Picnic Interrupted [PLOT - Open]

[Tracy]

Spring was out in full force, with a string of beautiful warm days out on the western shore. This afternoon was no exception, with the bright, cheerful sun warming the white sand of the beach outside the Salamandastron mountain stronghold. The warmth, mingled with the refreshing soft breeze made being outside irresistible. In fact, a large group of hares decided to pack their lunches into baskets and troop outdoors to take advantage of that rare day, caught between the chill of winter and the rains of later spring.

Blankets were spread out in several areas about the shore, with the largest congregation hanging about just a bit south of the Salamandastron gate. All ages were enjoying the picnic lunch; laughing, eating, and socializing, all the favorite pastimes of hares. Many responsibilities of the day were forgotten, from the harewives' spring cleaning to the recruits' afternoon combat lessons. Most were tossed by the wayside in favor of the warm day.

The leverets had started up a game of tag there on the sand near their elders, darting about, quick on their lanky legs and endless energy. A smaller group of a dozen or so, made up of teens and young adults, the "big kids" of the crowd, made their way away from the larger group, off further down the shore and into the sparse woodland behind the dunes

The group split into two teams and designated borders for two separate "territories" with home bases on each side. From there, they set up the rules for a glorified game of tag, with elements of capture the flag thrown in. It was basically team tag, but with the older hares, the game was a bit more intense and significantly more physical than the game the leverets were playing down near the tide.

Jamie had been asked to organize the game - he was big on setting up social activities ever since he was a young teen - and he loved physical games. Some of the hares in the group were his own trainees, who of course deferred to him naturally, but also his own peers seemed to naturally defer to him to set up the game as well. So, he became captain of his own team and also organized the game at large.

"Everybeast clear on the rules?" he asked, looking out over the group. "All right, teams to separate bases!"

Leilani, who was on the opposite team from Jamie, while not too big on social activities, was extremely competitive. And this was a good group, anyhow. Another bonus to this particular game was that Lani's speed was a big asset. She chose not to be the leader of her group. Even though she was part of the team, she had an independent nature and she would play this game to that strength. She trotted off with her team to their territory and took up hiding places near her teammates.

After a quiet few minutes, she started to creep to different hiding spots, trying to get closer to the opposing team's territory.

[Ambrose]

Ballaw Consfortingsham Wuthers was glad for the new spring season. He loved this season most of all. The sun would be out for many days with a soft sea breeze moving through Salamandastron. Many of the mountains hares were gallivanting about on the shore outside of the mountain. The younger hares were playing a game of tag, while Ballaw and some of the older hares, like Jamie and Leilani, had gone into the light woodlands to play a more serious game of tag.

Ballaw was on the team with Leilani and he had moved to the back of their team's territory. He had a medium sized length of red cord to hide somewhere in the territory. He tied it to a large oak tree, as high as he could get it. He then moved over to where he saw Leilani hiding. He pushed his ears against his head so they wouldn't stick out over the bush.

"So what's the plan?"

[Eastpaw]

Roseleaf had allowed herself to be lassoed into playing the hodge-podge game of Capture the Flag/Tag. It was a beautiful day out and like all hares, she admired both the fine spring day and the mountains of food being prepared and unpacked on the sands. Although ostensibly she had come out to care for any injuries acquired, truly she was looking forward to a day of fun and enjoyment.

"Everybeast clear on the rules?" he asked, looking out over the group. "All right, teams to separate bases!"

Roseleaf trotted back towards the team’s base, following Jamie with the rest of the team. First they had to hide their ‘flag’ (a blue dishtowel) and then the game could begin! In lieu of weapons (the younger set had had to be convinced it was a bad idea) each team was armed with a variety of small cloth balls filled with red or blue chalk. Throw it at your opponent, and the powdery substance would ‘puff’ through the cloth, leaving a mark and sentencing the victim to prison. No hare was allowed to attempt escape without a free member of his team coming to rescue him.

---

Eastpaw had been one of the instigators of the game, but had spent the planning session bouncing on his toes and exchanging a set of jabbing punches with Southpaw. None had landed, but the lads had set up a fine show, bobbing and weaving around each other as the more serious members (namely Jamie) tried to ignore the mischievous hares. Finally, after a sharp word from the infirmary keeper (she looked ready to spit nails if they didn’t settle) East moved away from his brother as they began to switch teams. “Ach, good fun, wot!” he observed vaguely in the direction of Lani, who he was now standing next too. He winked charmingly at his sister. “I’m sure ye’ll get the bally thing, wot!”

