Open The Slups Debt Has it's Benefits.

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna couldn't quite contain the laugh that escaped her as Ruffano turned a sultry performance squarely upon her, one that surely played well with the vixens most days. "As flattered as I am," she remarked, "an audition will not be necessary. Your performance at this bar is sufficient for me to gauge your talent. Besides," she added, lowering her voice, "I think my toddfriend wouldn't appreciate you giving me that sort of audition." It was as subtle a warning as a cannon shot across the bow, but it would hopefully get the point across. It was also, she realized, the first time she had referred to Ivo as her toddfriend, even obliquely. She would have to consider how she felt about that.

She listened with interest as the wildcat paid for the entertainer's services as well. It was quite the strange alliance they were forming here, but serendipity often occurred that way. She caught sight of Silvertongue and Greeneye finally entering the bar, and she waved for them to join the trio in their drinking.

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

Ruffano chuckled into his glass, a little too loud, a little too long. The warmth of spiced rum had settled nicely into his chest, coaxing out that familiar haze where everything seemed funnier than it was. He swirled what remained of his drink and looked toward Marianna with a crooked grin.

“Me’ gal, I am a dishonest beast in many regards,” he slurred with the comfortable honesty of the intoxicated, “but I assure you, I wouldn’t have a tryst with a married beast. The chance of losing one’s life is far too high.”

He gave a lazy, theatrical shrug, eyes glinting.

“I simply meant that you shall see my acceptance of the gig as my audition.”

He tipped his glass in mock salute to her, then let his gaze drift across the bar where the bard, poor sod that he was, had just been escorted toward the counter by a creature more wooden than flesh. The peg leg. The hooked paw. The armor that creaked like furniture. Ruffano blinked, genuinely unsure whether the rat escorting Silvertongue had been built or born.

For a moment, his tipsy mirth waned. The bard looked rough. Real rough. Something like compassion fluttered in the fox’s chest before something silver caught the light.

He turned just in time to see the strange, feathered feline slip a silver bracelet into his paws.

“Why, certainly it’s enough!” he gasped, slipping the ring up his black-furred forearm, turning it this way and that as it sparkled against the tavern’s low light. The bracelet was definitely meant for a large cat's paw, but around Ruffano’s wrist it dangled awkwardly. Still, he wore it with a gleam in his eye.

“Though I don’t do world tours,” he added with a wag of one claw, “This todd doesn’t set paw on the deck of a boat. So your entourage must choose a venue here.”

He smiled conspiratorially, already plotting his own role in the grand affair.

“I do have recommendations, of course...”

 

[Tal'Rakan]

The Lynx took a second to also notice the newcomers. One fox, very elegant by local standards and one... rodent, looking like a cripple that was forced to fight over and over again, no matter the wounds. There was a pang of objection within him. Phoenixes called for sacrifice of oneself for their glory, but even in most dire times, neither them nor Rakan himself would call for crippled to fight unless they wanted to. Aside from it being inefficient in most cases, it also was just unfair to call for such ultimate sacrifice... that of course didn't mean those who wished to give themselves fully were not welcome.

He made sure to wave, offering them a greeting that he so far had managed to learn was common in those lands. The exchange between the fox he was talking to and the vixen taught him that there was a solid sense of belonging with a chosen mate. He could understand that, even if having concubines or straight up polygamous relations was a norm among some of his compatriots. More importantly, he was glad to hear his offer was accepted. The condition however that this entertainer wouldn't enter the ship was a bit jarring. He wished to get him onto the boat he came here for the sake of privacy.

Looking as the bracelet he gave was dangling on the fox's wrist, he noted that for the future, he should bring more jewellery made for smaller races within his homeland. Then Tal'Rakan spoke with open arms."I see, your audience will pre of just five preasts. Safe for denouncinkh our divine Phoenixes, all that you wish to convey is welcomed. I may pay for a place you'll need, prut I ask you to consider steppinkh onto our boat still. We are not leavinkh the dock for the time to come and there is enuff space for dozens like you." He explained with a spark of curiosity, knowing that even if the todd will disagree, Rakan would still not bother with missing out on promised performance. Not after he paid for it for sure.

He used that moment to speak to their host, Marianna. "Out of curiosity, if I may. Is your mate of the same occupation?" He asked bluntly, wanting to know if the locals allowed to mix between the castes as his kin wouldn't dare to. Albeit he kind of expected the answer already.