The Frozen pond: Ice "Skating" Anyone? ((OPEN))

[Shadow Flame]

Brr! What a harsh winter!

The snowfall from the previous month during the winter never let up, even until now! It covered the area, a cold blanket of white powdery wonder. For some reason, instead of being inside, most beasts were enjoying the winter weather, throwing snowballs, building snow beasts and even looking over the frozen pond. Creatures from all over the Abbey were curious, even some of the Otters ran out to the pond to check on it.

The large squirrel warrior, who stayed bundled up and warm in cavern hole, popped out to join in on the eventful festivities. Seeing as he was one of few left staying warm, he wanted some excitement to happen on such a boring day. The large warrior, Oliver, took a day off from training himself and one other beast to relax himself.

The beasts who were checking out the pond were sliding on their hindpaws, as if they were skating over it like a rink. Oliver stepped onto the cold snow of the grounds and watched before getting pelted in the side of the head with a snowball. "Ey! What's the big idea?" He looked over, obviously frustrated from it before noticing a couple of giggling dibbuns. "We gotted da big beasty!" Oliver couldn't help but to chuckle from their antics.

[Prankster101]

Snow had fallen over the woods of Mossflower and the Abbey of Redwall. A thick blanket of powdery fluff covered every tree, rock, and wall. The icicles that hung from the trees and ledges sparkled under the sun that managed to peek through the gray sky.

The beasts of Redwall, taking advantage of the lull in the snow storms, had all gone out to play in the snow. Or those who could stand the cold at any rate. Old ones tramped through the snow chatting together while the dibbuns built forts and balls out of the snow and waged war upon eachother. Even some risky beasts had decided that the layer of ice that covered the Pond was thick enough for skating.

Among all of the cheerfulness and play, one creature tried to be unnoticed. Hobble, hobble, stop. A rough, dark brown face with a green hat and red feather, peeked around a dormant tree on the far edge of the Pond. Confident that the right creature's weren't looking, the otter, who leaned heavily upon a crutch, hobbled out from behind the tree and sat down upon a log.

Travioso Trueflight settled down upon the log, wrapping the cloak he borrowed from the infirmary tighter about himself. It felt so good to be outside! Sure, it was freezing, but for not being outside for nearly a season, Travi gratefully breathed the crisp winter air.

After his latest escapade with bloodwrath, Travi was left really banged up and the infirmary keeper was determined that Travioso would heal and not be a nuisance and would stay put. There was always someone with Travi to make sure he never left his bed.

Travi, although enjoying the company for the most part, wanted fresh air and space to think. Thankfully, when the snow fell, practically everyone was outside or busy so Travi was able to sneak out.

Travioso slowly lowered his bandaged left footpaw into the snow and groaned with pleasure. Sure it hurt, but it was cold and soothing to his broken foot. The infirmary keeper said that Travi had been healing well. His face wasn't swollen, his cuts had healed over and stopped bleeding, his shoulder and wrist were fine. The only problems Travi still had were his broken foot, broken ribs, and the headaches, all of which, the healer said were making improvements.

Ba' 'umbug, Travi thought. His foot, ribs and head still hurt. Making progress, sure, sure. Doesn't feel like it. Sighing, Travi picked up a pawful of snow, took off his hat and smothered his head fur in it. Oh, it felt so good to his burning migraine.

Putting his hat back on, Travi watched the ice skaters. He used to be able to do that. He used to be the best too! Doing tricks, and jumps and spins. Sigh. Not this winter apparently...

All Travi wanted was to be strong and pain free again....

[Shadow Flame]

Ahhh! He gonna get us!" The group of wild dibbuns were screaming with false horror, giggling wildly while Oliver jogged after them. "Heeheehee, thought yer gonna get away from me, eh? No beast throws snow at the great vermin warrior an' gets away with it!" Oliver chuckled a loud as he kept his chase to the small beasts that attacked him before. What a sight it was! This big behemoth of a squirrel chasing after creatures four times smaller than him. Oliver stopped, picking up an armful of snow then throwing in the air as the Dibbuns screamed wildly from the air missiles.

"Get on you ruffians! Go attack some other poor beast." Oliver said with a playful tone, watching as the dibbuns ran off in search of new prey. The large squirrel warrior couldn't help but to notice that small feeling of being watched. " 'Mm, strange feelin'. I coulda swore I saw some beast a small ways away watchin'." A claw scratched the top of his head before both shoulders shrugged off that feeling. "Ah well, if any beast be a watchin', they'll eventually come out from wherever they're 'idin' an' join the festivities." Oliver smiled to himself as he spread his thick arms out, falling backwards into the snow with a soft Thud!

[Prankster101]

"Ahhh! He gonna get us!"

Travioso moaned slightly as he brought his paws up to his ears. The young ones' yelling was so high pitched, it sent a jarring pain up into his forehead. Ba-da-dum. Ba-da-dum. Travi's migraine thumped loudly in his head. So this was why the healer had kept Travi in the Infirmary. To stay away from the screeching voices of the little ones...

"Heeheehee, thought yer gonna get away from me, eh? No beast throws snow at the great vermin warrior an' gets away with it!"

