Hi hi, rodents ^.^
Here's another rp log I've found. This time, Patricia will meet her past once again. She will find nothing less that the son of the rat she hates the most, and at the same time the son of the mouse she once fell in love to.
Hope you like it! ^.^b

LVC: Dining Hall
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The dining hall is a massive room, quite large enough to hold the entire community -- even if everyone was a bit crowded. However, the buffet style of serving meals around here allows the rats and mice to dine at their leisure. Tables, large and small, are scattered around the large, open floor of the hall. A bank of windows along the outer, eastern wall allows daylight to stream into the room, and large oil lamps hang suspended from the ceiling for night-time meals.

Sarah has fooled her 'honor guard' again ^^; and continues her tour in the thornvalley colony. She's fascinated with the rats, the way they talk, their unique culture which had so much in common with the mice yet, so different in a lot of ways at the same time. She was thinking on that when she hears several voices coming from the dinning hall, so she decides to turn around and see what's happening.

Zohar had just collected a plate of food and sat in one of the darker corners in the cafeteria. He didn't want to draw attention to himself since he had been involved with investigating the murder of Adrian and imprisonment of Justin as the culprit. The rat sat, tracing his finger along the edge of a glass, his eye closed as he thought.

Timothy is already seated and picking at his food absently. He happens to sit not far from Zohar, though he doesn't really notice him as such, either.

Lutra walks into the cafeteria with his own food already in his hand he once again cooked too much oh well surely someone might want some it is good food better than the cafeterias he enters the cafeteria and spots timothy walking up to him to see if there is an open spot near him maybe they can chat a bit.

Sarah enters the cafeteria and the scent of the fresh food fills her nose, she closes her eyes and her whiskers tilt as she sniffs the air. "hmm so tasty... vegetables, fruits... strawberries ^^" She steps aside for a moment to let a rat pass and then steps inside. While sniffing she notices Timothy's scent aswell, so she starts looking for him over, which is not easy for a tiny mouse in the middle of huge rats ^^;

Zohar leaned back in his booth, picking at the seeds which were on his plate as he looked out at those who had entered. He recognized everyone so far, Tim, Lutra, Sarah, but he didn't see Elder Patricia anywhere, and hadn't since he first met her when she first arrived. He had been busy, not just with the investigation, but with a side project after seeing the 'honor guard' which patrolled with the Maples.

Timothy looks up from his food, looking over to the door when Sarah entered. He smiles a bit; perhaps it's not who he was hoping for, but Sarah's nice too. "Hey, Sarah!" he calls, trying to get her attention once she's finished getting food.

Raganzi steps into the dining hall, happy to be out of the infirmary as he looks over the selection of food today.

Lutra says to timothy "hello how are ya timothy I hope you are enjoying your meal you seem to neglet your meal if you dont like it maybe I can offer you some of mine?" he smiles and waits for his response

Sarah finally spots Timothy and waves "Heeeeey Timmy! Hold me a seat I'll be there in a moment!" she says and forgetting all about politely and courtesy she rushes the line of rats waiting for their turn and starts picking "I want this... some of this... and oh strawberries I want a lot o them! Oh my this smells so sweet! ^^" The rats in the line seem to not be "much" annoyed with the carefree mouse, maybe because she's a guest, or because she looked so cute while smiling and filling her plate with berries ^^; Meanwhile, another mouse enters the cafeteria, but by any mean 'cute' or 'adorable', along with some escorts... "So this is the cafeteria, how... interesting" she mutters. Patricia enters the cafeteria, not responding at all to the greetings of some rats sitting near. Sarah seems to be lucky enough to not being spotted by her mother between the rats, and her scent being masked by the smell of the rats and the food.

Timothy grins and nods to Sarah. He bites his lip a bit as Patricia enters, but he doesn't have log to think about it when he hears Lutra? "Huh? Oh, um... No, thanks. I'm just... thinking."

Zohar looked up a bit when Patricia entered, having not expected to see her today. Something was strange about her, though he couldn't place it exactly. They had been watching each other while Justin guided the Maples to their quarters, which were across from his own, but since then he had seen very little of her. He took a sip of his tea and continued to watch.

Raganzi listens somewhat indirectly to the conversations as he selects a little of this and that from the kitchen and finds himself a place to sit, having another rat help him out by carrying a cup of tea as he hobbles on a crutch. He thanks the rat and sips his tea slowly, relaxing as best he can.

Lutra smiles and says "ok but I brought more than I can posibly eat if you change ya mind let me know" spoting patricia he says to tim "who is the mouse entering the cafeteria she from the lost colony?"

Sarah juggles trying to balance the lots of berries of different classes she has put on the plate, definitively she has a really fast metabolism to eat so much and still be so thin and tiny ^^; "Ah excuse me sir. Oops sorry, excuse me miss. Coming through! Oh sorry didn't mean to step on your tail mister ^.^; I'm coming Timothy!" she says while making her way towards Tim's table (and leaving a nice line of annoyed rats in her way =P) Too bad, all that movement drags Patricia's attention right over her. "What the... where's her guard? Who was assigned to watch over her this turn?" says Patricia to one of her escorts. "Um... Riko ma'am, lieutenant Riko was assigned to her watch at this time." "That fool, how on earth he became lieutenant!" "You... you promoted him personally ma'am," "Whatever! I had to be out of my senses to do such thing. Remember me to have a talk with him as soon as he reports. Now, I want you to keep an eye on her, don't lose her in any moment. Am I clear?" "Yes, I'll be watching her don't worry ma'am" "Ok, now lets see what the rats have to offer... um vegetables... ack berries how disgusting... ah fish, I'll take some of this..." she picks some food and takes a seat, another escort stays at the entrance watching, while she sits with her secretary. "... yes, I've been looking over that ma'am and I've all documented on my report. It's an architectonic wonder as I guessed and..." the secretary keeps explaining some matters but Patricia seems to be paying attention to something else... "He's here..." "huh? W-what do you mean miss? Who's here?" "Someone here smells like... no, can't be him... Can't be... Jonathan..."

