A Little R&R

[Tracy]

Ripley had absolutely refused to stay in the infirmary. They were lucky to get her in that room at all. She hadn't allowed anyone to even touch her until they'd seen to all other injuries first. Then and only then had she permitted them to sew the long split she'd taken in her ear and tend to her various cuts and scrapes. The worst of the pain, she'd come to find, was actually a cracked rib, but there wasn't much to be done about that. When her ear had been throbbing before, she hadn't even noticed the ache in her side. Now she did.

Forgetting her rib in her grogginess, Ripley was nearly floored by the sharp pain as she rolled out of bed the next morning. For being such a trivial and almost benign injury, it hurt like hell. The haremaid resigned herself to taking it easy for the day. Dressing down in soft, loose cotton, she made her way to breakfast later than her usual routine. Wandering about aimlessly for most of the morning, she wasn't really sure what do with herself. She'd found her brother who promised to free up some of his day later to entertain her.

Late in the morning, she decided to visit the infirmed. She'd wanted to see them last night, but after putting up such a fight to get out in the first place, she figured it'd be insensitive to waltz right back in. Slipping into the infirmary unannounced, she ignored any glance or rebuke from the infirmary staff and made her way over to where Southpaw and Sola were, wrapped up in their own beds near each other back in the corner. Ripley was a bit surprised that the extent of Southpaw's injuries had not earned him one of the private rooms, but given the whole Varilde brood was probably in and out of the infirmary, they'd probably decided against stashing him all the way down the hall.

Ripley had a small platter with a cloth over it. "I heard the fare in the infirmary is pretty terrible, so I brought you two some honeybaked apples with cream." The haremaid immediately took it upon herself to rearrange furniture, scooting a sidetable in between the beds to set the platter on. "You should probably know I had t'kill a beast to get this." Ripley could deadpan a joke like no one else.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, as she moved around to get herself a stool, setting it down between them. She gingerly perched herself up on it, mindful of how she arched her middle.

[Django]

Soladeo Gloria was feeling pretty miserable.

It seemed like every body part she possessed was sore in some way. But the pain was mostly concentrated on her flanks and hips. She was pretty much limited to one position: lying flat on her back. And that was fine with her, for she wasn't exactly ready to get up and go anywhere. Except maybe off the godd*mn mountain. Were it not for the agony in her sides, she would be gone already, after extending her thanks _{and apologies} to the hares of the Long Patrol.

Instead, she lay on the hospital bed, groggy and sore, wondering how angry all the soldiers would be with her for her past comments. Okay, so she really was sorry, and it had taken being rabbit-napped by an eagle to make her repent. Way to go, Sola. With a deep sigh, the rabbit rested her folded arms on her forehead. She inhaled sharply as the movement caused a twinge of pain to shoot up her sides from her hips to her underarms. She let out a stream of profanity--authentic words or not--under her breath. The words were all directed at the eagle, of course. There was no way she could insult the Long Patrol, anymore.

"I heard the fare in the infirmary is pretty terrible, so I brought you two some honeybaked apples with cream." The haremaid immediately took it upon herself to rearrange furniture, scooting a sidetable in between the beds to set the platter on. "You should probably know I had t'kill a beast to get this."

Sola went pale and cracked a smile at the same time. Lowering her arms with a wince, she looked over to see the snow-white hare Ripley Contarelle. Chuckling quietly at the joke, the rabbit gingerly lifted herself up into a sitting position. She inhaled through her teeth at the agony the movement caused, but it passed once she got settled. "Hi, Ripley," she greeted genuinely.

"How are you feeling?"

Horrible. Terrible. Miserable. Awful. Like I want to puke. In serious pain!! All of these adjectives--plus a few more unsavory ones--flitted through Sola's mind, but she didn't voice them. Clearing her throat, she let a little color return to her cheeks before answering, "Better than I should--I mean, better than I was." Inhaling deeply, she reached for one of the treats on the tray. Even though she wasn't all that hungry, she didn't want to appear rude. Not when she should be trying to make amends with Ripley.