Shutting his eyes tight, Travi tried to block out the oh so high happy cries of the little ones. They were headed his way and the closer they got, the louder they got. Who ever was chasing them this way would get a serious pounding once they got within Travi's paw-reach.

"Get on you ruffians! Go attack some other poor beast."

Travi lifted his paws from his ears and slowly opened his eyes as the sounds of the playing young ones faded from his ears. The echos of their screeches lingered however bouncing all around the inside of Travi's head.

Looking around, Travi could see who had been chasing the little ones this way. It was Oliver. The large squirrel however, apparently didn't see Travi. Why? Travi couldn't tell. The tree's weren't that thick.

" 'Mm, strange feelin'. I coulda swore I saw some beast a small ways away watchin'. [...] Ah well, if any beast be a watchin', they'll eventually come out from wherever they're 'idin' an' join the festivities." Oliver smiled to himself as he spread his thick arms out, falling backwards into the snow with a soft Thud!

Travi picked up a ball of snow and rolled it in his paws. Oh, this was just too perfect. A target that didn't notice you were sitting right under their nose? Priceless.

With a quick flick of the wrist, Travi chucked the snowball up into the air. The ball whizzed into the snow laden-boughs of the orchard trees, hit a branch, and the entire contents of the tree dropped straight down.

Right on to Oliver.

"Ma'be somebeasts wanted ta 'ave some peace an' quiet instead of screec'in' litt'le un's." Travi called out, knowing full well that once Oliver got up, he should be able to see Travi, the unmoving target, hopefully. If not, then Travi would make sure that the healer checked Oliver's eyes.

[Shadow Flame]

'Ummpphh!" His body jarred in a jumping way as the big snow pile plummeted onto him. No later than some seconds, the squirrel's ears, then his full head popped out of the snow. He got up slowly watching the snow fall off of his body, shaking his fur off in the process.

"Ma'be somebeasts wanted ta 'ave some peace an' quiet instead of screec'in' litt'le un's."

"Travi? What are yer doin' out 'ere?" Oliver frowned and flicked some ice from the tops of his ears. "An' whats the big idea coverin' a beast in snow! Coulda gave me a warnin' or somethin'.." The warrior made his way over to the much younger Sea Otter, putting a paw to lean against the tree. "If yer gonna be out 'ere, might as well come join us by the pond ya know. As much as I 'ate this weather, today's a lovely day. The other beasts got some hot cider over there too. Smells mighty good if ya ask me." Oliver said pulling snow out of his tunic pockets.

[Prankster101]

"'Ummpphh!"

Travi chuckled. The classic snow-tree trick; it works every time. Oliver sat up rather quickly and dusted himself off.

"Travi? What are yer doin' out 'ere?" Oliver frowned and flicked some ice from the tops of his ears. "An' whats the big idea coverin' a beast in snow! Coulda gave me a warnin' or somethin'.."

"If Ah 'ad givin' ye a warnin', it wouldn't 'ave been a surprise naw would it?" Travi said with a smirk as Oliver walked over to where Travi was seated and leaned against a tree.

"An' Ah'm out 'ere ta get some fres' quiet air. Dat a problem?" Travi guessed he sounded pretty snappy right about now, but he didn't care. His head felt like a ticking time bomb that was ready to explode. He figured that was good enough reason to be grumpy.

"If yer gonna be out 'ere, might as well come join us by the pond ya know. As much as I 'ate this weather, today's a lovely day. The other beasts got some hot cider over there too. Smells mighty good if ya ask me."

"Ptttff" Travioso scoffed as he pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. "If Ah joined ye o'r dere Ah'd be marc'ed rig't back up to da Infurmarey an' Ah just gots out 'ere! Ah just wanted sum fres' air aft'r bein' stuffed up in dere fur all o' autumn. Dat an' da snow feels good on mea paw." Travi nodded toward his bandaged footpaw.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver listened to his young companion speak, just smiling, letting him go off with his words, despite how rude Travi might have been. "Yea, I 'ear ya." Oliver, besides training other beasts or himself was the kitchen help, he could cut rations for the little spark of energy that was Travi.

Oliver was a fair beast though, he wouldn't do such a thing. Oliver understood the feeling of being in Travi's position and the frustration it caused. Oliver came here this way! Appearing in front of the Redwall gates half alive, broken, bloody, with the loss of a great team from a battle; it's certainly tough. Probably something Oliver will never forget either.

"Naw, just come over and enjoy some 'ot cider. I'll tell 'em yer with me an' that I took you out fer fresh air and some freedom. I'll take the blame fer it if they don't see it fit." The large squirrel stood straight up scratching at his paw wraps a little. "Darn winter weather, makes my burn scars all itchy."

[Prankster101]

"Yea, I 'ear ya."

"Funny, nay many creature's da. Ye still 'ave snow in yer ears 'er someta'?" Travi snapped. Not only was his head throbbing, but now his ribs were aching more. Oh, if only the pain would stop, Travi thought as he breathed out slowly, watching his breath fog out in front of his muzzle.

"Naw, just come over and enjoy some 'ot cider. I'll tell 'em yer with me an' that I took you out fer fresh air and some freedom. I'll take the blame fer it if they don't see it fit."

