"Mmhmm. Now, next time, we'll work on you keeping me from disarming you. That way you'll know both ends of it." Darklett leads a recruit out of the training room, patting the young buck on the back and sending him forward. "Go down and get a head start on dinner, now. I won't tell anybeast." At that, the recruit laughs and nods to the major, jogging off.

"...34, 35, 3-oh, s'cuse me." Slipping past the disappearing recruit, Audri wanders her way up from the first level. Oddly, the squirrel is in the midst of juggling three stale rolls, resuming her counting as she moves towards the stairwell unaware of the older buck for the moment.

( One young beast is exchanged with another, and Dark smiles to see that it's Audri, the buck leaning up against the wall in usual fashion as he watches her. Heck, he doesn't even say anything, just sitting there and looking at the stale rolls fly up and fall down. )

Still juggling, Audri gets about halfway to the stairwell when she pauses, sending a quick glance down the leader's corridor before shaking her head. "I'll do it later." Taking a step towards the upper intersection, her paw unfortunately falters, sending a roll back in the direction of Dark.

Darklett just keeps watching, arms crossed over his chest and grinning. "Do what later?" He walks forward and leans over, grabbing the roll and frowning down at it almost instantly after he straightens. "...What a shame. Didn't think anything'd have time to go stale in this place, huh. Hey, Aud."

"Hm?" Audri turns halfway, a slight startled look on her face until the buck is spotted. "Oh, just something. n that was actually hidden away which is why it went stale." Offering a smile, she stashes the other rolls away while another glance goes down the corridor. "Been trainin again?"

"A little bit, yeah. Taking it easy." Darklett tosses Audri back the hard roll with a smirk. "Nice juggling there, for a few seconds that I saw ya. Been practicing a lot?" An interested glance goes to the squirrelmaid. "...You're not stocking any rotten stuff, are you?"

Audri bobs her head, gaze returning to her dad. "Long as your not pushin' yerself." Audri catches the roll with a grin, stashing it away with the other two. "When 'm not in the archery range. 'n no. Its just easier to juggle stale rolls."

Darklett snorts out a quick laugh, shaking his head. "Alright, mother dearest..." The major stops a few paces short of Audri. "Huh. Taye helpin' you out down there with the bow, or something?" The paws go behind the back, and he's at rest now, rocking slightly on his paws.

"Well, someone needs to make sure ya don't hurt yerself." Audri mumbles under her breath, arms folding across her chest while she rests back against the wall. "I haven't seen him in awhile. I asked one o' the sergeants to help me with it."

Darklett browquirks at Audri, shrugging off that first statement and going to the next. "Oh. Well... How're you doin' with it? I was never very good at the bow and arrow, hehe." He shakes his head and scratches the side of it.

Audri shrugs. "'m a'right I guess. Need to work on the whole aimin thing though. Almost hit someone's footpaw the other day." With a slight frown, her gaze turns back towards the leader's corridor. "Might try something else later on. Not sure the bow is right for me."

Darklett chuckles, and browraises at the same time, one of his ears folding over while the other perks in amusement. A lesser beast would have a headache. "Well, it's certainly not right for everybeast, but I suggest if you keep going with that, practice when the place is more... Empty. Or at least when there's nobeast anywhere near the spot you're aiming."

Audri has begun the nervous arm rubbing, head bobbing absently at his words, staring at the ceiling. "Probably be best since the Colonel be mad if I hurt one o' her hares."

Darklett notes the arm rubbing, and just nods his way through the rest of Audri's statement before subject change! "What's down the leaders' corridor, anyway? I mean, now you've got me curious, and all that."

Hum-hum-hum. Keita is approaching the second level intersection by way of the stairs going up. Her whistling good mood precedes her up the stairs, no doubt announcing her presence. Whistling can be distinctive, can't it?

Audri's gaze returns to Dark, hints of yet another frown appearing. "Oh, I've gotta still ask Colonel Zoe about Jemy. Kinda been puttin' it off 'n all." Oo. Being one with a short attention span, her attention quickly moves to the source of the whistling, peering curiously.

Darklett's ears perk at the whistling, but he simply nods to Audri. "Mmhmm, better ask. He's probably gonna want to perch up there a lot anyway, whether he's allowed or not."

