Major Thread Fortuna Vitrea Est

[Matisse Dubois]

As the puzzle pieces slotted together in the sable’s nimble brain his smile became that touch more genuine, if only for the fact that things were beginning to make sense in this complex web of beasts in the hall. He followed along with the duo bearing the tray as much like one of the servers might, plucking the odd delicacy for himself as he shared the platter with newfound company. Whilst technically he wasn’t off the clock it was nice to indulge in some genuine conversation, and despite a thirst for information it was pleasant – relaxing even - to simply converse without ulterior motive.

This being the case, and with company so familiar with his employer, he saw no point in lying. “Ah, of course. I work with M.A.U.L but Misanthropy did not specifically put me on duties tonight, so aside from my general attendance I am free to enjoy the festivities. I take it, then, that you are not as fortunate?” He tilted his head to Caden. “And what of yourself?”

@Caden S. Freemont @Daniil Ryalor

 

[Cricket]

Unable to see from her position upside-down beneath the table, Cricket had been able to glance, at best, the occasional footpaw approaching the table whilst she quested for food. This being the case she had missed the presence of the arctic fox until too late: when she grabbed her tail Cricket froze.

Wide-eyed (for a crested gecko can be little else), the youngster hesitated on how to respond to the challenge when it came. Instinct was to snap back a retort and her expression already dropped to a defensive scowl in anticipation of asking what business it was of the stranger when another beast interrupted.

Huh.

At once the alarmed glower turned to a suspicious squint (again, as best a creature with no eyelids can communicate). This old todd was…defending her? A stranger? He had to want something. Cricket could not trust the fox or whatever motivation there was for his kindness but she was in no rush to argue a rescue if it kept her in the building. Holding her tongue save a bemused nod, she allowed the vulpines to make their introduction and carefully disengaged her grip on the underside of the table to sit beneath it proper. In doing so, she yanked her tail from the vixen’s grasp and, unthinking, let it curl more loosely near Jeshal’s ankle.

He was an ex-Minister? The young gecko was even more confused now why a beast of such stature would care to defend her presence and not have her slung out at once. Well, maybe there would be an opportunity here after all if she could ingratiate herself into the graces of the upper classes. Oh, the things she could do if she could run riot without fear of ejection.


@Minerva @Jeshal the Ironclaw

 

[Minerva]

@Jeshal the Ironclaw @Cricket

After running through entire lexicon of swear words in both her native and Vulpinsunian languages. Minerva let out a long breath. What was the goal of this older todd? To annoy her and make her work any harder? Minerva was almost at the point of snapping from just how tired with all of this she was. "Aninga qapik pisivik, aninga qilautigiq." She muttered be deciding to actually speak with the fox. She was of course told who Ministers were. How important they were and how to recognise them. Still, this was an ex-minister. To her understanding, this todd was just the same as any other beast.

Pointing at the gecko, Minerva managed to gather her calm and spoke with a curt nod. "Minerva Frosttail. Local Garrison. Mister, I need a proof of your words. Anything that shows they are your ward." Even at such state, she was good at following procedures and plans. At the frozen tundra's that was the only way to stay alive. Only when the plan fails, one has to adapt. That was her way of survival. And since she was told that there is chance of smaller beasts trying to act as kits, she was adamant on getting any sort of a proof. In all fairness, she couldn't care less herself, but orders were orders.

 

[Liza Fairpaw]

@Izakis @Kal Goldtail

"I get the feeling," Liza offered carefully, "that you're far more than a pretty muzzle, an' you, my armored friend, are more than somebeast who is 'just kinda there'."

She shrugged. "It's not just anybeast who finds their way into a party such as this, invited or not." Here she paused and looked at Kal, before continuing. "An' then climbs above the proceedin's an' engages in such conversation as we've been engagin' in. I'm no recruiter, but from first blush, I'd peg you for Smudgie material."

