Earblade sits on a chair in the corner of the cellar with a blanket covering his legs. From the looks of the chair its not the normal rickety stool kept for brief rests in the cellar but one from more comfortable areas of the mountain, brought down for the old colonel's convenience. Ear's attention is taken up by a tinkering Neville, who currently has the covering off one of the old oak barrels and is swirling the ominous-looking contents and frowning slightly. The barhare glances at the colonel with a frown, "Come on then Ear, wotcha reckon would improve it? Just an everyday dark ale at the mo, noubt special" he asks before peering thoughtfully back into the murky deep. The colonel strokes his chin slowly, looking over the various ingredients scattered about the cellar, "Darned good question..." he replies, trailing off as he returns to thoughtfulness.

What's the best place in the entire mountain to search out after a nice afternoon run out on the beach on a hot, sunny day? Why, that'd be the cellar! Not only is it cool, but it's got the -drink.- So, still in his exercise clothes, Darklett comes trotting down the stairs to the lower regions of the mountain, and steps into the cellar-- only to find it already occupied. Hrm. "Afternoon, Neville, Colonel!" He throws a quick, smart salute to the latter, and nods to Neville. The lieutenant looks for that stool he usually uses, and plops down on it, leaning against the cool wall... Really, minding his own business. :P

Neville peers suspiciously at the lieutenant as he enters the tavern's cellar, he rolls his eyes in mock frustration. "Another invader to the santity of my cellar eh?" he sighs dramatically, looking towards the ceiling and raising his paws hopelessly. He breaks into a grin, "I know its a darned nice place t'be but I'd much prefer you thirsty beasts loitering in the recreation room where I can keep an eye on you, had some of m'best stuff pilfered by beasts sneaking down here without me knowing" he mutters, casting a meaningful glance at the colonel, who simply fails to notice and does his best to look innocent. The barhare sighs and looks back to the lieutenant, "Well I suppose you can give me a hand as well, and no doubt you'll want to sample a few beverages eh?" he asks, before nodding to a row of sampling mugs on a shelf above the barrels, "The barrel on the end is ready to be tapped, jus' plain light ale, but its extremely chilled and rather refreshing if you've been out n' about today. Help y'self"

Darklett chuckles at the fake dismay of the barhare, his paws simply resting on the sides of the stool as he's given a nice rant. He, too, rolls his eyes, smirking and simply waiting until Neville is finished... Of course, he's rather excited at the opportunity granted him, and he hops out of the stool. "Hm, guess I'd better give a little taste test. After all, it's for the good of Salamandastron! I must fulfill my duties..." He hops on over to the sampling mugs, nabbing one and heading to the indicated barrel. "Always was a fan of your light ales," he comments, pouring himself a brimming mug, and bringing it carefully to his lips to sip, gulping down the first few drinks, and giving a sigh. "Perfect as ever, Nev, perfect as ever."

Neville grins at the compliment and takes a dramatic bow, sweeping an imaginary hat in front of him before returning to his previous position and glancing over at the open barrel of frothy dark ale. "Well that'n is the same ale as always, I've gotten the mixture down to a tea, metaphorically speaking that is, wouldn't mix those fancy tea drinks with my good ale" he says, chuckling at his own terrible joke, "However, the problem I'm having is with this'un." he says, patting the side of the barrel. Earblade grins, "His creative juices have gone dry" he states, sniggering slightly before addressing the lieutenant slightly more seriously, "Basically, Neville has been rather set in his most comfortable ways as of late, and so I've challenged the chappy to come up with a distinctive new ale, rather than perfecting his current brews, which we would all agree are tasty enough as they are... perhaps dangerously tasty" he explains, "which brings us to this brew, 'tis the norm so far, and we need a "twist" as it were to make it stand out from the crowd and whatnot, thats right. Any ideas?"

Darklett grins right back at Neville, one paw on the handle of the mug, the other, of course, shoving itself in his pocket. "Hm. Well, I don't know the first thing about brewin', sorry, heh. Maybe I could taste it and suggest things, and if you have the ingredients, maybe you can fix it?" he offers, taking another gulp of his usual order from the rec room, served up chilled and fresh from the cellar. "Good idea, coming up with a new concoction, though. Of course, the last time you made somethin' brand new and made me try it, it was quite -heavy.-" You know, made him pass out and have that nasty Humbert dream. Whew.