"Hey, listen," she began. "I just wanted t'say that . . ." She rubbed her neck, trying to maintain eye contact. "I'm grateful for what you did. On the ladder, and all. Thanks." Well, it had to be done, otherwise her conscience wouldn't let her leave this place.

[Stryker]

Southpaw Varilde was sitting up and wide awake, having the help of a nurse to get his shirt back on, Doctor Black having just checked his wounds. Truth be told, the hare was a little depressed that his tribal tattoo was going to be ruined by the scarring, and what little of it had extended to his shoulder was covered by the heavy, stiff bandages Doctor Black had recently redressed. Perking up immediately at the presence of Ripley Contarelle, that uncorruptible smile of his stretched across his face, belying the massive amounts of pain he'd been in earlier.
"Ripley!"
He was already happy to see her, but the mention of food almost made him leap up and give her a kiss -- but that would hardly be appropriate, now would it? Besides, she had already proven she'd cared about him at least, let's not ruin a good thing, eh?

"I heard the fare in the infirmary is pretty terrible, so I brought you two some honeybaked apples with cream." The haremaid immediately took it upon herself to rearrange furniture, scooting a sidetable in between the beds to set the platter on. "You should probably know I had t'kill a beast to get this." Ripley could deadpan a joke like no one else.

The hare chuckled, his blue eyes sparkling as he took an apple from the platter, munching on it before speaking. "Thank you for your services Rip, it was for a good cause! Can't have two injured beasts starvin', eh? Never mind me. I'm pumped full of so much medication I can barely feel any pain -- what about you? Are you doing okay?" Southpaw stole a glance to Sola, sympathetic towards the rabbitmaid's plights. He'd probably be stuck sleeping on his right side from now on, since letting his left shoulder come in contact with the mattress was NOT a pleasant experience. Though Southpaw was strong and quite dexterous, he was left-handed by nature, and was a bit clumsier with his food than he'd liked to be, forced to use the weaker paw for everything now.

[Tracy]

Ripley tilted one black-tipped ear at the rabbitmaid in greeting. Violet eyes fixated on Sola momentarily as the rabbit grabbed some of the apple. The haremaid lifted her eyebrows. "If y'don't feel much up to eating, don't feel obligated. My feelin's aren't that easily hurt." She lifted a paw to the side of her mouth as if she had a secret. "I didn't really kill anybeast." When Southpaw went straight for the food, Ripley gave a knowing nod in the boxing hare's direction, as if to say 'he'll take care of it.'

"Thank you for your services Rip, it was for a good cause! Can't have two injured beasts starvin', eh? Never mind me. I'm pumped full of so much medication I can barely feel any pain -- what about you? Are you doing okay?"

The haremaid turned her attention to Southpaw then. She studied him for a moment, trying not to frown at the terrible shoulder injury. Her mind's eye flashed to the previous morning on the ledge… there'd been so much blood. It was frustrating to know he'd gone up there to rescue them, and had landed himself in the infirmary while she came away about as unscathed as any creature attacked by an eagle could. "I'm completely fine." Ripley didn't know what else to say. All the words that came to mind felt empty and stuck in her throat.

"Hey listen."

Ripley returned her attention to Sola, who was visibly uncomfortable.

"I'm grateful for what you did. On the ladder, and all. Thanks."

The haremaid shook her head a little, waving a paw. "Oh don't even mention it. That's how we do things around here, y'know," she said with a quick wink. She had sensed the 'thank-you,' while directed at her, hadn't just been for her. Adjusting herself a bit on the stool, she went on. "The fates are wanting to stick your sorry butt here at Salamandastron, aren't they?" she laughed.

She carefully lowered herself off the stool, walking around Southpaw's bed. "You two thirsty? I'm thirsty." She walked over to the counter where the pitchers and cups were.

[nikki]

"An' arenae we th' lucky ones, Sooth? Three bonnie maids an' naethin' fur tae do aw day!"