Timothy nods a bit to Lutra, then bites his lip as Sarah makes her way over, giving her a sheepish smile. "Heh... could've made two trips, y'know," he says when she arrives.

Zohar wrinkled his nose a bit watching everything that happened. Unfortunately, it happened to be the most inconvenient time for his eye to act up. In the dark corner he sat, his one eye shimmered in that oddly familiar glow which he shared with his father. The sad thing was it came and went, and never stayed solid like his father. Usually when it glowed, it did for for hours. However, he couldn't watch things if he closed his eye....Zohar picked a piece of fish from his plate as he hadn't expect meat to be served. He had a liking for it, to be honest. Still, he didn't address anyone and remained silent, deathly silent.

Lutra smiles and gets up walking over to patricia he says "hello miss have not seen you around before my name is lutra I could not help over hearing you if you dont care for the cafeteria food I got some homemade food that might be appetizing to you if you dont sharing with me miss oh well you never gave me your name"

Sarah chuckles "Well here I am finally, talking about trips! And I thought the cafeteria back at the city was crowded." She sits placing the plate over the table, while some berries scatter over =P She picks a couple, smells them a bit and munch them with a smile, obviously enjoying them. "So, *munch munch* How is it going?". Meanwhile Patricia slowly stands. "I'll be right back, wait here." she says to her secretary and starts moving through the tables, following that scent, such a familiar scent... Just in time she's intercepted by Lutra. "Huh? Um I'm Patricia... Patricia Maple, nice to..." she finds the source of the scent, a young mouse sitting with Sarah. "Nice to meet yo Mr..." she says to Lutra while looking over Timothy.

Timothy chuckles to Sarah, nodding a bit. "I tend to like coming during the off hours when it's not so crowded because of that." He smiles. "It's going all right. Kinda nervous sometimes..." He doesn't notice Patricia observing him.

Zohar had cleaned his plate by then and would take it for the washers soon. He set down his teacup and slowly stepped from the dark corner in which he sat. He saw the way Patricia eyed Timothy, and for him it was cause enough to see what she was up to. After all, he had secretly pledged his allegiance to the Brisby Family in the event the colony ever came under foul rule so he wouldn't be turned against them. Repayment for Mrs. Brisby's kindness of his father. The one-eyed rat slowly stepped past Timothy and the others, his eye still quite bright in its glow. If Timothy saw Patricia watching him it might unnerve the young mouse and Timothy didn't need someone exactly gazing at him, or reminding him of another psychotic fool bent on taking him somewhere. While he didn't expect that of Patricia, he came clear within her vision soon enough. "Enjoying the sites?" he asked, quite casually. "And your stay at Thorn Valley, Elder Maple?"

Lutra smiles at patricia and says "my name is lutra and it is a pleasure to meet a lovely mouse as your self mame" he bows a bit and he then says "might I help you find a seat perhaps one next to timothy jonathans son you seem interested in getting to know him"

Sarah giggles "Nervous because of..." she puts a paw over her muzzle and whispers "the wedding? You haven't told everyone about it yet? she picks another berry and smiles "You know it's like a berry, because... it's... rounded and sweet and... Well what I'm trying to say is that it's ok to be nervous, everyone would but you don't have to get all this over your shoulders only. What about your parents? Did you tell them already?" Patricia's eyes widen, as she feels her heart falling deep. "Jonathan... 's son? He's..." It's all what she manages to say before Zohar calls her, yet she can't get her eyes away from Timothy, she's like totally shocked... "W-What... Y-yes... Yes Mr. Zohar... I..."

Timothy smiles to Sarah, nodding a little. "Yeah, I guess so. And yeah, they know." He runs a paw through his headfur. "It's... a big step, I guess."

Zohar's ears flickered at her words, but he kept that one glowing eye on the bewildered Patricia. "Are amazed that Sir Jonathan has a son?" he said in a dreadfully soft and...familiar voice..., wrinkling his nose. "He is mated to Elizabeth Brisby, and Timothy is one of several siblings. Sir Jonathan is around somewhere, but I don't see him too often." He slipped his paws behind his back, watching the Elder in some sort of curiosity. "Being as you are from the Mouse Colony I can only assume you must be of the lost mice which fell in the shafts...as I know of no further experimentation by Dr. Schultz, being that I spent my entire childhood in Nimh's shadow." He looked back to Timothy to ensure that he hadn't noticed and then looked back, but his eye just wouldn't stop glowing. "Am I right?" Best to keep her mind on certain things, after all.

Lutra nods and says "indeed he is jonathans son. though zohar would probably know him better than I why dont you introduce her zohar?" he smiles and waits for zohars response.

Sarah chuckles with her muzzle full of berries "A big one indeed Tim, I don't think I'd have the courage to do so with my mom. She'd probably take the nearest gun and chase Chris down all over the colony like a raging beast" she says chuckling. Patricia headshakes "No... I mean, yes I'm kind of... amazed that Jonathan has a son. I... met him back in NIMH and yes I was one of the mice that fell in the shaft, the rats got it way easier though. Anyhow, I thought that Jonathan died that night since we didn't find any trace of him after the escape. But here he is... living with the rats and... with a formed family." looking over Timothy she sighs "He looks so much like his father..." that last sentence suddenly pulls her attention to Zohar, she doesn't know why though. "No, um I mean I... don't think would be appropriate now." she replies to Lutra "I don't want to... bother him while eating." she says, kind of nervous which is something really weird on her, she doesn't seem to be controlling her emotions like a stone cold like she usually does.

