Johnathon and Barristan meet. --------------------------- Mossflower - Dirt Road --------------------------- The cool breezes off the sea of yellow grasses wash over you as you walk towards the great hulking form of the Redwall Abbey. Framed by the elegance of whispered shadows of Mossflower Woods on oneside and the sheeves of golden yellow in the meadows to the other, the abbey's current state of devisation would seem strange. The southern wall contains a large gash in it, the portion the ground spat out when it rose up. The road meanders on though, running to its unknown course north and unknown purpose to the south. Here and there, in ditches by the side and potholes in the middle, grasses and flower sprout up unabashed by their conquest of the place of beasts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exits: [G]rasslands, [W]all, [S]outh, [N]orth With: [DYN] Barristan

Barristan murrs, making his way along the road with the quiet fall of his footfalls the only thing disturbing the destitude of the long expansive pathway. A brief, forlorn sigh passes through his lips, and then a louder, more annoyed groan. His pipe, carefully balanced between his teeth, seems to have gone out. Moving to the side of the road, he begins rummaging about his pockets, searching for his pouch of tobbac.

Johnathon comes walking in the opposite direction, fiddling with something shiny in his bag as he walks. So engrossed with this item is he, that as yet he has failed to notice the tod at the side of the road.

Barristan goes down on one knee, fiddling with his now drawn out pouch of tobbac, putting a small pinch into his pipe's end. A moment, and he's dropped that pouch off and brought out his flint, striking the pipe after several tries.. With the rise of a thin, swirling vein of smoke, the tod gives a sigh of relief, putting away his flint. Instead of getting up immediately, he instead sits down there where he'd kneeled, stretching back and peering at the road. A moment, and his gaze falls upon the passing shrew, and he can't help but give an idle chuckle, "S th wee ones.." he mutters, just under his breath.

Johnathon hears the slight sound and near jumps out of his skin! "What? Who? I swear I didn't take it!" He yells automatically, stepping back and onto the other side of the road from the fox.

Barristan raises his eyebrows slightly, head shaking a bit at the sudden reaction of the other beast, "Quite th' jumpy sort too.. jumpin' leprechauns.." He gives a half-snorted fit of laughter, wry grin flashing over his features.. The tod murrs, shaking his head again as he just blows an idle smoke-ring into the night air, not really doing much more in reaction to the Shrew's antics.

The shrew realises he's not being accused of anything and calms down a bit. He raises a paw in greeting "Oh, er, hello" He manages a smile, while quickly fastening his bag and hiding it behind him.

Barristan gives an idle motion of his hand, something of a wave, pipe in hand, in reply to the greeting. Then, placing the pipe back in his muzzle the fox notes that, "Is' rather dark n all th right now.. how'sit y' just wanderin' th' roads there lil' guy? Y' could get.. y' know, eaten or somethin'.." He glances overhead, "I thought I saw an owl makin' rounds some time ago... even.."

Johnathon looks up a little nervously and looks that his weapons are still in his belt "Well, I..er... I'm doing some business, yes that's it. And the dark is the best time to it, you see"

Barristan makes the sound of, mmmhmmm.. though it's a bit low to carry very far, even in the quiet of the night. His gestures to the stars and sky idly, smoke trailing the way of the heavens, "Aye, I suppose certain business would do alri' f done in th time o' night, but then again.." He shrugs, giving a smirk, "It also means others can go about their business, perhaps o' th' same sort, eh'?"

Johnathon looks about and then gives a quick nod "Yes, I suppose. Heheh" He suddenly frowns "What're you doing out here so late anyway?"

Barristan gives a slight smirk, as if he'd been waiting for his own question to come back at him. Logically, it's kind of pointless for one to question another, without thought such doubt could cross that other's mind.. Still, his smirk only widens, his nose whispering a faint plume of smoke, "I do believe I'm sitting, at the moment. I'm not entirely sure, however, as th' whole dark thing makes it hard to see. I might even be standing, though I'm pretty sure about the sitting thing."

Johnathon frowns, blinks and frowns once more. "Er, I eh meant, why are you out this late... Yes.. that's a better way of putting it..."