Saxifrage beamed as he slipped in, for once keeping his boisterous voice at a low level as he grinned at the three. After a moment, Heartsease, who had been entirely hidden by the giant hare, stepped around him into view; like Ripley she had brought food (mushroom pasties), though these were set aside as she noticed Southpaw already attacking Ripley's offering.

"Glad to see you awake and devouring, South," the rabbit said with a small grin of her own. "Can't be all that bad if a hare can still pack it in, eh?" Heartsease herself had several long scratches from the marauding birds below, but nothing too serious; Saxifrage himself was unhurt. "Ah... and you'd be Miss Deo and Miss Contarelle, right?" A quick curtsy, though she peered curiously at the lop-eared rabbit for a moment. So this was the other one....

"Sae, mah beauties - an' Sooth - Ah'm hopin' yoo're recovin' weel? Nae a mark oan me, strange sort ay day we've hud when that's th' case! But 'twas a grain auld shaw frae aw involved, dornt ye think?"

He stepped over to help Ripley with the pitcher as he spoke, grinning still; once the water was served out he sat on the floor beside the beds, and after a moment Heartsease sat beside him, ears forward as she looked up at her friend and the two older maids.

[Django]

"Oh don't even mention it. That's how we do things around here, y'know," she said with a quick wink. "The fates are wanting to stick your sorry butt here at Salamandastron, aren't they?" she laughed.

Sola offered a weak chuckle in return. It was mostly out of relief. "I guess so," she agreed. And to think, all she'd wanted from this place was a shiny weapon or artifact. Now she was booked for an extended stay, thanks to a certain giant bird, and--

"South! Sola! Good t'jolly well have both o' ye back in the land o' the bloody living, wot?" Cordin sauntered in, grinning like an idiot. Sola felt her face go hot, and she immediately dropped her gaze. The corporal walked over to her bed and patted her shoulder gently. "I dare say ye gave me quite the flippin' scare there, Missy." He turned to Southpaw. "And good ole South. So glad t'see ye awake. Honestly, I'm surprised I got outta this mess with less bloody injuries than ye. Animals don't seem t'like me." He winked.

Sola made to say something when Saxifrage and the little maid walked in. The lop-eared rabbit stifled a gasp. Oh, she was so cute! Cordin gave a nod to the newcomers, his grin never leaving his face as he stood stoically by Sola's bed.

"Ah... and you'd be Miss Deo and Miss Contarelle, right?"

Miss Deo? Sola chuckled. "Nice t'meet you, dear," she replied. "But my first name is Soladeo. Second name is Gloria. But please, call me Sola. I don't believe I've learned your name, yet."

"Teardrop of me heart," Cordin greeted the little white-pawed rabbit, swiping a mushroom pasty from the tray Heartsease had set aside. "You're an absolute gem, y'know, bringin' jolly sustenance t'the wounded. Glad t'see ye made it out relatively unscathed, as well."

"Sae, mah beauties - an' Sooth - Ah'm hopin' yoo're recovin' weel? Nae a mark oan me, strange sort ay day we've hud when that's th' case! But 'twas a grain auld shaw frae aw involved, dornt ye think?"

Sola accepted the water from the big hare and nodded her thanks. "Saxifrage, right?" she asked. "I can't say I'd like t'see a show like that ever again. Though I'm happy I wasn't the only actor involved." She smiled at Cordin, whose ears snapped to attention smartly.

"Atcha service, Missy," he said with a smart salute. "No bloody way my compadres and I were leavin' two gorgeous maids in a jam like that, wot, wot?"

((Sorry if that seemed scattered.))

[Stryker]

Southpaw returned Saxifrage's grin, his expression turning to pleasant surprise when he finally laid eyes on Heartsease.
"Heart! I was wonderin' how you'd faired against the birds down below -- Good to see you're hanging in there, m'gel." The hare winked, obviously in high spirits thanks to the pain medication -- even high enough to throw Azryel Black a wink as the gaunt hare returned to them.
"Heyyyyy. Wot's up doc? Everythin' bright and sunny with you, ol' buddy ol' pal ol' chum?"

