Books and Snow. (Open.)

[Recu Foxer]

Recu stretched out under the trees, another old book on his lap, wrapped in a blanket to keep from the cold. It was such a lovely day, snow and ice everywhere, and Dibbons running around, stuffing snow into each other’s tunics.

Too loud to sleep, but not too bad for a good conversation.

[serenji]

A small, flame-colored squirrel was perched just above the fox. He looked down at Recu, before deciding that his talkative nature could not be whitheld any longer.
"Hello down there!" He cheerfully called. "My name is Darmani. May I ask what yours is, oh fox?" Shaking with suppressed mirth, Darmani hooked his legs over the branch and fell, to where his head was only inches from colliding with Recu's. "Wakey, wakey, foxie!"

[Recu Foxer]

Recu wasn’t startled at all by the squirrel’s antics, having done many moves just like it in his assassin days. With a smile, he offered a paw to Darmani.

“Pleasure to meet thee, Darmani. Mon name ist Recu Foxer. I have not seen ye at the Abbey before, are ye from the forest, yes?”

[serenji]

Still upside down, Darmani extended his paw and shook the offered one warmly. "Ay. Here and therabouts. I'm a wanderer, and this is one of the few times I've visited the abbey. I must say, I am impressed. Magnificant place." He decided that he had spent enough time hanging upside-down and he unhooked his footpaws from the tree branch and landed with a flip in the snow. Dawny-white powder flew up and fluttered down. He stood up, and brushed off his enormous tail.

[Recu Foxer]

Recu brushed off a little of the snow that had landed on his book.

“Thank ye, we take pride in yon Abbey. Where hast thou traveled? I would dearly loveth to know.”

[serenji]

"Not too sure actually. I've been outside of Mossflower a few times, and I've wandered most of it. From the southern shores to here. Seen a lot of the country. Many places I would dearly love to see again. Many other wanderers I have shared company with, and many others I havn't. I've been guest to otter holts and squirrel homes. The great Salamandastron, and the rafts of water hogs."Darmani grinned and didn't seem to mind that he was smaller than Recu while the fox was reclining and he was standing.

[Recu Foxer]

“Hmm, that sounds lovely. Ye have had pleasurable voyages. Have ye been in yon Salamandastron?”

He had seen it, feared it, avoided it. But it still intrigued him.


(I’m sorry, I have no inspiration tonight.)

[serenji]

(no problem. I get the same troubles.)
"A few times. I have visited the great mountain fortress. It's hospitality is legendary only to yours, though I find I enjoy both places." Darmani smiled warmly and shook his large tail. It almost knocked him over with the sheer weight of fur on it.

[Recu Foxer]

Recu chuckled at the squirrel’s antics. Sometimes, winter coats could be a real hassle.

“Well, as hospitable as they may be, I shallt stay in yon Abbey, yes. Come child, siteth down, ye are making I nervous with all the shake about.”

[serenji]

Darmani's eyes flashed. Recu believed he was a child, or did he? Who knew with a former assassin? In anycase, the little squirrle followed the advice. He crouched down in the snow, and discovered that it came to his waist when he did so. How unfortunate. Darmani shook his huge tail, and it came in handy by becoming a huge duster, and blew the snow in all directions. Unfortunatly, the snow also went over his new friend Recu. The flame-colored squirrel hopped up. "I'm so sorry about that. I had no idea it would do that."

[Recu Foxer]

“’Tis perfectly fine. ‘Tis only snow.” Shaking the snow out of his long ears, the fox brushed off the gathering cold wetness from his shoulders. “What of yon Abbey have ye seen Darmani? Perchance there’s somewhat I can show ye, yes?”

[serenji]

"Yes indeed. I've only been to a few places in here. I would dearly love to see it in the summer. I havn't been to the belltower, the guardhouse, the cellars, nor the attic. The kitchens, my room, and the dining room are all I've everbeen to other than here inside the walls." Darmani pulled his tail in front of him and held it between his legs and his head.

[Recu Foxer]

Recu shrugged.

“Well, ifn ye come back in yon summer, I’d show ye around, yes. However, ‘tis winter, so that shant work. But ifn ye’d like, I can take ye to the bell tower. Mayhap the cellars, ifn the cellarhog permits, yes?”

[serenji]

Darmani nodded his head "I would like that very much. You are extremely kind, Recu. I don't know how I could ever repay you." He let go of his tail and allowed it to sweep behind him, scattering more snow. "Let's go, shall we?" The tiny squirrel stood and waited.

[Recu Foxer]

Recu smiled, and stood dusting his tail off.

“Don’t ye worry about I. Come now, yes, into yon Abbey.”

(Did you want to start it? Or should I?)

[serenji]

(let me. I'll call it, The grace of a friend.)