Timothy grins at Sarah. "Man, I thought /my/ mom was overprotective."

Zohar softly chuckled, shifting his 'cane' in front of him under both paws. It wasn't really a cane....rather, an odd strait, rapier-like sword without a pawguard, sheathed in a hard sheath, but it served a double purpose as a walking cane. He leaned on it a bit, still facing her. "My dear Elder Maple, Jonathan was not the only one you knew who had a son," he said quietly. "And Timothy isn't the only one of whom looks like his father either." At that he offered a wry smile. The Elder's emotions were weak and that was an advantage. "So many secrets--you, a lost mouse, Timothy, Jonathan's son...and one of the rats of Nimh remained behind in the laboratory, bent on being a scientist, though...a very tiny group at this colony knows of the crazed rat who wanted my father's own strange power." He cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse me, I need to return my dishes to the washers." If Patricia followed him, all the better...Zohar had many more secrets than any rat in the entire colony.

Lutra nods and says "suit your self but may I ask what you do at your colony miss mable I did not catch you mention it earlier" he smiles friendly at her

Sarah grins "Well, as overprotective as she is, I wouldn't be here if not for her. But I know why she's like that, after all what she had to pass through... well I am the last remaining of our family..." she lowers the gaze a bit "So, I understand if she wants protect me at all cost..." Patricia feels Zohar's glowing eyes peering into her mind, suddenly bringing long dead memories back to live. She felt that before, those glowing eyes meeting her's... yes she knows, but somehow she denies to believe. How could it be? How can be possible... That power Zohar has mentioned... She wants it. "I'm a member of the Elders Council, Mr. Lutra. The meanings of that council is basically the same as your own Council here in your colony, I guess, though I'm not familiarized with the methods of government here..." She sees Zohar leaving, and for a moment, during a glimpse of time she finds herself between going and meet the son of the mouse she once loved, or going with the son of her most hated rat of all to inquire him about that 'power'... "I... if you excuse me Mr. Lutra I have to... I mean I need to talk something with Zohar

Timothy nods a bit to Sarah, biting his lip. "Yeah... I guess I can understand that." He finally glances over to Patricia and Zohar, perhaps feeling his ears burning. Still, she doesn't seem interested in him at the moment, which suits him just fine.

Zohar picked up his tea cup and brought it to his muzzle. He still had a bit left to finish after all. It was good that Patricia had followed him. He wanted to divert her attention from the Brisby Family for now because there was something odd about her. A mouse of her statue to not know of Jonathan Brisby having a family--that was a little strange, unless their colony had been completely cut off...which it wasn't. Fredric and Jacob flew between them often. Oh Zohar knew too much...way too much. All hail the tea, glorious tea which he sipped. If his predictions on what Patricia wanted to talk with him about were true, then he could lead her on a wild goose chase just for the sheer humor of it...but that wouldn't have been admirable and if Nicodemus were alive, he would surely have a father-son talk about using his talents for that kind of purpose. He almost laughed at the thought....something he would never have....

Lutra nods to patricia and returns to sit where he was saying to timothy "well that was interesting did you know patricia timothy?" noticing sarah he says "hello Who are you might I inquire my lovely young mouse?"

Sarah smiles "However, mothers are meant to be like that I think. The way to show their love to their children may differ but it's made of the same essence." she picks another berry and holds it for a while, smelling it softly and smiling at the sweet scent. "Wonder what Jenny may be thinking now... like what dress she could wear, the cake, the party... the 'yes I do'" she giggles and bites the berry. "Ah hi *munch*" she says to Lutra, her ears redden a bit "I'm Sarah Maple, nice to meet you my lovely and handsome rat ^^" Before following Zohar, Patricia throws a last glance to Timothy, finding him looking at her aswell. His eyes... she fell in love of that glance once, so much time ago... "Leave us" she says to the mouse guard in charge of her security. "But ma'am I..." "I said leave us!" "Y-Yes ma-am" Patricia follows Zohar, sitting in front of him without asking. "So, you got my attention now, Mr. Zohar. What do you plan to do with it? she says with a smirk while picking a bit of Zohar's fish.

Zohar looked down at her as he finished his tea. So the elder had somewhat returned to her stone cold emotionless and business-like self. "Curious as to why you are here, aside from a simple visit," he said. "With the communications between Thorn Valley and the Mouse Colony, I expected you to know a bit more concerning us. But...oh, whatever would I do with your attention?" He set his tea cup down, rather impressed, also, by her command of her guard. "I've been exposed to things this colony know little to nothing about, and I see through others quite easily most of the time. But....you share a likeness to myself in a certain respect, it seems."

Timothy nods a little to Sarah. "I know what you mean... My mom seems to worry about me constantly." He blushes a little at the mention of Jenny, smiling. "Maybe. I know Mom'll probably pin her down to make wedding plans..."

