The Fall Harvest Feast

[Elizabeth the Extraordinary]

The gates opened slowly, and to Asya's surprise, an old, white-furred fox poked his head out to examine her.

“Ahh, not often I see another snow furred beast in these parts. I will need to store that blade of yours before I can let you in though. Ohh err, I’m Belarus miss???”

Asya smiled warmly at the fox. "Greetings, Mr. Belarus. My name is... Anastasiya Sveta... " Here she paused, taking a quick moment to decide whether she should say this or not, "Whitedeath."

Asya figured she had better be honest. If the beasts of the abbey recognized her last name and turned her out, she would just have to accept that. Either that or she could persuade them that she was not evil. There was no use in running from her name.

"It is true, I do not see very many pure white-furred beasts around here often." She put her hand on the blade of her hilt. "Though I am loathe to part with my protection, and the weapon that has pulled me from the brink of death in so many different situations, I will surrender it to you for this particular occasion."

She stepped closer to the fox, and removing the hand-and-a-half sword from her belt, handed the lethal and sheathless weapon over to him. Asya smiled, "Shall I enter now, Sir?"

[Shadow Flame]

The three stood there, letting Braid do the talking, polite smiles across their features. They would get themselves fresh non-torn clothes, new bandages, and a bath after they helped Braid and Ania with the work.

"The kitchen is that-a-way, cully, if'n yer lookin' for food.  Although you enter there at yer own risk.  Ol' Friar Brundle don't take kindly to strangebeasts looting his pantry.  Tread wi' care, haha!"

Oliver smacked a paw to his forehand, brushing some headfur away from his eyes. "I almost forgot about 'im.. I am one of the kitchen 'elpers when it comes to feasts.. but 'e knows I went on a little 'oliday." Oliver said before starting to chuckle. The champion of Redwall spoke up no soon after Oliver finished. "That's right! He's gonna have you on duty sooner than you think Oli. He's always making you work when you're not being the self defense teacher for beasts here. Enjoy your time off while it lasts, you'll be busy!"

Oliver spoke once more, "My Otter friend is right though, be careful, 'e is quite protective of 'is kitchens.."

[Dusk the Brony. /)]

Dusk ran over to one of the windows in his lab and threw it open, letting fresh air in and a large cloud of billowing black smoke out. After he had taken in several lung full’s of gasping air, he returned to his seat. He took his writing utensil and crossed out a name on his list.
   “Well, that one didn’t work.” he mumbled to himself. He took the assortment of alchemical supplies and tossed them into a large tub of water sitting next to him. Fed up with his several failed attempts to extract the smell from the roses, this last one being rather spectacular, he decided he needed a break. Walking over to a peg on the wall that held his cloak, he tossed it onto his shoulders. It felt strange not to have the familiar weight of his daggers on it. He was still armed of course. He felt the leather bound hilt of his dagger hidden at his waist. Dusk never went anywhere unarmed, even the abbey. He pushed open his door softly, looking out into the hallway before stepping out into it. He wore his customary leather armor and cloak, along with a habit over his armor. He quietly stalked through the paths of Redwall, always sticking to the shadows and staying out of sight. He wasn’t worried about being attacked, he just considered it training. Soon his stalking brought him to cavern hole, were most of the hustle and bustle was taking place. Now, in a place where he had no hope of hiding, he simply walked out into the open. He still walked hunched over. Dusk wasn’t sure what he was doing, he just felt like walking out his frustration. He could determine which poison had killed a beast five days after death, yet he couldn’t get the smell out of a flower? It made him agitated. He didn’t like things that refused to reveal their secrets to him. How long would it take him? Days? Weeks? Months even? He wasn’t sure, but for now, he could just enjoy what the abbey had to offer. He walked out of cavern hole and out into the crisp autumn air. Other beasts might complain that it was cold, but Dusk wouldn’t agree. He had been born in a place that was cold most of the time. He said a silent prayer for his family, remembering a much deeper, much more unforgiving cold. He then continued out toward the front gates. He saw several new beasts, and he wanted to greet them.
(OOC) hope this post is okay. Dont want this thread to freeze up on me like so many others.