"Naw." Travi said as he shook his head. "If ah even look like ah'm 'eaded dat way ah'll get naw w'ere. An' ye'll be in more trouble dan ye t'ink. Da 'ealer 'as been really fussy o' late. An' Ah'm most likely da cause, Ah know. But Ah just can't sit still fur dat long! E'en if mea footpaw won't move!"

"Darn winter weather, makes my burn scars all itchy."

Travi looked up at Oliver. He couldn't remember how Oliver got the burns. He was sure Oliver had mentioned it somewhere, but right now, he couldn't remember. "So uh..'ow did ye get does burns? Ah t'ink ye tolds mea once, when we went swimmin' dis past summer, but ah don't recall if ye did er not. My memory ain't dat good rig'ts now wit' me 'eadac'es.."

Turning to look back at the ice skaters, Travi sighed. "If ye puts some snow 'er ice on it, it'll feel less itchy. Ah know it's helpin' mea cuts." Travi's rudder twitched in the snow, the large pale scar could be seen where his fur had not yet grown over.

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver smiled once again as Travi snapped. "Haha! Probably matey." Oliver looked at Travi's features and frowned once he said how ornery the healer was about his condition and how much trouble it could cause. "Fine, we'll stay 'ere in the quiet."

Oliver noticed him looking at his paws. "Ah, I told the story, but I'll give ya the gist of it." Oliver unwrapped the wraps on his paws and hind-paws. He revealed the ugly, deformed, and bubbled skin that once had fur. All four paws, foot and regular. "Wow, the air feels good.." Oliver smiled to Travi and began to explain.

"Well. I was nineteen at the time, an' me and the crew were confronted by our enemy.. Deathclaw." Oliver sighed and continued. "'E attacked us with three score vermin.. we fought, fought so 'ard!" Oliver held back a tear. "The first one to go was my best friend Aureorado the 'are, then Gordon the warrior mouse. I was 'eld down by rats, stoats, weasels; they set my paws on fire!" Oliver frowned, putting all four paws into the snow for the fresh feeling. "I screamed and yelled, I fought to get free while I was on fire. I was goin' berserk, I saw red, I 'ad bloodwrath! I don't remember much after, they knocked me on the head with a large rock and I woke up in front of the Abbey gates. My bones were broken, I thought I was a goner." Oliver clenched his two paws into fists, the burnt, deformed skin stretching. "This is what 'as become of me."

[Prankster101]

"Haha! Probably matey. [..] Fine, we'll stay 'ere in the quiet."

"Good." Travi muttered to himself. "Den maybe mae ears will stop ringin'." Travi wiggled a finger in his ear. It didn't help however, his ears still rang.

"Ah, I told the story, but I'll give ya the gist of it." Oliver unwrapped the wraps on his paws and hind-paws. He revealed the ugly, deformed, and bubbled skin that once had fur. All four paws, foot and regular. "Wow, the air feels good.."

Travi winced as Oliver unwrapped his paws. His paws looked so horrible. Travi wondered if they still hurt. He knew that his scar still did.

"Well. I was nineteen at the time, an' me and the crew were confronted by our enemy.. Deathclaw." Oliver sighed and continued. "'E attacked us with three score vermin.. we fought, fought so 'ard!" Oliver held back a tear.

Travioso was only half listening to his friends tale. The other half of his mind was swimming through his past. His parent's killing, the fire, the siege on Salamandastron, the final battle. Oliver and himself were more alike than either of them knew.

"The first one to go was my best friend Aureorado the 'are, then Gordon the warrior mouse. I was 'eld down by rats, stoats, weasels; they set my paws on fire!" Oliver frowned, putting all four paws into the snow for the fresh feeling.

Travi shivered. Fire, oh how he hated fire. The crackling pops, sparks. The painful sensation of the flames licking at your fur. How did Oliver stand it?

"I screamed and yelled, I fought to get free while I was on fire. I was goin' berserk, I saw red, I 'ad bloodwrath!"

Blodwrath. The word hovered in Travi's mind like a never ending bad dream. Just thinking about it made his head swim in pain. Oliver didn't need to go into any further detail about Bloodwrath. Travi knew all about that. Bloodwrath was the whole reason Travi is who he is now, and he hated it.

I don't remember much after, they knocked me on the head with a large rock and I woke up in front of the Abbey gates. My bones were broken, I thought I was a goner." Oliver clenched his two paws into fists, the burnt, deformed skin stretching. "This is what 'as become of me."

"Trust mea mate. Yer nat 'alf as bad as mea." Travi shook his head as he took off his hat and held it in his paws. His longer head fur flopping over his emerald eyes.

"Ah've got a story nat unlike yer own..." He said as he rubbed the green leather through his paws.

((Ooc: You going to ask next? It would make a better transition.))

[Shadow Flame]

"Aye, tis 'orrible no beast should 'ave to go through things like this; it's the life of a warrior, you can't predict these kind of events. Just be prepared." Oliver took his paws out of the snow and wiped it on his hooded undershirt inside of his long sleeved tunic, then re-wrapped everything up tightly all the way up to his elbows and wrapped his hind paws up to his shins.