Neville laughs, "Well its not a liquor type concoction, they've gone quite horrendously bad in the past when I was first tinkering with distilling, although its much better these days. The brew however, is more about the initial concept" states the barhare with a deep frown, "You see, when creating a..", its about this point where the colonel stops rolling his eyes and takes actual action to interrupt Neville before he goes fully into a rant on the inner workings of the brewing trade. "Basically" he says, loudly and deliberately, which brings the barhare to a mumbling halt, "its all about the idea. We've had dark ale on its own, we've had it with honey, with cinnamon, with thyme and with various other things, but what we need to do is come up with an idea of what would make a good ale. After that its quite easy for a boffin brewer like our Neville here"

Darklett hms, thoughtfully, taking a sip at his ale, eyes going from Neville to Earblade, then back at Neville. "Well, like I said, I've got nothing when it comes to brewing." He leans against a wall, head slightly bonking against it as he lifts the mug to his lips. "Again, I know nothing, just throwing something in the air... Why don't you use fruits? Maybe let something sweet, maybe a little tart float around in the mix." He shrugs, head swiveling back and forth between the two other hares, having another sip. "It'd give it a unique taste, I bet. Might not be good, but it'd be new."

Earblade taps his chin for a moment or two more, staring over towards the exit as he ponders a possible solution to this particular problem. A gust comes from outside and adds to the chill already in residence in the deep cellar, the old hare shivers slightly and pulls the blanket tighter around his legs, "Gettin' colder these days" he says, scowling towards the ceiling, as if giving the chill air a hint that it should stop being so darned cold, he looks towards the lieutenant as he offers a suggestion. "Fruits eh? Well... its usually the lighter ones that we make with a twist of fruit to perk 'em up, but p'haps its time we played with fruit-based darker ones?" he offers.

Neville nods at the lieutenants suggestion as well, stopping after the colonel adds his part. "Well, since the season will be changing pretty soon, we won't be needing quite so many of the chilled, light ales. Could do something that'd warm up the frail old ones right Ear?" he asks with a grin, "Something warm and fruity with the punch of the dark ale... sounds like we might be forming a plan. Wotcha think Dark?"

Darklett's brow raises slowly as he actually came up with what might be a good idea. "Uh..." Yeah, dumbfounded. He grins, giving a shrug to the Colonel, and then listens to Neville as he muses on the suggestion further. "I don't know, it was really just a random guess. Heh, I've got no place to doubt ya, Nev, so if you think it might work, I guess I'll support it, too. I mean, it was my idea, after all..." He flashes a grin to the barhare, having a nice long gulp of ale, maybe in self-congratulation... Maybe 'cause he's thirsty. :P

Orange zest, cloves, spices and dark ale... the recipe appears from the back of the bartender's mind slowly. Neville shakes his head, "Ah, darn it, thats the same as the Winter Warmer I used to make whenever someone complained about the cold, no wonder I was reminded of it as soon as old Ear started grumbling." Much scratching of the barhare's head follows, "That does remind me that I need to brew some of that in preparation for the colder weather, doesn't solve our problem though, need something that's /original/". Neville glances towards Earblade for further help, "Any ideas Ear?" he asks. The colonel shakes his head, "It was your challenge in the first place Nev... although I do agree, you should make some of that warm spiced ale, terribly tasty" he adds with a grin.

Darklett looks a little disappointed, but not surprised, as he hears his idea was already taken. "Maybe another fruit besides the one you used for that one? Berries, maybe. Just throwing stuff out there, really..." The lieutenant murmurs into his mug, sipping at the surface of the light ale, and swallowing. "I'd imagine there's only so much you can do with ale once you start doing it well."

Terrance walks into the cavern, glancing about hesitantly at the room. He spots the trio and steps farther in to get a look at them and then spots Earblade's rank insignia and figures that's who he's looking for. The recruit walks within a few feet of the group and then waits, paws clasped behind his back.

The door opens and Quinten walks in, looking lost and haressed again, ears flicking from side to side as he looks about, trying to work out where the hell he is now.

Coughs and splutters issue from the old Colonel at Darklett's latest statement, "Only so much y'can do with it?" he asks with exaggerated shock, "Ale is one of the true tests of a brewer's creativity, the subtle addition can create a world of difference for the true ale lover" he states, twirling a paw in the air to add to the drama of the statement. He pauses and looks towards the new entrant to the cellar, "Ah, a younger, fresher perspective to add to the the mix" he says with a grin.

