Now Hiring (Tarlish, open)

[Django]

Ever since last summer, Nik had had to change his views on vermin pretty drastically. So much had happened that he had a hard time forgetting. But it was thanks to that summer that he could add to his list of hobbies: thinking. Or, perhaps more accurately, brooding. But he didn't have time for that now.

He'd thought enough about this decision, and he was eager to find out that it would not be a decision he would regret. Shaking paws with the newest addition to the tribe, the Logalog gave the marten a good once-over.

"Well, Tarlish," he said. "Lemme be the firs' t' say thanks fer joinin' up. E'en if 'tis only furra while." He led the marten further into the camp, explaining as he went, "A patrol's leavin' inna few minutes. I'll let ye tag 'long so's ye can learn 'ow we do things 'ere."

A burly shrew with a white headband hurried up to Nik, saluting smartly and reporting, "Patrol's reddy, Logalog." Nik nodded to him.

"Thankee, Caj," the shrew leader said. "Tell 'em we're expectin' one more." He tilted his head towards Tarlish, and Caj offered a weak smile and even weaker salute in reply; then he dashed off again. Nik let out a short exhale, once more speaking to the marten, "Don' mind 'em. They're used t' me bringin', uh, odd friends."

"Ennyways," the chieftain continued. "If we run 'cross vermin, I'd ask ye not t' kill 'less they attack us. 'At's 'ow our patrol does it. Fair deal?"

[Promatera]

It was a spring day unlike any other. It seemed as though Mossflower was growing more alive than it had been on any other day. On the trees, new leaves turned the surrounding forest into a lighter shade of green and flowers and shrubs that had died off from the winter were returning with a hunger for life. The birds of Mossflower sang to a gentle, breezy tune that reflected the calm and serene beauty of the wood. However, all this beauty was lost on one particular mouse maid. As the sunlight bounced off the calming waters of the river, Dandelion revealed herself to the sun's rays.

She was in poor condition. Dandelion's strong frame had recently been wracked by illness and she seemed somewhat frail. It was clear she had been injured many times before as there were cuts along her arms and across her body that had been bandaged with an assortment of herbs. At this point, her simple robe had been tattered in many places and was nearly ruined. Her face was almost emaciated, but there was fiery glow in her eyes that was dangerous and wild. Her mighty halberd kept her standing as she slowly traversed the wood.

As she approached the river the sunlight warmed her blonde fur and rekindled her old spirit. She had been unprepared for the Mossflower winter and barely survived eating anything she could scavenge. It had been an arduous few months, but her spirit had endured and felt reignited by the spring sun. Even though she was aware that she had still not found Redwall and had probably traveled in circles for months, she felt a strong will to continue. Dandelion would find Redwall Abbey; this was a given. She gave a weak smile as she fell to her knees by the river and began to drink the water; carefully keeping her eyes focused on her surroundings as she drank.

As she tuned into the environment, she detected some activity slightly upstream that sounded like voices. Having avoided contact with other beasts for some time, Dandelion decided to once again risk her luck by asking for help. She had done so before and wound up burned, literally, but she was not doing much better alone. Using her halberd to keep her balanced, Dandelion followed the river upstream until she caught site of what appeared to be a shrew camp. There were shrews bustling around preparing boats and doing what they do best: argue.

Rather than risk her life on a rash greeting, Dandelion decided to observe from a distance. If things were favorable enough, then perhaps she could reveal herself. It was a nice plan, but Dandelion's stomach had trouble agreeing. The scent of well-prepared, cooked food was in the air and having not had a decent meal in months, Dandelion was definitely hungry. Cursing herself, she paced around the camp and carefully snuck inside.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Tarlish observed the Guosim camp with interest. This was the first time he'd seen one this up close before, spying could only get one so-close.

"Lemme be the firs' t' say thanks fer joinin' up. E'en if 'tis only furra while. A patrol's leavin' inna few minutes. I'll let ye tag 'long so's ye can learn 'ow we do things 'ere."

Tarlish nodded in thanks.

"Aye, I'm game to do that." Tarlish flashed a toothy grin at the nervous shrew who ran up to greet him, then grinned more at the Logalog's reply. "Ah, don't worry about it. I'm used to getting more than a few odd looks myself."

"If we run 'cross vermin, I'd ask ye not t' kill 'less they attack us. 'At's 'ow our patrol does it. Fair deal?"

Tarlish nodded slowly, a bit mystified. "Aye then, although if I might ask, why would we let them go?"

[Django]

"Aye then, although if I might ask, why would we let them go?"

