A Change in the Settlement

[Crystal M. V. Rosepaw]

"Crystal, please!"

"Mortamus, get off me! I'm goin' in there, an' i don't give an acorn if you care or not!"

"But you always seem to pick a fight!"

"There's always one worth pickin'! Ethier come in and keep your muzzle shut, or stay out here and, I dunno, heal a tree!" And, with that, the door swung open. It was Crystal, and, as normal, her brother was close behind. This was one thing he never forced her to quit. Comming into bars and taverns. Crystal made a quick beeline for somthing to drink, and, lucky for Mortamus, she got water. Stupid age limit, Crystal cursed to herself as she looked for a table. She knew alot of the creatures inside, so she and her brother sat at the table just behind Fishtail. She rembered her narrow escape from him chopping her to bits.

"Well, Will, it's nice to hear that the bally fort isn't swarmed with vermin these days, wot!"

Crystal couldn't take it anymore. She had been thinking about this on the way in, and this is exactly why she chose this tavern. "Hare, shut your mouth!" Mortamus squeaked with fear as his sister rose again. She drew her battlesword in a swift movement. Maybe Fishtail wouldn't say it, but Crystal didn't care.

"I'm tried of all you cursed creatures blameing all of our races for your problems! What in the name of Hellgates has every 'vermin' on earth done to you! What did Fishtail do to you?! Rinafera, give me true your answear! How can we help what manner of creature we are?! Do you think every single one of us 'vermin' should walk out of here now an' kill ourselfs?! If not them apologise! If so, then arm yourself!' Crystal meant everyword of it. Mortamus tried to keep from shakeing as he looked down at the table. He dared not interfere, all he'd do was worsen her temper.

[Kryshana Pyr]

* Kryshana was closse to finishing her drink as a stoat adn a fox came in. After just a few moments the fox was shouting to the hare exactly what she had wanted to say herself. Well, actually, she did, in a much calmer manner, which the hare ignored. The rattess felt that her pirde was injured by the idiotic hare, so she raised a paw, calling. Besides, even if Darter didnt' accept her on the ship afterwards, there would be little lost, except a few pieces of eight.* Aye, what the fox said! We didn't do nothin' to you!

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

*Rinafera rolled his eyes at the ferret, when a bold fox stood up. The hare was bewildered at the fox, who was screaming things out and protecting her pride so her ego could stay where it was. He even saw Mortamus lay down, not saying a word. But this fox was a different story.

What in the name of Hellgates has every 'vermin' on earth done to you!

That was all Rinafera heard. His eyes squinted, getting red with fire. His temper was rising, and everything seemed to be blocked out but memories and the fox. What had vermin done to him? Thats a nice thing to say, thought Rinafera sarcastically.*

I'll tell you what vermin have done to me! They killed my father, my mother, my siblings, and enslaved me at a young age! All I have are my friends and one sister! And I'm not flippin' referring to you, wot! I'm bally talking about the flippin' scum that killed so many of my relatives and people closest to me! Not you! So why should I apologize?

*His tirade was over. Too many terrible memories flooded in. His mind was being covered in the worst memories he could possibly imagine. The reports of his brother and mother being skinned alive and then murdered. His father being executed for sport in front of a vermin encampment, and his sister and he being enslaved. He had escaped with a squirrel named Woody, but he had yet to hear from his sister again.

The hare fell back to his chair, holding his face in shame. He was embarrassed in front of Commander Marie and Darter. Rinafera scowled, and choked back the tears. He had covered this side of his life up with a hatred for all vermin after he joined the Fort. He could not do this anymore. Leaning back, he glared at the fox.*

I'm sorry.

[Torekvo & Cedric]

Tall and imposing, Torekvo was truly a fearsome sight. Built like a wolf, albeit a rather small wolf, the coyote was still larger than the majority of the dockside population. His sharp amber eyes missed little, his prominent ears heard the scuttling of distant spiders, and his nose picked out the many scents spread across the town. His brownish grey fur was matted and ruffled, made coarse by the harsh sea wind, set in ungroomed curls across his body. His beige leather jerkin hung open, the simple chocolate brown hems fluttering hanging limply. His navy trousers were grimier and more tattered than ever, darkened to a nasty shade of brownish blue from overexposure to the elements. His burgundy boots completed his attire, reaching to his knee, up to where his trousers were rolled. Yet he was enveloped in a cloak of black, the hood covering his head.