 

[Talinn Ryalor]

Talinn mostly listened to his wife and the others talking, simply giving them polite nods at whether he was recovering well from his injuries and how the expedition had went-he knew none of them really cared about his health, except for his wife, whose comforting paw helped him last far longer through such the conversation than he otherwise would have, given he was not a real fan of these events. He was glad that they made such a good power couple, her handling the more social aspects and subterfuge, him handling the more logistical and military affairs. He honestly wished Neame was here, however, since even though he thought the beast a little obsessed on some of the more aesthetic aspects of warfare than was perhaps necessary, he could at least relate as a soldier, and would actually be likely to know what it was like for him to face such a dangerous beast and be more interested in Urk’s military capabilities, such as they were, if another campaign had to be planned to that damned isle.

Were it me, I would pull the three marine battalions off ship duty and raise another three Army ones, summon half the Navy to transport them, and not leave until every one of those little bastards were dead and their villages turned to ash, then maybe set up something of a small colony or fort there. But I know our resources are stretched. Perhaps in another decade or two, if I am still alive.

He was amused by the reporter’s and Kilaris’s question about why there were so many MAUL agents in attendance, given his former reign as Minister of Misanthropy, to the point where he could not help but give another one of his comparatively rare slight smiles. There were always around this amount or more of such when such an important event occurred, it was simply a question of whether or not they made their presence known. The Minister of Misanthropy had their fingers in every pie, and Dusk was the best he had known, including himself. Even his own household Guard were infiltrated-Dusk had won over a lot of members of them following the Frimary 26th Incident. He often wondered if it came down to obeying orders whether or not they would follow his or hers if they ever conflicted.

Still, as riveting as such things here were, he was beginning to look for some kind of a socially acceptable escape, and one within easy wheelchair distance mostly to avoid having to deal with Afton. He wondered, briefly, how his squirrel second managed to stand him. He confessed he did not know much about the woodlander, not as much as he should as busy as he was, but he figured Dusk would brief him if she ever became more relevant, but she must be patient and have a good temperament to put up with him for so long without killing him directly or orchestrating his death in some fashion . His eyes scanned the room, picking up his son, whose presence here was unusual unless he was protecting the Minister of War, which perhaps he was given the very close ranks of the Guard that made it hard to see who he was protecting, flirting with some strangely familiar feeling vixen. He wanted to shake his head-classic Alwyn, Alexei would be rolling in his grave to see him doing such instead of carrying out whatever duty he was assigned, but he was in no mood to reprimand his son who had been relatively to kind him after his recovery and who he was trying to rebuild a connection with.

Some other targets, then.

He did not know most of the other beasts at the party, but he did see Nashirou, the Songfox, and Fairpaws, officially heroes of Urk, and decided that would be his exit, though he was surprised, at the moment he looked, to see Silvertongue place an open kiss on Swifttail’s cheek, and then move in for a hug that, even to him, seemed a bit more than friendly. He just looked for an extra moment before turning his attention back to the party, unsure how to exactly feel about that as he took a glass of champagne and sipped it think.

Fyador has always been more open on the nature of such relationships than the Imperium, at least within the nobility and warrior classes, Westisle being no exception. The Kitsune’s recognized prophets have nothing to say on the topic, and thus it has been traditionally been interpreted to be allowed. Indeed, even several of our Emperors were known to engage in such affairs, although they still did their duty and had kits with their wives to continue to line, or, appointed their siblings as heirs to continue the unbroken succession. And, in truth, it is not like I have not seen such before as a commander of soldiers. More than a few of my best troops could have been said to have such, although they were more quiet about it. Here, though, to be so bold and open...and...Silvertongue, I had thought he wished to continue the Songfox line? But maybe he still will, like some of our Emperors before us, although I confess I have no idea how that works. Or, really, how those relationships work in general, but to be fair, I have no idea how any other normal relationship works either. I have only ever been with Dusk and…but that one was...is....unusual...and in truth...so is mine with Dusk, so I suppose I cannot comment.

He shook his head for a moment, focusing his thoughts once again.