"I fought a battle with bloodwrath many a time though, first bout of it bein' when I was sixteen, my last bout being only a season ago." Oliver felt comfortable showing Travi his scars for some reason, he'd usually never show them off to anyone.

"Well matey, I was out fer a full cycle of seasons, 'bout twelve months of bed rest an' slow re'abilitation until I was able to train hard again an' get back everythin' I lost in my physical appearance." Oliver's ears twitched at one of his thoughts. "Ah, an' this one time I 'ad bloodwrath, but I struck friend, not foe, twas awful of me to 'it 'im... I'll tell ya that one later."

Oliver scanned Travi once more and smiled again. He heard his comment which intrigued him."Well, tell me yer story. What got you into this mess?"

[Prankster101]

"Aye, tis 'orrible no beast should 'ave to go through things like this; it's the life of a warrior, you can't predict these kind of events. Just be prepared." Oliver took his paws out of the snow and wiped it on his hooded undershirt inside of his long sleeved tunic, then re-wrapped everything up tightly all the way up to his elbows and wrapped his hind paws up to his shins.

The life of a warrior...Travi liked to think he was a warrior, a noble fighter. Pah, that wasn't true. Travi knew what he was. He was a jerk with bloodwrath who needed to grow up and stop fooling around with pranks and such. Travi's ears twitched as he berated himself in his head. He wasn't ever prepared. His emotions were uncontrollable and he hurt everyone he met. He was no warrior...

"I fought a battle with bloodwrath many a time though, first bout of it bein' when I was sixteen, my last bout being only a season ago."

Travi nodded like he understood. Oliver was lucky. His bloodwrath appeared later in life. Unlike Travi. Even from a little one, the symptoms of bloodwrath were there. It was when he was older that he started experiencing the full amount of bloodwrath's power.

"Well matey, I was out fer a full cycle of seasons, 'bout twelve months of bed rest an' slow re'abilitation until I was able to train hard again an' get back everythin' I lost in my physical appearance." Oliver's ears twitched at one of his thoughts.
A full cycle? Ouch...From what Travi could remember, he was only 'out' for a few day, maybe even a week or two and his scars..well..some healed..some didn't.

"Ah, an' this one time I 'ad bloodwrath, but I struck friend, not foe, twas awful of me to 'it 'im... I'll tell ya that one later."

Hitting a friend? Travi had done that. Sure it probably wasn't very hard, or that he could remember. Maybe there was a time that he did worse. Travi was sure there was a memory like that in there, but he couldn't recall. The further back Travi tried thinking, the more his migraine pulsated in his head.

"Well, tell me yer story. What got you into this mess?"

Travi's fingers ran through the robin breast-feather that stuck into his hat. "Story? Ba', tit ain't naw story. It be a nig'tmare."

Travi didn't know why he wanted to tell his secrets to Oliver. Maybe it was, Oliver maybe the only one the the Abbey who would understand what Travi went through. He might be the one creature who didn't cringe when Travi would be consumed by bloodwrath.

"Ah'll tell ye w'at gots me in ta dis mess, but ye gots ta promise not ta talk about dis wit' e'erbeast. Does that need ta know already da, da beasts dat don't know don't need ta."

Travi shook his head. Where to start?...

"Ah'm like dis because I gots bloodwrat', just like ye. An' I 'ates it! Ah was tryin' ta be normal fur once, but naw! Just 'ad ta gets all emotional an' go attackin' does varmints. Den that white piece o' jet-scum appeared an' she was just askin' fur it an... an... An' Ah'm pat'etic... Ah'm naw warrior... Ah just a wanta-be..."

"Ah don't knaw w'ere me bloodwrat' came frum exactly...Gots a good guess dough. See, mate. Mea parents be dead. Dey...... Dey were murdered. Rig't in front o' mea face... " Tears began to fall down Travi's muzzle and drip from his whiskers. He had to pause as he began to choke up and his broken ribs wouldn't let him breathe.

Eventually, Travi regained his composure and continued, still holding his father's hat in his paws. "Riptail did it. Sea varmint. Tried burnin' mea alive ta. Along wit' mea dead parents in our ship dat 'e 'ad 'unted us fur, fur seasons."

"T'ankfully, Skip rescued mea. Da crew was on da coast fur a party ur somet'at. Dun know. Skip took mea 'ere too. Ah know, Redwall bees a good place, but sometimes Ah know Ah don't fit in. Ah can't sit still, gots to be doin' somet'in'. Stayin' 'appy, findin' advent're, e'en it gets mea into trouble." Travi purposely left out his nightmares, it was better that nobody knew about those...

"A while back...Ah found out dat Riptail was back an' attackin' Salamandastron. Went ta go help I did, ur Martin told mea to apparently, don't remember much o' dat either. Ah'll ah know is dat I raised up dis big army and killed 'im. Ah killed him ah did." Travi's eyes began to flush a little pink just recalling the fight.

"Ah got 'im. Killed 'im. An' 'e got mea too." Travi outline where the scar was on his shoulder. " Woke up in Salamandastron a w'ile lat'r. Came back 'ere w'en Ah could. Been 'ere e'er since."

