Sheltered care.

[William]

(Continued from Shelter at the Eastern gates.)

The main hall of the abbey glowed brightly from the torches like along the wall. Will smiled at the warmth that pressed down upon him after being out in the cold rain. Taking a towel from a small pile next to the door he handed one to Maris and he dried his fur off. Smiling at Maris again he made his way down the hall toward sweet smells coming from behind a door.

[Stray]

Maris followed William through the abbey hallway, this place seemed to fill the traveler with a sense of comfort. A homely feeling to a beast who hardly knew the meaning of home, it was a strange feeling for Maris. Taking the towel with a nod of gratitude he continued following the mouse as he dried himself. The sense of comfort was also accompanied by the overwhelming size of this place. Maris did not want to loose site of William almost certain he'd become as lost in here, as he was in Mossflower.

As they continued down the hallway there was a sudden variety of smells which shifted Maris' thoughts towards scoffing. Maris had never been in a kitchen, imagining he would like it considering all the smells. He'd tried many foods given to him after a performance, but that was only road food, rations. "What kinds of food do you have Will?"

[William]

Will smiled as he watched Maris take in the sight of the abbey. It was the same with most travelers. Sure they may have seen a place like this, but the chances were it was a vermin stronghold, not an Abbey. Maris was like so many other adventures that had come through this abbey. Amazed at the sight and the atmosphere. Yet still he hadn't even tasted the food. Resting his paw on the kitchen handle Will smiled at Maris. "Why don't you find out." He said as he opened the door to revel the kitchen of Redwall, food piled high and being made all the time, the sweet smell of so many dishes was almost overpowering.

[Stray]

((OOC: Sorry for the delay, and sorry if the post is crappy. My brother in law just died and I'm a bit upset.))

Maris stood in shock, he'd never seen so much food in all his life. He was impressed by everything this place had to offer especially this kitchen, were all kitchens this way? They couldn't possibly be, this was a big place which probably meant a lot of mouths to feed. A lot of mouths to feed meant a big audience, the thought of it excited the mouse.

As for the food, Maris had no clue where to start or whether he even should. He felt so intrusive, barging in soaking wet in need of food. Silently he walked past Will to inspect the wide array of breads, cheeses, Farls, and other vittles that decorated a table. The mouse's eyes caught a deeper 'n ever pie. A marvelous dish which the mouse had servings of quite a few times while on the road. "Are you sure you don't mind a stranger scoffing up your food mate?"

[William]

(Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Stray. )

Will smiled at Maris's reaction as he walked around the kitchen. The cooks looked at him and smiled as he walked around them. Will to folowed a bit behind Maris, taking a tray and getting some food for himself. The sight of this food always made him hyngrey, but he couldn't complain, any excuse to eat some of this food was good for him. He smiled at Maris when he asked of eating the food. "Food's made to be eaten Maris, take what you like."

[Stray]

Maris did not need any more of a sign, he was ready to dig in. "Most logical thing I heard all day Will!" he noted before scoffing down the deeper 'n ever pie. It took a decent amount of time to finish by himself, but with the help of being starved for a few days and having a beaker of strawberry cordial at his side, he managed downing the dish. Looking around, he realized there were so many things to try. He was somewhat content with the pie, but what was a bloke to do when there were new tastes at his disposal. Spotting a particular dish he'd never seen before, he looked to Will for advice. "Hey mate, what's this called?"

((OOC: Hope you don't mind me putting you on the spot with the dish. You can pick anything as long as it's not Hot Root Soup (Eventually I'd like to say that it's a dish he likes))

[William]

Smiling as the mouse started to devour the pie Will sat down on the opposite side of the small table and began eating the food he had collected. Going at a much slower pace then Maris he just chuckled as the mouse ate the pie. He couldn't blame him though, he was used to this food, to Maris, this was a whole new kind of food. Looking up from his beaker he looked at the steaming platter. Shrugging he turned to a cook who was looking at the dish. "Oh, its a small trout caught from the River Moss that we steamed and added spices to it, its really new, you'll be the first one to try it." He said with a smile, hoping Maris would enjoy his dish.

[Stray]

Maris looked down at the dish after hearing Will's words, he'd had fish before but never seasoned. Any fish he ever caught on the road was cooked by Flit or himself, and neither of them were qualified cooks. Taking to the fish, he found that it practically melted in his mouth. All the foods in this place seemed to be so well made. It was as though this place had a magic oven or something like that. "Wow this is great Will, you have magic cooks here or something?" He glanced over at a few of the cooks, happy to be in there presence.

