Disclaimer: I own no lyrics in this chapter, or any other one. They are property of their respected owners.
A/N: It's been awhile. I don't know if any current readers were around when this first came out. Or if my original readers are still on fanfiction. Well if they are, this is dedicated to you. New readers, enjoy, and please review.
….
The Dance, Part 1
It was noon when Daniel Garny once again paused his story, for lunch this time. The old mouse was again reminded of his late wife while Forrest cooked up some macaroni, her scents, and the way she looked when sunlight played against her fur. Daniel sighed, and lay his head down on his paw, shielding his face from light streaming in through the window. The sun was high above in the sky, partially blocked by the tall abbey roof, and memories of Ripley coursed through his mind.
Daniel stared with moist eyes at the picture hanging above the sink, it showed Ripley in an expensive, flowing white wedding gown, kissing Daniel in front of an alter. The best man was an otter by the name of Brunswick, and the Bridesmaid was Ashley Wesson, the priest, an old ferret was standing off to the side smiling. Daniel recalled that happiest moment of his life with the smells of cheese and macaroni in the background.
He knew he would eventually have to get to Ripley's death, but he did not want to think about it now, he had to get their first.
….
Forrest put the steaming macaroni down in front of Daniel, and some in front of his own seat. The old fox sat down, and quickly noticed the distant, sad expression on the old mouse's face. Forrest knew that something was wrong, but he decided not to press into it. Instead he ate his pasta, his old, but still sensitive nose picking up the scents of a freshly mowed lawn across the street. Forrest always thought the smells of spring were what life was there for. Flowers, freshwater, honeysuckle, grass, and the scent that seemed to drift of the abbey's pink walls like a voice from the past were all that made the fox really happy since his wife died during the MCP (Mossflower Communist Party) revolution.
Forrest often thought he would have died from depression and loneliness long ago if he had not been able to look forward to the scents of spring and summer. The sun itself often made him smile, its warmth reminded him of the days when he roamed free in the woods of Mossflower. Industrialization only came later, along with it, the deforestitation of much of the old woods. New houses stood where old trees once cast their shadow, and the rest of the woods had become a reserve, no going in.
As Forrest ate his macaroni, he felt also a sense of dread. While cooking he had noticed a bunch of empty beer bottles in the recycling bin. They emptied those bins a few days ago. After counting, he realized Daniel had drunk fifteen bottles of beer in the last three days. The old fox knew that was killing him. The mouse knew too, Forrest guessed. Worse, the fox thought, he had a feeling the Daniel didn't care anymore.
He also feared the moment when James Garny's death came, because deep inside, Forrest knew he would have to tell Daniel sometime. His conscience was nagging him considerably, and it seemed to Forrest that Daniel Garny's time was running out, and so was the time for forgiveness. As he sat there at Daniel Garny's table, he felt like an intruder. Damn, the mouse across for him had endured thrice the pain of any two beasts throughout the land. And sitting across from him, smiling and feeding him, was the fox that had killed his father.
Silently, Forrest waited for Daniel to continue his tale. And when the mouse did, it came with a tear that quickly dried.
….
The morning of the dance began with one bird chirping deep in the forest. Then, as the sun rose, an orchestra of noises rose, and then fell as the day began. It was warm, and windy, which most people would think of March. Like usual, the teens slept in until after lunch time, except for a few early risers content with grabbing a scone or two.
The hares were up early, and had devastated the breakfast table; the few remaining scraps could hardly be seen without a microscope. Ashley and Smith were in Ashley's dorm, evidently working on something. Occasionally you would hear the scratching of a quill or the squeal of metal being molded. No one knew what they were working on except the badger lord and Abbot Kurrock.
Dibbuns played on the lawn, well away from the windows where the pies were left to cool, for once a guard had been stationed (unfortunately a hare, so the pies kept disappearing). Tables were being set up for the outdoor dinner picnic, and space cleared inside Cavern Hole for the dance floor. A stage was set up, and various instruments were spread out over it.
In the Great Hall, Daniel sat munching a sandwich that consisted of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, turkey, and mayo. Some of the mayo was ending up on his snout as he munched, later it would cause a stink as it heated up in the sun.
He stared up at the tapestry that had survived the ages, and thoughtfully chewed a piece of lettuce. The warrior on the painting had a set face, and Daniel often wondered if he ever felt emotion anymore, for surely his spirit lingers in his great abbey. Dripping a little tomato juice on his shirt, he stood up and yawned, discarding his sandwich on the floor, half eaten. Daniel headed outside.
Behind him a Sergeant in the Long Patrol considered the sandwich. Then he picked it up- and ate the rest of it. In one bite.
Outside Daniel headed up to the abbey walls, and looked out over the path. Up here the wind was exceptionally strong, and so was the glare of the sun. Seeing no beast outside he recognized, he turned and began to walk the battlements, his paw smoothly gliding along jagged marks and dried bloodstains from past battles.
At the top of the West wall's staircase, he ran into his best friend, an otter by the name of Brunswick.