Travi sighed. "Still gets bloodwrat' dough. Even 'ere. Ah 'ate dis curse, ah do. O' 'ow ah just want ta die w'en it 'appens. Just can't dough. Keeps sendin' mea back. Why? Ah don't know. Ah don't do muc' o' anyt'in' 'ere. Just get in e'erbeast's way..."

Travi stared down at his father's hat. What would his father say about him now? His father would hate him, and so would his mother! They wouldn't want such a pathetic son.

Another tear streaked down Travi's face. Why did life have to be this way? Why couldn't life be like it once was?

Like it was, in his memories...

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver had a serious look on his face, he listened with full attention to Travi. Arms crossed, millions of thoughts rushing through his mind, he felt for the younger creature. What an awful thing to happen.

"Travi.." Oliver said deeply, unfolding his arms and flicking a tear from the Sea Otter's cheek. "I'm glad ya shared this with me. That is a true nightmare as you put it." The large warrior looked up to the falling snow and sighed a deep, but comforting sigh.

"Life is cruel mate.. Truly unforgivin'.. It's somethin' that we all must learn to conquer." The memory of his dying mates flashed through his head. The fires, the countless deaths he has seen ever since he started his travels, seven seasons ago as a teenager. Most beasts that live their lives live it in peace, and won't truly understand the meaning of "death" or "evil." They won't understand battles, or the phenomenons that could occur during these times, such as Bloodwrath.

Oliver pictured everything Travi explained in his head. The death, the fires, murders, the battle; everything! It was all similar to what the older beast had seen in his travels, or what he experienced himself. Oliver's blood boiled, his eyes became fierce. The feeling of bloodwrath washed over him quickly before he calmed again.

"Travi, when you are allowed to roam free again, I'll teach you. Teach you 'ow to get a grip on yer emotions, 'ow to use 'em to yer advantage. It'll 'elp with usin' yer bloodwrath as a tool, 'ow to turn the curse into yer advantage.." Oliver continued to speak his thoughts. "One things fer sure, it'll be with you, me, an' everyone else plagued with it fer the rest of our lives. You 'ave to accept it." Oliver still had that serious expression on his face from before, he wouldn't let this one fall victim to an everlasting bloodwrath. They were meant to be short bouts for battle and nothing more.

"I'm not much older than you, an' you know that. Yer still young, like me, an' 'ave a lot to learn. Chances are you'll fall victim to more real life nightmares such as the one you spilled yer 'eart an' soul into tellin' me. We can prevent them, but the world is far too cruel an' with more enemies we meet, the more bad things it'll bring."

Oliver relaxed his body completely, letting his arms fall to his sides as he smiled again. "There's nothin' wrong with adventurin' mate. I do a lot of travelin' when I get the chance. Like my village before me, they are wanderers always findin' new places to settle. It's in their blood as much as it's in mine." Oliver leaned his back up against the tree as he looked over to the frolicking beasts by the frozen pond who were still skating and having a blast.

"When yer fully 'ealed, we can train, we can learn from each other. You'll be more fit an' stronger than ever. You'll be able to roam as much as you please."

The squirrel put his hood up over his head from the winds chilling his ears.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, I guess I'll tell ya my biggest regret in life while were out 'ere." Oliver always shared his story of how he came to Redwall, usually leaving out the Bloodwrath part; no-one in the Abbey besides Travi knew of Oliver's Bloodwrath.

"I was about eighteen at the time, dragged away from my crew in the middle of our slumber in the woods." Oliver became sad all of a sudden. "I was shackled up an' put to slave work fer some Fox. Anyways, I met a good group of woodlanders in my cell, honest creatures they were. Well a couple of weeks into this work, my crew was formulatin' a plan to bail us all out."

This is the part Oliver hated remembering. "Well we eventually tricked one of the guards to lettin' us out of the cell; the two mice in the cell took care of him with poisons." Oliver had to take a breath before continuing. "We ran to the stairs, but the 'are in our group was there fer many seasons an' was kinda broken in the 'ead. 'E kept sayin' that if we escape, the slaver will kill all 'is family, but we tried to assure 'im that my group was ready to help defeat this slaver once an' fer all, which we did! But anyways, 'e went on an' on, I came close to 'im tryin' to gently calm 'im down an' 'elp, but he was nuts by then, 'e went an' 'it me in the face as 'ard as 'e could."

Oliver slunk a little deeper onto the tree he was leaning on. "As soon as I lifted my 'ead up, I just gave 'im a blank stare, 'ad blood comin' from my mouth. I remember seein' red, I was so angry that I couldn't even speak, my eyes were vibratin'. It took one second... just one, an' my leg flung right into 'is face." Oliver got off the tree and reenacted the high kick he did to the hare. "It was a direct 'it, I rarely throw a kick that 'ard. I 'eard an' felt 'is bones crack an' break, it sounded so gruelin'.." Oliver put his leg down and leaned up on the tree, hiding his face shamefully as he pulled his hood over his head more. "'Is body just flew into the wall an' slunked onto the ground, I thought I killed 'im. It took a couple of minutes, but I saw 'is paws cover 'is face. 'E was cryin'.. cryin' so 'ard, like 'e lost everythin' in 'is life, 'is children, 'is wife.. but I was still in bloodwrath!! I went after 'im ready to beat 'im to death, but the other beasts stopped me, 'eld me down an pinched a part of my neck that put me to sleep.. the last I saw before I fell into the sleep was a mangled an' bloody face."