They started to move away from the other team now, East keeping up a long string of conversation to anyone in earshot as they did.

[Mista P]

Crystin struggled to fit into the strict yet relaxed from of living at Salamandastron. Only being able to remember her years on the slavers ship, she had to be retaught manors (even if the beasts teaching it to her didn't often follow the same code) along with refreshing on reading and writing(of which she detested), and the backbreaking discipline of the Long Patrol life (has a big problem with insubordination).

Adjusting was really hard for Crys, but with help from her new siblings, even if they still had doubts, made the transition much smoother.

Today, the hares of Salamandastron had decided on taking lunch outside in a picnic fashion. Not being able to recall anytime that Crys had been to a picnic, the setting was very new to her. Everybeast was so happy out in the warm, yet cool weather and there was more food than Crys could ever remember seeing, or eating!

The older hares that were still young enough to get away with playing games decided to play a spiked-up version of tag. Fidgeting with the new stiff uniforms she was forced to wear, Crys tried to listen to the hare named Jamie, who was explaining the rules. However, she kept getting distracted by East and South as they pretended to box each other with out landing a blow. They were just so funny! Crys just couldn't get enough of East and South's crazy antics. They always put a smile upon her face.

After they were split into teams Crys watched as blue and red cloth bags that were heavy with chalk were passed out. A little lost on how to play, from having missed most of the directions watching East and South, Crys followed East, who looked like he was on the same team as her, as he chatted away.

"East?" Crys tried to interrupt. "I missed most of that. What's we doin'?" She weaved back and forth trying to keep up with him and not speed up and lose him in the spare woodlands in which the game was to be held.

[Elicia]

Rora had hardly approved of the picnic- it was far from her idea of fun. She would have rather been practicing fencing with another officer than having to run about in the sun like a bunch of leverets. She also hadn't wanted to play tag, but the younger hares (those not yet old enough to heed the stern glares she sent their way) had pulled her into it with begs and firm paws. After that, things just went downhill. Seeing her playing- however reluctantly- with the younger ones, that blasted Elicia had dragged her into the game of hide-and-seek.

Rolling her eyes, Rora sat miserably among the rest of the happy hares, trying to force herself to pay attention. However, her attention wandered, and her paw kept straying to her shoulder. The hare was dismayed every time she found that there was no comforting sheath strapped across her back, as she had left the blade back by the picnic-ers. Vaguely, she noted that she was on Leilani's team. One of the Varildes. "Mm." She shut her eyes as Jamie- that was his name?- explained the rules.

As the game began, Rora thought about going back for her saber. She didn't feel right without it, but it was hide-and-seek. One had to hide to win, and it was harder to hide when you had a saber across your back. Leaving with the team, Rora narrowed her eyes, searching for a place to hide. Absently she pulled at the edge of her rumpled tunic, and absently she hurried off to find a hiding spot of her own.

If she was lucky, they'd forget all about her and she could sit in peace without their ceaseless chattering.

[Tracy]

“I’m sure ye’ll get the bally thing, wot!”

Lani looked over at East and offered him a grin. “Fully intend to, wot!” she replied. The scout could outrun most, if not all the other hares involved in this game. It made sense that she’d be the one to make the dash for the other team’s territory and hunt down their flag.

"So what's the plan?"

Lani actually jumped a little, startled by the hare that had suddenly popped up beside her. It wasn’t too easy to sneak up on the haremaid, but she’d been very absorbed in making her way closer to the other territory. Flicking her blue Varilde eyes in the direction of the other hare, she shrugged a little. “Um… get the other team’s flag?” she replied, bouncing her bundle of chalk in her paw, wondering who on the other team it’d be most fun to throw something at. Even though she wasn't feeling extremely talkative, and had her mind set on winning the game, she decided maybe she shouldn't blow off her own teammate so decisively. She turned back to him.