The small, brown doe that follows further along behind Keita hurries her steps, tucking the basket under her arm. Actually she seems to be following the whistling. "Kei! I still had something to give you." It's obvious they had met up earlier and just that she forgot. Selene is a petite female hare, who obviously doesn't belong in the Long Patrol because of her unscarred appearance and outfit - skirt and blouse. For now the others are unnoticed. But isn't that always the way?

But of course. Keita's magnetism is such that all else blurs to nothing in her presence. Ahem-hem. The tavern doe turns 'round at the call, stopping short as she reaches the top of the stairs, just two steps down from reaching the landing. "Oh. Hum? What?"

"I'll ask her soon. 'n he might though he's afraid o' fallin'." Audri keeps her watch on the stairs until the does step into view. Hrm. Keeping quiet, her attention remains on the pair, especially Keita's pegleg.

"Ah, yeah, forgot. A bird that's afraid of heights." Darklett grins, turning to look at Keita, and the other doe. Pausing in his greeting, he raises his paw halfway, sees that she's still tending to some business, and goes back to Aud. "I'm just sayin'. If he does, I don't want him getting hurt by a mistake of the Patrol."

Selene comes to rest standing upon the stairs as she holds the would be picnic basket out to Keita. "Just some things I made and some produce from my garden." She grins. "You'll see." The only reason she looks over at the other two is because their voices catch her attention. Both ears go rigid and she stares. Her mind has seemingly jumped free from her body.

Keita is in the process of taking hold of the basket when Selene goes all... rigid and stare-y. She looks around with surprise, eyes resting on... huh. Darklett and Audri? She glances back to the other doe, her lips parting in preparation to ask the question. Ummmm. "What's wrong?"

Audri lets her gaze drift just a moment to return to her father, oohing softly at his words. "Hadn't thought o' that. I'll try 'n ask her tomorrow then." That done, she goes back to her ease dropping of pair, offering a faint smile towards the rigid one.

Darklett's eyes go back up to Keita and Selene, noting the suddenly stiffened frame of the unfamiliar doe with a quick nod and smile. A glance down to Audri. "You know her?" He looks back to Keita and waves cheerily. "Hey, Kei. Evenin'."

There is a moment of silence, before Selene releases the basket with a faint smile to Audri and then looks up to Keita. "Who is that?" You know, clarification is the most wonderful thing ever. She gestures towards Darklett, not quite moving, but her ears have tilted back.

The clarification is helpful. Keita looks back around to Darklett and Audri, shrugging slightly. "That? That's jus' Darklett." She takes the basket with a nod of thanks.

Audri shakes her head, head canting. "Never seen her. Maybe ya scared her or somethin'. Officers can be scary after all." She mumbles back, taking a step aside to avoid any cuffing that might be following. XD

Darklett smirks, rolling his eyes and reaching out to ruffle Aud's ears. "Hello. Can I help you?" He peers over at Selene, oddly. Hmm... "Major Darklett Fletchpaw," he furthers clarification and elaborates on his name at the same time.

Ah-hah. Well in this case clarification is not good. The petite doe stares blankly at Darklett as he speaks to her personally, right before she lets a laugh take over. "Oh... My God. And you don't even remember me.." Maybe she snapped. More laughter, though her look is less than amused. "How convenient - have you been here ALL this time?" Uh oh.

Uhhhhh. Keita's going to get whiplash with all this looking this way and looking that way. But to be safe, she moves up the last couple of steps and moves ooooout of the way, eyeing everyone.

Audri snickers, ducking away from the ruffling paw. With the mood change, however, she slips behind her dad protectively, peeking over his shoulder towards her.

Darklett blinks at the doe, brows both raised in confusion. "...Huh?" Dark scratches at his head, trying to sort things out. "Sorry, I... Uh, there're a lot of hares I see every day..." he explains himself with a chuckle and a shrug, smiling disarmingly towards her.

Selene scowls and looks Darklett over quickly. "And they made you an OFFICER? This.. is brilliant." No more laughter. She starts forward, smaller than the buck but there is anger in her eyes. "You're /scum/ Darklett /Fletchpaw/. 'There're a lot of hares' you see every day? But I guess you've conveniently forgotten my family too? And how you loved me? And then left me to have a child ON MY OWN?! With no family left?!" Maybe Keita should restrain her. Or maybe she might run off soon. Just... there's nothing like the wrath of a woman scorned.