All that could be seen of Oliver was his nose sticking out of his hood. He felt so ashamed; warriors don't do such things, that in any normal position would get 'is titles stripped away from him. It was an act of dishonor and it was against the code of a warrior. He pounded his fists against the tree behind him a couple of times, clenching his teeth, sobbing quietly.

"'Is family won't be able to look at the poor beast the same again.."

[Prankster101]

"Travi.." Oliver said deeply, unfolding his arms and flicking a tear from the Sea Otter's cheek. "I'm glad ya shared this with me. That is a true nightmare as you put it."

Travi scrubbed at his face with his right paw. Trying to wipe at the tears that were freezing in his muzzle fur. "Aye, a nig'tmare dat ah'm livin' e'ery day an' nig't...."

"Life is cruel mate.. Truly unforgivin'.. It's somethin' that we all must learn to conquer."

Travioso continued to rub his father's hat in his paws. Sighing he put it back on his head. "Weel mate, ah t'ink life 'as conquered mea and took ahway da reins..."

"Travi, when you are allowed to roam free again, I'll teach you. Teach you 'ow to get a grip on yer emotions, 'ow to use 'em to yer advantage. It'll 'elp with usin' yer bloodwrath as a tool, 'ow to turn the curse into yer advantage.."

Travi looked up at Oliver a tear still in his eye. "Advantage? Wot advantage? Da ability ta ga crazy?!? Listen mate, my curse, Ah can't control it!" Travi began to grow angry as he continued. "Ah can't control mea emotions! Da single mention o' vermin an' mea temper flairs! I knaw! 'Ow will trainin' 'elp?!?Onc' it starts, dere be naw turnin' back! Ah'm a wild beast!!!" Travi pounded the log he sat on with his paw, emphasizing his words. After Travi stopped ranting, he buried his head in his now aching paws, ashamed.

Oliver continued to speak his thoughts. "One things fer sure, it'll be with you, me, an' everyone else plagued with it fer the rest of our lives. You 'ave to accept it."

With his face buried in his paws, Travi sobbed. "Ah dan't want ta accept it. Ah want it ta stop!!"

"I'm not much older than you, an' you know that. Yer still young, like me, an' 'ave a lot to learn. Chances are you'll fall victim to more real life nightmares such as the one you spilled yer 'eart an' soul into tellin' me. We can prevent them, but the world is far too cruel an' with more enemies we meet, the more bad things it'll bring."

Travi nodded, wiping his eyes with his paws. He knew. He knew that what ever he did, none of this would stop. The nightmares wouldn't stop. The bloodwrath wouldn't stop. None of it would stop till he was dead.

"There's nothin' wrong with adventurin' mate. I do a lot of travelin' when I get the chance. Like my village before me, they are wanderers always findin' new places to settle. It's in their blood as much as it's in mine. When yer fully 'ealed, we can train, we can learn from each other. You'll be more fit an' stronger than ever. You'll be able to roam as much as you please."

Travi sniffed. "Weel mate. Its nat dat Ah dan't like it 'ere. Ah really da. It be just dat, ah dan't like ta sit put. Dere be lots o' fun stuff ta da, sure it be dangerous, but ah knaw ah want get 'urt! An' da fact dat wit' dis curse, ah feel like a...a...burden...an' ah 'ate it. Ah dan't want ta make e'erbeast upset. Dats why ah do jokes...beasts laug'...most o' da time anyways...want ta stay 'appy is all...."


"Well, I guess I'll tell ya my biggest regret in life while were out 'ere..[....]."

Travi sat on his log, staring at the snow as Oliver told his tale. Travi knew what it was like to be in bloodwrath around friends. It had happened a couple times here at Redwall. It wasn't as bad as Oliver tale though. It was minor. He had yelled, disobeyed direct orders, etc. Never really got too physical. There had always been some beasts holding him back. Mostly Skipper's crew because they were the only beasts strong enough....

"'Is family won't be able to look at the poor beast the same again.."

Travioso snuffed his nose again. If he stayed outside any longer his crying would cause him to catch a cold. His thick northern sea otter fur wasn't really feeling the cold, but Travi knew the power of a wet nose in the winter.

Reaching over and grabbing the crutch that he had been using, Travi slowly stood breathing slowly as not to hurt his ribs any more than they were. "Mate, ah dan't knaw w'at day say beside ye ain't da only un'. Ah feel like ah would want ta talk about wit' me more. Ah dan't knaw why. Maybe dat ye mig't understand. Ah dan't knaw, but could we move inside? Maybe da gate'ouse w'ere we can be alone? If ye wants at least..."

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver pulled off his hood, sniffled, and wiped the moisture from his eyes. Before he told his tale he listened to what Travi had to say to the Squirrel warrior's responses. He wanted to think about his answers while telling the story, he was silent after the rant.