Nik led the marten over to the readying patrol as he answered. "Because they ain't done nothin' t' us, yet," he said. "I don' care much fore needless killin', eh? 'Sides, the less killin' we do, the more likely the chances a' everybeast in the patrol comin' home agin."

Nik had been in too many failed patrols. One last summer when he'd been the sole survivor. Another this past fall where he'd nearly lost his best friend. Killing was just asking for trouble.

"Day!" the chieftain barked. The light-furred shrewmaid from earlier jogged up and saluted. Nik ordered, "Watch o'er camp while I'm away, eh?" She saluted again and left.

The fighters were ready. The provisions were packed. The shrews were arguing as usual. The only thing missing was morale, which disappeared as soon as Nik walked up with Tarlish at his side.

"Hmph, 'nother vermin frind a' yorn, Nik?" griped a maid with flashing green eyes just like the Logalog's. Nik smirked at his sister.

"Tarlish here ain't vermin, Jak," he said. "He's gonna be helpin' the patrol." Jak shot an untrusting glare at the marten.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

"Because they ain't done nothin' t' us, yet," he said. "I don' care much fore needless killin', eh? 'Sides, the less killin' we do, the more likely the chances a' everybeast in the patrol comin' home agin."

Tarlish said, nothing, but he frowned inside. Letting them go wasn't doing any favors for anyone, their future victims in particular. Although, his reasons for protecting some of his tribe members were valid, they weren't dedicated warriors like Tarlish's people. So he just nodded.

"Very well then, I'll hold off." He said, then followed Logalog down the camp to the patrol where the shrews argued like only shrews could.

"Hmph, 'nother vermin frind a' yorn, Nik?"

Tarlish turned, fur bristling a bit in irritation at the insult. She gave him an untrusting look. Tarlish stared calmly back.

"Martens are not vermin ma'am." He explained calmly.

[Promatera]

As Dandelion slowly brought herself closer and closer to the camp, she noticed shrews moving about their tasks and constantly doing something. She had met shrews before and they were a friendly bunch, perhaps there would be few problems if she made her presence known.

However, just ahead of her was one of the tallest vermin she had ever seen. He looked like some sort of unholy combination between a weasel and a fox. Dandelion loathed foxes. She had some negative experiences with them and still had the burns to prove it. With a vermin like this roaming around, she doubted that her sudden appearance would be welcome. This beast probably had some sort of command over these shrews.

Dandelion could feel her blood boiling just at the sight of this vile creature. Almost without thinking, instinct took over and she hid herself once more in the trees. Hefting her halberd onto her back, Dandelion crouched on all fours and kept her eyes glued on the tall vermin. Perhaps listening would help her discover what exactly was going on here.

Yet the smell of food nearby was diverting her attention. She could almost smell what seemed to be bread and other cooked foods. As her stomach rumbled, she knew she would have to have some food very soon. Perhaps she could work out a plan to sneak some food out from the camp? It did seem to be under vermin control anyway, stealing food from vermin was completely justified.

(Oh Dandy and your paranoid ways.. xD)

[Django]

Jak paid little heed to Tarlish's defense of his species. Nik just wanted everybeast on the patrol, already. He told his sister, "Ye'd bes' sit this'un out, Jak. I need ye at 'ome."

The female shrew glared at her older brother, but said nothing else and she turned swiftly on her heel and made to stride off with dignity. Unfortunately, she tripped over a bag and landed most ungracefully in a thick bush. She looked up and found herself face-to-face with a skinny yellow-furred creature with death in its eyes.

"Eek!" the shrewmaid shrieked, scrambling to her feet and scurrying out of the thicket. Nik jumped in alarm and rushed over, blade drawn.

"Jak! What's the--?!" He didn't have time to finish the question as his sister threw herself in his arms, trembling in shock.

"Oi!" one shrew called, his attention directed to the place where Jak had just come from. "Dere's-s somebeast 'ere!"

"Show yoreself!" Nik ordered, blade held out towards the bushes. He could barely see the outline of some thin creature in the undergrowth. The other shrews drew their weapons as well, wondering who was lurking at the edges of their camp.

((Hope I'm not power-playing anyone here.))

[Promatera]

((You're fine Jan XD))

Dandelion had managed to remain undetected as she observed the tall vermin, but she knew she needed some sort of plan to get some food. As she pondered this she failed to notice the approaching shrew maid until it was too late. There was a thud and suddenly Dandelion was looking into the eyes of a young shrew. Caught off guard, Dandelion had no time to react as the girl screamed and dashed out of the shrubs.

"Eek!"

"Jak! What's the--?!"

"Dere's-s somebeast 'ere!"

"Show yoreself!"