Barristan mmms, and scritches at his ear this time, as if really putting some thought into answering that question, "Oh.. yes, I see.. Well, to tell the truth, I'm entirely sure what my reason for being out is.." A pause, and he lets a long breath of smoke filter between his jaws, "Ohh.. that's right! Not a reason whatsoever!"

Johnathon blinks. Well, it's better than the fox being out here for another reason which might mean trouble for him "I see... well, that's a... very good reason for being out here, I'd say" The shrew nods, fiddling with a jingling pack behind him.

Barristan smirks, leaning back in a reclining manner, not really seeming to care just what the Shrew seems to be doing, or thinking, or even planning on doing. Still, he makes conversation, as if queuing something else in his thoughts makes him more relaxed, or something, "That's what I was thinking.. I mean, there I was, sitting at th' 'ome, 'n I realized, My! I coul be wanderin' aimlessly, no point t' m' walkin' around at all! Once I realized that, I jus ad t take a walk.." He gives a faint grin, but pauses to hold his pipe for a smoke-ring.

Johnathon also grins, a little strained but mostly genuine. "Well, I'd say you were quite the wise old fox, eh?" Flattery can do almost anything. Ain't it wonderful? The shrew continues to grin "Eheh, you haven't seen many other beasts, especially rather angry looking ones, about around here have you?"

Barristan murrrs, and rubs his chin for a moment, really putting some powerful thought into it.. or not.. Still, he simply puffs on his pipe for a moment, then replies, "Nope.. can't say I've seen too many angered sorts meanderin' bout th night. Jus' th' average beast, steppin' too and fro, like m'self I'd s'pose.." He gives a half-chuckle, "Then again, I have met you.. and while not angry, you do seem a bit mad.. y' know.. th' other kind o' mad?"

Johnathon gives a tiny sigh of relief and then chuckles a bit. Heh, it's a little false though. "Mad? Oh, er...yes" That'll do for now. Mad. "Yes, you got me... Mad as a hare in March, I am"

Barristan lets his gaze drift away from that of the shrew, instead peering up at the sky, his expression fading from amusement into plain contentment, of all things. Idly, he raises a paw to try and stifle a yawn, then finishes the movement with a slight tap to his pipe, settling the tobbac. A faint hrmm of a noise, and then he questions, "A hare in march eh'?" A thought, and he continues, "That's a bit of a strange saying really... why is it th' hare's always said t' be mad in march.. I've never really seen m get mad too often t begin with, nor crazy.. not any time.. Doesn't make sense, really."

Johnathon grins "Oh, I think it's something to do with Spring coming in the March. You know, hares are quite... social... creatures. I think they might go a bit ..strange.. around that time..."

Barristan mmmhmmms, head tilting a little as he continues tapping the end of his pipe, though now it seems merely to be out of habit, rather than need. "I suppose," he comments, "Though.. I have heard of such.. spring fever... Maybe they get some sort of disease, and it causes this March madness... Mmmhmm, a disease caused by a fever.. who would've thought!" He grunts a bit of laughter, not really paying attention to what even he himself is saying, apparently.

Johnathon half chuckles weakly. What the heck was that all about is the look that is crossing his features "Well, um... Yes... a disease could well make them quite loopy, I s'pose..."

Barristan hrmmms, and watches as the smoke slowly thins.. thins, and then simply stops altogether from his pipe.. He gives a faint sound of thoughtful thought, and then reaches up and takes his pipe from his muzzle. Tapping the ashes from its end, he puts it away in one of his pockets.. Then, seeming to get even more relaxed, he fwumps back to lay on the ground, "Yup.. somethin' like that... Now what in th' gods names are we talkin' about? Th' only thing I've ever really done with a hare is enjoy dinner, 'n I only mean that by the hairs 'n soup.." He gives a faint grin at that, "Though, come to think of it, shrew's 'n shroom soup s somethin I recall as well.."