Lutra looks towards timothy and says "wedding plans I had no Idea who is the lucky bride timothy?" he smiles towards tim and says "do you have someone picked out to make the refreshments and cake I would be willing to lend you a hand there if you like. I am a pretty gook cook"

Sarah chuckles "Lets talk about you know what later, Tim" she winks ;) "So, aren't you going to introduce yourself after I said how handsome you are mister? Or should I call you simply Mr. Handsome Rat from now on?" she says to Lutra while picking another berry. Patricia smirks, holding her muzzle with a paw while picking another piece of the fish with the other. "Heh, you know, since that first time we've met I have the feeling that I know you from somewhere. Never happened to you before? It's like... how they call it, deja vu?" She knows, in her mind she knows but something inside her still denies to believe, he has a power yes but, isn't the same as Nicodemus yet kind of similar in some way... so weird and fascinating at the same time.

Zohar flicked his ears, looking at her and the fish she picked. "You might well know me, yes," he said. "The day of the Escape I was only one day old. In the shafts, my mother and I were cut off by an exposed electrical wire. We were so lost, we never found out way back to my father and the others. So, we stayed at Nimh as I grew up." He wrinkled his nose. Of course he wouldn't remember anyone from those earliest of days, but he knew what she spoke of. "Deja vu because I remind you of someone, right?"

Timothy's ears fold back at Lutra's comment; he had forgotten he was there. "Uh... we haven't announced it publicly, yet. And it's Jenny... I don't really know what's being planned there." He nods a little to Sarah before listening to what Lutra has to say.

Lutra smiles and says "well my name is lutra but you can call me mr handsome rat if you let me call you miss pretty mouse" lookingback at timothy he responds and says "well ok but talk it over with jenny and ask her if she might want to use my services I mean you might as well give it a shot. I can prepare samles if you want?"

Sarah giggles and replies "Alright Mr. Handsome ^^" she munches a berry and continues "Sho, aref youf aff chef orf shomthingf likf fathf, causf If-ff" obviously talking with the muzzle full of berry is not what she does best ^.^; Patricia slowly nods to Zohar, watching the piece of fish she's holding with the fork. "Yes, you remind me of someone I met long ago when I was young, you know the eyes are the window to the soul some say... and yours... remind me of a certain rat who I thought had a rich soul, someone who looked you with a warm glance and make you think that... heh" she suddenly stops, and eats the bit of fish. She finds Zohar's glance again and stays there, waiting for his response.

Zohar's whiskers twitched a little. He wish she'd come out and say who she was talking about because he had a very good idea who she meant as there was only one rat...perhaps aside from Jenner before he went crazy...who had such a trait. "You are meaning my father, Nicodemus, aren't you?" he said quietly. He didn't seem offended one bit by Patricia's hint that his father had a bad side. Every creature did, anyway. Just to show her what sort of rat she was talking to, he offered her a nice toothy smile. It was a serious note that Zohar's teeth were not the nice, neat little teeth other rats had. Every single tooth of his had been filed into nice dagger points, perfect for tearing flesh off bone. His smile, even though happy, tended to look rather menacing. But, he didn't smile that way for long. "You also remind me of someone."

Timothy nods to Lutra. "All right, I'll let them know. Er, like I said, I don't have much to do with the planning; I don't know if they'd need samples or not."

Lutra shakes his head at sarah and says "oh no cooking is just a hobby I am a member of the guard miss pretty but I love cooking it is something I enjoy quite well" he responds to timothy saying "very well I will await for them to decide."

Sarah giggles, she certainly likes her new tittle XD "*munch munch* I see, well last time I tried to cook something I burned the kitchen and a friend of mine almost like choked to death" she chuckles when she reminds Chris's face when he tasted her 'cheese cake surprise' Patricia blinks, wasn't a surprise at all for her but the confirmation of her suppositions was the berry of the cake. "Heh, who would say it, he had a son after all. Well, my... condolences for your father's death. What a blow had to be when he was killed by one of his own kind, after all what he did to save... (she does a long pause) his comrades." She stabs the fish with the fork, picking another bit and leans on her back. "One of a kind indeed..." she adds

Zohar slightly tilted his head when she spoke of his father in such a way. He didn't understand it much himself, but it almost seemed venomous. "I saw it happen, but everyone was ignorant of my presence that night," he said. "I've only been here a short time and never intended to live at this colony. And now I am married to Gabrielle,my father's murderer's sister." He pulled up a chair to sit across from her, his paws in his lap. "Though, I have no desire to lead this colony like he did. After being a leader once myself, I had enough of it."

Lutra smiles and says "well if you want mrs pretty we could have a picnic some time maybe a walk alone the pond perhaps diner what ever you might desire for I can only hope to serve such a pretty mouse as yourself" he wonders if she will be offended by his charm.

Sarah's ears redden, curling her tail around her feet "Why, I'd love to Mr. Handsome =^.^=" she giggles as she imagines how Chris would be if he were here. But, she really doesn't realize how charming she is, which makes others to think she's falling in love when in fact she's just being nice.
Patricia looks so calm and cold on the outside that seems like if she was talking with someone she knows since a long time, like an old friend which was in this case, something as weird as ironic. But on the inside, her mind was sumerged into a chaos of antagonic emotions. She has met the son of the mouse she once loved so much, and the son of the rat she hates the most, all in a few minutes. And now, she's sat in front of Zohar, sharing a fish... all what she can think now is how glad she'd be of jumping over him and tear him apart with her own claws... "Heh... yes, your father seemed to be the leader-type rat, after all he brought back the hope we had lost back then at NIMH. Yes... he filled us with the hope of freedom but, some things didn't work like it was meant to, and those who had trust on him got... well disappointed."

