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.

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna considered correcting the fox on her marital status. ...No, she decided at last. It was best not to let the todd think he stood a chance. And besides, Marianna found the notion of herself as a married femme oddly appealing. So Ivo was younger than her, significantly at that. So she'd already overheard a number of the Furotazzis making jokes about not realizing that they were admitting cougars to the family now. So she'd been warned by Falun that dating someone that many years apart was bound to end in heartbreak, 'old soul' or not. It might be a foolish romantic notion, but the concept of possibly the pair being more than just bedmates someday was, at least, a delightful fantasy to consider within the privacy of her own head.

She was pulled from it by wildcat's question, making her blink as she turned to address his inquiry. "He is an information broker - what you would perhaps call a priest of secret wisdom," she allowed, "and one who metes out those secrets in trade for other secrets. He's not unlike a fabled sphinx, actually," thinking of the mythical cats said to dwell in the desert regions of the Mahsterious Sahthern Cahntinent. "Bring him a secret he has not heard, and he will give you the knowledge you seek. In our society, it isn't the most respected role," she admitted, "nor is mine, but it is one that makes him a very influential and powerful beast."

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

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 placating and grandiose.

“When I said I don’t do ships, I meant I don’t do voyages. Journeys. Anything with anchors raised and a horizon that isn’t anchored to a skyline.”

He tapped the rim of his glass, thinking.

“But if your vessel is docked, your audience domestic, and the venue... floating yet unmoving?” A grin. “Then I am, of course, at your service. I’ve performed in stranger places.”

His tone softened, just enough to show sincerity beneath the show.

“All I ask is your word that I shan’t be... spirited away. This todd prefers to choose his exits, not be bundled through them in a sack.”

He gave a mock shiver.

“I look forward to dazzling your five priests with the fire of unfiltered expression.”

 

[Tal'Rakan]

The lynx was a bit surprised actually to hear about the role of this vixen chosen mate. Priest of secret knowledge? So he was one teaching word of a Phoenix and managing their hatchlings while doing the work of entertainers to know the unknown? Or was it measly a case of another hard to understand for him local way of doing things. Either way, a beast with such immense knowledge was definitely not a commoner and for sure someone worth knowing, just as the vixen said: "...very influential and powerful beast."

"If so then I would like to meet them sometime. I am not yet familiar with all that is khoinkh on and well... I am curious to see what I can learn." The last part was mumbled more to himself before he took a last gulp of the sweet mixture he was given. While doing so he listened to the entertainer who seemed all too eager to participate. Granted, if the local ones were anything like those from his homeland, he was essentially allowing for a spy to enter his ship. But at the same time, it would happen on his conditions and under his watchful gaze.

As such, he grinned, showing off his entire maw of ivory, sharp teeth and fangs. "You have my word entertainer. No harm will happen to you nor you will pre stolen. Just rememprer to not speak ill of what we find divine."

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna smiled as she nodded her confirmation. "I will gladly arrange an introduction," she confirmed to the lynx. "Just come ready with secrets to trade," she added. "The more valuable the information, the more valuable he will give in turn."

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

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, theatrical bow.

“Well then! If my safety is ensured, and I am not to be stolen away to foreign sands…” he gave a wink, “then I shall be down by the docks tomorrow at noontide.”

He adjusted hisvest with a flourish and turned to Marianna.

“My dear, I must be off, but know this: your commission of my talents is secured.”

He tapped the bracelet on his wrist once, letting it jingle for effect.

“Might you be so kind as to send a messenger with the particulars to the post box behind the Discord tavern?” he asked, pronouncing the name like it was the most respectable establishment in the Imperium. “It’s not far from here.”

He flashed a grin. “It always pays to be prepared, as the Kit Scouts say.”

 

[Tal'Rakan]

Tal'Rakan couldn't really send a messenger for such a tiny matter. The four other valued crew members that came with him were actually busy with their own tasks he gave them and the rest of the serfs and sailors were not allowed to leave the ship. Instead he decided to ask their host for help.

"If you wouldn't mind priestess, since writinkh in your lankhuatcce is still a proprlem to me, I could use your help in notinkh the followinkh: 'At the far end of Fishminster's Dock. Seek a ship painted in prlue'. I apolochise for takinkh your time, prut I wish to provide this entertainer with a note prefore he leaves."