News of the younger new entrant causes Neville to turn and peer suspiciously at the recruit, "Ah, another one eh? Let me guess, your recruit friends dared you to pilfer some of my stock eh?" he accuses with a frown, stepping protectively in front of the barrels of freshly brewed and brewing ales and raises an eyebrow, "Come on then, lets be having it, what brings you to my cellar?"

Cue the pitter-patter of not so tiny feet. Rothal, still-healing broken nose and all, has appeared at the doorway shortly after Quinten entered. In the process of heading for the boxing chamber to spectate, all the stuff happening over here as attracted his ever-wondering attention. Hence, he has decided to honor whoever may be inside with his presence.

Quinten hears the voices and heads deeper into the cellar, he peers around a barrel and sighs in relief, other hares thank heavens for that, he pads out and into the lantern light and stops just behind Terrance, eyes going wide as he notices the rank of the other hares.

Terrance looks towards Neville as he's noticed and stammers a little at first, "What? Uh, no sah. Not a bet sah. I was told ta report to Col. Earblade, I've been assigned ta shadow 'im." Well since he's said that's what he's going to do, might as well do. He turns to Earblade and comes to attention, giving a salute, "Fightah Recruit Terrance reportin' as ordered sah."

If he wasn't back against the wall, Darklett probably would have backed off more. But, since that's the case, he simply buries his nose into the mug. At the new arrivals, he turns his head, and lowers the mug, just watching now.

Neville stops in open-mouthed silence for a lengthy time after Terrance's introduction. An eyebrow slowly twitches upwards and stops in a quizzical expression and stays like that until a slow gurgling noise is emitted by the stricken barhare. The gurgle grows until its true form is revealed: true, hysterical mirth. The barhare bends double as the laughs rack his frame, he slaps his thigh once or twice to try and gain control of his composure, "Shadow... Ear?" he asks, gasping for breath before simply resting his head on his arms, occasionally twitching as he suppresses another laugh.

Earblade grins, "Aaaah right, the recruit initiative Zoe mentioned, that rings a definite bell. Well then" he says, pushing the blanket covering his legs to one side and slowly standing, holding a paw to his back as he slowly reaches his full up-right status. He sharps brings his feet together and salutes smartly, trying to ignore the hysterical barhare as he does so, though a wry grin betrays his own mirth. "I'm Colonel Earblade, as you've noticed. Mostly retired these days though, except for the officer classes and whatnot. Even so, I'm the only senior officer that can teach ya the ins and outs of the fighter's profession so I'll do m'best to guide you and whatnot" He extends a paw to Terrance and grins, "Welcome aboard"

Rothal doesn't seem to be at all bothered by the prestigious amounts of officership that seem to be floating about down here. Ignoring the conversation for the moment, he heads in Darklett's direction, finding a spot at the wall beside him. "Hey, Dark."

Terrance drops his salute as it is returned and then glances towards Neville as he starts cackling, raising a brow at the hysterics. Looking back towards Earblade he smiles and shakes the offered paw. Well not as bad as he'd thought it'd be so far. "Thank ya sah. Glad ta be aboard sah."

Quinten edges around the side of Terrance and trots over towards Darklett, not wanting to interupt his fellow recruits conversation with the Colonel, pausing nearby he comes to attention and salutes "Sir, Recruit Quinten politely requesting help." he lets his paw lower slightly, his ears following suite "I'm totally bally lost sah,"

Darklett's nose twitches at the exchange between Terrance and Earblade. He smirks at Neville's laughter, shaking his head. Obviously, he finds it funny, but not as much as Neville. Before much comes of this, though, he's approached by Quinten. "Hmm?" Ooh, recruit. "Lost? Well... what are you trying to find?" He straightens up in his stool, clearing his throat.

Quinten shuffles his foot paws and looks awkward "Well see Sir, i was enjoying me free time, trying to learn the lay out of the place and wound up down here, wandering about again, i just keep getting turned around see."

Darklett nods, smiling understandably. "Well hey... At least you know you're down, and you need to get back -up.-" The lieutenant winks at the recruit, before taking another sip. "It'll take time to figure out the mountain. You'll get used to it soon enough. Now, you're down here in the cellar... If you walk out of the cellar and make a left turn, you'll get back upstairs, right turn is more chambers, like the boxing room, and the archery range... Down further into the caverns you'll get to where the holding cells are."