The doctor looked at Southpaw as though he'd grown a second head, before realization -- along with him distinctly remembering he didn't like Southpaw -- hit him. "Sit down Varilde." Was the doctor's response, not honoring him with any sort of acknowledgment of the hare's peculiar antics.

"South! Sola! Good t'jolly well have both o' ye back in the land o' the bloody living, wot?" Cordin sauntered in, grinning like an idiot. Sola felt her face go hot, and she immediately dropped her gaze. The corporal walked over to her bed and patted her shoulder gently. "I dare say ye gave me quite the flippin' scare there, Missy." He turned to Southpaw. "And good ole South. So glad t'see ye awake. Honestly, I'm surprised I got outta this mess with less bloody injuries than ye. Animals don't seem t'like me." He winked.

"Oh psh tush and all that! It's because that bloomin' eagle liked me so much that I ended up like this!" Southpaw stuck out his tongue as he tugged at a corner of the bandages curiously. "I can presume she bloody well leaned in ter give me a jolly ol' kiss on the cheek but missed! Haha!"

Southpaw Varilde could be obnoxious. He could be loud. He could be cheerful for no damn good reason -- however, slightly out of it was not one of Southpaw's usual moods. Doctor Black frowned, moving over to check the hare's temperature -- when Southpaw grabbed his outstretched paw to pull the doctor in close.
"Has anyone ever told you, you have lovely eyes?"

Yep. Something was wrong with him.
Doctor Black reserved his coldest stares for situations like this, and removed his paw from Southpaw's clingy grip with a small grimace, straightening up. "How much pain medicine did they give you, Mr. Varilde?"

"Ooooooooooh...I dunnooo~o."
The hare flopped back onto his bed, humming something in an odd, out of tune manner.
"Hmmm....a lot?"

Azryel resisted the urge to press his paw to his face accompanied by an exasperated sigh.
Duh.


((aaand thought I'd have a bit of fun with a totally loopy South. ))

[Eastpaw]

“Heeeey.” A low voice drawled from the bed one over from Southpaw. Eastpaw lifted his head groggily, peering around with a confused expression. “Why are we innaa infirmarieee?” His ears flopped comically as he tilted his head, looking around.

“Southpaw. You there?” His head throbbed and his right arm was numb… was it? Suddenly afraid, East thrashed in the blankets until he uncovered the heavily bandaged appendage and sank back, relieved to find it still attached.

“Everybeast off da mountain? Nasty eagle.” He offered again, craning his head to find anyone in range to speak with.

[Tracy]

Ripley gave a brief nod to Saxifrage when he came to help her hand out cups of water. Walking back over, she handed a cup to Southpaw and kept a second cup for herself. She fell silent as all the sudden newcomers went through their niceties. Her gaze strayed briefly to the youngest member of the group, some little grey rabbit. Not at all in the mood to introduce herself, especially to some little cadet, the scout kept to herself.

She'd thought, given it was late in the morning and still a couple of hours until lunch, everyone else would be too busy to be milling about the infirmary. So many beasts hovering around the injured creature made her feel claustrophobic. She wondered if South or Sola felt overwhelmed by all the guests. Ripley knew she would. But there wasn't really any way to remedy the situation, except just to take herself out. When the doctor walked in, she was grateful for the excuse to slide off her stool and move around outside of the group to get out of Black's way when he checked on Southpaw.

She almost left, but found herself hovering as the doctor checked over Southpaw. Ripley hadn't actually heard any news about how the Varilde twin was faring. The drugged-up, slap-happy hare before her was hardly providing her with any accurate information. Black was visibly exasperated as he moved away from Southpaw, but then again, when wasn't he? She hadn't gleaned anything useful though, and didn't much feel like engaging the irritable doctor in conversation.

