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

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn mostly nodded and played along with Lorcan’s act, being in a way the reverse “good cop” in a good cop, bad cop scenario with Falun being the “bad cop”, except that the “suspect” in this case was Lorcan. As he retrieved his bag, he felt the comforting hilt of his broadsword, and, the decidedly not comforting looseness of his coinpurse, which had been entirely emptied of its nearly two hundred gilders. Alwyn suppressed a wince, but he supposed the Sergeant, among other things, had “lost” that, as often tended to happen in cases before one ever saw a magistrate, unless it was directly related to tossing a suspect in prison, and even then, quite a bit of that could be lost. That vixen had turned out to be one of his most expensive “experiences” to date with that taken into account nearly three hundred gilders for a brief encounter that, in retrospect, was not in any way worth even a third of the original price.

I do have a problem...but...everybeast has problems, and I am not exactly going to be sent to the Vaelora Ryalor asylum to figure out what is wrong with me...it’s not like my father or mother are any better…

They were about to make their escape-at least out of this part of the station-when the clerk ordered them to freeze, and Alwyn tensed up. He could control himself, but he did not know how his two companions would act in a fight, and if they accidentally killed or severely injured a Fogey…

Luckily, though, it just appeared Lorcan had made a bit of an embarrassing error, and, despite himself, he turned his head to hide a slight chuckle under his breath.

Ah, someone from the country indeed.

@Lorcan Rainclaw @Falun Furotazzi

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Ensuring that his own gear was amongst the collected objects, pressing the large warbow into the possession of Falun, Lorcan was only too eager to be making strides to their escape. After a lifetime of island living and the freedom it presented he was already feeling antsy with the enclosed space: fresh air would do the world of good. That or he was just sweating too much beneath the uniform.

Initially he had to fight to suppress any evident show of panic at being paused, ears flattening in awkwardness when she observed his state of dress. Said upbringing meant that the state of undress did not, itself, unduly embarrass Lorcan so much as his own ignorance before his new friends. “Trust me,” he grumbled, a small touch of humour colouring his growl, “I tighten these in any more places an’ the lot will split. Thanky’ for the advice on the sizin’ ma’am.”

Turning his attention back upon the other foxes, he was liberal with the baton once more, every inch the over-zealous new recruit as he harangued them. “Oi now, no smirkin’ or snickerin’, move move move! I won’t be late getting the paperwork back here because you won’t move your tails, so let’s go.”

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun had to remind himself to breathe as they walked through the station, heading for the door. He was sure that they would be challenged, that someone would ask for transfer papers, would demand to know where Lorcan was taking the prisoners, would even notice that Lorcan matched the description of one of the prisoners himself... but then they were pushing open the door, and walking out onto the street.

Falun waited until they were a block away from the precinct house before looking to the other pair in disbelief. "I can' believe 'at bloody worked," he remarked, incredulity in his voice. "I mean, I knew 'em Fogeys weren' th' smartes' lot, bu' 'Gates, any dumber 'n 'ey'd be puttin' badges on potted plants!" He laughed, the sound a bit hoarse and tense. He raised his paws, inquiring, "Ya feel like lettin' me free on m' own reckon-sense?" He jangled the chains of his manacles meaningfully.

 

[Talinn Ryalor]

Alwyn breathed a deep sigh of relief as they made their way off and through the station-he was tense the entire time, worried that something would go horribly wrong, but, mercifully, the deception seemed to have worked, at least enough to get them this far. They were not quite out of the woods yet, being still relatively close to the station, but things were going much better than expected. He, like Falun, gave a nod to Lorcan, and extended both of his paws to have him unlock the manacles.

“I think it would be good to get both of our paws free from these things, for now, and then find someplace to lay low. We might have gotten out of the station, but it’s a flip of the gilder whether they pretend we were never arrested in the first place to avoid the embarrassment and consequences of letting us escape, or if they raise the whole district to try to find us. Based on that Sergeant and his, uh, rather personal reason for my incarceration, it may be the latter…”

@Falun Furotazzi @Lorcan Rainclaw

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Oh, thank ‘Gates that had worked. Lorcan was equally surprised as Falun had been, and had been about to question the intelligence of the city at large when it became apparent it was just as unusual for the seasoned todds. Right, better not go getting too big an ego.