“Ballaw, is it? Well, I s’pose one or two o’ ya stay near our flag, but not too close so’s they know where it is right off. A couple others hover the border an’ pick off intruders. Somebeast goes in with me to find the flag an’ make a dash for it.” She explained this as she kept creeping closer to the border of the territories, marked by a large old oak.

~~~~

Jamie found it horribly amusing to find Rora joining in on their game. Had she not been dragged in on their festivities, he’d have been the highest ranked Long Patroller of the bunch. Even so, he doubted he could bring himself to throw a bundle of chalk at the Brigadier, so he hoped the opportunity did not present itself at any point.

Assigning random jobs to the other members of the team as he walked along with them to their base, he looked to Roseleaf. “D’ya want t'cross to their territory or would y'rather guard?" he asked her. He winked at her. "Hear rumors you're pretty quick," he added, referring to when she'd raced him and beat him soundly.

"I bet they'll be sendin' Lani over, maybe somebeast else." He shook his bag of chalk a bit. "No worries," he said, amused by the chance to throw something at the haremaid he'd thrown out of training one more than one occasion.

"Anybeast want to hedge bets on which o' her own teammates the brigadier throws her chalk at?" he laughed, shaking his head. "A team o' Varildes, she's gonna murder 'em."

[Ambrose]

Ballaw chortled softly as Lani explained her plan. It was so obvious. "ho ho, that's a good one. Well you dash off and pick up the flag marm, I'll keep my eyes peeled for any roughish scallywags that cross the border into our lovely territory wot wot."

Ballaw felt good about his teams chances of winning. They had two scouts on the team: Lani and himself. She would be able to nip over and be back in a flash. He just hoped he wouldn't let his team down.

[Rorgus]

Southpaw was delighted at the prospect of a picnic. He checked the basket to make sure they contained his favorite food.

When he saw the levrets detach themselves from the elders to play a game of tag then a group of older hares left to play their own more seruise game of capture the flag. As Jamie South and East were throwing fake punches at each other much to the amusement Cry's. The teams were picked and all the Varlides were on the same team. Southpaw paw went over to Lani,
“I'll go over to the opponents territory.” He put his paw into his bag of chalk and pulled out a blue one. And aimed at a knot on a tree. Hitting it directly on center to show how good of a shot he was.

[Grath]

[[Ror, the teams are color-coded, you’re on the red team ]]

“D’ya want t'cross to their territory or would y'rather guard?" he asked her. He winked at her. "Hear rumors you're pretty quick."

“Well sir, those rumors are correct, wot.” She said primly, looking around at the territory, getting a feel for the land. She tossed the small cloth bag she had been given up a little. It was just big enough to fit comfortably in her palm.

"Anybeast want to hedge bets on which o' her own teammates the brigadier throws her chalk at?" he laughed, shaking his head. "A team o' Varildes, she's gonna murder 'em."

Roseleaf laughed, shaking her head. “Eastpaw for sure.” She considered a bit. “Or Southpaw.”

[Eastpaw]

"East?" Crys tried to interrupt. "I missed most of that. What's we doin'?"

“We--my dear sister--” The older Varilde said grandly, gesturing about, “Are playing capture the jolly ol’ flag!” He went on to describe the rules of the game--it seemed he had paid attention after all. He winked and nudged Crys. “No worries sis! Just stick close t’me, gotta be pretty quick t’keep t’opponent away from the bally flag, wot!”

Eastpaw wasn’t there. The young boxing hare had gone to ground! “Psst!” Until a whisper ruined the effect, and there he was, standing pressed up against a tree. “C’mon, Crys!” and he was gone again.

[[ Figured this out: Southpaw, Lani, Eastpaw, Rora, Ballaw, Crys - Red Team

Roseleaf, Eli, Jamie - Blue team]]

[Mista P]

“We--my dear sister--Are playing capture the jolly ol’ flag!”

Crys listened intently as East described the smile game to her. The more he told to her, the more she began to like this game. This was the one time that Crys could chuck powered bags at otter hares and get away with it! East continued to jabber on as he nudged her ribs with a wink.

"No worries sis! Just stick close t’me, gotta be pretty quick t’keep t’opponent away from the bally flag, wot!”

Crys was about to say something when East disappeared! Looking around, Crys couldn't find him! It wasn't till she heard someone whispering to her that she looked down to find East on the ground.

“Psst!”

But before she could talk, East was gone again! Getting a bit flustered Crys looked around again till she found him up against a tree.

“C’mon, Crys!”

Crystin was almost ready to chuck her own powdered bag at him, but she fought back the urge and moved on, trying to mimic the way the other hares at Salamamdastron had taught her to scout.

Duck. Scurry. Wait. Listen. Roll . Hide. Break cover. Run. Hide. Crys bobbed and wove her way following East back to where the flag was place, ears and eyes open to however maybe following or approaching....

[Nicodemus]

((Nic's not playing, but he's watching.))

The day was a fine one for a picnic. Not too hot, and not too cold; there was a nice, light breeze. Nicodemus smiled happily as he followed his family out into the sun for a picnic. His blue eyes were fixed especially on Crys. It was hard for her to adjust; that he could tell, and he worried over her when she was away from him. Since his sister's reappearance, Nico had become more careful around his siblings, more delicate with his words, but, at the same time, more free with his feelings.

Beaming, Nic sat down on the ground not too far from where most of the older hares were playing. He didn't want to join them but smiled at his siblings anyways. He was a ways away from the main body of the hares, and that was intended. Jamie's voice was just loud enough to be heard as he explained the rules.

Nicodemus smiled dryly as he looked across the two teams. There was that girl- Elicia?- and Jamie and Roseleaf and a few others on the blue team, and all his siblings on the other. The Brigadier was playing too, it seemed. I wonder how she got dragged into this. He thought, leaning back to stare up at the sky. I wouldn't have marked her as one to play any sort of game- especially not capture the flag. But, I guess it is sort of a mock battle, if you think about it. Maybe that's why she's playing.

[Tracy]

“Well sir, those rumors are correct, wot."

Jamie watched Roseleaf for a moment, his eyebrows lifted as if he expected her to say more. When instead she just seemed to look around without purpose, he shook his head. "Wasn't an answer to my question there, m'gel. But it's good you focused on the part where I complimented you, wot," he teased.

When she turned around to take a look around, he gently nudged her between the shoulder blades to encourage her on. "Well go on then, O' Quick One. Give a shout when - I mean IF - you get caught," he gave her a dry smile, suggesting his little comment wasn't a mistake.