Brunswick (or Bune for short) was a little tall for his species, and had a light brown fur. He wore a red bandana to block the suns light from bothering him. Bune and Daniel had met sometime in the first grade, after putting a worm in their teacher's apple.
"How's it going Dan?" Bune greeted, smiling, his bandana and headfur blowing like Daniel's in the high wind.
"Good" Daniel smelled something bad "What you been rolling around in?"
"Chicken shit" joked Bune.
"No way" said Daniel, expecting the reply.
"Pond's dirty, big fish died in their the other day" said Bune gesturing, his muscles rippling "And it was my turn to clean it up"
Bune came from a family that lived closer to the river. His family ran a farm, shipping out things like wheat and barley. The Swiftail family also ran a small fishing business, their fish considered delicacies as they seemed to taste better than anyone else. Bune had worked on the farm until he was six seasons old, hauling crates and pushing plows, then his parents sent him to Redwall for an education. Bune still had some of the happy farm boy left in him though.
"Take a bath man" Daniel said, holding his mayo covered nose.
"Already did" replied Bune with a small hint of defiance.
"Well do it again, I'm going to puke you smell so bad" Daniel feigned vomiting over the battlements.
"So how's Jess doing?" asked the mouse after he "recovered".
"Fine, and as pretty as ever" Started Bune, smiling wider "Have you smelled her new perfume? It like walking in a garden of roses"
Jess was Bune's girlfriend of two seasons. She was a nice girl and she often hung out with Daniel, Ripley, and Bune. Daniel didn't know what about his farmer/otter friend attracted that girl... But personally Daniel thought Bune and Jess were going to get married right out of school.
They continued talking, Bune asking what Daniel had heard about the song selection for the dance night. Meanwhile Daniel leaned against the rosy stone that made Redwall and squashed a fly that was buzzing around his arm.
"Do you know what songs are going to be played? I'd like to know if this is going to be an ol' fashioned barn dance or a rockin' party"
"Well I don't know anything" Daniel lied, he knew full well who was playing what "Except for a song or to I might be playing" said the mouse, smiling as if he were…. Telling a fib.
"Like what?" asked Bune, wiping sweat from his brow, a look of curiosity on his light brown snout.
"You'll see"
"Come on Daniel, tell me. You know I'm impatient" Bune paused "Plus Jess needs to know what to wear, a dress or overalls" The otter smirked; obviously thinking it was funny Jess even thought he cared what clothes she wore.
"Nope" said Daniel lightheartedly, still smiling.
"Come on, please" Bune hit Daniel lightly on his shoulder.
Daniel shoved him back, careful not to knock his best friend over the walls edge.
"Maybe I'll tell you later, if you can grab me a apple-chocolate turnover from Jess"
Bune smiled "That'll be easy"
The otter walked off, looking for his girlfriend, the baking assistant.
Daniel, shielding his eyes from the sun, spotted Ripley wandering around near the pond, urging dibbuns to be careful, lest they fall in the water. Her red fur seemed to match perfectly with the color of the walls. The sandy furred mouse walked down the stairs, and without thought, took off his sandals so he could feel the grass tickle his paws. Crossing the lawn, Daniel sneaked a few pastries that were let out on the tables, eating them steadily as he made his way towards his girlfriend.
"Hey Ripley" Daniel began "Want to come to the kitchen, Bune's getting some turnovers from Jess"
Ripley turned, smiling. "Sure, let me just get someone else to look over these dibbuns"
Ripley and Daniel talked as they walked across the lawn, mostly about who's taking who to the dance, and a certain invitation floating around the Redwall schoolhouse. That invitation was to a party (teens only, no adult or dibbun knew about it) on the northwest lawn of the abbey at midnight.
"So what have you heard about it?" asked Ripley, wondering if she wanted to go.
"Apparently" Daniel started "I'm not totally sure though, a few hedgehogs in our grade smuggled a bunch of champagne and bourbon out of the cellar" said Daniel as the passed through the doors into the abbey. The sandy-furred mouse felt the grass beneath his paws quickly change to well worn and warm stone.
"Any October Ale?" Ripley asked as they past Martin's tapestry. She always had a craving for it since she had sneaked a sip a few months before.
Daniel smiled "You bet your life there is"
"I'm in" replied Ripley without hesitation, turning to face Daniel as they walked.
"Well I'll take you down there; we're supposed to jump out of the windows using bed sheets, so olderbeast's don't catch us, but…" Daniel had a glint in his eye "I know a better way"
"How?" inquired the red-furred mouse.
"I'll show you"
"When and where?"
"Uhh" Daniel thought. What entrance to the ducts should I show her? The mouse smiled. Obviously. "Meet me in my room tonight around 11:30, I'll show you something you can use for the rest of your life"
"Okay" said Ripley. She wondered what the exit was, or if he was calling her to his room for a different reason.
With that, the couple passed under a small archway, and into the kitchen, with its aromas, textures, and its heavenly tastes.