Zohar sat there in his chair, listening to her words carefully, though he did sense something hidden beneath that friendly, cold calmness which she possessed. He was used to dealing with those who might mean him harm, but he wasn't sure of her internal thoughts all that well and for now put it at the back of his mind. Though, in equal feelings Zohar rather enjoyed a good fight if one presented an opportunity. "Disappointment comes with all leaders," he said, "and no one leader can be good without bad. Though, while I know little of how he ran things and only from what I've been told, some of which I've heard are not too different from my own leadership of another group of Nimh Rats." What was that? A second group? Oh, how lovely.

Timothy gives Sarah an odd look, though he seems amused by the conversation. Still, he just listens for now... though he's starting to catch bits of the other conversations too.

Lutra smiles and nods saying to her "really well I guess you are quite the nice young lady mrs pretty mouse. I hope to meet the lucky mouse who wins your heart hehe" it is clear he knows she is not falling in love with him. the only thing he loves is his daughter and he would give his life to save her if he could.

Sarah chuckles and nods "I'm sure you will, I might be dragging him here someday..." she rolleyes a bit, imagining how beautiful would be if he comes just the day of Timothy and Jenny's wedding, giggling at the thought while throwing another berry to the air and catching it in her mouth. Patricia grits her fangs, she had faced many rats before but, this one was different. Wasn't just the NIMH genes on him, was something more... that glow on his eyes, the power she had felt before on Nicodemus when she was young... "I see, so you have inherited your father's leadership tendencies, too bad it didn't go well in your case either. So, this colony's command is all over Justin's shoulders it seems."

Zohar his nose and setting his paws together in that so-familiar position his father always did. "Though...we recently had an incident and the colony is being run in usual course. A few days ago we had a murder of a council member occur, with Sir Justin as its prime suspect. We are still investigating it as he cannot recall himself doing the act."But...I assure that as long as you stay here you will be safe with your guard, and Captain Leon's ability." He leaned back in his head, but not too much. "I do highly advise not leaving Thorn Valley for a while, Elder Maple. There is a rat in the forest of whom is sadly partially a result of my leadership in years past who would have at you. I've heard that just the other day he slew an entire innocent family, but he won't come near the colony at all. Still, you might want to tell your beautiful daughter not to go outside the archway." Did he just admit he created a monster? Why yes, he partially did. "I will have to deal with him personally soon, for he took my eye."

It's about this time that David appears at the entrance. He's dressed in one of his better outfits--his prized blue vest over a dark brown tunic, and black hose with tan slits. He apparently isn't scheduled for normal work today, but he looks serious just the same. He wipes his muzzle as he stands there--he smells a little of coffee. As he listens to the conversation, he shows no inclination to come and sit down.

Patricia's mood changed a bit, maybe that last glance at Jonathan's son have brought to her memories that are capable of overcome all the anger and thirst for vengeance she feels towards the rats of nimh. Memories of her first love which are still buried deep into her heart and yet, coming back again to her after a long, long time... She lowers the gaze a bit and nods "Yes... I heard about it, what a shame that I came on such bad moment. This is the first time a council member is accused of murder since the Jenner incident right?"

"I believe that is the case, although I've not been here long," he said. "Though, my own theory is it won't be the last time this happens. As we develope, so do those who wish to take advantage of the society we have. If we continue. That is, of course, unless our altered genes are eventually bred out generations from now...or so Niezki said...but anyway...." He shook his head. Why he mentioned Niezki of all rats he didn't know, but it was a name unfamiliar to a majority of the colonists, and the originals. "Jenner dropped the cinderblock on my father, and Sir Sullivan knifed Jenner in the back."

"Son of a rat, wasn't he?" observes David laconically from the doorway, and follows it with a chuckle. He wipes his muzzle again drying it out. "But then, aren't we all. I'll tell you, for one--I've never stopped being scared of those enzymes they stuck us with. I've been about as close to Justin as anyone--and I never could've told you how, or why this would happen--but I'm not surprised. Just the same, I'm not surprised." He paces heavily into the room, shaking his head and avoiding eye contact.

Patricia blinks as she's taken out from her thoughts of Jonathan, realizing whom she's talking to, the son of Nicodemus himself... the traitor. She instinctively throws an intimidating glare to Zohar, was just for a second though. She leans a bit, watching her daughter talking and chuckling with Jonathan's son, and then again she's sat with the son of Nicodemus 'How ironic...' she thinks to herself. "And... so what about that dangerous... thing you're talking about. Was part of that group... how they call them, Alchera?"

Zohar's ear flickered to David's musings, and he took note of them. He hadn't seen that rat before and kept his ears back to listen to what he had to say as he listened to Patricia. "So you know its name," he said quietly. "What all do you know about the Alchera, Elder Maple? That isn't exactly something the Originals really know about. In fact, it isn't even in our records."

David wanders to a nearly easy chair about the right size for him and eases down, but it doesn't relieve him of his tension. He yawns silently, finding himself ignored, but doesn't say anything else for now. No point in being rude with an emissary, not when there are enough things teetering on the edge as it is. He watches her face carefully without trying to be intrusive. The other rat is equally interesting...so this is Nicodemus's son. The theories were correct, then. And from the look of him, he'll have to be watched.

Patricia smirks "Well, I only know what it's been said around... rumors can spread quite fast in a place where everyone knows eachother" she lied, somehow she managed to get prime info about the Alchera upon a research done by her request to her 'agents' "What a threat, we have to fight against rats too in our colony." she adds with a very obvious sarcastic tone. She leans a bit, mid-looking the new incoming rat. "Yes, it's sad to know that one of your comrades might be a murder, even worse, nothing less than the leader of the colony." she says looking at David, obviously taunting him to see his reaction...

