Logs-Ball Games

Large Field

This field takes up the majority of the southeastern corner of Bree, stretching
from the inside of the western hedge to the back of the buildings in the
marketplace; and from the south side of the schoolyard to the lower hedge. It
is large enough to comfortably accomodate a few hundred people, making it a
perfect place for social events in the village, assuming the weather is
suitable. The grass here is lush and green, and seems to be kept well-groomed
by one method or another. In the southwest corner of the field, just inside
the hedge, a large tree stands proudly, providing a large amount of shade to
a portion of the field in the daytime. Around this tree, the grass is worn
down a good deal, perhaps indicating that this is the busiest portion of the
field.

The sky is clear and the sunlight shines brightly. The mid afternoon autumn air
is cool but pleasant around you.

Obvious exits:
Alleyway leads to Bree Market - South.

================================== Bree Time ==================================
Real time: Wed Dec 03 03:31:01 2003
Bree time: Mid Afternoon <about 3 PM> on Hevensday of Autumn - November 10,1430
Moon Phase: New Moon
===============================================================================

Only a scant few clouds are moored in the skies above Bree, and none are
positioned to block the sun's radiance. It is a beautiful day, and the hum of
chatter from the marketplace shows that many are out, rightfully enjoying the
weather.

Tucked away in the field behind the market, a fair-faced man stands beneath the
great tree, sipping from a leather flask. Cloaked in earthen hues, he is no
Breelander, standing a head taller than most of the town's inhabitants.

He is a Ranger, and by his constant glances to the alleyway, lies in wait.

A babble of noise and laughter comes from the Alleyway and a moment later two
boys are flying along. They look almost identical to the untrained eye- one a
tad taller than the other- both with curly black mops of hair almost covering
their eyes now... The taller one drops a ball onto the ground, and they're
off, kicking it along and pushing at each other then taking off with the
ball. For the moment they are staying isolated to the area just outside the
alleyway though occasionally the ball will stray and one will have to run to
retrieve it. As yet- the Ranger has gone unnoticed..

While the boys may not notice the Ranger, Maeldur has noticed them. Perhaps
for want of anything else to claim his attention, he now watches their game.
Though he does so with little apparent interest, the hint of a smile begins
to appear on his pale face.

The shorter of the pair kicks the ball- perhaps a little harder than he should
have, and perhaps also he didn't correctly judge the direction in which he
kicked in, and so it is sent hurtling toward the Ranger. A split second later
and the taller is after it though unable to keep up, the other following
along slowly, apparently unable to see the impending disaster as the ball
wizzes through the air toward Maeldur.

The Ranger's reflexes are quick, and just as they have saved him in many duels,
now save him from the speeding ball. Maeldur ducks out of the way, and the
ball soars past, striking the tree with a loud WHACK before harmlessly
bouncing back onto the field.

"Perhaps it would be wise," he says to the boys, smiling despite his stern
tone, "to spend some time practicing your kicking, so you may do so without
endangering innocent bystanders. What if I had been an old woman, too slow to
move out of the way?"

It's at this point that another person ambles onto the Field - old Hugh
Bramblefleece. For once he has neither dog nor granddaughter in tow, and the
slowness of his steps might hint that his rheumatics have been playing up
recently. Despite that, there is a smile on his face as he enjoys the fine
weather. Until, that is, he catches sight of the towering Maeldur, and his
mouth purses and crooks up in a scowl. Curiosity doubtless gets the better of
him today, for he hobbles within earshot of twins and ranger.

Both the boys trot over to the Ranger, the taller moving to grab the ball as it
rolls toward him while the shorter looks somewhat disappointed at the lack of
injury obtained by the Ranger- perhaps disappointed on the whole that his
"misplaced" kick didn't actually strike it's target... "Well that's wha'
we're doin'.. where else're we gonna go t' practice cept here?" The shorter-
a mischevious look on his face, bright eyes shining excitedly.. "And we didn'
see you there is all- if you didn' hide so much in the shadows there..." It's
pretty much obvious that he had seen the Ranger at some point in time, and
that there were really no shadows to hide in... Bending to pick up the ball,
the taller twin's eyes glance across as Hugh approaches, a frown appearing on
his features.

"You have this entire field, and just so happened to kick the ball at the small
space I occupy?" Maeldur smiles wryly as he jams the cork into his flask and
hooks it to his belt. "Nay, I jest. It is well that you play here instead of
on the street. Continue with your game." He looks to the old man as he moves
closer, giving him a respectful nod.

Hugh's response to Maeldur is a grunt and a grudging dip of the head as he
hobbles closer - and it's the twins he actually addresses. "Out enjoyin' the
sun, lads? Mind ye keep that ball away from any windows ..." Especially his,
going by the glare he tacks on to the end of that speech before relapsing
back into silence.