First challenge.

Swinging the keys idly, the large fox eyed his new comrades for a moment with a mischievous sparkle in dark eyes. “Hmmmm, I’ll have to think about it: be a terrible abandonment of me duties to let you go.” Letting the threat linger for just a few moments he first relieved the duo of his own gear before relenting and unlocking the manacles.

“Mmmh, I know I could use a change of clothes before somebeast actually comes to me with a problem,” Lorcan muttered, pocketing the manacles as he gave Alwyn a nod. Laying low hadn’t really been an idea of his when he’d set out today, but as the gears in his brain slowly turned to process their conundrum, he realised with a sigh that there might yet be an opportunity. “I think I might know just the place us three can go: we can sit tight for a few hours, let ‘em get bored of worrying about us and be back to normal no harm. Follow me.”

He would lead the other foxes towards the docks, keen to get hidden – and changed. In the combination of enthusiasm, buoyed confidence from the escape and the adrenaline of the adventure, he had completely forgotten that he was not supposed to be alone this evening.

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun eagerly shed his manacles as soon as they were unlocked, tossing them into an alleyway to jangle noisily. He rubbed at his wrists, relieving where they'd been digging into his fur. "Wherever ya wanna go," Falun agreed, "I'm in. Can't go back ta th' Lily fer a few hours anyway, 'tis th' firs' place 'ey'll look fer me once 'ey know I'm sprung. Perks a' infamy an' all 'at." He gave a small shrug before glancing at Alwyn. "Ya migh' wanna stow yer tin soldier gettup too," he remarked. "Makes ya stand ou' a bit."

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn breathed deeply in relief as the manacles fell off and the suggestion to hide was accepted. They had done it, they had really done it, or, perhaps the Kitsune had allowed it, and no Fogeys had died either. He was not a stranger to killing, but he did not kill beasts who did not deserve it, and, as much as Falun might disagree, the Fogeys were still flesh and blood, still had hopes and dreams like them. He nodded at both them silently before the trio made their way to wherever Lorcan was leading them.

 

[Kinza Rainclaw]

Useless.

Kinza absolutely did not want to fall into the stereotype of blaming males for things on their gender, especially when that wasn't a trait of her mother, but having spent most of her years mainly only knowing a very small amount of todds, all of whom were in some way related to her, it wasn't easy to ignore the balance of probability. It didn't help that when Lorcan finally showed his face it was in the company of two other todds.

Roughing aside the garment she had been sewing, Kinza hopped down from the deck of her parents' ketch, Armina, and stalked along the dock toward them. She scowled at her brother.

"The bleedin' 'ell time ye call this? I waited for you in the square least an hour. Buggered off to see Dad in the hopes you ain't been disembowelled somewhere."

As she began to cool, her gaze flitted briefly between the two other foxes. Her annoyance extended to them, but she felt her tail tip twitch that they were both around her age and unhelpfully handsome.

@Lorcan Rainclaw @Falun Furotazzi @Alwyn Ryalor​

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun didn't like ships. That he'd been born on one, spent the early years of his life on one, hadn't served to endear the ocean to him. His memories of those days were foggy, but he vaguely recalled The Golden Hide as being cramped and smelly, even to a toddler's sensibilities. He'd been happy to move into Freedom Manor, and, to be honest, just fine with going to Vito's second home, even if it was smaller. Sure, it had come with the death of both his birth parents, but in losing his family, he'd gained a Family. He considered the trade worthwhile.