Johnathon blinks, not quite getting this. Nervous jingle from fiddling with the bag behind him "You had soup with a hare and a shrew...?" He offers hopefully

Barristan gets another bit of a grin at the shrew's statment, "Aye, aye.. that I did... The hare wasn't too tasty tho', a lil' tough, but th' shrew, a nice tender sort o' meat there. I avent had th like in a long while though, now.. Hrmm, I 'aven't really found a good one t' sit down at th' table with, y' know?" He hrmms, and raises his head, peering at Johnathan, "You wouldn't know any Shrew s would like t join me for dinnah', would ya'?"

Johnathon gives the tod a cautious odd look complete with widened eyes and raised eyebrows "You... ate a shrew...?" He backs away slowly "I'm afraid that, eh, no. I really don't know of anyone..." Again, nervous jingling sound.

Barristan hrmms, and lowers his head to look back up into the sky, "Ah, you don't? Well then.. it was a rather tasty meal, y' should really try that sort of delicacy some time, I know I would again, if'n I had th' chance, y' know?" He chortles, "Ah well then, maybe some other day, ll find somun t' join for a good bite t' eat.. though I must say I've now got m' stomach rumblin' a bit.."

Johnathon backs away a bit more and looks himself over. Eh... he's a shrew... that fox just said it liked the taste of shrews... The fox just said he was hungry... The shrew checks his weapons are still in his belt and gives a small chuckle "Heheh, maybe you'd like some bread or something to eat, hey?"

Barristan shakes his head a bit, resting his head now on the palms of his hands, his tail flicking slowly as he simply relaxes in the grassy area beside the road, "Nah, bread just wouldn't do, really though. It's all pasty and gets all soggy when wet.. no no.. what I need is a good bite of somethin' with fresh blood.. aye.. that'll really hit the spot!" He makes a smacking sound, licking his chops, "What about you? Doesn't at jus make your mouth water? A fresh, juicy slice o' shrew or th' like?"

Johnathon stumbles as he continues moving backwards, inch by inch "Er, can't say it does really, I'm afraid... I'm more partial to, er... a nice fish or a turnip or lettuce or something nice like that..."

Barristan hrmms, still just laying back, not even seeming to care if his conversationalist companion is dead set to turn heel and run, "Well, I'm not quite at partial to fish, really.. Turnips tho, they're quite a diff'ren' story. I coul' eat me a goo' turnip any day.. juicy n sweet.." He hrmms, and gives a slight pause to think, "Th only prob with turnips tho', 's they're always hoppin' away, and the fuzz of their lil' white tails 's annoying."

Johnathon blinks. Turnips with little white tails... hopping away...? What the -*- is the fox talking about...? He frowns in puzzlement and suddenly guesses "Oh... eh... I think you mean rabbits!" He grins and then he thinks about it. Fox has eaten rabbits...? Eurrgh... He returns to being nervous...

Barristan hrmms, and props himself up on one elbow, a half-grin, half-smirk expression on his features, "Oh? Rabbits... pffft, no thank you, for me... Rabbit's are just somethin' they grow n th ground, all reddish n all that, too vegetablly for me.." He gives a slight chuckle, his grin widening, "Tho really.. what's real good.. is some shrew.."

Johnathon starts to think... If rabbits is what he thinks turnips are... "These shrews... what do they look like exactly?" He asks cautiously

Barristan murrrs, leaning forward now, resting one elbow on his knee while his other arm rubs the back of his neck.. pushing at the muscle there to remove a knot in its sinewy form. Considering the question, the tod begins to look over Johnathon's form, thoughtful expression slowly turning to one of sudden realization, "Oh.. to tell the truth, I do believe you look quite like a shrew, from my experience.." He gives a toothy grin.. a little less friendly of a grin, it might seem, "Yes.. I do say.. would y' like to join me for a meal?"

Johnathon frowns, nervous look. Well. That evidently didn't work... "Erm... me a shrew... Don't be silly... Anyone can see I'm a... a... carrot... Yes that's it... I'ma carrot" Winning smile. He hopes...

Barristan tilts his head to the side, as if trying to see the shrew in a different sort of light, trying to consider what Johnny seems to suggest. A moment, and finally, he stands, shaking his head, "No.. sorry.. I don't suppose you'll be running any time soon, would you? I really don't like a meal on th' run.. 'n it'd be much nicer to simply enjoy a good shrew soup.. Dun' believe I've got your name either, I'm Barr'stan, pleasure t' meet y' n all that.. Please, I really would like y to stay for somethin' t' eat."