Zohar smirked back. He knew what she just said was a lie due the circumstances of the Alchera. He had not informed anyone except those who needed to know, and they surely weren't talking due to the fact the Council had not heard everything yet. "And what rumors were those, my dear Elder Maple?" To her other words he tilted his head back a bit when she leaned. It seemed that rat was paying mind to their conversation, but he didn't mind at all. "Sure," he said, immediately out of a hidden desire to cover for the older rat, "it is also sad to know the one with whom you speak is also a murderer several times over."

David doesn't take the taunts as anything but a natural remark. He sits with one hand gripping the arm opposite, his other clawing idly at his knee. "I hope this isn't a conversation I shouldn't be hearing," he says in a direct tone. "I've no idea who these Alchera are, for what that's worth. But I assume you must be Zohar." He inclines his head thoughtfully at the rat looking over his shoulder, and then turns to regard the mouse. "Sad only touches the face of it," he replies curtly.

Patricia's ears flick at Zohar's last comment. She has dealt with many rats before, with the most monstrous and vicious creatures ever seen but, having her child there, so close of that rat makes her mother instinct to rise. She does smile at him, but wasn't nice at all, more than a smirk she instinctively shows her fangs like any feral creature would do, glancing at him with an intimidating glare, a warning that everyone no matter the species can recognize. "Yes, Mr. Zohar we are indeed surrounded of murders, more or less." She stands and leans a bit against a near window, watching outside the lurking creatures in the forest. "All around us, gentlerats..." she slowly adds.

Zohar seemed to be rather pleased to garner such a glare, but her try didn't intimidate him at all as he was used to seeing teeth and such. He half-turned his head to look back at the older rat. "I am Zohar," he said. "Zohar Jigretia, former Judge Magister of the Alchera." Now there was something he didn't say often. 'Judge Magister' didn't sound like a friendly title at all. "Though these days I no longer carry the title." And that last name too...Nicodemus didn't have one; it must have come from the Alchera. He looked back to Patricia and wrinkled his nose. "No need to call me 'Mister'. It makes me feel old. Simple Zohar will do," he said. "Though you do seem disturbed. Is something ever the matter, dear Elder Maple?"

David seems to recognize the sinister and to like it. He's secure enough where he is, with what he's got--as secure as he felt yesterday, anyhow. "I can see why not," he quips. "It's a bit topheavy." Nothing more is needed--if this foreigner is going to tell what he knows, then he'll tell it without undue prompting. However, he does keep an eye and an ear on the exchange, as it won't do to have the mouse delegation baring its teeth as a whole.

Patricia closes her eyes for a moment, the sounds of the forest at night fills her ears. "There's always something to care about, Zohar." she says with the eyes closed. "The real matter is, what would you do about it. How far you're willing to go to deal with that something that disturbs you." she slowly opens her eyes to see an owl watching her from atop a tree. "What are we willing to give..." she turns to the rats and face them with her back leaning against the wall, paws crossed. "After all, we all are here for a reason. Don't you think gentlerats? Some call it destiny, but I like it more like consequence. Action and reaction so to speak"

Zohar's twitched to her speech. She knew so little of what he had gone through with the Alchera that it was absurd of her to even ask what he would go through due to the lack of knowledge she had about him, but at the same time it was also highly amusing to him though he didn't show it. Zohar simply sat there as he had been sitting there and answered her question. "I've already gone further than most would," he said. "Much further. I have done things that would warrent me a permanent exile from both colonies, or even execution depending on how yours functions."

"Glad to hear it," says David dryly. "You're talented at first impressions." He lets his countenance rest on the newcomer for a few moments more before turning to the philosophical mouse near the window. "I have no use for destiny, myself," he says. "Consequence and action are my bread and butter. I wonder, though...this talk about how far you're willing to go. Are you really talking about Jigretia, here? Or are you talking...about yourself, and something you may have to do?" His ears are pitched a little higher now, since the conversation is beginning to interest him.

Patricia smiles a bit finding the conversation interesting aswell, in a twisted way of course. She takes a moment, overlooking the rodents gathered at the lounge, all minding their own business. She looks at her daughter chuckling and having a good time with her new friends, had passed some time since she saw her so happy and lively... was so weird to see her surrounded by rats, fact that stills disturbs Patricia more than she'd admit. "No I wasn't talking about Zohar in particular but, got a response from him which was in fact what I was expecting... However, Mr. David, in the end all what it matters is the final result of your acts. The end justifies the methods, some may say too. A philosophy that I like to put on practice myself, against some of my colleges and... my daughter's meanings."

Zohar sat there, rather content to have given her the answer she was expecting. The exact nature of his past actions, however, weren't for her to know just yet. "Funny you should mention that," he said. "Though I can't say an end justifies acts. To take the life of another to become a leader does not justify the murder one bit." He wrinkled his nose and tilted his head, rather interested in the one called David. "However, if a creature harms many innocents and someone kills said creature, then I can say it is justified. Whether or not that creature ends up on the buffet is another matter entirely..."

David is now a little confused. He pauses before speaking and then slumps back in his chair, leaning his chin against an outstretched paw. It gives him a somewhat tousled, grumpy look. "Now really sure what you're driving at now," he says to Patricia. "Are all the members of your delegation so abstract?" The way he looks at Zohar suggests that he includes him in the accusation--it'd sure be nice if one of these two could say what's on their minds. Not that he has any right to ask them to.

Patricia was about to chuckle at David's sudden cut of philosophic quotes and sarcastic comments she was throwing at Zohar. She just put a paw on her muzzle for a second, then turning her glance side-looking through the window, was a beautiful and clear night indeed... "No, it's just a little... exchange we're having Zohar and I. You see, I happen to have met his father, long time ago so, I found fascinating how much the look like eachother and at the same time they're so... different in some aspects. I wonder, if Nicodemus thought about what he was willing to do in order to save those of his kind. He didn't mind to spare some lives to save his comrades so for him, seemed like the end justified the acts." Outside, in the forest the owl was devouring the prey he just hunted...