Falun glanced at the name of the ship, furrowing his brow. His memories of Armina Rogue were fuzzy, little more than an impression of gray fur at a distance. He knew about the famed serial killer, of course, and knew that his father hadn't liked her much; he vaguely recalled that name coming up a lot in angry tones during those early days, enough to instill a vaguely negative association in Falun's mind that had only been reinforced by the popular discourse since. That Lorcan's family had named their vessel such he presumed to be unfortunate coincidence, or else a joke in such bad taste that Falun couldn't pierce it yet. Still, despite the brief queasiness that overtook him at the mere sight of a sailing vessel, Falun followed after Lorcan, approaching the scowling vixen who could only be his sister based on age, appearance, and the generally bad temper with which she regarded him. He knew very well the sort of look that sisters gave their brothers; Marianna gave him that same look near constantly.

"Ain' 'is fault," Falun objected, then amended. "Well, it's 'alf 'is fault. Bloody dolt got us caught an' thrown in a Fogey cell. We got ourselves sprung, though." He stepped forward, offering a paw. "Falun," he introduced himself. "Falun Furotazzi, atcher service."

 

[Talinn Ryalor]

Alwyn was trailing behind the other two, nervously keeping an eye out for any pursuing Fogeys, as Lorcan led him to their destination, though it did not escape him that they were heading towards the docks-curious, did he happen to have a ship? If so, that would be excellent-they might scour some of the local homes, look through some of the inns, maybe even some restaurants, but he doubted they would bother to search a ship, let alone the multitude at the docks. Besides, they were now in a different sector, and unless it was for something quite serious, or it was supremely easy to do, one was usually home free if they made it into another sector. After all, no sector commander wanted to take on the work of another, short-staffed as they were. He relaxed a little. It seemed they were going to be okay after all.

And, I heard that there’s this new hedgehog that helps people with their problems. Maybe I could go see them as my relations with vixens are now seriously causing me problems. Yeah, I-

And then, a strikingly beautiful vixen accosted the group, jumping down from a nearby ship. Alwyn was rarely gobsmacked by a vixen, but he froze for a moment. That voice, that style, that accent, those beautiful eyes, hell, even the demeanor with which she addressed her brother, forthright. While he appreciated all sorts of vixens, this one was a rare stunner.

Letting Falun speak first, so that he could collect himself, he chuckled at Falun’s remarks, then nodded, careful to leave out his last name for now.

“And mine is Alwyn. Don’t worry, your brother did not cause too much trouble, except to neglect to tell me about you.” He similarly offered a paw, then gave her a slight, winning smile. “But I can see why he would be cautious about letting people know about such a treasure.”

@Falun Furotazzi @Kinza Rainclaw

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Oh ‘Gates be damned. He’d have slapped a paw to his forehead for his stupidity were it not for the fact he was in company with other todds. At once Lorcan truly felt like the younger brother he was, caught bringing back delinquent friends and trying to play it off. His ears flattened, embarrassed and guilty that meeting up with her had lapsed from his memory.

Falun’s considerate save earned silent appreciation from the younger fox, carefully regarding his sister’s countenance at his name. Would she find it as unusual as he had? It was hardly something they could discuss in present company, but he sought to catch her gaze, even if momentarily: I promise I noticed THAT.

Any further thoughts on the matter were derailed by Alwyn’s introduction. He pulled a face at Falun, indignation stamped on his features. Here was a beast who had just been arrested for failing to keep it in his breeches and he was flirting with his sister in front of him?! Honestly he should leave it to Kinza, she was certainly capable enough, but after the support Alwyn had provided in their escape this felt particularly disrespectful.

“Speaking of treasure, you’ll be worrying about your own jewels if you carry on like that,” the burly todd muttered in Alwyn’s ear as he brushed past, giving Kinza a pat on the shoulder. “You can stop complainin’: I’m sorry. Falun’s right, though: we got into a spot of trouble but all fixed now. Everythin’ go alright on your end?”

 

[Kinza Rainclaw]

Kinza’s frown melted through suspicion toward the beginnings of surprise at Falun’s introduction. She, too, knew of that name. Well enough that it was best not to mention it much around her father for the mood she’d seen him in. A name her half-siblings had spoken of enough. But this wasn’t that Falun. She wondered if there was a connection, or if it was merely a common name in this part of the world. The Furotazzi part of the name, however, was a mystery to her.