From the shadows of the corner where he sat, he observed a silent otter with an invisible cloak of authority, amused by his fearlessness. When he asked for crewbeasts quietly, Torekvo's prominent ears perked up immediately, a wicked grin spreading across his features. He eyed the creature carefully, taking in his relaxed posture and worn clothing, trying to simulate the beast's character from what could be seen. The otter was not afraid of the murkier side of the tavern, mused the coyote, leaning against the wall comfortably as unsettling amber eyes flitted over the otter. The one he faced was dressed to fight and to sail, like any corsair one could meet in the great outland ports, yet probably a so-called good beast. Still, Torekvo knew he needed a job.

He crept quietly through the shadows to where the seabeast was, remaining hooded, though his tall bulk was mostly hidden by the shadows and the slight fogginess in the tavern. With a red-tinted paw he reached out to tap the otter on the shoulder, coughing quietly to call his attention. Baring his long muzzle, he laid his left paw on the combat knife hidden under his jerkin, his canine eyes cast with little light in the darkness of the hood. His large ears held it up above his head, allowing him room to maneuver as he looked down at the seated otter, thoughts tumbling through his head, all memories of his time as a seabeast. He could taste the sea air and feel the gnarled wood of the ship already. It had been long enough.

"Y' call'd fer crewbeasts. Me 'n' a fish 'awk upstairs might be able ta 'elp y' there. M' name's Torekvo Rotzdalo." The coyote murmured his announcement with decision in his voice and a slant of an accent, a low, flat sound that was rather unpleasant to the ears. He savoured the lingering taste of his words, tasting the bittersweet scent of his own name. Glancing back at the otter, Torekvo waiting for his reply.

"Well, Will, it's nice to hear that the bally fort isn't swarmed with vermin these days, wot!"

Sharply he looked up and a snarl deep in his throat grew from a quiet hiss to a menacing pitch in the shadows of the tavern, the unpleasant sound twisting through the air like ivy on a wall. With amber eyes flickering in the darkness, he located the hare who had spoken the words, licking his dry lips dangerously. His ears rose further as he listened to the speeches of a young vixen, grinning nastily at the courage of his distant cousin, yet remaining silent. He lowered his eyes back down to the otter, thinking of the nerve of the hare and imagining himself running him through with Bloodweeper. He could imagine the warm blood spurting out of the wound as the well-tended cutlass slid in... Yet he had other matters to attend to. Focusing on the otter, he waited, closing his ears only to hear words spoken nearby.

However, it was a little hard to ignore the hare's outburst. So his family had been slaughtered, had they? Torekvo's eyes lost their usual sharpness as the oldest of his memories returned, of his life as a bandit in the west, of a time before his parents had been executed. He remembered being exiled with his brother as pup, to face the fears of life alone. Digging his canine teeth into his lower lip, he attempted to concentrate once more, memories drifting in his unconscious. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the prison his brother had been trapped in on Brangavoyet, the cold metal and damp walls. Banishing the memories as he had been taught to do, he scolded himself for allowing a weakness to show and directed his stream of thoughts once more.

[Tasna and Willowtail Riverend]

*Tasna looked back and forth at the two feuding beasts. She had had enough. The ottermaid jumped up and spread her forepaws between the two. Even though she didn't want to interfere, she was getting quite annoyed* Enough! Calm yourselves. Please. *Tasna was usually good at solving problems. But sometimes she didn't know what to do, so she went with her instinct* Arguing won't do anything. And if you want to fight, take it outside. Do you copy me? *The ottermaid glared at the both of them, one after the other. She put her arms down, gave one final glare at the two and sat down. She started tapping her paw on the table* Why can't vermin and goodbeast just live with each other? *Tasna now felt uncomfortable with calling them vermin, after what happend to Rinefara. This was getting out of hand*

[Crystal M. V. Rosepaw]

"I'll tell you what vermin have done to me! They killed my father, my mother, my siblings, and enslaved me at a young age! All I have are my friends and one sister! And I'm not flippin' referring to you, wot! I'm bally talking about the flippin' scum that killed so many of my relatives and people closest to me! Not you! So why should I apologize?"