"Well matey.. I never told ya it would be easy to gain some control over it.." Oliver sniffled mid sentence from the sadness he had from telling his side of the bloodwrath's hold. "I can't force ya to do anythin', it's all yer choice if ya want any 'elp. Just think 'bout everythin' I said to you at least."

...Ah dan't knaw, but could we move inside? Maybe da gate'ouse w'ere we can be alone? If ye wants at least..."

Oliver smiled and walked ahead of his younger friend. "I'd love to talk 'bout it inside, we can grab somethin' to eat an' drink." Oliver felt a great weight fall from his shoulders, he never spoke with so much emotion before to any beast; not even to his own mother.

"Oh and one more thing.." Oliver said lightly. "Yer not a burden, just be yerself, no beast will 'ate you if ya just be yerself. Redwall is a place of friendship and peace, every beast gets a chance 'ere that they wouldn't anywhere else. They truly care fer ya." Oliver sighed and looked up to sky and smiled.

Oliver had a tear trickle down his cheek, he spoke quietly to himself"Aureorado.. I wish you were 'ere with me. You too Gordon.. You guys would like to meet my friend 'ere."

[Prankster101]

"Well matey.. I never told ya it would be easy to gain some control over it.." Oliver sniffled mid sentence from the sadness he had from telling his side of the bloodwrath's hold. "I can't force ya to do anythin', it's all yer choice if ya want any 'elp. Just think 'bout everythin' I said to you at least."

Travi nodded, but remained silent. How could he ever be normal? How could he ever gain control of this, this curse! Oliver obviously had some sort of a grip on it. Creature's respected him. He was well loved here. Travi, Pfftt, he was a nuisance, even when he tried to just be himself...

Sighing, Travi rubbed his ribs. Maybe it would be good for him. Oliver knows what he goes through and probably would know how to help. Skip had always be telling Travi that he needed to get a hold of this, in a gentle way. (Travi was sure that Skip had a soft spot for him, but he never told anyone.)

"I'd love to talk 'bout it inside, we can grab somethin' to eat an' drink."

"Aye," Travi replied has he hobbled along slowly. "Maybe ye can grab w'ate'er an' ah'll met ye in da gate'ouse. Ah'd like ta ga sit dawn an' put mea paw up.."

"Oh and one more thing.." Oliver said lightly. "Yer not a burden, just be yerself, no beast will 'ate you if ya just be yerself. Redwall is a place of friendship and peace, every beast gets a chance 'ere that they wouldn't anywhere else. They truly care fer ya."

Travi nodded, a tear falling from his eye. Just be himself, he tried! He tried! His real self was the happy little otter that got destroyed when his parents died. His new self tries to stay happy and keep up the rush of life without thinking about his curse. However, here at Redwall some of the things he does aren't 'by the rules'. They aren't going to kill any one.

If Travi didn't try to stay happy, he knew what would happen. He would go into the deepest depression ever seen and never be able to come back out.

Redwall was a nice place for Travi. Because no matter what he did, they always took him back....

Oliver had a tear trickle down his cheek, he spoke quietly to himself"Aureorado.. I wish you were 'ere with me. You too Gordon.. You guys would like to meet my friend 'ere."

Travi heard what Oliver said and blushed, but said nothing. Instead he continued on hobbling slowly to the gatehouse, letting Oliver go find some food.

Upon reaching the Gatehouse, Travi opened the door and hobbled inside, and brush of cold air entering the room as he closed the door.

Hanging his cloak up on a hook near the door, Travi looked around. Thankfully no beast was here. Hobbling over the large comfy chair near the empty fireplace, Travi slowly sat down.

"Oooooo..." Travi sighed to himself as he settled into the chair and propped his footpaw on the cushioned paw stool. It would be a while before Travi got up from this comfy spot.

Travioso looked around. The Gatehouse always looked the same. Books and parchment all about all over the place. It smelled of dust, ink and parchment. Many a time Travi would be locked in here alone for punishment. Travi sighed. It was a good place to be alone, little chilly, but that would change when someone lit a fire. Hopefully Oliver would when he came with the food....

[Shadow Flame]

Oliver wandered off into the great hall and saw how empty the place was, maybe one or two beasts chatting, but that was it. grummbllee Oliver bent over slightly, feeling hunger pangs "Ahhh.. I'm drained, I need to find some food."

Oliver walked into the kitchen and started going through the larders, finding cheeses, scones, all sorts of leftover foods from the lunch that was served earlier. "Heeheehee, this looks pretty good. I'm gonna need a table cloth to 'old it all." The giant of a squirrel ran to one of the long tables and swiped one of the cloths before returning back to the food.

He filled the cloth up generously, mostly with small foods like the cheeses and scones he saw earlier. There was an occasional bunch of vegetables like celery, carrots, and boiled potatoes. "Mmm.. Now we need some drinks, somethin' to bring the spirits up!" Oliver wrapped the cloth tightly and heaved it with one arm over his shoulder.

The beast was like a dibbun taking food under the friars nose, hopefully he wouldn't appear. The amount of kitchen duty Oliver would be put with if he was caught; he didn't want to even think about. He ran down the cellars and looked for a small barrel of October Ale. The alcoholic content would make for a nice warming effect after a couple of drinks. Oliver untied the cloth and put two wooden mugs into it before retying it.