Zohar would have let David in further on what he really wanted to say on his mind, but he could not for now. Not while Patricia was present, at least. This exchange was a rather risky one, and more challenging than anything he had partaken in a long while. "As I recall my mother saying, we were separated from the group before the mice were lost, and he did not pursue finding us due to the fact they had to escape, and that they would risk loosing more members if so. Nimh is a big building, after all. Had he spent the time find anyone who did get lost, then we may not be here today." He looked down to his empty tea up and traced its rim with a claw.

Now things seem to be falling into place. David lowers his arm and lifts his muzzle. "Yeah, Nicodemus was a real find, I'll tell you. Even before NIMH, but that's another story. He never mentioned the kid, here, but we all had an idea that--" He interrupts himself to clear up a confusing point. "Wait up, what do you mean, 'he didn't mind to spare some lives. To -spare- them? Who wouldn't mind sparing some lives, if they had a chance?" When Zohar speaks, it makes more sense. "Ah...you're talking about sacrificing lives. Yes...that was a hard moment, all right. Every straggler who didn't come around that bend, that was another wrench in the heart." He pumps his arm to illustrate the feeling. "The mice were bad, but each rat was twice as bad. Justin wanted to go back each time, but Nic kept us marching." he looks at Zohar, wondering what this offspring would have done in the same position. Meanwhile, the owl and its recent catch hasn't escaped his attention. Not the Owl, or even a relative, but still a decent sight for folks behind glass. Watching that kind of thing is David's favorite thing about this lounge and that picture window.

Patricia stays there watching the forest under the starry night, a beautiful view she had forgotten for some time, since back in the mice colony the city's lights blurs the stars. "Yes..." she sighs and turns to the rats. "The sacrifice of a few for the sake of the rest, the nature can be so cruelly efficient sometimes... Anyway, eachone of us, unlike the feral creatures, have the gift of being capable of make a choice, so then, since we can actually decide about our motives to do such thing we're, instantly, fully responsible of our actions. So, coming to the action and reaction circle there had to be a 'reaction' to Nicodemus's actions during that night. Of course, he saved a lot of rats on that process, that's a part of that reaction. A consequence..."

"Consider yourself fortunate, Elder Maple," said Zohar in a quiet tone. "Had you been part of the Alchera, you'd probably not be alive because there was no one to leave behind." He picked up the tea cup, watching David out of the corner of his eye. He rarely ever spoke of the Alchera in that sense. "You don't recall one of the Originals who called himself Damien, do you?" he asked, looking back up at her. "Old Damien, very early opponent to my father?"

David doesn't have anything to say to Zohar--not for now. He knows one thing for sure--he's not going to sleep before he knows what this Alchera thing is, or was. But Patricia's got his goat for now. "B.S." he says to her. "Feral creatures make choices--and I don't like that term for 'em either--may as well call them ordinary creatures, since that's what they are. They may not have quite as much insight into their motivations, but they're as responsible for what they do as we are." He grips the soft arm of the easy chair and kneads it. "And what are you saying about Old Nic--that he brought about his own downfall some way or another, no doubt." It seems that David is coming to doubt the amicability of this murine diplomat.

Patricia smirks "Like the owl Mr. David? How responsible he is of his acts in such terms?" she says knowing that David noticed the owl. "Could you blame him of killing an innocent creature to keep living? He's surely not conscious of his acts, and if he is well... that's part of his nature of course and he can't evade it. Not like us, I presume. And yes Zohar, I consider myself quite fortunate for surviving that night and, well for stay alive until this day. Not thanks to Nicodemus though, if not for..." she pauses there, biting her lips a bit. Obviously a painful memory came to her mind. "...well, my husband had a choice, and decided to sacrifice himself to save me and my daughter. That's a decision he was responsible of, and he payed with his life." blinking a bit, she continues. "No, I don't recall having met that Damien you're talking about... Why?"

Zohar had her right where he wanted...exactly right where he wanted. " First," he said. "My wife, Gabrielle...she is the sister of my father's murderer and was previously mated to a feral rat before he got killed. My stepson is half-feral. I would highly suggest not talking in such ways should you see them." His tone was more advising and rather patronizing instead of dangerous. "Though, if you believe my father to have been rotten for his choices, he is nothing compared to Damien at all." He offered her a soft smile, that eye of his staring straight into hers like he was peering within her soul. "After all, my father wasn't the one using other rats and mice as subjects for his experiment." He reached to his right sleeve and pulled up the cloth to reveal the brandmark XXII on his right bicep. "Without anesthetics, or any sort of proper care."

David wonders who let his name slip to the mouse councilor--he hasn't given it. He's stirring in his chair, ready to debate the ethics and autonomy of owls, when he hears Patricia's last revelation. Her husband...sacrificed for his family. Well. This is something he doesn't want to disturb. The mice could complain all they wanted about being left behind, when it was the rats who'd done all the work of freeing them in the first place--but he's not about to antogonize a female who lost her husband that same night, not when his act whatever it was, contrasted so much with Nicodemus's pragmatism. David's jaw drops when he sees the scar, hears the words about a rat experimenting on other rodents. Something stirs in his brain, he recalls hearing hints of the story surround this one's stay in the hospital, his history...but this is a lot to take in. "Holy hell!" he ejaculates, pounding the armrest and rising to his feet. "Are you on the level, Zohar? What'd they do to you?"