Crystal could feel hate washing over her again. She knew who this was, oh yes she did. She hadn't formeraly known his past, but the story of vermin haters were all the same. She could feel hot tears in the corners of her eyes, but willpower kept them there. This 'vermin hateing' stuff had pushed her away from her family and most of her friends. A few images flashed over her eyes quickly, the call of herself to her mother and father as they left, yet the foxbabes were given no comfort, the faces of a few of her own kind before she had slain them, and the look of terror on a babe mouse's face as she had saved it from a sinking ship on the Sea Patrol's first mission with her. There was no comfort or hope in many things she could easily recall.

And then...

"I'm sorry."

That was what hurt most of what he said. His eyes are what made her want to recoil like prey from a snake. But pain kept her there. He doesn't mean it, Crystal, you know he doesn't. They never do. She knew he didn't. Not in her head, but in her heart. She felt no shame in letting her toughts out, none at all.

"Liar!" Crystal shouted, the tears growing bigger in her eyes. "You lie! You are not sorry for anything you said! Your not sorry for burning holes in any hearts! None of you 'I hate all vermin!' beasts are sorry! How dare you lie to me! You speak words, yet your eyes betray your thoughts! I know from simply living my life that you lie. Redwall said it would treat me fairly when my parents left me as a child! Lies! And you speak them too!

"You have no idea how painful the truth is! The truth is that my fellow 'vermin' will never wipe the blood from our paws placed their by other 'vermin' creatures! Never will we wipe away the blood your races force on us! You don't allow us! I left what was called my home because of lies like yours! Never will your races take back what they stole from mine! You, hares, otters, mice, all of you, yes, you stole from us foxes rats, and other such creatures! You stole out freedom! Where we go, it doesn't matter, we are marked as evil! Just because one vermin hurt you doesn't mean we are all like that, but I'm about to be!"

"Enough! Calm yourselves. Please"

"Then tell this windbag and liar to keep his mouth shut! And surely, if he wants I fight, I'll give it to him! I'll rip his heart out like he's tried to do! I'll reduce him to nothing, a lower being, like he's tried to do!"

Crystal spat the words with hate before her brother finally moved. He carefully took the corner of his sister's dress sleeve and pulled her toward her. The same hurt was in his eyes as well, he couldn't help looking angerily at the hare. Mortamus tried to calmly talk his sister out of hurting anybeast. "Crystal, please, hje isn't worth the time! Please!"

"Mortamus, where is your heart at?!" Crystal squeaked, tear now dripping off her whiskers. "But your right. But so am I. Stick and stones may break ourhold on life, but only for a while..." Tears were born in her eyes, lived on her cheeks, then died on her lips and she drew breath sharply. "But words, those scar forever."

OOC: I'm sorry, but this is just somthing I know to well. Getting yelled at and mocked for somthing you can't help. Unless it has happened, you don't know how bad it hurts.

[Kryshana Pyr]

* Kryshana listened to the words of the fox, and watched as the coyote came in. Somebeast asked the vixen to stop, but she didn't. Perhaps... perhaps she should add her own thoughts, since nobody listened the first two times. Maybe she was invisible and that's why nobody noticed her. The rattess looked at herself. No, she wasnt' invisible. So she will, she will add her two cents, and even if she is ignored, she'll feel better. Standing up, she spoke, in a softer voice than the vixen, but it carried barbs and could be heard all the same*

Ye know, she is roight ,rabbit. * Smiling a bit at the rabbit part, for she knew hares didnt' like being called so,she continued.* So why don't ye take yer petty vermin hatin' problems to the goodbeast tavern over there, I'm sure they'll like it more than us 'vermin'. Why do ye idiots call us vermin in the first place? We're beasts same as you. An' it's not like ye don't kill our families as well. It's like revenge. Ye think we're all the same, but we're not. So don't you go-* She stopped for a moemnt, searching for the right word, and when she spoke she broke it up in bits,for easier saying.* Stereotyping. An' if ye got any more problems with vermin I'll gladly help ye settle it outside with my fists.* And with that she sat down, for she ws finished. She drained the rest of her drink, and bought another,almost as if nothing had ever happened.*

OOC: You know, I hate it when I can't do accents the way I want. I just can't figure it out.