Keita is less with the restraining and more with the wide-eyed staring. Whaaaat ze heck? It's almost like a tennis match, at this point, with the back and forth staring. "... 'Lene? What're you talkin' about?"

Eep. Aud slips back behind and out of view as the doe begins forward, gripping into the back of Dark's tunic probably to his disliking. "Da, what's she talkin' about?" Is her soft murmur to the doe's accusations, glancing up to him questioningly.

Darklett's ears perk, and realization slowly dawns on him like a sack full of anvils. "...Selene?" is almost gasped out. Audri is, unfortunately, momentarily forgotten, as he starts backing away, but, upon bumping into the squirrel, he stops, mouth open wide. There really isn't any good way to say sorry for what he did, is there?

Oh growl. "So you DO remember?" Selene is glaring harshly at Darklett by this time, having to lean up to be close to him. "I /loved/ you, you..." She's gotten to the point of no words - let alone insults - breaking through. That is the point where it /has/ to get physical. A hard slap is struck out at Dark's cheek. She's probably been wanting to lash out violently for seasons, now. But once it is done, nothing. Just trembling and starting to cry. Too many emotions at once, aye?

Audri is used to being forgotten, sidestepping only after being bumped into, her grip loosening from his back. Looking confused, she looks from Selene to Dark, a squeak escaping her at the slapping. "Ma..maybe we should go now." She mumbles, reaching over to tug at her da's tunic.

Darklett really has no choice except to get slapped, looking down in shock at Selene. I mean, what does one /say/ to that? "Selene..." The major blinks down at the doe, gulping and frowning. "I... I didn't..." Hm. "...Did you say a child?"

Suddenly feeling like she looks completely insane, Selene gets that alone feeling, just starting to cry a little more - though the tears are attempted to be held back. And he is just standing there, which makes it worse for her. Both ears wilt further as she sobs out, then nods. "Yes! A child. Is that so hard to believe?!" Her anger is weaker now, but she can't make herself move.

Audri gives up on the tugging, arms dropping to her side in annoyance. Ugh. The mentioning of a kid causes more confusion for the poor squirrely, stepping back a few paces with a huh look.

Darklett bites on the inside of his lip, but still his mouth manages to keep open slightly. "...Is... Is it alright?" All kinds of different feelings wash in at once. "I'm sorry... For leaving you. I'm... Selene, I'm so sorry." His voice is /barely/ above a whisper, now.

Almost laughs a little at the apology, coming out as a snerk of sorts, but she doesn't know what else to say. Selene's shoulders shake, right before she looks up to Dark - pain more apparent than anger this time. Heh. "It.. /He/ is alright.." Her mouth closes again, wiping at the tears that still course down her face as she starts to back off a little.

"He is alright..." Darklett actually allows himself a moment to smile at this. A little buck leveret of his own... But Selene's still in front of him, crying and... understandably upset. "...Hey. Selene, come on..." Not sure if this is the /best/ of moves, he steps forward and tries to give her a hug.

Oh no he did /not/ just try to hug her! Except that - aside from the initial struggle as if she'll start to beat him off - Selene doesn't react the way she thought she would. The doe goes a little limp, just falling into the embrace as if gaining comfort about the situation.. though from the one who made her cry. Complicated. Her face is now buried in his shoulder, making her start sobbing again. Darn this man. XD

..What?! Audri's jaw drops, watching Dark in disbelief as he actually /smiles/. How dare he. With tears beginning to brim at the corner of her eyes, she sends a punch to the small of his back, disappearing downstairs afterward.

Darklett buries the tip of his snout into Selene's headfur, frown evident on his features as he hugs the doe, looking spaced out for a second. What to do, what to do...? He jumps and clutches at Selene when he suddenly feels a small paw punch into his kidney, and he grunts, letting go of Selene momentarily to watch Audri go. Speechless. Not... a good day.