She was caught! Gnashing her teeth, Dandelion could not believe how foolish she had been to bring herself so close to the camp. The food had been too tempting. Now she may pay with her life. Gripping her halberd she figured that if she would die, she would die fighting rather than some prisoner.

Grimacing, she kept a paw on her halberd and slowly lifted herself into view. The shrews had their weapons drawn and ready to strike, but she was unafraid.

"I am a simple traveler," she began, "I've been lost for some time and my provisions are gone, if I could have some spare food I will just take it and leave."

There was a definite edge to her voice. The idea of appealing to prisoners of some vermin was abhorrent to Dandelion. However, she had to remember her manners she had been taught as a babe. Her life could depend on them.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Tarlish gave the nasty little female shrew an odd look but said nothing more about it. Turning to ask Nik bout starting the patrol, he was suddenly diverted from that by the sudden shriek of the little female shrew from behind him.

Tarlish's sword was out in a split-second, the camouflaged blade far from flashing in the sunlight as he whipped around to face the threat. At first he saw nothing where the she-shrew had been pointing, but a moments concentration revealed the outline of a thin, reedy-looking beast clutching something tall.

"Show yoreself! Nik commanded loudly, and Tarlish backed that up.

"Aye, come out and reveal yourself." He barked sharply. He took a cautious step closer, sword in-paw, to get a better look. It was a mouse, and it looked like it was hanging onto a halberd or a poleaxe, or something of that sort. She stood into view, weapon clenched in her hands.

Tarlish relaxed when he saw it was a mouse as opposed to a vermin or any other danger. He smiled in relief and dipped his sword down as she explained what she was. "Little mouse, if you are merely looking for food, there is hardly a need for such a weapon." He said in his accented voice, then turned to Nik. "You must have some food for this one, yes?"

(For his accent, think Russian)

[Promatera]

A wave of relief seemed to flow throughout the camp, but the shrews were still on there guard. Dandelion knew she would not be killed outright, but she would not let them make her a prisoner.

"Little mouse, if you are merely looking for food, there is hardly a need for such a weapon." He said in his accented voice, then turned to Nik. "You must have some food for this one, yes?"

As the vermin said this a pang of disgust hit Dandelion like a brick before being replaced by a wave of malice. Sheer loathing got the better of her as her hunger left her with little patience.

"Don't you dare talk to me you disgusting freak!" she replied with a venomous tone in her voice. "I'm not just some 'little mouse'!"

She gripped her halberd tighter, but staggered a bit. She was exhausted and only by sheer force of will was she still standing, but this would not stop her from fighting. She could feel the flames of her spirit ignited by fury. Dandelion was itching for a fight.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

"Don't you dare talk to me you disgusting freak! I'm not just some 'little mouse'!"

Her outburst of venomous anger startled Tarlish, who gave her a surprised look and cocked his head. He noted her tighten the grip on her halberd, so Tarlish put his blade away. No need to scare her more than she was.

"Pardon? Why are you so hostile?" He turned worriedly to Nik. "She may be a bit sick or dazed, you have a healer or a doctor yes?"

[Django]

"I am a simple traveler," she began, "I've been lost for some time and my provisions are gone, if I could have some spare food I will just take it and leave."

Nik immediately relaxed when the mouse revealed herself. Poor thing look starved and beaten. She needed attention. He sheathed his sword and let go of his sister, murmuring, "Sorry. Can't be too careful."

"You must have some food for this one, yes?"

"O' course," Nik said with a nod. "If it's food ye want, we got plenny. Jak, go an' fetch some provisions fur our guest, eh? Least ye could do fur screamin' in 'er ear." He grinned at his sister, and she stuck out her tongue and dashed off to do as she was bade.

Suddenly, the mouse bellowed, "Don't you dare talk to me you disgusting freak! I'm not just some 'little mouse'!"

"Pardon? Why are you so hostile?" He turned worriedly to Nik. "She may be a bit sick or dazed, you have a healer or a doctor yes?"

"Easy there, missy," Nik said evenly, also quite surprised at the maid's outburst. "Tarlish ain't gonna harm ya." The Logalog nodded to the marten. "Yeh, we got healers. Question is, will she sit still long 'nuff t' let 'em do their work." He held out a paw to the mouse, keeping his tone as level as possible. "Calm y'self, lass. We ain't gonna hurt ya. Jus' gonna get ye some food, an' then see 'bout them wounds ye got, eh? Sound nice?"

[Promatera]

"Pardon? Why are you so hostile?" He turned worriedly to Nik. "She may be a bit sick or dazed, you have a healer or a doctor yes?"

