Recent content by Ruffano Quickwhistle

It started with a wobble. The “Dame” hesitated on the top stairs, and Finn’s footing went out from under him. Ruffano was already moving, tail flicking, paws flashing out quickly to catch the toppling tower. “Oh, my dear! Feeling faint, are we? Is it the heat? The smoke? The stairs? Here... let...

Ruffano gasped as if Merla had just insulted royalty. His paw flew to his chest. “A costume, yes! Imported from the finest ateliers of the Tookumberry Keys!” His voice swelled like he was announcing an opera debut. “Why, the Dame herself is here to perform a most daring improvisational retelling...

Merla's eyes snapped to Ruffano. SLAP!!! The sound rang across the vestibule. Ruffano staggered half a step back, a paw to his stinging cheek. “Don’t think I didn’t ferget! Shame on you... you... Ruffian!” He gasped, eyes wide with faux innocence. “Youch! M...My dear lovely lady! I didn’t...

The alley behind them faded into the din of the city as Ruffano led the disguised duo toward the venue. He cast a glance back now and then, once to make sure they were upright, and again to admire his own handiwork. But on the third look, his eyes narrowed. Finnian’s stagger had worsened...

The Smudgie still had a paw pressed against Ruffano’s chest when the explosion rocked them BOOOOM! The Opera House shuddered, the shcokwave rattling windows all down the street. For a heartbeat, every beast froze. The Smudgie, the MAUL agent, Ruffano, even Darragh. Then the shouting began...

Ruffano blinked at the lynx’s sudden growl, his expression freezing for half a second mid-grin. But to his credit, or perhaps the rum’s, he didn’t flinch. Instead, he dipped into a respectful half-bow, ears turned politely forward. “Correction acknowledged, noble warrior. I thank you for your...

Ruffano beamed, tail swishing side to side as Finn burst into helpless laughter. "Ah, giggles and laughter! That’s the spirit!" he crowed, stepping back a few paces to admire the living tower he had assembled. With paws on hips, the fox scrutinized the pair with the serious air of a casting...

Ruffano had made it halfway to the door when a slip of parchment changed his course. He turned and accepted the paper with a bow that might have been mocking if it weren’t delivered with such dazzling charm. He held the note between two fingers and tapped it lightly to his temple. “My...

Ruffano clapped his paws together with delight as the kits came around. "That’s the spirit!" he chirped, hustling over with flourish. He extended one paw gallantly to Cricket, the other clutching the garish trench coat like it was royal regalia. "Here we go, miss. Arms through, steady now…" He...

Ruffano watched the back-and-forth with a cool detachment, arms crossed loosely over his vest. As Finn sputtered and Griblo griped, he gave a long-suffering sigh and shook his head with exaggerated pity. "Gadzooks, Griblo...such mean words to call such an enterprising fox." He turned slightly...

The Smudgie tilted his head, his voice heavy with suspicion. “Who is this dolt?” The MAUL agent squinted at Ruffano, unimpressed. “Ye think dat trick works on us?” Ruffano’s grin widened as he soaked in the guards’ confusion. Yes, yes, this was going perfectly An uninvited entrance wrapped in...

Ruffano noticed his glass had gone dry. How tragic! He rose with all the grace of a fox who thought he looked elegant, though the slight sway in his footing betrayed just how deeply the rum had soaked into his system. He placed one paw lightly on the bar for balance and gave Tal’Rakan a short...

Ruffano Quickwhistle was full on skulking. Lurking. Circling the perimeter of the grand Opera House with all the restraint of a wine cork wedged in a cannon barrel. The ridiculous building stood like a painted pastry, all polished marble and gaudy embellishment, and tonight it was reserved for...

Ruffano waved a paw flippantly toward the ferret, as if batting away a bad review. "Yes, yes, the kits are mine...at least for the day. Crocket and Finnbar." He gestured vaguely toward the two shapes down the alley. "And no, I don’t like blueberries. They’re sour and make me blue, inside and...

Ruffano nodded at the wildcat's response. He adjusted the oversized bracelet on his wrist with a subtle flourish, then let out a short, amused breath. “Ah! Now I see where the misunderstanding lies, noble Lynx.” He turned more fully toward Tal’Rakan, lifting his paws in a gesture both...