~~~

Leilani had slipped out from the her hiding spot behind the large oak and began creeping into the opponent's territory. She hadn't seen or heard anyone nearby yet. Keeping low but with her reddish ears tall and alert, she crept along, listening for voices that may betray the location of their flag.

Having pocketed her chalk bag for now - it wouldn't do her so much good just now in the other team's territory - she did pick up a decent-sized rock. Not for throwing at someone, of course, but to maybe toss away from her to provide a distraction if one of the others got too close to her.

[Rorgus]

Southpaw had a different tactic. He carefully inched along the ground toward the opponents boundary. Then when he was as close as he could get he found a good tree with low branches and began to climb up it! He made sure he was on the opposite side so they couldn't see him. Then when he was high enough he moved around to the other side so he could watch them. He could see them all but couldn't quit hear them. He saw Lani creeping toward them among the bushes. He pulled out his chalk bag and got one out just in case. Then the other team dispersed and he tried to watch them all at once. He caught a glimpse of something blue and decided it must have been the flag. But the beast carrying it went out of his site, so he couldn't see where they went to. He then tried climbing back down the tree t o follow the hare with the flag. When he did get down however he was to late to follow the hare. He just hoped the Lani saw where he went.

He scouted around for a bit, then he saw a hare of the red team sneaking over towards their borders. He quickly dashed back to his own territory without being seen to warn Ballaw.

[Eastpaw]

[[sorry for commandeering Rora, Eli. I can & will change if you want]]

A blue chalk bag smacked into East’s shoulder--he’d been trying to divert them from the red flag-- he tripped over a foot, went pale when he saw it was the brigadier. He grinned cheekily. “Sorry ’bout that marm, casualty o’ the war an’ all that, w--mmgghh!” the brigadier had tossed her red bag straight at the annoying younger hare.

He ‘died’ dramatically, with many protestations and antics.

---

Roseleaf sprinted across the border, mere feet in front of Lani. She grinned, the red flag was theirs! They had won! Caught in the moment and forgetting her typically more sedate actions, she hoisted the bit of dishcloth aloft as her team gathered around.