…
Inside Redwall's legendary kitchen, smoke rose off of breads and pastries like steam off of hot water. Nothing was burnt; a delicious golden brown seemed to adorn the place. The Friar was outside helping to set up the tables, leaving behind his assistant to watch over the place. That assistant was Jess. She and Bune were standing near the oven, talking while eating some scones. Smoke from the cooking pizza within the oven drifted up slowly into the air duct entrance that Arnold the hedgehog had entered during the kitchen raid seasons ago. Daniel eyed it with understanding.
"Oh there you guys are" said Bune walking over. Jess followed behind him carrying-apple chocolate turnovers.
"Hey Jess" said Daniel as he picked a turnover off the platter, it was warm, and runny chocolate dripped onto his fur.
"Hey, so I heard you're taking Ripley to the dance" replied Jess, setting the platter down.
The ottermaid wore her best shirt and skirt combo (The best dress was for the dance); and some sandals. Taking a whiff, Daniel smelled pastry's and Jess's perfume. It did smell like roses.
"Ya he is taking me" said Ripley, taking a bite out of her turnover. It tasted so good she ate the rest in one bite. A little bit of apple remained on her paw, and she ate that to.
"Well congrats!" said Jess, smiling. The ottermaid bit into her own turnover, and made an exaggerated expression of glee.
"I'm taking Jess" stated Bune, putting an arm around the other otter.
"Obviously" replied Ripley, though no one paid attention.
"So" began Daniel through his food "Are you coming to the… other party?"
Bune and jess smiled simultaneously.
"You bet" answered Bune.
"We're going to" said Ripley, wiping her paws on the countertop.
"Eww, clean that up" complained Jess, pointing her rounded paw.
"It's not going to kill you" replied Ripley, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a napkin out of the holder.
The Friar walked in humming a tune. The fat squirrel stopped, and cocked an eyebrow at the four.
"Ah ha Jess, I knew I couldn't trust you" He said lightly. The Friar eyed the turnovers.
"I made them myself" said the ottermaid, catching his gaze.
"They smell delicious" The Friar took one, and took a bite.
His face made an expression of joy.
"Right down the recipe now! These are the best I have ever eaten!" exclaimed the Friar.
Jess beamed and ran off. Ripley followed her, intent on memorizing the recipe for herself.
The Friar turned and laid a stern eye on the boys.
"What are you two doing in here?" His eyes narrowed "You better not be stealing candied chestnuts!"
Daniel and Bune laughed along with the Friar.
"But seriously boys, I'm making a cake" said the Friar.
"Can we stay and help?" asked Daniel, eating another turnover.
The friar shook his head, his fatty cheeks moving back in forth. It was kind of funny.
"No it's a secret recipe" replied the fat Friar.
"See you later Friar" said Bune as he turned, tail swinging.
"Bye boys"
…
Outside again. By this point it was about 1:00, the sun high in the sky, and the shadows shorter than their casters. Dibbuns were passed out on the lawns, sleeping off a little too much sugar.
Bune spoke to Daniel as they headed for their hangout spot- the gatehouse. The gatehouse was open, provided shade (and a nice few of the pond), and had a sink.
"Now you gotta tell me what you're playing" started Bune.
"Fine" said Daniel, splashing water on his face from the sink.
"Tonight the grand master God of musicians is going to performing-?" began Bune, grinning.
"Saw Her Standing There and Johnny B. Goode" finished Daniel leaning back against a window sill.
"Those are good ones" replied Bune, still grinning.
"That they are" said Daniel.
….
Ashley Wesson lay asleep on her bed, arms sprawled out insanely. She had worked hard all day, and she intended to be ready for the party (though she was crazy smart, she still had a social life). Her door was open, and so was her window. A breeze blew in, gently lifting her fur as she slept.
Smith Preston had gone downstairs for his fourth meal of the day. In his mind there would be enough time for another two more meals later.
Back in Ashley's room, the revolver lay on her workbench, beside plans for something called a "camera" and a blueprint for "television". The gun was freshly shined, and had a better grip; it absorbed sweat so you wouldn't fumble with it. The gun had six bullets in it, and the safety was on.
Out in the hallway, a lone beast's footsteps echoed. They came into the dorm, pausing for moment to make sure Ashley was sleeping. Then they walked to the desk. A grey paw picked up the weapon, cradling it for a moment, before it and the gun disappeared into a cloak.
The figure moved over to Ashley's bed, and took a rag from its pockets. The creature put it around Ashley's mouth for a few moments, and then withdrew. The rag was covered in chlorophyll.
James left the room, only leaving behind the scent of plants and some settling dust.
Ashley wouldn't wake up until the next morning. But by then, it would be too late.
The old mouse locked the door behind him as he headed down the hall.
…
A/N: This has been a good chapter to write, and hopefully a good one to read too. But, a more pressing issue. Where do Redwaller's get their dairy? No cows or goats have ever been mentioned. Also, we hear them prayer several times in the books. Who are they praying too? Martin, God, Allah, Buddha- no one knows. We need to kidnap Brian Jacques and ask him. Seriously, who's in? Just kidding. I hope no one believed me. Please review!