[Penblade the King's Wit]

   Jen glanced over the otter's shoulder at the pretty weasel as he spoke, "No need to excuse yerself, mate.  This here is the pretty lil' Ania, and these are three of me mates just back from months of adventurin'."
   "Ania," He muttered, then cleared his throat, "That's a, uh, a good name. A nice name... I like it, yes. Good name." *By my ancestors, what is wrong with me today?* He turned to the three adventurers, wiping a small spot of sweat off the palms of his paws using his kimono. He tilted his head, greeting them as equals, "And It is an honor to meet you three warriors. I hope destiny has been kind to you."
   The otter continued on, "The kitchen is that-a-way, cully, if'n yer lookin' for food.  Although you enter there at yer own risk.  Ol' Friar Brundle don't take kindly to strangebeasts looting his pantry.  Tread wi' care, haha!"
   This got Jen's mind back on track as he straightened instinctively, "Looting!? I would never-" He paused, suddenly remembering what he'd had to do three summers ago to keep himself from starving. That shopkeeper would have his head if they ever met again. His indignation fizzled out and he eased his stance again, "I mean, thank you for telling me sir. I'll make sure to 'tread with care' around the friar's kitchens." He glanced at Ania again and felt his cheeks grow a little warm. *I must be standing near a torch sconce,* He reasoned. "I suppose I'll be on my way to the kitchens then." He bowed to Braid, "Thank you, sir." He nodded to the adventurers, "Well met," And at last he turned to Ania and bowed, "Ania. I... I hope to see you at the feast." He straightened and headed toward the kitchens, unsure why he was walking more quickly than normal, or why he still felt like there was a torch near his cheeks.

[Belisarius]

"Greetings, Mr. Belarus. My name is... Anastasiya Sveta... " Here she paused, taking a quick moment to decide whether she should say this or not, "Whitedeath."
"It is true, I do not see very many pure white-furred beasts around here often."
"Though I am loathe to part with my protection, and the weapon that has pulled me from the brink of death in so many different situations, I will surrender it to you for this particular occasion."
Belarus gave a warm smile "Hello miss Whitedeath... Anastasiya, going to have to practice that name. That's a new one, nice one too. Yes, most of the time it's the odd hare that's a white beast... Hmmm miss 'em all I do, Nova's gone to see them for a change since they don't get many visitors."
The old fox looked at the weapon as Asya put the hand-and-a-half sword in his claws "Shall I enter now, Sir?"
Belarus tilted his head as he looked at the blade for a moment "Certainly... uncommon blade you got here, then again I'd say a dirk is uncommon these days. I'm sure the others'll be glad to show you around, I'll just secure this in the gatehouse. I remember at Salamadastron they used to have contests to see who could carve up a pumpkin the fastest and make the most unquie carving, heh."

[Vikenti, Heart of Calamity]

Ania noticed Delexi walking about out of the corner of her vision. She felt sorry for him, since he seemed rather introverted as she herself was. But, Ania wasn't one to initiate conversation, so she let him be.   

"No need to excuse yerself, mate.  This here is the pretty lil' Ania, and these are three of me mates just back from months of adventurin'."

Ania blushed at again being complemented by her otter companion. She knew that she was pretty, she had always been told so back in the courts of Syrea. But, Ania was still surprised by the amount of attention her appearance had gotten so far. She shyly lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her a feet a little.

"Ania. That's a, uh, a good name. A nice name... I like it, yes. Good name."

"Thank you sir," Ania said with a shy smile, "you're too kind." The weaselmaid noticed that Jen was paying a lot more attention to her than to her companions. As the realization that Jen liked her dawned upon her, Ania blushed even more.

"Ania. I... I hope to see you at the feast."

"Yes, I'll s... see you there," Ania replied timidly. Being so close to someone who had an attraction to her was a new experience. Ania's father, Dmitriy, had always kept her sheltered, and most of the beasts she saw were her own family members. Real love or relationships never had seemed to be an option for her. Vadim had made it quite clear that he would marry her to whomever he pleased. Ania wished that she never had to see him again, but she knew that she would have to return.
 

[Elizabeth the Extraordinary]

"Hello miss Whitedeath... Anastasiya, going to have to practice that name. That's a new one, nice one too. Yes, most of the time it's the odd hare that's a white beast... Hmmm miss 'em all I do, Nova's gone to see them for a change since they don't get many visitors."

"Ah, yes, thank you." She smiled. "I like my name... well... most of it." She contemplated the rest of what he had said. "Most interesting... The name Nova doesn't particularly ring a bell, but I should like to go see the rest of these other white-furred beasts. Maybe someday."

As he took her weapon in his claws, Asya felt a considerable weight lift off of her. Yet, she felt rather exposed without her sword by her side.

"Certainly... uncommon blade you got here, then again I'd say a dirk is uncommon these days. I'm sure the others'll be glad to show you around, I'll just secure this in the gatehouse. I remember at Salamadastron they used to have contests to see who could carve up a pumpkin the fastest and make the most unquie carving, heh."

"Aye, she's a good blade. When I use it... It feels like it becomes a part of me. Luckily, I haven't had much need for a weapon lately."

Asya smiled as he started talking about pumpkins. "Salamandastron? You come from there? That's a great distance away... I've never visited the fire mountain."