Laughing at one of the older male’s jokes, she looked around at her teammates and caught Jamie’s eye. Tilting her head, she smiled. “Good game, wot!”

[Tracy]

Leilani had been so close to winning the game for her team. She had made it into the opposing team's territory and made it most of the way through without even being seen, much less captured. It wasn't until she was practically within arm's reach of the blue team's flag that their team's self-appointed guard, Jamie, finally saw her. She thought she might be quick enough to snatch the flag and still run for it, but her decision to reach for it had been a fatal one. Jamie had quickly captured her.

Lani's teammates did manage to rescue her, but she was forced to trudge shamefully back to their home base to start her journey all over again. She was up to the challenge though, and after the necessary amount of time had passed, she started making her way to the border again. As she was contemplating a new strategy, she heard shouts nearby and before she could register what exactly was happening, Roseleaf went running by, their red dishcloth flailing in her paws.

That was when the haremaid recognized her second big mistake of the game: tying her chalk bag to her belt so it wasn't readily available. Fumbling uselessly for it, she took off after the other haremaid and threw the bag at her. Lani had already lost her momentum and was fumbling too much; the red puff of chalk dust puffed pointlessly into a tree. Abandoning that idea, Lani took off after Roseleaf at top speed - at this point, if anyone on the team was going to catch her, it was Lani.

But Roseleaf crossed the border with Lani practically on her heels. Just as she was accepting defeat - and trying to catch her breath - Lani suddenly blinked in surprise as she was pelted with a bag of blue chalk. "Hey!"

The offender was soon evident by Jamie's burst of laughter. "Sorry m'gel, didn't realize the game had ended, wot!"

Lani scowled at him as she tried to wipe the light-colored chalk dust off her dark fur, mumbling something about the Lieutenant thinking he was awful funny.

“Good game, wot!”

Jamie turned then to Roseleaf with an excited smile. "Always a good game when y'win!" He watched her as she celebrated, waving about the dishcloth as if it were truly the enemy's flag and she had landed an important victory. It was amusing, but it was also nice to see the haremaid drop her guard for a bit and have some fun. There was still a playful child in her yet, and it was nice to coax it out.

When it quieted down a bit, Jamie winked at Roseleaf. "You an' I, we make a good team, eh?" Sure there had been other team members, but the young Lieutenant had worded it to convey a message. It sounded innocent enough, but Jamie was fairly notorious for his little double-meanings. The tone he'd used and the way he'd looked at her made that message even a little clearer.

But he didn't give Roseleaf too much time to react to it as he stepped away with a smile. "Well, I should be headed back. I've some things t'take care of. You all feel free t'keep enjoying this beautiful day, wot."

Lani waved a paw about in the air. Even in defeat, she still had a lot of energy; but she was always highly competitive and hastened for a rematch. "Anybeast want t'get another game goin'? A quick one, what d'ya say? Who's up for it?"

[Mista P]

Hidden among a fern patch, Crystin watched intently as the game progressed.

Apparently Lani had been taken captive by the blue team and was being returned by some teammates. Southpaw was coming down from a tree and rushing off somewhere.And Eastpaw...well he was simply being himself....

For as he distracted the other team from the flag, he tripped over another hare's feet and was pelted by a chalk bag while "dying" dramatically.

“Sorry ’bout that marm, casualty o’ the war an’ all that, w--mmgghh!”

Grinning smartly to herself, Crys reviled her position for a short enough period of time to chuck a red chalk bag, given to her at the beginning of the game, at the hare that hit Eastpaw. The chalk bag, sent with forceful speed on a deadly curve, would hit the enemy hare smack dab in the middle of the back.

After the chalk bag left her paw, Crys ducked back down into the shrubbery, and skirted around to the other side of the glade. As she moved, Crys spied Lani sprinting after another hare, who Crys vaguely remembered as being called Roseleaf. And Roseleaf had the flag!

Forgetting all concern for cover, Crys stood up and sprinted after Lani and , hoping that her charge from a different angle would alter Roseleaf's course. But, her plan was not to be so, for as Crys almost caught up with Lani and Roseleaf near the border line of the territories, Crys tripped on a tree root and fell flat on her face from the momentum.

Muttering curses to herself, Crys looked up to see Roseleaf triumphantly cross the border and win the game. The hares on the blue team celebrated as hares from the red team came out of the trees, a bit crestfallen, but not totally put down.