"Calm y'self, lass. We ain't gonna hurt ya. Jus' gonna get ye some food, an' then see 'bout them wounds ye got, eh? Sound nice?"

Dandelion felt a surge of power and stepped forward slightly. Her rage served to kindle the strong spirit within her. To her these offers for help were meaningless. They were just trying to imprison her. She would not let that happen.

"No...NO!" she cried as she drew her halberd and pointed it straight at the marten. "You can't imprison me! Don't come any closer!"

Dandelion was hysterical, but to her this vermin was trying to capture her and cut her down. She could not let it happen. As she stumbled forward flashbacks of her life in the north came back to her. Her father was cut down and she was facing his killer.

Now she was going to cut down this villain just as she had done before. Her face no longer winced with pain as she staggered, but instead bore complete determination. Continuing forward she raised her weapon.

"You're mine, vermin..."

[Django]

"No...NO!" she cried as she drew her halberd and pointed it straight at the marten. "You can't imprison me! Don't come any closer!"

Nik could see the mouse was delirious. Starvation and hard travel had gone to her head. She needed food, water, and rest. But it was doubtful she herself was going to actually comply to that willingly. Conscious, anyway. The Logalog wondered if she was really going to attack when he saw her straighten and begin to advance.

"You're mine, vermin..."

Okay, that was enough. Nik stepped brusquely between the mouse and the marten, anger in his eyes. No fighting was allowed before the patrol even got started. No way.

"Halt!" he barked, paw on his rapier. "Nobeast's gonna imprison ye. This is the Guosim. The Guosim don't take innocent beasts prisoner. But if ye so much as take one more step for'ard, I'll knock ye out an' drag ye t' the healers meself. That clear?" Maybe that was a bit harsh, but the mouse looked like she was going to kill somebeast, which Nik would not tolerate.

((Nik, you've just made things worse, haven't you? XD ))

[Promatera]

As Dandelion staggered forward a larger shrew that appeared to be a leader tried to block her way.

"Halt!"

To Dandelion, however, everything the shrew said was meaningless. She knew they were trying to capture her. There was no room for talk now.

"Shut up!" she squealed.

Dandelion prepared to sweep aside the shrew with her halberd and arched the weapon back to swing, but the weight of the weapon combined with her weariness caught up to her. Dandelion's body gave out and she fell backwards with a grunt. Her body had finally succumbed to exhaustion; her spirit had pushed herself too far. Darkness covered her vision as she began to lose consciousness.

((Poor girl has been near starving XD I don't think she's up for any fighting at the moment))

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

The mouse got more and more panicky as they tried to calm her down.

"No...NO! You can't imprison me! Don't come any closer!" She said desperately, Tarlish slowed up and raised his hands higher to show him unarmed. But this wasn't enough for the panicked mouse, for as he and Logalog got closer, she raised her halberd and stepped forward, panic replaced with near-maniac determination.

Nik stepped forward, fierceness burning in his eyes as he ordered the mouse to show some sense. However his words fell on deaf ears. She drew back the halberd to swing, and Tarlish's hand darted for his sword. But before anything could happen, the pull of the heavy device -coupled with her apparent fatigue- pulled her backwards and over on her back.

Running over to help, Tarlish saw the light in her eyes going out. Quickly checking her pulse, he snapped his head around and yelled at the shrews behind him.

"Get yer healers over here! Quick, quick!" He snapped urgently.

[Django]

((Slight time-skip. Hope y'all don't mind.))

Nik paced outside the healer's tent, inwardly fuming at himself. He'd threatened to harm an innocent mouse. All because she was delirious. Way to go, chief. You get a damn cigar. Striding back and forth like a caged tiger, the Logalog refused to leave on the patrol until he knew the mouse would be okay. Of course, the other shrews on said patrol were getting a tad impatient at this, but they dared not defy their leader in a mood like the one he was in now.

Even if the mouse hadn't heard Nik's threats (it really seemed like she hadn't), the young chief was still angry about what he'd said. He supposed he could just let it go, since she was now safe and sound in the healer's tent.

"Tarlish," the Logalog beckoned to the marten, who stood nearby. Maybe some talk would calm Nik's nerves. "Gotta minute? Need'a talk t' ye." The chieftain quit his pacing and moved a respectful distance from the tent. "I didn't ask this afore the patrol, but, uh, wot skills ye got, exactly? Better with blades 'r fists?"

-

((Feel free to like NPC the healers if you'd like, Pro. Sorry if I didn't give y'all much to go on.))

