Recent content by SwifttailTheFox

Rugg gave a low snort as he crouched to inspect the pooling water. His paw skimmed over the pipe’s curve, fingertips coming back warm and damp. He sniffed them, then wiped them absently on the front of his coveralls. “Aye, that’s not seawater. That’s condensation.” He stood with a creak of...

Swifttail caught the keyring mid-air with both paws, the metal still warm from the First Mate’s coat pocket. He looked up, eyes wide. Half from the sudden responsibility, half from the adrenaline still coursing through his limbs. “Aye, sir!” he called, turning toward Macallish and the chosen...

Swifttail caught Finn just in time, the little kit tumbling into his arms in a heap of laughter and flailing limbs. He chuckled aloud, a rich, unguarded sound as he steadied them both. "Careful, King Pirate," he teased gently, giving the younger fox a playful nudge. "You'll go toppling off the...

Swifttail took the hand bore with a nod, turning it over in his paw. “That’s perfect. We don’t want a big hole anyway.” He moved to the workbench and lined up the pipe segment, gently securing it in place with a clamp. As he positioned the tool at the base of the visible crack, he spoke aloud...

Swifttail’s ears were still ringing from the cannonfire, the shrieks of the shrews, the activity out on deck, but his paws kept moving. He ran just ahead of Finnian, kettle gripped in one paw, a full coal scoop in the other. The scalded stink of the vented boiler clung to his fur. His stomach...

Rugg looked up from his crouch beside the manifold, his soot-smeared face lit orange by the low-glow of the still-settling engine. At the sound of the captain’s voice, he pushed up to his paws, gave a quick salute, more stiff than formal, and wiped his brow with the back of his paw. “Cap’n. We...

Swifttail froze mid-step, paws still lifted as he caught sight of Silvertongue’s whirlwind of motion. His jaw dropped slightly as the red fox launched into a series of flips, cartwheels, and acrobatic spins that would’ve made even the most seasoned performers back home jealous. As Silvertongue...

At first, he had only clapped along. But when Silvertongue, that dandy-dressed red fox in light blue finery, suddenly seized his arm with a grin that could’ve lit a lantern, Swifttail let out a surprised yip as he was pulled into the fray. For a half-second he hesitated, but the familiar rhythm...

Swifttail offered a quick, thankful smile as Kaii handed him the set of files. He selected one with a fine taper and nodded, brushing his paw along the damaged edge of the pipe. "Aye, like Kaii said..." he began, glancing toward Ralynn as he knelt by the pipe, tail flicking thoughtfully. "If...

Swifttail smiled at Kaii’s kind words, offering a quiet, appreciative nod. “Ambition’s fine,” he said softly, “long as it doesn’t run ahead of wisdom.” He gave the valve one last glance and then stepped back as Kaii cleaned up the area. His gaze lingered for just a moment longer on the other...

Swifttail turned, the color draining from his face faster than the boiler had. He blinked once, tail flicking low. “The water...” he breathed. “We dumped it... we dumped all of it...” His ears drooped as the weight of what they’d done came crashing in. They’d saved the ship. Maybe saved lives...

Swifttail helped brace the pipe while Kaii tightened the new valve into place, the tools clinking softly against the boiler’s iron belly. He listened carefully, ears angled toward the other fox even as his eyes stayed on the work. When Kaii asked his question, Swifttail’s brow furrowed faintly...

Swifttail stepped in wordlessly and caught the valve housing with both paws, steadying it while Kaii worked to loosen the fittings. The metal was warm from contact with the boiler, and the tight seal made it stubborn. He braced it with a bit more weight, nodding gently as the spring was pulled...

Swifttail chuckled lightly at the talk of competition, though his ears flicked uncertainly at first. “Where I’m from, there wasn’t really competition,” he said, shifting a little as he watched Kaii work. “Just the forge, the snow, and the need to make things hold together. Everything was...

The lively rhythm swelled around him, tugging at something deep in his chest. Swifttail found himself clapping his paws in time, stomping his footpaws against the deck with each beat. His tail flicked, not from nerves this time, but from a quiet joy that bubbled up with each note. It reminded...