Crys sat up and dusted herself off. She now understood how to play the game and was ready for another round.

"Well, I should be headed back. I've some things t'take care of. You all feel free t'keep enjoying this beautiful day, wot", The hare named Jamie shouted.

Lani, however, cried "nybeast want t'get another game goin'? A quick one, what d'ya say? Who's up for it?"

Crystin was about to raise her paw in agreement as he stood up, but she soon fell down again in a small gasp. Pain lanced across Cry's foot when she put pressure on it. Gripping the hurting footpaw, Crys looked at the footpad and found the source.

As she fell across the root, Cry had picked up a splinter. Normally, Crystin would just pull out the splinter and that's that. She had gotten splinters all the time, but this one particularly smarted and was in too deep for her to pluck it out with her barepaws...

So as Crys stood up again, she leaned heavily upon the tree next to her and favored her right footpaw, unsure of what to do next. She wanted to just bite her tongue and continue to play this fun game, but she knew if she didn't get it pulled out it would continue to bother her and possibly become infected.

Finally Crystin decided that she probably should get the splinter pulled out, even if this game was just starting to become interesting. Limping away from the grove, Crys started heading back to the mountain to find somebeast who could help her footpaw...

[Elicia]

Rora had been hiding well enough- getting out of the game had been her prime objective, seeing as she hadn't wanted to play in the first place. All around her, there were sounds of hares moving and running and shouting. The brigadier twitched her ears, annoyed at all the excess noise, but glad that they were at least too preoccupied to notice that she wasn't playing. It would have been her death if she had actually participated, as those Varildes were never going to let her forget it. Not that they let her forget anything.

Rora looked up. Someone was coming closer and closer. Clearly, they weren't aware of where she was. Moving to intercept him- it could have been someone from the other team, and she did hate not to be useful- Rora watched in clear disgust as Eastpaw Varilde tripped and fell down. She glared as he started babbling- what was he saying? She wasn't listening, as it was probably nonsense anyways.

Suddenly tired of even being near another Varilde, Rora hit him good and hard with her chalk bag. I put it to good use, at least. She thought, stepping over the 'dying' hare. The brigadier reached over her shoulder as if to grab her saber, but was unpleasantly surprised when she remembered that she had left it over by the picnickers. She hadn't wanted it for anything more than to lean on while she watched the rest of the hares finish up their game, but she was used to its weight on her back and she felt more comfortable with it there. I'd better go get it.

Disregarding the game, Rora hurried out. As she did so she could see the blue team celebrating- they won. She thought dully. Doesn't matter. Rora didn't mind losing a game, just not a battle.

Never a battle.

The brigadier walked slowly so as not to have to play in the next round of the game, but some young hare called her back over. Elicia. Growling at the young hare's cheek, Rora stormed back to her team, not wanting to look like a sissy for not playing, and really, really, really not wanting to play.
_________________
Eli hadn't done much during the first round. She had run out to the edges of the designated area to stop anyone pulling a flank attack on her team, and she had succeeded in hitting one of the red team members. Wonder what that old codger is doin'. She thought, as she leaned against a tree restlessly. Th' brigadier didn't look like she wanted t'play in the first place. Maybe I shouldn't have dragged 'er over...

Her remorse was short-lived, as she heard her team celebrating. They had won! Happily, Eli rushed out to where her team was, but her attention caught on something else: Rora, heading back towards the picnickers. Eli waved jeeringly.

"Hey-y, Brigadier! Can't ye play another round?" She caught the eye of that young hare, Nico, and he shook his head slowly, as if warning her not to aggravate the brigadier. However, Eli was too happy and surprised to notice his warning as Rora stormed back to her own team.

Eli felt rather accomplished. She had managed to get Rora- that grumpy old officer that didn't like anybeast- to play two rounds of capture-the-flag. No one else could say they had done that. It was a feat just to get the brigadier to hold a civilized, normal conversation with someone, let alone play a game. Rora was too fixed on her 'duties' and whatnot to enjoy life.

Privately, Eli made a promise that she was going to lighten up Rora's mood, no matter how long it took her.