Sliding up to Southpaw, she gave him an apologetic look. "Well, I should go…" Ripley had nowhere to be, but she was uncomfortable with everyone around, and aimed to be gone before it was obvious. Although, it was probably already clear, given the haremaid had made virtually no attempt to greet or otherwise talk to anyone else. She turned her head at the sound of rustling behind her.

"Heeeey."

Damn it.

[nikki]

"Nice t'meet you, dear," she replied. "But my first name is Soladeo. Second name is Gloria. But please, call me Sola. I don't believe I've learned your name, yet."

”Oh - I’m sorry.” Heartsease blushed at the error, but smiled at Sola’s greeting, tipping her ears toward the other rabbit. ”Pleased to meet you - I’m Heartsease Whitefoot, joined up recently. I’ve heard of you… ah, glad you’re down safe, at least.” Heartsease paused there, a little intimidated by Ripley’s near-total lack of response to her greeting. She smiled again as Cordin and then South spoke to her, though, nodding.

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine… I have to admit, even those crows look like great monsters to me, I can’t imagine an eagle. And South, I‘ll be happy to bring you anything y‘like while you‘re here.”

She looked up at Black’s approach, whiskers twitching curiously, but the maid kept a respectful silence as he examined Southpaw… at least until South started speaking, at which point a giggle burst from her. She quickly brought her paws up to stifle, of course, but made further tiny squeaks as South continued.

"Saxifrage, right?" she asked. "I can't say I'd like t'see a show like that ever again. Though I'm happy I wasn't the only actor involved."

”Tha’ Ah am, mah bonnie darlin‘,” Sax said to Sola, bowing a bit from his seated position. ”Saxifrage Dillworthy-Bigbones - call me Sax.” He kept that cheery grin, giving her a little salute. ”An' Ah dornt blam ye, sola - though yoo're a reit brae maid yerself, ye ken. Cooldnae hae gotten ye doon withit ye, if ye kin.” He thought a moment, head tilted to the side.

“Though… a shame Bray had tae burn th' bird - if Ah coods hae gotten it doon eh'd hae brooght it tae our auld Doctor Spook tae look ower. Clever hare, him, coods look at its innards an' mebbe tell us hoo tae better fight one. If it suited him tae say, anyway.” He nodded politely to the doctor as he appeared.

”An’ speakin’ ay th’ devil himself!”

[Romulus]

”Oh - I’m sorry.” Heartsease blushed at the error, but smiled at Sola’s greeting, tipping her ears toward the other rabbit. ”Pleased to meet you - I’m Heartsease Whitefoot, joined up recently. I’ve heard of you… ah, glad you’re down safe, at least.”

Sola took another sip of water. "Pleasure's all mine," she replied. "Heartsease are pretty purple pansy-like flowers, right? I met a vixen once who positively adored them. You're certainly as pretty as heartsease, Miss Whitefoot." The Holland Lop giggled lightly. She'd never seen another rabbit as adorable as this cadet!

”Tha’ Ah am, mah bonnie darlin‘,” Sax said to Sola, bowing a bit from his seated position. ”Saxifrage Dillworthy-Bigbones - call me Sax.” He kept that cheery grin, giving her a little salute. ”An' Ah dornt blam ye, sola - though yoo're a reit brae maid yerself, ye ken. Cooldnae hae gotten ye doon withit ye, if ye kin.” He thought a moment, head tilted to the side.

Sola chuckled, long ears perking up a little. Her mood was improving quite drastically. It must be all the nice creatures around her. She always felt more relaxed in a crowd. "Oh, I'd not say brave, Mr. Sax," she responded to the big hare. "More like unlucky. But fortune eventually smiled on me and Ripley when you all showed up."

Cordin leaned against the railing of Sola's bed, practically beaming. He simply would not move from her side, and listened as she talked with the others. He laughed when Southpaw railed on, high on pain meds. Not even the storm cloud that was Dr. Black could spoil his mood. But, then again, there usually wasn't much that could spoil his mood, period.