The taller of the two has been a long time looking at the man, though his
brother can apparently no longer contain his energy, so gives a rough tug of
his sleave. "Come on, Jacob- 'e said continue!" The taller- now recognisable
as Jacob, shakes his head lightly. "You go ahead.." Without another word or a
second glance, Adrian is off on his own- amusing himself somewhere in the
background by kicking the ball halfway across the field and sprinting after
it, sometimes calling: "WHOAHO!" into the air as he goes.. "Good day, Mr.
Bramblefleece, yes- we were just playing ball here, and it went astray as it
were...Well, that's why we're out in the field- no windows.." Jacob's voice
is polite and nothing more.

"No windows, only people," the ranger murmurs under his breath. He glances past
those gathered, looking with impatience to the alleyway leading from the
market. But no one comes.

Hugh tilts his head to look up at Maeldur. "Better the lads play out 'ere than
back there, could cause damage," he comments sourly. "Or injury to
respectable folks." Ah. The tall man's not 'respectable', then? Hugh's sharp
eyes seemingly notice the direction of Maeldur's glance, and he adds,
curiosity winning over grumpiness this time, "Lookin' fer someone, Mister?"

Jacob's eyes slide quickly to the Ranger- an eyebrow is raised in question.
"Excuse me?" though the question is quickly lost as he turns his attention to
Hugh, now a gentle smile on his features- any coldness melted away- the man
seems to be in a good mood toward him today! "That's right- of course we
weren't expecting to find anyone hiding out in the shadows and you can't
expect our kicks to be perfect.. I mean, imagine if we tried to play in the
Market- there's be pandemonium!!"

"I agree. Better that outlanders are terrorised than the residents," Maeldur
says with a smile. "I wait for one of my kin... and they are late. So late
that I will give them but a few moments more, then go and luncheon by
myself." He looks back at the boy and smirks. "In the market? Yes... that
would be something to see. I imagine you would cause quite a stir."

Hugh looks quite appalled at this last remark. "Now, don't ye even think about
it!" he instructs Jacob - which is, of course, a bad move. "Place is bedlam
as it is. I mind a few weeks back, yer sister was chasin' after a chicken in
the Market. Funny thing, the feller what owned it didn't seem pleased she'd
caught it. Huh." He shrugs, grunts, then adds helpfully to Maeldur, "Ain't
seen any other tall folks when I was comin' through yonder."

Jacob nods lightly, then shakes his head quickly to Hugh. "Well of course I'm
not considering it! Adrian, on the other hand..." Jacob glances across to his
twin brother, who is still happily amusing himself- now kicking the ball
through flocks of birds... "Well that place is chaotic- chickens escape all
the time and we're none of us appreciated for trying to help.." Jacob shakes
his head, as if disgusted by the whole situation...

"None at all?" Maeldur asks of Hugh. "Then it would seem I waste my time. I
shall take my leave of you, Sir. Enjoy your game, children, and beware of
passers by." Drawing his hood up over his head, the Ranger begins to walk
from the field.

"Like 'im?" Hugh mutters in response to Maeldur's final injunction. "You mark
my word, those tall folks are ... odd. Who in their right minds would go
wanderin' out inta the Wilds, eh?" He watches the ranger striding away, then
catches sight of what Adrian is up to. "Oy, you mind where yer kickin' that
thing!" he hollers out, surprisingly loudly for an old man. Seems that the
Tasselberry twins are only in Hugh's good books when there's someone even
less 'respectable' around.

"Pah! Children indeed!" Remarks Jacob with a scowl and (strangely- much like a
look that Hugh would direct toward him) an expression that says 'good
riddence'. Though it's true- these boys were certainly not "children" any
more- though they seemed young next to Hugh,they were by no stretch of the
imagination "children.." "Indeed..." Replies Jacob- though his attention has
wavered and he's watching his brother running through the flock of birds-
scattering them in his midst, with an amused smile on his face. At the voice,
Adrian pauses, looks over, waves a hand, then gives the ball a hard kick-
straight toward a small group of blackbirds; obviously this has been done
just to spite the old man and his order.

And Hugh is spited. His seamed old face creases into a scowl, and he shakes his
head as he calls out to the errant Adrian, "Ye won't think that's so funny
when there's worms eatin' yer cabbages. That's what'll happen if ye scare
them birds away." A glare at Adrian ... which means he's watching neither
Jacob nor the ball itself.

Adrian runs and begins to kick the ball (and thus almost "herding" the birds-
which seem to fly into the air and land again-into the air, then landing
again) over to his brother and the man. "I 'aven't got no cabbages, so
they'll be all eatin' at your cabbages an' everyone else's cabbages who's got
cabbages!" A laugh for obviously all this bird chasing isn't going to affect
him, but affect the very person that's trying to tell him off. And then, a
last kick of the ball- the birds go into the air, panicing, and it is rolled
toward Jacob- whizzing past the old man's feet..

Hugh ducks and stumbles as a few terrified birds come whizzing past his head -
putting him right into the path of the ball. "Aaargh!" he yells as the
offending item gives him a good whack on the shins, his balance. "Now see
what ye've done, ye ..." The words are never completed, for his teeter
becomes a topple as his feet slip on the muddy ground. A moment later he's
landed on his backside; as his flailing feet make fleeting contact with the
ball it rolls off in a different direction.