In the end, they all served me loyally and well, so it does not matter, and Kaii seems to be protective of them and is a candidate for swearing me an oath of patronage, so I suppose I can overlook it for him too. In a way, I do admire them for their courage as well. They will be a target for discrimination from those who hold on to more traditional Imperium views or those who espouse the "natural law" as they put it, but, perhaps, living openly is worth it. There is something to be said about the freedom of living in the light. ‘Gates, I have been in the darkness for so long that I have forgotten how that feels like, although recently with Dusk...

He turned and looked up with adoration at his wife, who had remained loyal to him despite being tempted and despite dealing with so much. He reached up and squeezed her paw, then even leaned his head against her paw on his shoulder for a bit. She was a good vixen.

Still, time to make my escape, before Afton makes me want to end my life here and now.

Speaking up abruptly, he gave them all a nod.

“Ah, if you would not mind my disappearance for a little while, most esteemed Ministers and our reporter and especially his wise and fair partner, I see that some of our Urk veterans are here. I should go and see how they are doing…”

He glanced up at Dusk with a not-quite-pleading face as if to ask permission to leave, while making sure to compliment the reporter's partner, but not him. Show him disrespect and he would return it right back.

@Silvertongue Songfox @Kaii Nashirou @SwifttailTheFox @Aiken Brudenell @Dusk Rainblade @Orina Emberkin

 

[Jeshal the Ironclaw]

As yet, Jeshal hadn't ascertained how much of a troublemaker this gecko was. Her quietness was as easily shyness as wariness, stupidity as caution. What became of her by the end of this, he didn't much care, so long as he hadn't made her his enemy. Everything about the old fox was calm, as if he was completely sure of every outcome, whatever might lie beneath. He smiled serenely at the introduced Minerva.

Jeshal downed his glass and set it on the table beside him. He cleared his throat and pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket.

"This be an invitation from Duchess Rainblade herself inviting me ter this fine occasion." Whether it was a legitimate ticket, Jeshal hadn't deigned to question Tanya. "Never said I that this be my ward, but they be an associate o' mine and ye'll fergive me a plus one, bein' that me wife had other duties to attend. Ye be doing a fine job, Frosttail, never know where danger be lurkin' in this city, but has the lass caused any other offence besides questionable table manners?" He cast a glance down to the gecko as he spoke.

@Minerva @Cricket​

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

@Daniil Ryalor @Matisse Dubois

It was better to be moving and socializing than standing within the milling crowd. While not completely comfortable, with Daniil now at his side and with a destination in mind, Caden felt his tension easing. Though, a thread of it returned as Matisse mentioned his MAUL affiliation. While the jack was not one to make a practice of holding grudges, it was difficult to not hold bodily memories of his mother's dislike of the Ministry and the beasts who worked for its primary faction, nor was it possible to forget Misanthropy's actions after her death.

However, this was a different Imperium from that which he grew up in, and Caden made his best effort to keep any discomfort or hesitancy from his voice as he responded to the sable. "While I'm employed by the Guard, I'm not officially on duty tonight." He gripped the hilt of his sword. "Though, I know Bully well enough to be prepared for anything. Lately I seem to have a habit of attracting trouble whenever I try to enjoy a social event. Let's hope tonight is an exception to that pattern and my sword will just be for decoration."

A violin duo was in the last stanza of their piece as beasts swayed and stepped across the dance floor. Caden kept to the side, watching the curtains for any sign of Asta. He wished to take Daniil's paw and soothe some of his nerves that had arisen for Asta's first large public appearance, but he settled for taking another of the plates from the platter and offering it to him, letting his fingers brush over the todd's and lingering there for several moments. While he much preferred dancing with the fox in his lounge with Asta playing for them, there was an inkling of interest at what it would be like to go paw in paw onto the dance floor together for all the beasts at the party to see.

The duet ended, and there was friendly applause from the dancers and those gathered around to watch.

