Rainblade-Ryalors Private Zann's Alley/Backyard Boys Will Be Boys

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

It didn’t escape Lorcan’s notice – more due to curiosity than suspicion – that Falun had failed to disclose anything about the work this Family was part of. The todd had never been one to put much stock in the mysteries of the universe nor the beauty of coincidence, but for all the fact he had been arrested on his first full day in the city it seemed he had rather landed on his paws with finding this fox. As was often the case with him his grudge hadn’t held; the temper he’d felt at being drawn into the chaos was swiftly headed to a burgeoning intrigue.

Stretching out his still-aching back, Lorcan pulled a face as he nodded. “Well they didn’t make the best first impression,” he grumbled, “hittin’ first askin’ questions later. Suppose that’s what a little power does to a beast. Politics aren’t my area either, if you couldn’t guess. I got t’ ask, though: how’ll it manage not to be political once you’ve got control of an area? Doesn’t that just make you the new beast with a badge, minus the badge?”

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun gave a small shrug at the question, not seeming to take offense at all. "Simple - I don't play politics none. It's a business transaction, that's all. I keep crime managed in my area, make sure it's focused elsewhere an' the businesses that pay in get protection. Ain' no reason t' be involvin' the Fogeys. My sister's even workin' on a tax management program, 'elp small businesses in our areas keep more in 'eir pockets an' send less t' the crown. Sure, MinoComm migh' not be 'appy, but if 'ey come knockin', it only takes a few auditors turnin' up in th' 'Arbor fer 'em t' get th' message to leave the workin' folk alone."

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

It was clear by Lorcan’s expression that he wasn’t much taken by the answer, or at least that he could not see how business and politics could remain separate. It niggled in his brain that the word protection was used, a slow inkling of what was being implied beginning to grow, though he was not quite there yet.

A certain pensiveness then settled on his muzzle at the mention of MinoComm and bodies. Where War had been the province of his mother, Commerce had been the Ministry of his father. He wondered what the reaction would be if Falun knew. It unsettled him: he liked this todd, but the picture being painted was very rapidly beginning to feel like a warning. Not that he’d ever listened much, but…

“Right, right, I see,” he said in the lively neutral tones of one who absolutely does not see. “…You’ll have t’ forgive me, this is all a bit new,” Lorcan chuckled. “I mean, I visited cities a pawful’ve times growing up, but I’m from an island village. The politics an’ legal parts – and the size of it all-…there’s layers on layers here. Suppose I’m a little out of my depth.”

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun waved his paw dismissively, laying back down on his bunk. "It's fine," he commented. "Takes some gettin' used to, I'm sure. It's all a little complicated. All y' need t' know is them jackboots out there are jus' a gang of a differen' stripe, one that don' play near as nice as I do. Y' stick around 'ere long enough, ye'll see it. Watch 'em when 'ey think no one's lookin', an' ye'll see they're even dirtier 'n I am."