He intended to give that note to Ruffano as soon as possible. All in all, his business here was done, and he signified that by stretching up, making him hit the ceiling with his arms. With slight reflection, he made sure he didn't damage it before looking down at the two foxes.

"I am khlad I could also meet individuals like you. This khives me some hope that preasts here are not all insane to me and my people."

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna readily wrote out the note on a small slip of paper, passing it to the wildcat. "Should I have any communications from our organization sent to that same ship?" she inquired.

 

[Tal'Rakan]

The lynx considered the request. That would be smart, but she should know he is more prepared than she may think.

"Yes, prut, Always say the messatches are to me. If there is one of the few ones capaprle of understandinkh you speech on proard, they will take that note. If not, your messentcher is to come at another time. The crew is instructed to kill anyone enterinkh without proper invitation. No need to lose your preastpower."

With that he passed the paper to Ruffano and took a deep bow, using his cloak of feathers to create illusion of wings.

"Unless there is a matter worth discussinkh with the two newcomers priestess, I shall take my leave."

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna stood and gave a curtsy of her own to the beast, contemplating what farewell would be appropriate. "Feathered wings protect you," she bade him at last, capitalizing on what he'd spoken of as regarded his country and customs. Even if it wasn't strictly traditional to his culture, it might well be appreciated for the thought.

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

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 feline-featured head of state,” he declared with an exaggerated reverence, “your commission is understood and already filed away right here.” Another tap to his temple for emphasis.

"I do appreciate the actual address of the venue, however.

Then he turned to Marianna, his grin returning.

“My fabulous vixen, I ask such a chore of you only because your request of me sounds delightfully involved.” He twirled the note once between his fingers.

“I merely require a written outline of my role in your grand performance, you see.”

He dipped his head slightly, still smiling. “Please, take no pains in the matter if such schemes can be spoken about now!”

 

[Tal'Rakan]

The words of the vixen priestess were a kind attempt, Tal'Rakan could not see them as anything but a show of a goodwill. And while same could be said about what the entertainer said, the blasphemous suggestion that Rakan was in charge of the Phoenixes flock did arise a pang of anger within. Nor enough to act, but enough to snarl at the word.

Still he couldn't be mad at someone for lack of knowledge, he already knew he was saying at times things that were dubious by the local standards. Just as he was learning, he should also show the others he respects their desire to catch on.

"I am just a warrior, I am not a ruler. Don't make that mistake cominkh to the ship if you value your fur." The low, growly warning to the todd, one that was less about his reaction and more about the fact that this entertainer would not be left alive after such blasphemy. "I can tolerate your mistake, prut as per one rule I khave you, sanctity of Phoenixes is the one topic you do not wish to try and make fun of." He added as a more stern piece of advice.

Then he turned to the vixen that offered her farewells, responding in much more traditional way, albeit translated it didn't sound as kind, with appreciative nod. "May your flames prurn true." And then he moved to leave, padding surely back to the streets and to the ship, considering all that occurred tonight as well as how to utilise it for any potential future to come. Even if the proper deal wouldn't be satisfactory, he now had options. That was only making his position stronger in the negotiations to come. As such, his walk through the city at night, was much more pleasant than ever before.

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna nodded her gratitude to Tal'Rakan for the correction, then turned her attention to Ruffano. "I will procure a copy of the evening's schedule for you," she promised. "My intent is to get you hired as entertainment. My suggestion is to find a line-up that is just controversial enough to cause a few gasps, keeping the audience's attention on you - but not flagrant enough to prompt a walkout or get yourself ejected. The longer you can keep the eyes of the entire crowd on you, the more time my crew will have to do their own work uninterrupted. Are those standards ones you can work around?"

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

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 patience... and your clarity.”

No jokes. No quips. Even this stage fox knew when to drop the theatrics.

He turned back to Marianna, brightening as she laid out her expectations. He gave a little flourish of the paw and a slow, exaggerated nod.

“Ah, I see! A careful scandal. An engaging plotline. A performance just this side of treason.”

He tapped the tip of his snout thoughtfully, then winked.

“I shall draw every eye in the room and keep them there until the last, dramatic beat. You have my word.”

Straightening, he took a deep breath, one part theatrical, two parts stabilizing, and gave them both a tipsy, gentlemanly bow.

“Then with that, I take my leave. I eagerly await each performance in kind.”

And with a lopsided grin and one final swish of his tail, Ruffano Quickwhistle turned on his heel and staggered into the night, humming a half-remembered overture to a show no one else had ever seen.