"There she is!" Caden clamped his paw on the hilt of his sword to keep from grabbing at Daniil's arm in excitement. Asta swept onto the stage in her dark blue gown, her smile beaming in the directed lantern light that illuminated the stage. She caught sight of the trio to the side of the dance floor and gave a small wave and grin. Caden waved back, matching her grin, though there were tears in his eyes.

Standing tall, the jill lifted her lute and began to play. The song was a variation on a Varangian folk tune, popular for dancing in the village she had grown up in, though she had arranged it specifically for a dance more appropriate for the higher class crowd rather than the rollicking dances of the tavern she once frequented. The dancers picked up the beat well enough despite the unfamiliar tune and adapted their own forms to it. Caden watched her raptly, taking a moment to wipe the proud tears from his cheeks.

"I've of course heard her play this at home dozens of times," he commented to his companions. "But to hear it on the stage with the hall's acoustics, it's beautiful."

 

[Darragh Harper]

@Ruffano Quickwhistle

Darragh was just considering whether he should burst into rhyme to prove his credentials, when all at once there was a dogfox mincing about in front of him. He was older than Darragh, wearing the garish pinstriped trousers of a traveling salesbeast and a coat coloured a shade of burgundy that reminded the poet of old, reused curtains. Instant dislike was the stoat’s immediate reaction. Darragh's eyes narrowed, and he frowned, taking a moment to listen to his intuition. Why did he feel so hostile? If anything, should he not be grateful that this stranger was trying to help him?

Are you kidding, mate? ‘Helpful strangers’ do not just pop out of the woodwork to lend credence to your hastily construed plans. How long has this fox been following you? What does he want out of you? Who is he? You can’t trust him!

No, Darragh thought. All those were rational explanations contained in his head. What he wanted to know was why there was a boiling pit of tar in his stomach as he watched the tod gesticulate flamboyantly in front of the ministerial agents. He looked deeper inside himself, past the veneer of reason, and down into the core of his emotions.

Okay, mate. You think you can handle the real truth? You’re angry because he’s stepping over your style. You got dressed up for this. You spent what could have been an obscene amount of drinking money on this beautiful outfit. You even had a bath! And what? That hasn’t been good enough for the door-minders? Now this flouncing creature thinks he’s going to ride your coat-tails into this event. Then what? You owe him a favour? You have to kit-sit him all evening instead of mingling with poetry-loving nobles? Nobles who might want to become your artistic patron? Unacceptable.

“Oh, what a shame. I’ve been recognised in public,” Darragh said icily, balling his fists. He tapped the fox on the shoulder. “I was hopin’ to avoid usin’ my title. I like t’think I still have the common touch!”

That was when Darragh threw the first punch.

Having been confronted by two unlikable, artsy gate-crashers, the ministerial agents seemed to be in for a treat. Who said street performance art wasn’t a legitimate form of entertainment?

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna frowned as she looked after the vanished wildcat. "I don't know," she mused pensively. "In a crowd might well be the safest place right now. At least we know he wasn't here for us." She didn't want to think about what the hitbeast might actually be here to accomplish. Chances were that it would be pieced together from disparate accounts in the morning papers.