[Promatera]

For a moment, Dandelion was back in the North. Her father had just called her to meet him outside so he could tell her something. Just as she was about to go out the frond door of her house, there was a piercing light. She could hear voices all around her; discussing what would happen to her and who she was. The sudden blast of light as she opened her eyes had temporarily blinded Dandelion and so she was unable to see who was talking, but her sense of hearing was returning.

"...tough one. I can’t believe she’s still alive!”
“…don’t know if she’ll make it…”
“…her eyes! Look!”

The light slowly gave way to shapes of what appeared to be shrews. Gradually their features became more distinct. There were two nurse shrews that she had seen earlier while hiding. They were surprised to see her up. One reached for a bowl on a nightstand just beside Dandelion and brought it close to her. It was full of food that Dandelion had not seen for months and made her mouth water. Dandelion tried moving her arms, but her body would not obey. She felt lethargic and had trouble keeping her eyes open.

“Here you are,” the shrew with the bowl in hand replied spooning some of the food into her mouth.

Dandelion eagerly ate the food from the spoon and was amazed by the taste of the food.
“…Thank you…” she replied with a faint whisper.
The nurse smiled and fed Dandelion another spoonful after she swallowed.

“It’s a miracle she’s alive…,” The other nurse mused before leaving to finish her other tasks.

After finishing her bowl, Dandelion felt a little stronger, but she could still barely move her limbs.

“…you treat me well for a prisoner…” Dandelion spoke solemnly.

“Prisoner? Whatever gave you that idea?” the nurse replied surprised.

“I’ve seen that vermin in this camp,” she replied with repulsion, “I know you’re under his command.”

The nurse looked at the mouse in disbelief before realizing what she was talking about.

“Vermin? Oh the marten?” the nurse chuckled, “I assure you he is definitely not our leader.”

Having calmed down after her previous episode, Dandelion just nodded at this information and felt her eyes shut as her sleep reclaimed her.

[Directed by M. Night Shyamalan]

Tarlish hung around about five yards from the healer’s tent, waiting for things to kick back into gear. He was bored, but he was good at waiting around for long periods of time waiting for things to happen, that’s what a lot of his job called for anyway. So he hung about, leaning against a tree and waiting for the Logalog to get things moving again.

He didn’t see why they were waiting around for the mouse. Sure it was good to take her in, but why stand around waiting for her to wake back up? He could see several of the shrews shared his sentiments and that several were getting fidgety, wanting to get the patrol back on its feet. But none of them dared question their leader, not in the touchy mood he was in.

So Tarlish waited. Although he was thinking about going over and asking the chief to get things moving, when he heard Nik beckoning over to him. Tarlish walked over as Nik asked,

"I didn't ask this afore the patrol, but, uh, wot skills ye got, exactly? Better with blades 'r fists?"

Tarlish smile breezily.

“I’m good with just about whate’er you put in my paws, including my paws. Why do you ask?” He inquired.

[Django]

“I’m good with just about whate’er you put in my paws, including my paws. Why do you ask?” He inquired.

"Jus' need'a know," the Logalog answered, "case we got inna tight spot an' ye ain't gotta weapon. We got plenny a' extra slings an' such. Mebbe one 'r two spare blades."

At that moment, Jak came out of the healer's tent, and Nik all but ran up to her, asking, "Er, how's th' mouse?" His sister smirked.

"Jus' fine an' dandy," she replied, arms crossed. "Only thing wrong with 'er was lack a' food an' rest. She's sleepin' now." Nik could have hugged Jak in relief, but he restrained himself.

"A'right, thanks, Jak," he replied with a curt nod. He turned back to the gang of shrews gathered around, idling about and wishing they were on patrol already. The chieftain lifted an eyebrow at them, paws on his hips. "Well?!" The shrews jumped to attention, saluting their leader smartly. Nik sniffed away a smile. "Git th' anchors out'n ye britches an' go load up!"

The Guosim shrews, eager to do their chief's bidding, all grinned at each other, excited to finally be on their way. They practically scrambled over each other to get to the logboats. Nik rolled his eyes and looked over at Tarlish. "Ye'd think they'd ne'er been on patrol afore," he said with a sigh. Then, turning back to his fighters, he barked, "Less move out, then! Come on! We're burnin' daylight, me hearties!"

((Minor time skip. Hope y'all don't mind again.))

They had in fact burned a considerable amount of daylight by the time they'd stopped to make camp. But there was still a bit of sun in the sky, so Nik appointed a pawful of shrews to guard camp while he took the rest into the woods, Tarlish tagging along.

"That ye firs' time inna logboat, Tarlish?" the chieftain asked as they left camp, his bandana and fur still dripping from a turbulent ride through some rapids on their way here.