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

OOC: What is going on? This isn't personal. And everyone has problems, but most of us don't bring it up online. And so I said vermin? I said sorry too. And Crystal, you said you knew I wasn't meaning what I said. You're kind of controlling my character with you heart stuff. WE'RE RPING.
BIC:
*Rinafera hid his face, his brown eyes drying quickly. His paw played with the hilt of his sword. Oh, but maybe touching his sword was offending to vermin, and maybe they got mad when you called them by their name. The hare rolled his eyes. So they have problems, everybeast does. The fox had begun to yell at him again, and made a pity party for herself. The new vermin walked in too. This was getting slightly out of hand. Everybeast was going crazy. He sat at his seat, looking downward. The fox had filled her ego, hopefully. The rat who called him rabbit was hopefully satisfied with her insult. Vermin seemed tough, but they were too sensitive.

Rinafera glared, forgetting his memories and blocking out the pain. He spat on the ground, but maybe that offended them, he thought. The hare knew perfectly well what to say, but did not want to make an outrage. It seemed he was the badguy already, anyway. He stood up, talking in a gentle voice.*

I'm sorry. I did not mean to make an outrage. Fox, we all have bad memories. And I have no comment on the rabbit remark. But remember, my family was skinned and killed for sport, so that other foxes or rats or ferrets and some stoats could laugh and have a break why they filled their coldblooded appetite of lust.

*Rinafera walked out the tavern, standing outside. He peered upon the docks, his heart thumping. The hare grinned sullenly, and knew of the wounds the fox had talked about it. It was a pain he has felt many times before.*

[Tasna and Willowtail Riverend]

OOC: Just so you know Tasna doesn't take sides. But she points out problems that the two face in their argument that they can fix.

BIC: *Tasna had just been sitting there, listening to every word that each of them were saying. She wanted to make sure that no one said a wrong word.

We're beasts same as you.

Good Kryshana, good word. I hope they heard it. *Tasna continued to listen to the arguement*

Never will we wipe away the blood your races force on us!

*That had done it. Tasna grew hot inside of her. She stood up with fire in her eyes* Crystal. You just went too far. Being... *The ottermaid hated saying it* ...Racist, isn't going to help anything! Didn't you hear Kryshana? We're all beasts. Exactly alike. We all have different emotions and feelings. And Rinafera, I understand that they killed you family. But do you recall seeing Crystal at that time? I wouldn't think so. I don't take sides. But with me, you can't get away with much. *Tasna grew weak. She sat down. The otter buried her face in her paw left paw and banged a fist on the table* Why was the world made like this? Fighting, arguing between beasts. Why can't it just stop?

[Crystal M. V. Rosepaw]

OOC: And that is exactly why she's upset.

I'm taking it like this, with anger, because I don't care if it is role playing or not, I know how much things like that hurt, and, role playing or real life, I makes me so mad to see it happen. And you have to admit that Crystal /is/ mostly correct. And I am not at all controling your chacter. She mistook what he said because of the hate she feels.

Please, don't take this to heart... much. Really, take this to all heart. We can't help how we are, how we look, how we talk, how we dress... All of it, we can't help.

anyhow, before I say somthing hurtful OCC...

BIC:

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to make an outrage. Fox, we all have bad memories. And I have no comment on the rabbit remark. But remember, my family was skinned and killed for sport, so that other foxes or rats or ferrets and some stoats could laugh and have a break why they filled their coldblooded appetite of lust."

"You just went too far. Being... Racist, isn't going to help anything! Didn't you hear Kryshana? We're all beasts. Exactly alike. We all have different emotions and feelings.

Crystal tried to close her ears against all of it, flattening them aginst her head. There came no noise from her, tears falling silently with praticed ease, as not to alram her brother when he didn't look. And, also practicied, was her ability to stop in a heartbeat. She knew very well that the hare had left, but in a quiet, shuddering voice, hoarse with anger, and yet, sadness, and mixed with, oddly enough fear, she soke down to the floor.