[William]

(Cool new character Stray, very interesting.)

Will chuckled at Maris as he finished his small meal. "No such luck Maris, they are just very skilled." The cook that had made the dish smiled and bowed to Maris. "Glad you like it Maris, its always good to hear that your work is appreciated, I'm sure the rest of the abbey will enjoy that dish later." Smiling he walked off to disappear behind a large oven. Will smiled as he cleared up his plate and looked back at Maris. "Tis been a long day Maris, I think you could use a good sleep."

[Stray]

((OOC: Thanks))

Maris watched as the chef disappeared, obviously to get back to his work. It must have took a lot of training to become that good of a cook, even making a tolerable dish was a challenge to Maris. He only wished that Flit or himself could ever be so talented, it would make life on the road much more enjoyable. Finishing up his plate Will mentioned rest, a good rest after scoffing down food sounded great. "Sounds good to me mate I can't eat another bite." He smiled and picked up his plate, happy to not be starving out in the woods.

[William]

Will chuckled as Maris watched the cook walk off. Seemed that the cook just gained a new fan. Looking back at Maris he smiled as he stood up and headed toward the door. "Right this way then Maris. You can have one of the spare rooms until your own room can be prepared." Leading Maris out of the kitchen, across the great hall, and up the stairs on the other side they were soon walking down a hallway. Passing several doors Will stopped at a door that was open and smiled at Maris as he swept his arm into the room. "Have a good sleep Maris." The room was fairly simple. One bed, a dresser, and a small table with a mirror sitting on it. Next to the mirror was a window with a look over the abbey grounds. Nodding again Will walked off toward his own room for a sleep himself.

[Stray]

Maris followed Will's lead taking notice to every nook and cranny of the abbey. He'd never seen such a place in all of his life, just the size of it was amazing to him. He hoped that getting lost would not be a problem here, especially when he woke up. Arriving at the room Maris looked around with improvement, any room was well enough for him. He'd sleep on the floor as so long as he was out of the storm. "Thanks Will, and good night to you!" he called to the mouse before returning to the room.

The mouse did not find sleep for some time, perhaps that he was not use to sleeping on soft beds or that he was worried about his comrade. He watched out the window as the raindrops pounded against the glass. The storm was not letting up, and Maris hated to think how miserable it would be for any beast out there now. He hoped these abbey beasts knew the forest well, It would prove useful when the time came to find Flit.

[William]

Smiling Will waved back at Maris as he disappeared into his room. Sighing about all the events of today he took off his sword and rested it on the table. Yet the flash of lighting distracted him as he looked out the window to the storm that he knew would probably last the night. That poor squirrel. Will really hoped that he was able to find some kind of shelter. Trying to push the thought from his mind he layed down in his bed and tried to sleep.

But the thought of the squirrel was in his mind during his whole sleep. Due to this he was awake just as the sun was peaking over the horizon. Thankfully the storm had lessoned off into a light drizzle. His mind still on the squirrel he changed and buckles his sword back on. Slowly walking down to the great hall he walked out into the abbey grounds as he looked at the sun as it raised slowly....

[Stray]

((OOC: Eh sorry it's probably a dry post))

Morning's sun peeked into the window to awaken the sleeping traveler. The night did not prove well for Maris although he did manage to catch a bit of sleep. He was so accustomed to sleeping on the roads, or in the grass that the soft bed left him with a few sore muscles. Lifting himself off the bed he worked out a few joints. His first thought was to find his way through the abbey and help his friend.

This was proving to be just as difficult as he imagined. He aimlessly walked through the halls without a clue to where there was an exit. The only place he could manage finding was the kitchen thanks to his nose, and the wonderful aromas. Scoffing down a quick scone, he continued his search for an exit. Soon he stumbled upon the great hall, eyes set upon the tapestry of Martin. It was an amazing piece of work, and the mouse looked so heroic.

[William]

(Its alright Stray.)

Will didn't move from his spot on the grounds as the sun started to peek its head over the horizon. Finally looking away when the glare came to be to much he walked back in the abbey. He soon arrived in the kitchen had ate his breakfast in silence. The cook that had served Maris earlier smiled at Will as he walked around the kitchen. "Maris is awake if you wanted to know Will, wasn't more then three minutes that he was here." Thanking the chef Will walked out of the kitchen and walked off toward the ground again. Expecting for Maris to be out there. But on the way he passed the tapestry of Martin, and wasn't really surprised to see Maris standing there. Smiling he stood beside Maris and looked at the tapestry, but didn't say anything, he just waited for Maris to notice that he was there....