He held the small barrel under his arm with the cloth of food in other paw over his shoulder. The beast was out of there like lightning, sneaking to the gatehouse unnoticed..

"Knock knock! 'Urry before I'm seen!"

[Prankster101]

Travioso gently closed his eyes. The somewhat stuffy, yet comfy atmosphere of the Gatehouse was getting to his tired and sore body. Sinking deeper into the comfy chair, Travi let his hat slide down over his eyes. After ranting with Oliver, Travi felt physical and emotional drained. It was time for a nice rest. Placing his paws comfortably across his chest, Travi felt himself gently doze....

"Knock knock! 'Urry before I'm seen!"

Travi opened his left eye and growled to himself. "Grrrrr...Ah' was just gettin' comfy ta..." Groaning, Travi reached out, grabbed his crutch, and eased himself out of the chair.

Hobbling slowly to the door, Travi opened it with a creek. " 'Ad ta make da beat wit' da bad paw gets up. Get in."

Closing the door before the cold air could rush in again as Oliver entered, Travi hobbled back to his chair. "'Ow muc' food did ye brin' mate? Enoug' ta keep us in 'ere till spring?" Travi joked, looking at the size of Oliver's table cloth.

Easing himself back into the chair, Travi looked over at the fireplace. "If ye dan't mind mate, ye t'ink ye could star a fire in 'ere? Mig't warm da place up.." Travi himself didn't want to make the fire. Not that it was a big fire like the ones of his dreams, it was just, right after a bloodwrath episode? Travi figured that freaking out over making a fire wasn't the best idea in the world.

[Shadow Flame]

" 'Ad ta make da beat wit' da bad paw gets up. Get in."

Oliver chucked, "Well Travi, if I get caught with takin' vittles from the kitchens, I'd be a dead beast, probably cooked in the ovens by the Friar." Oliver wasn't exactly a hard target to spot; he was lucky his size didn't get him caught sneaking around.

"'Ow muc' food did ye brin' mate? Enoug' ta keep us in 'ere till spring?" Travi joked, looking at the size of Oliver's table cloth.

Oliver winked at Travi as the young Otter joked. "If ya wanna grow up to be big an' strong, you gotta eat big too!" Oliver set the tied up table cloth down onto a dusty old table and then set down the barrel of Ale next to it.

"If ye dan't mind mate, ye t'ink ye could star a fire in 'ere? Mig't warm da place up.."

Oliver smiled and walked over to the fireplace, quickly finding a piece of flint and metal. He found some lantern oil on the top and dabbed a little bit onto the wood in the fireplace. "Sure mate." He clashed the flint a couple of times together with the metal until the sparks put the wood into a small blaze. "There!"

Oliver walked back over to the cloth and unwrapped it, keeping all the food in the center while grabbing both mugs. "Alright 'ere you go matey" He set the mug in front of Travi then sat the barrel so the top was facing upwards. "Now to open it.." Oliver raised a paw high above his head; he took a deep breath.

"Yah!" He sent his paw into a fist, smashing downwards. It shattered the top part of the barrel, and making a small mess of the ale. "Now it's ready!"

[Prankster101]

"Well Travi, if I get caught with takin' vittles from the kitchens, I'd be a dead beast, probably cooked in the ovens by the Friar."

"Matey, 'e be a dislikin' mea a lot more den 'e be a dislikin' ye..." Travi replied as he rolled his eyes. The Friar really didn't like Travi. The only way Travioso would ever be allowed in the Kitchens is if the Friar had constant supervision over him. The only thing that Travi would be able to touch would be the dirty dishes. Not that Travi wasn't a good cook, for he could cook rather well, it was just the fact that Travi loved to add Hotroot to everything! And not just a little Hotroot,Travi always added A LOT of Hotroot. Travi blamed his sea otter genes, but the Friar didn't care. Travi's tastes were way too hot for everyone else.

"If ya wanna grow up to be big an' strong, you gotta eat big too!"

"Aye," Travi joked. "If ye want ta bea big dis way aroun'." Travi patted his stomach.

"Sure mate." He clashed the flint a couple of times together with the metal until the sparks put the wood into a small blaze. "There!"

Travi nodded. "T'ank ye mate." Travi watched as the small fire burned, the orange flames licking the wood and dancing up into the chimney. Travi shuttered, he still hated fire. No matter how much training he had, he would never get over his fear of fire.

"Alright 'ere you go matey"

Travi looked about the assortment of food Oliver had brought in. Cheeses, scones, fresh vegetables, and more, sat upon the table cloth that Oliver had brought in. Travi sniffed from his chair. "Ye gots any 'Otroot in dat pile mate?"

"Now to open it.." Oliver raised a paw high above his head; he took a deep breath. "Yah!" He sent his paw into a fist, smashing downwards. It shattered the top part of the barrel, and making a small mess of the ale. "Now it's ready!"

"Uhh.."Travi held up his paw a bit, but then put if back down. He was going to mention that Oliver had no need to ruin the top of the barrel, there was a stopper on the side, but if Oliver wanted to open it that way, then Travi wouldn't make a fuss.