"So my being of what I am makes it my fault your parents are dead? May as well hang m'self now, eh?" Crystal's eyes grew hard, her claws on her right paw sinking into her already very hurt left wrist. Mortamus frowned at her, he knew what it hid, and as she winced, he knew the cuts weren't well healing.

"So, I'm a raciest, but he isn't? He's forchin' the blood upon our paws! It's apprently an honest 'VERMIN'S' fault that his parens are dead! Even when us 'VERMIN' Fight our own knid to keep the likes of him and you safe from 'VERMIN!'"

[Fishtail Dirkslash]

*Fishtail was waiting for Darter's reply to his request to join the voyage. For a while, he was able to block out the arguing going on behind him. The searat didn't even take notice when the two foxes and the ferret entered the tavern. It wasn't until one of the foxes started yelling at the hare that they caught his attention. He turned from Darter to see what the shouting was all about only to see that it was the same hare that seemed to be causing problems before. Apparently, this fox had more anger than Fishtail did for she wouldn't even accept the apology that Rinafera had offered. The corsair looked at the two beasts going at it and Tasna desperately trying to put a stop to the fighting*

*As the argument intensified, Fishtail began to grow uncomfortable in the tavern. He looked to the exit, contemplating leaving. Emotions were running way to high for a lazy evening and a drink. Just when he was about to get up, he remembered the voyage and remained where he was. Even if he disliked the situation, he literally couldn't afford to walk out on what could be his next job*

*While he continued to wait out the disagreement, he began to see another side of Tasna. She was moving away from the innocent goodbeast that had entered and was getting nearly as emotional as the fox was. Finally, the hare took it upon himself to leave the tavern. Fishtail thought that to be a wise move on the hare's part. Although Rinafera looked like a warrior, Crystal too looked more than able to take him in a duel, especially in her anger. More relaxed now that the two had been separated, Fishtail looked back at the otter to await his reply*

[Tasna and Willowtail Riverend]

*Tasna looked up* What am I doing? I have got to start minding my own business. I shouldn't be letting my emotions take over my mind and body. Emotions don't matter now. Nothing matters now.

*Memories of her own childhood were breaking back into her mind. Memories that she had kept out of her for so long. She didn't want them because they didn't matter. Besides, the past was over. All she had to think about was the present and the future* Looks like the argument is over. *Tasna turned to Fishtail and realized that he was concentrated on Darter* Oh my gosh. *Tasna shifted in her chair so she could face Darter* So Darter. What about the voyage?

[Darter]

OOC: Argh I meant to post this earlier but ran into some, err, troubles. *cough*

BIC: At first the otter wondered if anyone had heard his subtle statement. The tavern's conversation continued without any noticable breaks. He guessed that it wouldn't be too much of a problem if he couldn't manage to recruit any beasts from the tavern - there were always other locations from which he could enlist a crew. But it would mean further time and trouble, and besides, he had told the harbourmaster to have his acquired ship ready to sail the following morning. He wanted to sail the following morning.

Idly Darter toyed with the hilt of his broadsword hanging dutifully from his right hip. Maybe no one wants to go sailing, he wondered, or maybe they want to go sailing, but not under my command. He winced at the last thought. Being of merely nineteen seasons, the tall and sinewy otter still consistently doubted his leadership and commanding ability. He usually managed to cover up his self-doubt with an air of confidence which he drew from his solid ability as a fighter.

He looked up at the candle sending waves of flickering light across the tavern. The absense of replies to his question was depressing. Then his ears picked up something he wanted to hear. And another. So they did hear me, after all.

The young commander gazed at one of the first to open their mouths and declare their willingness to join his expedition, a rat who looked to be around the same age as himself. He looked experienced enough; there was a laid-back, confident air about him. He appeared tough and weather-beaten, as if he had gone to sea too many times to count. Most likely had; as the rat's attire clearly marked him a corsair. Darter's first instinct was to place this stranger as his first mate, but common sense acquired from growing up in a warrior's camp and being around vermin-hating beasts held him back. Beasts from his own fort would likely resent him, a complete stranger and rat too, ranking above them on an expedition. But Darter didn't want to waste an experienced seabeast, and mentally guaranteed the rat a spot in his crew.