Johnathon backs away a little more quickly as Barristan stands, quickly adjusting his bag onto his back properly "Er.. honestly, I'm a carrot... Eh... Not good to eat... look, all skin and bones" He fiddles trying to get the rapier out of his sash, but does not have much success

Barristan gives a long sigh, shaking his head as he says, "Ho hum, well that's certainly disappointing. Here I was thinking you were a nice rational being, but I realize you're not even paying attention to th' facts. Perfectly fit, well muscled young shrew, nice 'n juicy for a stewpot.. Why, I'd be proud of my heritage, if I were you!" He grins toothily once again, though his eyes seem to narrow faintly this time, "Come along.. I'll show y' just how delicious y' can be.."

Johnathon shakes his head "Eh, can't we talk about this. Come on, beast to beast sort of thing?" Still tugging on his sword "Er... you said you're name was Barr'stan right? Er, Barry? Can I call you Barry? Eheh..." Still he backs away, slowly getting quicker.

Barristan smiles, though the more one might think about it, the more it seems to be more of a sneer, in any case.. No though, not this tod, he's not had an ill intention the whole conversation.. He gives a tsk tsk sound, "Ahh, but that's just what I was thinking! We could have a nice talk over some soup, jus' like I said b'fore. I'll have t' invite y' if I want soup.. I know you'd love th' warmth.." A faint chuckle, and one of his own paws dwells to his side..

Johnathon tugs hard on his rapier and it flys free of the sash "Aha!" He yells and points the sword at Barristan "Eheh, try and eat me now you big ol' fox!" He says, still concerned but with what he considers a frightening smile type thing on his muzzle.

Barristan chuckles, stopping where he stands and peering down at the shrew and his rapier, "My.. that's an awfully nice lookin' blade ther' m' friend. It'd work good t' fillet a tender helping of shrew into soup chunks.. Y' ever thought about becomin' a cook? Y' could prepares some awfully juicy steaks, too.." He can't help but grin, his paw resting inside one of his pockets, "Otherwise, I can't really see how much use you'd be.. Really though, jus' join me for soup? Nice 'n easy like? I promise the soup'll taste good.."

Johnathon stands his ground, holding his blade still. "You might be trying to eat me...Why should I trust you...?"

The tod's hand flashes.. Barristan gives a light chuckle, and his dagger flies through the air at the shrew, directed for his chest, "I never said you should trust me, just join m' f'r a bite t' eat.. but noooo, not even a polite, "No thank y'" Jus' decide t' turn and run, 'n here I said I didn't like a meal on th' run.." He snickers slightly, his hand having moved back to his pocket, in ready position as quick as he let loose the dagger..

Johnathon gasps and duck/dodges, the dagger tearing his shoulder a little. He holds onto his sword and with his free paw, whips his bag around in front of him to give him at least some protection.

Barristan gives a light chuckle, watching the dagger fly and noting that, "I haven't had shishkabob n a while, wouldn y' know.." A grin, and then suddenly he just shakes his head, "But nah.. not really all th't hungry right now.. I know.. I'll jus' get m'self a snack.." Then, not only does he move away from the shrew, he also turns his back to the beast, pulling a pouch out of some pocket of his, a bit of jerky pulled from its contents for him to chew on.

Johnathon blinks. What's this..? A trick or something perhaps? He lowers his sword a little but keeps the bag where it is and stays very still, watching the fox.

Barristan walks on over to about where he'd been sitting before, taking a seat, yawning, and leaning back on one elbow, chewing merrily on his jerky.

Johnathon sighs in relief quietly deciding it's probably safe. He lowers both his items, but still watches the fox. Is this a trick..? Was earlier a joke...? He frowns, unmoving.

Barristan murrs, and reaches in to get another piece of jerky, putting it in his mouth and munching on it.. Apparently, he's either forgotten or is ignoring the shrew.

Johnathon moves a little further away, but makes sure he can still see the fox. He bends down and set his bag on the ground so he can check through it to see if anything might have been damaged.