Before she could collect her thoughts enough to decide whether to treat him with scorn or accept the paw, the other todd spoke in more upper-class tones. The smile might have moved her if it weren’t for the flattery.

Treasure? You’ll find me a cursed one, mate.

As affront flared in her gaze, Alwyn was rescued by Lorcan’s intervention. Not wanting to look unreasonable, she gave a snort to banish the bulk of her annoyance.

“Aye, I got supplies. Been cobbling some more clothes ready fer signin’. Dad’s coat needs more work. He’s below going through ‘is books an’ maps.”

She flicked a glance to the new todds, curious whilst not wanting to look too interested. She was still wary of what nonsense they’d got into with her brother.​

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun raised his eyebrow. "Yer a tailor?" he commented. "Heh. Seems sisters are good fer 'at, m' sister Anna does all the darnin' fer my socks an' patchin' holes too. Surprised t' 'ear ya lot travel wiv' yer folks though. I used ta get real ornery 'enever I 'ad my old man watchin' o'er my shoulder."

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Ah, looks like this rose definitely has her thorns, Alwyn thought at both Lorcan’s comment and Kinza’s own reply, she is definitely more prepared for Harbor life than her brother. But, that makes the chase all the most interesting.

Sheepishly, he withdrew his outstretched paw, and offered an apologetic smile before nodding. There would be more opportunities, and one did not always succeed at their first try. Persistence was a virtue in things like these, just needed to be timed carefully, unlike so many todds who would continue to badger the vixen until she would take their heart with a knife than give her own to them. He had likely blown his chances for today, but if he could get to know her over time, he could play the long game.

“I know a fair amount about sewing and the repair of clothing and such work,” Alwyn offered, politely and more carefully “I will not claim to be a master, but I am passable enough, if that would help.”

Beasts would think it odd for a member of the Stoatorian Guard to know how to mend and tailor clothes, but it was actually a critical part of their duties to be able to do so to an acceptable, functional level. Armor straps and clothing could get damaged on campaign, and worst comes to worst they might find themselves having to live off the land and improvising clothing. Plus, vixens usually found it appealing.

@Kinza Rainclaw @Lorcan Rainclaw @Falun Furotazzi

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

“Well that’s why we’re settin’ out on our lonesome,” Lorcan explained to Falun with a shrug, trying to dismiss a simmering embarrassment to still be tied to his parents through nonchalance. “We get along well enough with our folks but was us who wanted to go see the world. They can do what they please in the city, but we’ve got our sights on a bit more of an adventure.”

Between Falun’s commentary on his own sister and Alwyn’s offer of assistance, he felt a surge of pride for his elder sibling keen to impress her skills upon them. That a todd should know needlework was of little consequence to him, having been raised rural where repairs were a necessary part of life. What had surprised him was that the todd had elected to flirt in front of him after having been taken in for his philandering ways, and Lorcan was having to remind himself that he’d come to like Alwyn: he should not resent the fox so soon. He merely needed to keep an eye on him.

“Here now, Kinza ain’t some liddle dab paw mendin’ for the sake of it – she’s a proper seamstress, she is.” Lorcan called over his shoulder as he made for the gangplank aboard the Armina. “I mean I repair canvas as part’ve my living but that’s just heavy work. Ain’t half the fancy things she can do. Come on, let’s at least talk about it over a drink.”

Rapping on the entry hatch by means of brief forewarning, Lorcan flung it open and called down cheerily. “’Ey Da! I’ve brought a couple of friends aboard – don’t mind, do ye?”

 

[Kinza Rainclaw]

While she continued her silent appraisal of her brother’s companions, Kinza managed a small smirk for Falun on the subject of parents. She did not recognise reference to his sister, for when they had met she had given her full first name and not her surname. Faint bafflement touched her expression when Alwyn seemed to be offering assistance with the work. Perhaps he had assumed she was seeking it.