She spoke as she walked, making her way through the gate. She faced toward the main hall, but turned around to raise her slender white paw in a farewell to the fox. "Thank you Belarus, and goodbye! I'm sure we'll meet again soon."

---

She opened the big doors to the great hall of Redwall Abbey. Peering in at all of the lively beasts, Asya suddenly felt very small. The weasel maid entered the room and stared about, taking in her surroundings.

[Vikenti, Heart of Calamity]

Ania looked to the Abbey door as yet another beast entered. She always glanced at every newcomer to the feast, even though she knew she probably wouldn't see a familiar face. But, this time, Ania was pleasantly surprised to see a beast she knew very well. "Excuse me for a moment," Ania said to her present company before quietly detaching herself.

The weasel maid made her way towards the main door of the Abbey, skirting happy revelers and busy workers. "Anastasiya!" Ania called out to her cousin. She threw her arms around Asya's neck, glad to be reunited after being many weeks apart. Asya was a far different beast than her siblings, the Whitedeath trio, and Ania got along with her quite well. Releasing Asya from her embrace, Ania adressed her cousin, "I never would have guessed I would see you here, Asya! What are you doing in Mossflower?"         

[Jake Whitepaw]

"My Otter friend is right though, be careful, 'e is quite protective of 'is kitchens.."

Braid shook his head in amusement.  "Aye, he rules them with an iron paw and guards them right carefully..."

As the creatures talked, the sea otter spun on his heel and called over his shoulder.  "Well mates, I know that Cellarhog Oaktun didn't send me up here just so that I could chat with you all; he sent me up so that I could get help for getting the drinks for the feast up from the cellar.   If we head down now we'll have the kegs an' barrels up in Cavern Hole right quick." 

As he started heading down the stairs that led into the wine cellar, his stomach growled. 

"Then mebbe we can all raid the kitchens an' see if ol' Brother Brundell will fix us up with a little somethin' to hold us till this evenin'!"

[Shadow Flame]

"Aye, he rules them with an iron paw and guards them right carefully..."

Oliver smiled, chuckling in a soft manner, "Yep, that definitely sounds like 'im alright, a clear terror of th' kitchens!"

The three warrior beasts listened as Braid made his announcement which was no later then the end of their chit chatting. They continued to follow him down the steps.
Brad felt a little peckish himself, as did the other two warriors did. 

"Then mebbe we can all raid the kitchens an' see if ol' Brother Brundell will fix us up with a little somethin' to hold us till this evenin'!"

Dallas' deep bass voice boomed slightly as he spoke, "Yeah mate, I could not agree more. Lets git this show on th' road. We'll tell you all our tales of our travels durin' our little break.

[Elizabeth the Extraordinary]

Asya was caught up in the crowd of Redwaller beasts almost immediately. As she tried to detach herself just a little from the commotion, she saw a face she knew well. Her cousin was steadily making her way toward her.

Asya ran up to meet her, a smile crossing her face. She caught Ania in a hug, returning her brief embrace. "It's so good to see you Ania!" She exclaimed.

"I never would have guessed I would see you here, Asya! What are you doing in Mossflower?"         

Asya paused for a moment to think. "Well... honestly... I kind of ran off." She flashed her cousin a sheepish smile. "My father... he grew very tiresome. Not to mention condemning and demeaning." She gave a little sigh. "Oh well, here I am. And don't worry a thing about me, I haven't been wandering too long."

Asya really enjoyed her cousin's company. And indeed, she much preferred it to that of her siblings. To Asya, Ania was as a close sibling and a good friend.

After a pause, Asya spoke up again. "Here I am babbling about me again. Ania, do tell, how have you been? And what brings you here?"

[Vikenti, Heart of Calamity]

OCC: Everybody has probably already seen this, but just in case, this song will be Ania's "theme": Into A Fantasy

BIC:

"Here I am babbling about me again. Ania, do tell, how have you been? And what brings you here?"

"Well, as you know, I came to find your siblings. When I found them, they didn't seem to want me around especially Prince Vladimir," Ania explained, using Vladimir's proper title out of fear and respect, "I heard of Redwall from some of the woodlanders, they said any beast was welcome here. So I traveled here for shelter." Ania glanced back to where the others were, aware that she had been gone a little while. She wasn't surprised to see them walking towards their destination in the cellars. "I was going to help some of the nice beasts here in the cellars," Ania told her cousin, "come on, I'm sure they would like to meet you too."

Taking Asya gently by the paw, Ania led her to where the others were. "Um, excuse me everybody, I don't mean to hold you up," she said as she approached the small party, "but I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Anastasiya." Ania took her place next to Braid again, as he was the beast she was the most familiar with, besides Asya of course. 

[Jake Whitepaw]

Anybody interested in continuing this? 

[Vikenti, Heart of Calamity]

Yep.