She shook her head, focusing on Ivo instead. "How's your back?" she inquired. "I'm sure we can push some chairs together to make a mostly flat surface if you need to lay down."

~~~

Mina Rose smiled as the stain vanished under her and Alwyn's combined attentions. At Finn's mumbled thanks, she brightly remarked, "Aww, don' worry about it sweetheart! Ya jus' keep the pointy end a' them kay-bobs pointin' up from now on, 'kay?" She looked to Alwyn gratefully at the invitation to find him later, her eyes tracing over the handsome todd once more with a degree of longing. There was something about the todd that set her at ease, making everything feel manageable. "I'll be seein' ya later, handsome," she remarked, shooting him a quick wink before picking up the platter of broken glass and heading back toward the kitchen.

On her way in the door, she nearly collided with one of the other servers for the event - Lily, Mina Rose thought her name was. "'Mar'kan's bleedin' corpse," the other vixen swore, barely jumping back in time to avoid a painful collision. "Watch where yer goin'!"

"Sorry, sorry," Mina Rose apologized. "Had an accident wiv' a' tray a' champagne, 'ad ta clean it up."

"So 'at's why th' maiter-dee looks like sommun piddled in 'is paws an' called ih' a golden fog," Lily mused, stepping back inside the door and letting the beleaguered vixen get to the trash bin to deposit the glass shards. "Be'er you 'an me. Reckon 'e'll be lookin' fer th' firs' excuse t' bin ya jus' like 'em glasses." Suddenly the vixen's eyes gleamed, and she remarked, "Y'know wha' migh' do ya good? Why don' ya take 'is cake t' th' minister?" She held up her tray, which had a personal-sized cake decorated with the colors of one of the flags Mina Rose had seen flying on the flagpoles outside the opera house that day. "Ih's a special gif' from th' MinoNice," she explained. "If th' minister likes ya, the maiter-dee won' dare fire ya."

Mina Rose's eyes widened at the offer. "Ya'd really do 'at fer me?"

"A' course. Now," she instructed, leading her to the door and pointing out into the crowd, "ya see tha' real fancy-lookin' fox 'ere? Nex' t' the other fox, th' orangey one."

Mina Rose's eyes scanned the crowd and landed on a fox with grayish fur, dressed in what was by far the fanciest clothes she could imagine. "Yeah, I see 'im," she confirmed.

"Grea'. Jus' bring 'im th' cake, an' stay t' make sure 'e eats it. If ya wanna tell 'im ya baked it yerself, feel free," she added. "Migh' get ya some extra credit."

Mina Rose nodded, steeling herself to approach the fox. "I'll do it," she promised. She accepted the tray, taking a deep breath and straightening her waistcoat before venturing out into the crowd.

As she got closer to the fox, who seemed to be talking with two others - one gray furred, one orange as Lily had mentioned - Mina Rose cleared her throat. "Excuse me, sir," she addressed him, working hard to improve her diction, "bu' I have a gift fer ya from th' kitchens. As thanks fer all ya do for the Imperium an' all," she added. As he turned toward her, she found her breath caught by the handsomeness of his face, a jawline that was slender and alluring. Whereas Alwyn was muscle and strong masculine energy, this todd was sleek and refined, an active, intellectual look in his eyes. Despite the contrast, she found herself admiring him with an increasing blush on her face as she offered the cake.

~~~

Daniil wished that he understood music better than he did. He knew when it was beautiful, and when it wasn't - or at least, he had a subjective idea of it. Asta's music, he'd discovered, was nearly always beautiful, and, if not quite there yet for a particular piece, was at least close enough for practice to make the difference. He smiled, unable to resist leaning slightly against Caden, their shoulders blushing as he held onto one of the plates Caden had passed him.

"Absolutely gorgeous," he confirmed, smiling contentedly as he listened to the tune. He recognized it, partly from Asta's previous performances and partly from hearing snatches of it when she practiced around the house, but Caden was correct that hearing it performed in this space brought something else to the sound, made it seem more than itself. He could almost have sworn he heard a depth to the sound his ears had never picked up on before. He glanced to the sable Matisse, checking for his reaction to see if the song would be just as appreciated.

~~~

Dusk new her husband well enough to sense that he was getting irritated with his present company and looking for an excuse to bow out. Her mind went back to so many parties where she'd distracted the beasts who Talinn found the most intolerable, buying him time to slip away. In a sense, it felt heartening to hear him doing the same now, turning to her talents for a reprieve. She'd once considered them to be a team, their skills combined making them the most dangerous and envied couple in Eastisle. Maybe we can be that again.

"Of course dear," she soothed him, stroking the side of his face briefly. "You go check on your crew, while Orina and I talk off these poor beasts' ears." Her gaze turned to the others present for the conversation, a gleam in her eyes. "You know, Afton," she remarked, "I've so enjoyed the articles you've written for the Smelt. They're always so refreshing, such a unique perspective to them. I'm quite surprised you've never sat for a proper interview with one of your reporters, though." She gestured with her glass to Aiken, remarking, "Perhaps tonight is the time to rectify that absence. 'Seize the moment, never trusting in what tomorrow may bring', as the old poets say, after all."