Lorcan clarified for them on both accounts and she gave a little grin of pride, moving with them onboard.​

 

[Jeshal the Ironclaw]

Bugger. It wasn’t that Jeshal had any qualms with guests, more that he hadn’t had chance to get the cabinet fixed that he had punched earlier today. The splinters and glass had been swept up, but there was still a glaringly unhappy broadcast of past emotion on display. He had at least managed to wash off the ghost paint and had changed clothes since Tox’s visit.

“One moment!” he called up.

With haste, he draped a cloak over the broken cabinet and then booted his errant flour-dusted pantaloons back into the sleeping quarters they were escaping from and shut that particular door.

“Come on down, then, and let’s meet the lot o' ye.”​

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

As soon as he descended the ladder to the lower deck and turned, Falun stopped dead, obstructing the landing until the fox climbing down above him nudged him to move. He was staring at the elder fox before him, his eyes darting between that face - that smirk that was somehow indelibly etched on his memory - and that claw . Even while avoiding all mention of their shared past, Falun would have had to have been living under a rock to not know about the Ironclaw. Even when he'd managed to suppress kithood memories of Aunt Tanya and Uncle Jesh, Marianna had dragged them back to the surface with her obsessive research into their shared heritage. He supposed that she'd been so young at the time that, to her, finding out her godparents had been two of the most powerful beasts in the Imperium had actually come as a shock. For him, it had been like a trickle of bile in the back of his throat, something unpleasant he thought he'd already swallowed coming back up instead.

Marianna would have said something pithy, or greeted the old fox by name and with a hug, or otherwise handled the occasion correctly. Falun, dumbstruck as he was, instead let fly the first coherent thought to enter his mind. "No £#<&ing way."

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn had become even more embarrassed by his apparent second foul-up-first with striking out with Kinza, although that could perhaps be repaired later, and then by his genuine offer to help with the repairs, which were apparently not needed. He had not thought that it would be an insult to her skill, rather, he had thought to be helpful, but it seemed that these two, despite being new to the Harbor, were not your average seafaring vermin by any means. He inclined his head apologetically to both, on the surface for the misunderstanding regarding tailoring, and under surface by his failed attempt at flirting.

“My apologies, perhaps I could learn a thing or two from your sister, then. I truly do have something of an interest in it.” He nodded towards her somewhat enthusiastically.

Alwyn, for his part, was not nearly as phased as Falun seemed to be-he truly knew nothing of the older fox or his origins, at least by sight. He knew he had cousins out in the world, from what his father and mother had told him, but they were always quite circumspect about them except for the brief mentions of Tanya. He did, however, note the metal claw-but such was not exactly that uncommon. Plenty of older Guardsbeasts who had fought in the Civil War had them-even his family’s older, grizzled veterans, and more than a few sailors and those who had accidents. To him, Jeshal was simply Lorcan and Kinza’s father, and he graciously began to reply, if a bit formally, afraid to cause any more insults.

“Thank you kindly, sir, my name is Alwyn and your son Lorcan was of grea-”

Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, Falun let loose a shocked expletive. Alwyn froze mid-sentence, glancing at him, then glancing back at the older todd, total confusion on his face.

What would shock such a notorious criminal so much?

@Kinza Rainclaw @Jeshal the Ironclaw @Falun Furotazzi

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Barely did the youngest fox suppress a roll of the eyes as he, 'Gates forbid, was required to endure a several-second wait before being invited belowdecks. He shot the other todds a slightly apologetic glance in the interim before his father called back and, satisfied, Lorcan held the hatch open until everybeast was headed below.

From the back of the small gathering it was soon evident from Falun’s exclamation that something was amiss – or at least surprising. He shot Kinza, then Alwyn, a baffled glance before pressing forward.

“No £#<&ing way what? Lorcan tried to crane over his newfound companion’s shoulder into the cabin, confusion written on his face. As far as he could distinguish there was nothing particularly special about the cabin or his father, not at least to deserve such a response. Was Jeshal really so memorable from his time as Minister? Couldn’t be….though if there were portraits hanging about he’d have dearly loved to see them.