According to the look of shock and confusion on Jacob's face- wasn't actually
meant to happen. A glare is shot toward his brother, who is bent over with
laughter. "Oh! Oh dear!" Jacob exclaims- a somewhat paniced look on his face-
after all, Megan wasn't there to bat her eyes and get them out of trouble..
"Oh! Mr. Bramblefleece, are you quite alright!? I didn't think.. I mean,I
didn't expect.." A mischievious light shines behind the boy's concerned
demeanour as if he was secretly delighted at how the whole scenario has
played out.

"O'course I'm not all right!" Hugh snaps. "Ye'd not be all right either if ye'd
just bin knocked down by some careless ... careless ..." He splutters, torn
between the wish to be insulting and the wish to get back up again. "Give me
a hand up, will ye?" he asks Jacob, holding out his left hand. His right has
remained clutched about his staff throughout his slide into indignation and
indignity.

Jacob's face remains genuinely concerned- for that's what he is- concerned.
Unlike his younger sister, he doesn't make up feelings. Despite this, there
is still amusement in his brown eyes- now looking up as Adrian approaches and
picks up the ball; holding it under his arm. "Of course!" Jacob extends a
hand- somewhat muddy and almost slimey (what is it with these boys and not
being able to keep their hands clean!?) from playing ball before- luckily,
it's lacking the sticky quality of his brother's.."'Onest, Sir, 't was a
mistake- I meant t' kick 'im to Jake an' 'e went off course 's all!" Offers
Adrian in his own defence. Of course- he lacks all the ignorance and grace of
his younger sister, and looks about as guilty as a child who's just been
caught sticking their hands into the cookie-jar..

"Think I was born yesterday?" Hugh demands of Adrian. "I saw ye tryin' ta hit
that tall feller, before." It doesn't stop him seizing Jacob's outstretched
hand, though, and trying to pull himself up, muttering as his fingers slip on
contact with the mud and slime.

Adrian attempts to stiffle laughter at the man's question as the answer was
obvious.. "Well, no- and I dinna try t' hit him! I was kickin' the ball an'
it got a bit outta control is all- I aint all that good wi' me coordination-
I don' think it's fair if you 'old that against someone now..." An attempted
look of innocence, though it's done badly and quite obviously...Yes- these
twins were lost without their little sister. Jacob- upon feeling him
slipping, offers another hand to claps the man's in, in attempt to pull him
up.

Hugh tugs, hard - he should succeed in regaining his feet this time unless
Jacob suddenly lets go - and continues his mutterings to Adrian. "If yer
coordination's that bad, ye should give up tryin' ta kick a ball," he retorts
now. "My granddaughter has twice yer skill, fer all she's just a wee girl. So
stop yer nonsense - next time, I'll take that ball away!"

Jacob seems as though he's about to slip over himself and no doubt, if he were
Adrian, he would have let go or fallen over (And indeed, Adrian is standing
there urging him on- giving a nod or a wave of his hand- eyes wide...) but
Jacob stays steady. "'Tis not my fault I were born with coordination like
this- 'tis why I've come 'ere to practice and all that 'appens is I get
yelled at an' blamed for kickin' my ball inter people.. Now see Jake, 'e's
'ad a fair bit more practice- 'e could show you 'ow it's done, so 'e comes
out 'ere to teach me, see? And anyway- I'd like ter see you try take it, I
can run plenty faster than you could. I'd be gone home before you'd even
started out!"

"If ye ran home, ye'd not cause further damage," Hugh points out grimly,
clearly not in the mood for Adrian's excuses. "Ah, thank ye," he grunts to
Jacob as he manages to pull himself upright, then tries to let go the boy's
hand. "'Course, I'll need ta be headin' home meself ta get cleaned up an' get
a nice hot drink. Damp ground's bad for me rheumatics."

"But I'd still have my ball an' would be able t' do more damage later, or on
th' way home an' you'd not be able t' catch me!" And with that- Adrian kicks
the ball into the air, across to the other side of the field- sprinting after
it a moment later."No problems. Again- I didn't think that it would actually
hit you, I mean, it wasn't planned that way- I wasn't expecting it.." Jacob
trails off with a slight nod. As yet, no one has actually said they were
sorry... "Well- have a good rest of the day, Mr. Bramblefleece- hope the fall
didn't damage you too much!" That seems to be about as much of sorry as
anyone is going to get out of this boy, for a moment later he's darting off
across the field and tackling his brother.

Hugh grunts sourly. "So do I," he retorts, giving the struggling twins a
baleful glance. Does he even know which one is 'the helpful twin'? Does he
care? Probably not, for as he hobbles painfully back towards the Market, his
muttering can be heard drifting back on the breeze: "Young folk of today,
shockin'." And then, "Jist hope that tall feller's not around ta see this ..."