Two others who responded to his initial remark were Marie and her husband, Will. In the dim candlelight the otter thought that maybe Marie looked a little off-balance and worried, but he couldn't be certain, and didn't want to start making assumptions, so he nodded his approval with a contented smile. Marie had accumulated experience sailing while a member of the Sea Patrol, so he would place here as his first mate on the ship.

As for second mate, a young ottermaid willing to join his voyage caught his eye. She seemed slightly inexperienced, but looked to have a knack for leading beasts and managing conflicts. If he recalled correctly from the time when she had been recruited in to Guardians of Mossflower, her name was Tasna. She hadn't been a member of the fort for very long, but had potential and after all, all strong commanders were mere soldiers once.

From slightly further off the otter's ears picked up a more familiar voice. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat to catch a glimpse of who it belonged to and grinned as he spotted Finnerator sitting nearby. She had been a member of his crew during the time when he had been the captain on the Sea Ptrol, and they had gone on many missions and voyages together. A sharper-eyed lookout he had never known. As an added bonus, her cool confidence and solid experience would definitely aid his crew.

Quite a few others also requested a place on his newly-acquired vessel; he nodded his approval to each in turn. The last beast who sought membership on the crew sparked his curiousityl he had never seen anybeast quite like him before. With a build similar to that of a fox, yet possessing tawny and thin fur, with wickedly sharp claws and teeth, he hardly resembled a Mossflower beast at all. Maybe he didn't come from Mossflower, Darter wondered, but then where did he come from? A barely perceptible shadow of a frown passed across the otter's features as he comtemplated the possibilites, then he realized it didn't matter much and pushed his thoughts aside. Recognizable or no, the strange beast could have a spot on his ship if he wanted it; Darter wasn't afraid of potential enemies on his vessel. They would be outnumbered and vulnerable if they posed a threat on the open seas.

After the requests to join his crew died down, a disagreement broke out between some of the members of his fort and the local corsairs. A troubled look passed over his dark brown eyes; they were arguing already. Instead of attempting to break it up, however, he remained silent. If they needed to settle their differences, so be it. He was tired of trying to get everyone to live peacably with each other.

Rising from his seat and kicking his chair aside, the young commander turned to leave the tavern. Before he creaked open the massive wooden door, he turned back to the crowd of beasts and raised his voice.

"Be at th' pier, r'dy ter sail termorrer if'n yer in."

And then he was gone, disappeared into the deserted streets with the echoes of his voice hanging in the air as the only reminder that he had ever been there.

OOC: Tavern activity may continue on this thread, including characters leaving or staying in the tavern. A new thread will be created shortly for the quest.

[Fishtail Dirkslash]

(OOC: Darter, assuming that the middle aged rat you were refering to was supposed to be Fishtail, then may I just mention that he is, in fact, a searat of about 17 seasons and has only been sailing for 2 or 3 seasons at the most. Not exactly inexperienced, but not as experienced as you said in your post. Sorry if I didn't mention his experience yet. Just needed to clear that up.)

*After some time of waiting for a reply, the otter finally gave it, though indirectly*

Be at th' pier, r'dy ter sail termorrer if'n yer in.

*The young searat grinned and leaned back in his chair, now confident that he had a source of income at least for a little while. All he had to do was get to the pier before the rest of the volunteers set sail. So with that taken care of, Fishtail's mind turned to other, more immediate matters, such as where he would sleep tonight and where he would find some breakfast when he woke up*

*The searat sighed and rose from his chair to go out and find an inn of some sort. Digging in his pocket for a few coins, he paid the barkeep for his drink and walked out of the tavern. As he left, he thought back on the eventful time that he had spent there. Suddenly, it occured to him. Maybe this port isn't for corsairs any longer. He was surprised when the pieces fit together neatly. The number of goodbeasts, the rude hare, and the clueless ottermaid. Walking down the street to a nearby inn, Fishtail couldn't help thinking that he would have to watch his back while he was in this town*

[Darter]

OOC: Hehe, I was just guessing. ;D I'll modify the 'middle-aged' thing, but one of Darter's faults is that is often overestimates allies, taking them to be more experienced than they actually are. He just does that because he feels like he himself is inexperienced and therefore almost everyone else 'must' be a veteran.