"Heeeey,"

"East, lad," Cordin gave a small wave to the other Varilde twin. "Ye conscious over there, wot?" It was then he noticed Ripley trying to edge her way out of the crowded sick bay. He nodded politely to her, assuming she had somewhere to be.

((Mm, not happy with this. Hope it's okay.))

[Stryker]

"Well, I should go…"

”Aww! No, c'mon Rip!”
The drugged up hare was obviously distressed at the idea of the object of his affection leaving simply because it got too crowded. He knew she wasn't big on gatherings and the like, but he was sportin' an injury the likes of which would take quite a while to heal, and while he would never play the guilt card with her – he would, however, fully abuse his 'patient rights' and demand she stay a little longer.
”I'd appreciate it if you'd stay, you're great company.” Southpaw flashed her a smile, mellowing out for a few seconds to convince her he actually needed her here – when he saw her still headed for the door, however, the hare was up in a flash and bounding toward her – the doctor's mordant eyes upon him in an instant.
”Get back in bed, Varilde.” No threatening words accompanied this stern command, Doctor Black didn't think any needed to be said – it was generally a given that he wasn't afraid to use physical force if necessary, on an injured patient or not.

Southpaw flashed Doctor Black a scowl, realized this hare was going to be checking his wounds for the next few weeks and decided to correct it with a sheepish smile. ”I'll get back in bed after I'm done convincin' Ripley to stay!”

Just when Ripley thought it couldn't possibly get any more crowded, the arrival of Braythe the Savage proved otherwise. The massive snow-white badger walked in, a cadet pulling a trolley full of food (and some of his favorite muffins he'd been willing to part with) after him. ”How's everyone?” Just a few months ago, it wouldn't have occurred to the badger to go down and visit any of the wounded hares, that a visit from him might count for something... But Braythe, if anything, was actually starting to loosen up a little and lose some of that savage, wild, 'fend for myself' personality he's had for so long.
The fact that it winter was approaching fast was evident in his physical appearance, the lack of stripes on his body made him look a little odd – less like a badger and more like some kind of bear or something... Weirdly enough, he looked a bit friendlier than during the summer and early fall months.

“Everybeast off da mountain? Nasty eagle.”

”Aye,” Braythe replied, his attention on the slightly loopy Corporal Eastpaw Varilde. ”You all made it off the mountain safe, good job to all of ye.” The badger allowed himself a curt, respectful nod to some of the members of the rescue party, turning then, to little Sola who was nearby Heartsease and Saxifrage. Braythe grinned, giving his friend Sax a childish nudge. ”Good to see you're not sportin' any injuries, Sax. Sorry about your stay here Soladeo Gloria – I guess the gods just don't want ye leavin' just yet.”

The cadet, who's name was Dillon looked around the room with wide, curious eyes – until he finally found Corporal Eastpaw Varilde, and his face lit up. ”Corporal Varilde! Is it true you went all flippin' bloodwrath on that eagle, sir? Darby says there was two eagles, but you slew one and went berserk on the other!”

Ah exaggeration.

At least it made things interesting, right?

[nikki]

"Heartsease are pretty purple pansy-like flowers, right? I met a vixen once who positively adored them. You're certainly as pretty as heartsease, Miss Whitefoot."

"They are, marm." Heartsease beamed at the compliment, blushing a bit again. "Wild ones - another name for them's Banwurt, that's my oldest brother. And thank you very much - that's a lot coming from a rabbit like you." This was true enough - Heartsease couldn't help feeling a bit plain next to the likes of Sola and Ripley. A Long Patroler didn't need to be pretty, certainly, but it was nice to be heard nevertheless. "But where did you meet a vixen? I never have, you see, but then this is the first time I've really been away from home, you know? But I've heard you're a traveler, so I'll bet you've seen lots, haven't you? Er...." She trailed off, remembering that Sola was injured and perhaps wanted to rest. "But maybe later...."