[Grath]

They were laughing and clapping each other on the back, both teams celebrating a good game. Eastpaw had staggered up, weaving back and forth in good imitation of a punch-drunk hare. He had a small covey of young haremaids giggling and poking fun at his antics. Until he spotted his family. He bounded over.

“Ach, ye four’ve faces like boil’d frog, wot! Lighten up!” He pulled a silly face at Lani and Crys. “C’mon join the fun, Nico ol’ bean!”

"Anybeast want t'get another game goin'? A quick one, what d'ya say? Who's up for it?"

“I am, wot!” Eastpaw leaped high in the air, waving his paw like he wanted to be called on in school. Just then the Captain appeared, glowering with a faux disapproval at them all. “Lunchtime soon!”

Eastpaw was easily distracted. “On th’other paw, ol’ chaps, best foot forward the buffs!” He led off a charge for the picnic area, taking most of the players with him.

---

Aidan, who had stayed behind instead of playing, was now drawing close through the trees. Unlike Rora, he had been able to avoid Eli’s attempt to get every available hare to play. The players were celebrating, loud and cheerfully, and Roseleaf and Jamie were standing together, discussing something or other, likely the ending of the game.

Aidan frowned at his reaction to that. Roseleaf was a responsible young hare… it wasn’t his place to police her. And he liked Jamie. He was a good officer, an honorable hare. Like many things he didn’t wish to think over, he put that to the back of his mind and scanned the field. Ah, there was the brigadier—not looking too happy to be dragged into the game. He smiled, Rora needed to lighten up a touch in his opinion.

“Lunchtime soon!” He announced, sticking around, letting the overeager East lead much of the players away towards the picnic. The Lieutenant turned away from Roseleaf, Aidan fell in step with him. “That Eastpaw’s rather exciteable, isn’t he?” He remarked, noting the way the younger hare popped in and out of view, egging his slower counterparts on in the race he had begun.

---

Roseleaf turned to Lani, “Ye’re quite fast, lass. Glad ye’re all healed, wot?”

"You an' I, we make a good team, eh?"

She winked cheekily at the younger hare as he stepped close. “Is that why I have a sudden surplus of young miscreants showin’ up in my infirmary?”

“Well, I should be headed back. I've some things t'take care of. You all feel free t'keep enjoying this beautiful day, wot."

She was slightly disappointed, but waved to her brother as he stepped out of the way of a stampede. “I’ll play!” she turned back towards Lani and the few remaining hares.

[Tracy]

Jamie wished he could stay and play another game; at least spend some more time with Roseleaf. He'd actually hesitated a bit to see if the haremaid would be leaving with him, but she wanted to stay and play another round. That was okay. Jamie was pleased to see her out of the infirmary for awhile and having some fun. Unfortunately he just happened to have some responsibilities of his own to take care of soon. So Jamie bid Roseleaf goodbye and left.

Eyeing Eastpaw as he bobbed around and took off in a footrace with childish energy, Jamie had to grin a bit, recalling his own impromptu footrace. He glanced sideways then, surprised to see Aidan appear suddenly at his side. He shrugged a little. "He's just havin' some fun. It's a good day for it." Lifting his eyebrows a bit, he eyed the Captain. "Y'should've joined in with us, was a good game."

He glanced back momentarily, to Roseleaf and the few others who'd decided to stay. He shook his head and smirked at Aidan. "Sure know how t'clean out a game, don'tcha?" he joked.

----------

Lani was a little disappointed as her siblings packed in and left. She saw Crys limping though, and figured it was for the best that she was going to her footpaw seen to. At least East was still here, she thought, as her older brother bounded up, ready for another round. Soon after though, the Captain walked in announced lunch, effectively changing East's mind.

Lani pulled a face of disbelief at the Captain, frowning at him. Then she turned to Eastpaw. "Oh c'mon East, lunch'll be there waitin' for ya. How often do we get a chance t'get a game like this goin'?" But her brother was already leaving, and taking most of the players with him.

Looking around at the few hares remaining, she then looked around at their surroundings. "All right, we still got enough for a smaller game, wot. Mayhap we should make the playing field a little smaller, what d'ya think?" She pointed towards the east. "I say we half the playing boundary an' use the inner half away from the shore. It's more thickly wooded and it'd be more interesting. The western boundary can be that big four-topped oak sittin' on the territory boundaries, an' it'll stop at the creek."