Patricia feels how Zohar's eyes stare at hers, a sensation she have felt before when she met Nicodemus but yet again, it was different, the weird warm feeling wasn't there for instance. She looks at Zohar's marks and remembers the dark days at NIMH... The scientists used to mark their subjects of tests too but luckily with a kind of plated collar relatively easy to remove. She gives a last glance at the forest and sighs, turning to the rats. "I see, well the humans didn't have the monopoly of the psychotic evilness it seems. Looks like you got your own little inferno like we did, and you were lucky enough to escape from it aswell, heh..." She sighs and continues "With that, I'll leave you gentlerats, though I enjoy the conversation I have to take care of my duties and have a couple of diplomatic meetings with your colleagues. Good night..." She unfolds her paws and starts heading out, stopping with the rats behind her she sidelooks them, throwing a last glare to Zohar "Your father should be proud of you, you're so like him..." turning her sight again, she slowly adds "By the way Mr. David, my husband was... a feral." and she takes her leave...

Zohar watched Patricia carefully and slowly lowered the sleeve that covered his arm. "They did a lot of things to me," he said in reply to David. "Or rather, he did." He smirked at her admittance that he had his own hell, and he surely did. However, he wasn't the only one that escaped from that hell. Just as Patricia was leaving, another rat entered the lounge. He was a large rat, even bigger than Brutus but lean build. This rat looked old, older than Justin but nowhere near the age of Nicodemus. And what was odd about this rat was that he was wrapped up tightly in bandages over certain parts of his body and a violet cloak. His face--half of it was covered by a silver mask, and the other half healthy with a bright blue eye of a hue so profound it nearly glowed but it was nothing like what Zohar had. The large rat towered over Patricia and stared down at her with a gentle-giant gaze, but behind that eye was a rat who would be vicious if need be. "Yes, his adoptive father is very proud of him," he said quietly. "He is like that Nicodemus, but it was I who taught him what he knows of the world little mousey." He bent down and eyed her with an interest. "Your husband a feral? My wife was one too, though poor girl fell on a rat trap..snap snap went her neck." He stood up and straightened himself before by stepping around the diplomet without a care as to who she was. Seriously, he did not care at all what position she held.

David slowly lowers himself back to his seat upon seeing that the councilor is leaving. He listens patiently to her final analysis, finding her, at the least, intriguing. He raises his arm and gives a feeble gesture of farewell, but when she comes to her final zinger about a feral husband, he says in a low voice: "Oh? Well, that just makes you all the scarier." Not that he's angry--he's just the sort who likes to make his points. When the large newcomer arrives and starts lecturing the mouse, he steps up again, ready for trouble in case it ensues. It looks like he means no harm, though. This doesn't bode well, he has to admit, however, for inter-colonial relations.

Patricia's eyes widen at the large, not because of his size if not for his sadist comment about her passed wife and the image of the rat trap killing her made her wince. The black mouse... always seeming to be around Patricia was close enough to the huge rat and made a movement with his paw, a shine coming from under his cloak revealed a vicious blade about to be unfolded. Patricia quickly got his intentions, glaring at him and making a subtle signal with her paw. The mouse kept his paw under his cloak though, smirking. "Whatever..." Patricia says to the rat. "You stay here and watch over my daughter, keep an eye on her all the time because she's a bit... tricky. Heh she has fooled many guards..." she says to one of her escorts. "Come with me, Fenril... no time for that now." she says to the black mouse, leaving the lounge to the meeting. Meanwhile, Sarah keeps chuckling with Timothy and other rats that have approached to their table, she's certainly making a focus of attention, such a charming mouse she is XD "Hi Mr. Zohar! How are ya ^^" she says waving at him.

Zohar sat there as Shem did what he intended, but the second her guard showed signs of pulling a blade his own wrist flicked the hilt of his own walking cane, giving off a slight sliver of silver beneath. While he might have been a colonist, he wouldn't tolerate someone attacking Shem, but when Patricia signalled her guard to lower her weapon, he flicked the 'cane' back shut. Apparently, Zohar wasn't one to mess with either. Zohar's attention went straight to Sarah and he gave her a big smile. "Hello, Miss Maple," he said. "I'm quite all right--how about yourself?" Meanwhile, Shem chuckled, having seen the way Patricia glared at her guard. "Good thing you called him off, Elder Maple," he said. "Because I used to take mice by their little feet, and use them as live clubs against my opponents in Nimh's laboratory...." Now that was cold, but he said it in a soft tone that hinted how much he appreciated her guard even daring to suggest pulling a blade. The large rat set his paws behind his back and slipped over to Zohar, whom he patted between the ears. "Quite a crowd, isn't it? Almost reminds me of home." Zohar smiled up at him and lightly clubbed him on the stomach. "You didn't need to tell her what you did in Dr. Kawashima's tests...no need to scare her to death, though I've seen you do that before." Shem gave him an innocent grin. "Kukuina would have liked what I said about her...always remember her with humor." Zohar rolled his eye and sat back. "Yes, I know....she's dead and not much for entertainment and poking her with a sword doesn't get much a reaction either."

David keeps an ear on the exchange between this unusual stepson and stepfather, although he finds it queer and more than a little disconcerting. He sighs and goes to walk Patricia out, not wanting her or her protective guard to spark any further trouble. "Come on, Councilor. Time to blow this scene," he mumbles, swishing his tail once as he moves to take her arm and guide her out.

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"Dream! What you dare to dream.
Go! To where you want to go.
Be! What you want to be.
Live!" R. Bach