Selene is at the point of slowly accepting this, letting her thoughts drift back to when they were younger - as if everything is okay. /Please/ let it be okay.. But oh wait. As she is clutched at she jerks in surprise, startled from her thoughts and starting to push away a little. Oh wow. What was happening? Not quite out of reach though. Even if he's scum, she did love him. Probably still does, which is why it hurts so much. Oh woe.

Darklett just looks at Selene sadly as she pushes away from him, the buck really trying hard not to mess this up. "...Can I see him sometime?" he asks, another smile curling up the corners of his mouth, though it, too, is fleeting, and retreats into a worried flat expression.

All this time, Keita has been listening and watching this exchange with mounting... um. What, exactly? To be honest, from the look of her she doesn't know /what/ she thinks. Either way, she seems to have had enough of playing the peeping Tom, because she's suddenly turning and limping back for the stairs. "Oh bloody 'ell..." is her muttered, uh, farewell?

Selene is torn between hurrying after Keita, when she hears the 'bloody ell and answering Darklett's question. In the end, she figures the privacy is better anyway, though she tucks her arms around her waist again in the end for security perhaps - staring at the Major's chest rather than his face. "I... well he /is/ yours.. And he /is/ in the mountain most of his time." Her voice is very soft now.

Darklett looks over Selene's shoulder at the retreating Keita, wincing slightly and watching her disappear for a second until he goes back to Selene. "...He's here most of the time?" Dark blinks, not quite understanding. "...Do you mean to say he's in the patrol?!"

Another glance is sent towards where Keita disappeared as well, before the small doe sniffles, looking up to Dark finally into his eyes. "Yes. He's old enough now to be a recruit." Dry chuckle. "Time flies.." She doesn't know what to do with herself, shifting and brushing tears off her cheeks again. And she truly wants a question answered. But she'll wait. "And.. He /does/ need a father..."

"...I probably see him almost every day, and I don't even know that I'm his dad..." Darklett clicks his teeth a few times. "Well... What's his name?" The buck's brows raise, eagerly.

Selene seems.. reluctant. She eyes him a little, then clears her throat. "Jakk. Shouldn't be hard to miss.. he reminds me more of you every day." The doe glances towards the stairs, then up at Dark, unsure whether to ask or not.

"...Jakk... Yeah." Darklett raises a paw to the side of his head, rubbing back his headfur, along with one of his ears, eyes widened in revelation, dropping his arm back down with a sigh. "I... Have talked to him before..." Dark sees the glance toward the stairs, and looks to Selene with a small frown. "...Well..."

"I guess I should head for home." Though it's dark now. Boo. Selene sighs, brushing her skirt out in a fidgeting manner - right before looking up to Darklett again. "Tell me - did you ever.. really love me?" The question alone seems like it hurts her.

Darklett actually smiles genuinely to this, stepping forward and placing his paws on her upper arms, near her shoulders, drawing her close. "Selene... I really... /really/ did. It was so hard for me to leave, and I regret doing it, but... I had to. I'm... I'm so sorry for leaving you..." He looks down at her, eye to eye.

Relief. That's the main expression, however unsure it makes her still, because what does this knowledge do for her. Anyway, Selene has lost her senses at the moment, staring back, and finally the softest of smiles tugging at the corners of her mouth. Try to ignore the part where he left you, girl. "Did.." She nods, looking down and seeming rather fragile and easily manipulated - closer, whatever - in his grasp. "Thank you..." She was stronger earlier.

..."Why don't you stay here?" Darklett says it. There. "It's late, and... I think we have a lot of catching up to do, right?" He smiles, still sorta looking down at her, closely.

Uh. Twitch. Selene seems unsure again, before nodding, trying to remain calm in the situation - though she gives him a if you hurt me again.. warning sort of look. "Alright.. I'll stay." And, oh wow, leans in to hug him herself for comfort this time, though it is a little tight, and she still doesn't know what to make of it all.

Smiling wide at the hug and closing his eyes, Darklett's arms wrap around the doe, a sigh escaping his lips. He doesn't even speak, he just sorta... Embraces her for a while, then pulls back, looking at her quietly and still hugging her loosely.

Selene smiles softly and almost sadly again up at Darklett before starting to head off down the hall, kind of pulling him along with her cause.. neither has actually let go of each other it would seem. Well that went way differently than she expected. No more words for now.