"Oh, I'd not say brave, Mr. Sax," she responded to the big hare. "More like unlucky. But fortune eventually smiled on me and Ripley when you all showed up."

"Ahh, but ye kept yer head an' had th'wits tae get doon tae me, didnae ye?" The big hare grinned, gently ruffling Sola's ears. "Lots tae be said fer tha'."

He looked up at Ripley trying to head out - and Southpaw's apparent distress over it - and laughed.

"Ripley mah hen, if ye need a bit o' space Ah kin head oot - trainin' tae look to an' aw an' it's as guid as two leavin'!" Hm, he did need to speak to Braythe about that. A Colour Sergeant's duty was, technically, protecting the oft-targeted standard-bearer from harm. Perhaps he could show it off with a big game of capture-the-flag for the cadets and younger officers... or anyone who wanted to join up, really. The rawer ones would learn to work as a team (ideally speaking) and he would be kept on his toes - a fun time for all, really!

And there was Braythe himself - busy now, but he could raise the question later. The gray hare laughed as he was nudged, nudging the white badger in turn.

"An' whit sort ay near-sighted eagle woods want a moldy-lookin' bit ay stone loch me? 'at was a bird wi' eyes fur beauty, Ah was in th' leest danger ay onie beest on th' ben!"

He laughed at Dillon's question, strolling over to lean gently on the cadet.

"Nae, laddie. Ye see, most eagles ur afraid o' uir guid auld varildes, this one jist hud tay much sun fur his own guid."

This was said with as much seriousness as Sax could muster, gray eyes bright.

"Hello Lord Braythe," Heartsease called, getting to her feet as the badger entered (it seemed appropriate to do so). She saluted him, smiling, before Dillon's question had her glancing over at Eastpaw. Realizing she hadn't checked in on him yet, she excused herself from Sola and made her way to his side, ears perking.

"Well, I don't know about Bloodwrath, but they certainly made a job of it! How are you feeling, Eastpaw? Aside from the obvious I suppose...."

[Kenyon]

"East, lad," Cordin gave a small wave to the other Varilde twin. "Ye conscious over there, wot?" It was then he noticed Ripley trying to edge her way out of the crowded sick bay. He nodded politely to her, assuming she had somewhere to be.


“Aah, not sure.” East managed to prop himself on his elbows, his head still swimming fuzzily. He blinked several times, the room finally steadying and sharpening into focus. He managed a lopsided grin, edging backwards until he could lean cautiously against the bedstead.

“Everybeast off da mountain? Nasty eagle.”

”Aye,” Braythe replied, his attention on the slightly loopy Corporal Eastpaw Varilde. ”You all made it off the mountain safe, good job to all of ye.”

Born of practice long enough to become instinct, Eastpaw’s ears and posture straightened. He seemed to focus more clearly as he replied to the badgerlord. “Sah! Sorry Ah don’t think Ah can stand.” He tilted an ear. “Wouldn’t call this ‘xactly safe, though, sir. All torn up an’ all.”

The cadet, who's name was Dillon looked around the room with wide, curious eyes – until he finally found Corporal Eastpaw Varilde, and his face lit up. ”Corporal Varilde! Is it true you went all flippin' bloodwrath on that eagle, sir? Darby says there was two eagles, but you slew one and went berserk on the other!”

Eastpaw’s other ear flopped over as he arranged himself more carefully against the head of the bed. He was still loopy from the drugs, but he was never one to turn a tall tale down. His grin was as lopsided as his ears. “Aye laddie! Me’n me messmate South got rid of the eagles, well enough! Ain’t that right, South?” He glanced over at South, who was mooning over Ripley. “South? Oh flippin’ tadpoles, hope they didn’t give him that dreamflower thingy wotsit for the pain, wot!”

"Well, I don't know about Bloodwrath, but they certainly made a job of it! How are you feeling, Eastpaw? Aside from the obvious I suppose...."

“Think my brain’s stuffed with cotton, an’ things go spinny, and me arm’s numb…” He looked suspiciously at the arm in question.