~~~

Sean Wicke slipped through the back hallways around the opera house, moving swiftly and silently from cover to cover, avoiding the civilians who were milling about. He'd already eliminated one of the targets he'd been given; now he was on the prowl, hunting for any others in the mix. It wasn't his usual sort of job; most of those involved far more outright and brutal violence. His client was paying well to see the job done, though, and not just in gilders. With this job complete, he might just survive long enough to see the next Beat-a-Sean Day, and hopefully survive it.

He spotted one of the beasts he'd meant to take out: a trombonist fox who was disassembling his instrument, reconfiguring the pipes and loading in a dart, likely poisoned, as he headed for the back staircase leading up to the balcony level of the stage. He didn't hear Sean until the wildcat was nearly upon him, turning at the last minute. The todd's eyes widened, and he grabbed for a dagger hidden beneath his coattails, but Sean was quicker. The cat's paws landed on a section of rope dangling from a hook nearby, the remainder of a knot that tied down a line leading up into the rafters and over a pulley, keeping suspended a large crystal chandelier. As the fox stabbed at Sean with the dagger, Sean countered with the rope, wrapping and pulling back the arm. The fox spun, trying to get free, and Sean countered by bringing the rope up instead, wrapping around the beast's throat. The fox struggled, trying to free himself, and Sean made another loop with the rope, this time around the fox's paws and neck alike, binding the former to the latter. A kick to the shin and an elbow to the stomach were enough to temporarily incapacitate the fox; then, as the todd struggled to free himself, Sean moved swiftly to the hook and, pulling with all his strength, both dragged down on the line leading to the chandelier, lifting the chandelier by a few feet, and jerked the fox to the floor. The open knot, pulled wide by Sean's paws as he grimaced and struggled against the combined weight, slipped over the fox's head as Sean forced it down, until at last it closed over the todd's throat.

Sean let go, and the fox went soaring into the air.

There was no crash of crystal hitting the stage; there was a musical clatter of crystals swinging and bouncing against each other as the chandelier descended quickly, then bounced as that descent was just as quickly arrested a dozen feet above the stage floor. Mercifully covered by the music were the sickening sounds of the fox's throat getting caught on the pulley, and the gruesome death he suffered hanging from the apex of the stage rafters. Sean lingered, maybe a beat too long; then, hefting the complicated blowpipe the would-be assassin had been in the process of assembling, he turned and started up toward the balcony level himself.

 

[Ivo Suresight]

In situations like this, Ivo preferred to be able to leave the scene at will. Staying in the crowd was not providing that and the pang of anxiety that Marianna had planted in him was now growing. Still, she also was right, the crowds were often the safest in a crisis. Unless the stampede were to happen. While Ivo was increasingly unease, his love finally broke the topic. Her apparent care both in voice and words, reinforced one thing in Ivo's head. It wasn't time to be a coward. Unlike in any past situation, he wasn't responsible for just his own well-being. They were a pair, and ought to act like one.

That made him convinced to stay here. The newfound conviction seeping into his voice. "It hurts. I think am able t' stand an' walk tho. Lyin' down, while nice, wouldn't be... too safe. 'sides, I don't wanna keep ya chained t' one place while t' whole party's happenin' 'round!"

Slowly, with a bit of support from Marianna, Ivo stood up. The pain was manageable, he just had to make sure he wouldn't exert himself again.

"Thank ye for carin', if I'll need a break, know that I'll tell ya that." He gave her a peck to the forehead and offered his paw to her. "Now, is there someplace ya wanna be? Because I have an' idea... am pretty sure there's a literary circle in one of 'em side rooms. Niceties brought all of 'em artists as they do, maybe ya wanna meet 'em?"

