managed to get them clean of mud and grass--before they washed themselves hastily. Tam, seeing Grath, nudged her into a race.

---

Skipper took a towel from Fern with thanks and toweled his fur roughly. His tunic was damp below the waist, but it would dry in the strong spring sun. He headed for the tables at a trot, he would have to say the blessing.

Fern smiled shyly at Tir’s thanks and handed him a towel. The next few minutes were chaos of drying, older beasts capturing sopping dibbuns and drying themselves. Finally the last beast left for the tables, Fern piled all the towels on the cart and headed towards the abbey, passing Alex on the way.

“Hey ‘lil sis!” He shouted, bringing a grin on her face. “See y’at the feast!” His friends broke into a run and he joined them with a wink at Fern.

---

Enon was becoming more confident. She could see just fine! She would just have to be careful about judging distances, is all. She heard a familiar voice bellow down by the pond as she walked towards the serving tables.

[Skipper of Sea Otters]

The Skipper of sea otters and his crew, having taken the job of being in the back of the back of the pack when the woodlanders returned, were slow to arrive and took their time. The arrived as the feast was nearly starting. The Skipper had taken quite an injury during the battle, a sword just below the ribs missing his vitals and another good gash across his inner thigh. That was supposed to kill him.....but he survived. Why he survived was even beyond Undertaker's knowledge. He had lost alot of blood. His crew arrived at the abbey gates, the Skipper was actually being carried...against his wishes of course. "Undertaker...this isn't necessary. I will not be seen coming up here like thi-..." Blade bopped him on the head with a stick. "Shut up, Skip and take it..." Skipper Snatched the stick and broke it over Blade head. "STOP HITTING ME WITH THAT d**n THING!" Blade looked up rubbing his head and stuck out his tongue. Skipper tried to lunge for him but nearly fell out of the gurney due to the sharp pain. "Hahaha!" Blade snickered, walking up to the gate and banged on it with a paw. Skipper let out a sigh and leaned his head back.

[Rakko]

“Ach, wheel yourself!” Saki was floored. She had run off without him! He grabbed the wheels of his chair and raced after her and Tampa toward the table, glairin at Grath the entire time. How dare she just leave him there! he was injured and good healthy meals where the only way he'd got well again.

Now, Saki isn't always the brightest creature in the world when it comes to thinking things all the way through, and one thing he didn't think of, was that if he speeds up while going down a hill, he isn't going to stop until he hits something. Something like a table full of food!