Earblade shoots a dark look at Neville, "Say there Neville, isn't it about time you checked on your bar? You know the part timers you have never really take the care to clean up the bar properly. Might not even be able to see your face in it" he says with mock severity, putting the not-so subtle message across for the hare to leave. He then grins and looks back to Terrance, "Don't mind Nev, he's not one of us military types, doesn't quite know when the situation requires a slight bit of tact" he explains, glancing meaningfully back to the barhare. "Well then lad, I suppose I'd best give you a bit of a guided tour of the leader's areas and talk you over the basics of what the officer types get up to" he says, tapping his chin as he ponders what to include, he glances between Neville and the Lieutenant to make sure no comments are made about the officer types in question.

Rothal grimaces slightly at the mention of holding cells, but remains silent, messing with his shoulder. A habit of sorts, obviously.

Quinten nods and smiles "Oh ok thanks sir, sorry to bother you with it, its just its all a bit overwhealming here, nothing like back home."

Terrance remains at attention and nods, "Sounds good sah." An ear is tweaked towards Darklett and Quinten, a slight smile on Terr's maw as he listens. Yup. That was him not too long ago.

Darklett smirks at Quinten, holding up a paw and shaking his head. "Really, not a bother. When I first got here, I had the same problem... I'd say pretty much every hare who comes here does." Another sip is given to his ale, and he licks his lips afterwards, gulping down the liquid. "Need anything else?"

Quinten shakes his head "Not at the moment i don't think sir.. Taye helped me to find a uniform and showed me the roster, i'm just well trying to get the hang of it...still not sure how i'm supposed to address everyone either"

Neville rolls his eyes as he gets the "hint". He picks up the barrel lid and replaces it on top of the currently open cask, fixing it around the sides. He turns to the other occupants of the cellar, "Well, I'm off now and I'd advise the lot of you not to hand around for too much longer. Don't mind visitors down here but woe b'tide anyhare that steals a sample." he warns, casting a bareful eye around the room before shrugging and wandering out, grumbling quietly to himself.

Darklett nods. "Yeah, sounds like you're all set up, pretty much. As for how you address others... Well, all the officers you see, call them sir or by their rank. That's a sure bet way to not get the officer mad at you. Gotta keep things proper, and all, that's why the uniforms and stuff."

Rothal can't help it, being as mischievous as the next hare, and as soon as Nev leaves, he heads for the older barrels of drink, leaving the other hares to talk.

Quinten nods his head "Ok sir... i've been finding out what saying the wrong thing entails, i want to try not to wind up in the kitchens again, uhm sir.."

"Ah, well you'll find some officers are a little more strict than others in different situations," Darklett points out, finishing the contents of his mug and letting it dangle in his paw, leaning forward and crossing his arms across his legs. "Just make sure to show up for your classes and training."

Quinten nods "Thats another problem i keep not finding them... the lessons that is, i keep getting lost on thw way and turning up late or finding the right room and it turns out to be the wrong room after all."

The sound of a barrel being opened somewhere in the back can be heard, followed by several muttered comments by Rothal. The barrel is closed, and the sound of another being opened can be heard.

( Earblade finishes his pondering and says, "Alright then. Let's be off." Terrance follows behind the colonel, glancing towards Quinten and the others and chuckling a little before exiting the room. )

Darklett's ears perk and he glances towards where Rothal is, in the darkness, and grins, shaking his head. "The training room is actually right outside your dorm hallway, so that should be relatively easy to find. I don't know where your classes are, though, so..."

Quinten nods "I found the training room sir, but no one seems to know where my classes are from one to the next."

The newly opened barrel seems to be a good one, because Rothal appears from the back for a moment, retrieving a mug from nearby the others, before disappearing again. No comments follow, however. It's hard to drink and talk at the same time.

Darklett shrugs. "Well, maybe you can find another fighter recruit and... I don't know, I guess you can follow him or her. You should have the same classes," the lieutenant suggests with yet another shrug. "Don't know a whole lot about the recruit process."

Quinten nods his head, ears clapping "I've been trying me best sir."

Darklett nods. "Well, then you should do fine. Just work hard, and the recruit thing will fly right on by. I think, anyway." He scratches his head. "I'm not really in charge of that. Major Jarril is, mostly."

Quinten nods "Everybeast keeps talking about the Major, i'm yet to meet them"

"Ha! Well, you probably should, seeing as he does most of the work with recruits." Darklett laughs out, shifting backwards on the stool. "Of course, I hear he hogs all the best recruits to his own patrol."

Quinten nods "Well i will try and track him down sir." He saltues one last time and hurries out of the room.