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii took his attention as the Minister had spotted them. Their eyes crossed for a mere second and Kaii already could see how Duke Talinn was now trying to take the leave. He fully understood his lack of love for dealing with other noblebeasts. To Kaii however this was an opportunity, public showing that he is on speaking terms, not just as an underling, with one of the most powerful beasts in the Imperium, would be a huge boon to reputation of his family name. One that for sure do much more than all of his careful work today so far.

His considerations were broken by a soft, feminine voice from behind, he took a step back and turned sideways, making sure that he isn't showing his back to Swifttail and Silvertongue, while also at least somewhat facing the vixen that came up to him. A perfect balance of respect he could offer to all sides really.

But his little act didn't distract him from her words. In fact, his muzzle sharpened as he processed them carefully while his eyes examined both the vixen and the cake.

She was looking cheerful, genuinely so at that. And Kaii could tell by the way his body reacted that she was also well-looking. Not that this fox couldn't see past such matters, there was no way to stop natural instincts but he was a master at controlling them. Then it hit him. She was the one who was being courted by the very military looking todd earlier... also Kaii was rather sure he saw Finnian next to her.

But the more important matter at paw was what she had carried. This cake was enormous, decadent, worthy of... someone far above Kaii's station. It was confusing. Why of all beasts here, would he get the dedicated cake? Only Duke Talinn could feasibly order such a thing for Kaii. Then why would he? The marble fox even considered, scraping the barrel of his courtly knowledge, that this may be a test, or a poisoning attempt. But who in this place would bother? He was nobody, safe for getting the badge for the Urk mission. But more beasts had those. And then came the final conclusion. The cake was meant for the Urk heroes. That would explain why she came to them three just as Minister Talinn was en route to them.

All of this transpired in his head within just a few short seconds. He knew he had to speak, so he did with a bit more welcoming, softer than usual tone.

"Whilst I am undeniably grateful for such gift from your paws miss and the kitchens alike, please, do understand that I have to share it. I am but one of many who served their duty and should be praised for it." He moved forward gracefully picking up the knife for the cake from the platter before turning to Swifttail and Silvertongue. "My friends, Do you wish for some cake?" He asked while already moving his paw to cut the cake efficiently into twelve equal slices. Years of doing geometry visibly showing as they were near perfectly equal. "Also, miss, there isn't that many of us here. As such, feel free to also take one, should you desire." Kaii spoke as he wanted, due to his belief in organic work, to show vixen gratitude for her efforts.

 

[Kal Goldtail]

@Liza Fairpaw @Izakis

"Oh I'm certain you 'ave no trouble finding audience. Hard to look away, to be fair." Kal raised her empty glass to a not-so-elegant toast. It's not that she didn't get what was the likely profession of fellow lizardfolk, but she was far too low nowadays to even consider seeing it as wrong. To be fair, she was more curious about the possible gossip, than anything else. "Tho' we 'ere may be not a very good audience, if coin or influence are yer goals here. Far more to be found down 'ere. Not that I'm complainin'."

She turned her attention to Liza, smiling slightly and shrugging. "Never say never." Though, that seemed too risky of a profession for someone like her, who wanted to stay possibly away from nobility. This was a weird place to be, and weird beasts to meet, but she wasn't about to complain. Won't have a chance to talk like that with music playing and crowd chatting for a long time afterwards, probably. Kal started to wonder if truly this evening will be uneventful. "Were your skills caught in the wild, to be drawn into Smudgies?"

 

[Izakis]

@Kal Goldtail @Liza Fairpaw

The skink's blue markings became slightly more cyan, such was the way she blushed when blood rushed to her coloured, softer scales. Most didn't know that and as such Izakis could easily hide that she really liked to hear kind words aimed at her, it was a rarity to hear honest praise or a good word of any sorts to her that wasn't about her looks.

However she was intrigued to hear more, especially about the Smudgies, she genuinely was a fan of them, even if she knew that she wasn't anyone in their eyes really. They had their tasks in making the world a bit of a better place. She had her own way of doing that.

Her considerations were stopped as, due to being on a catwalk where the music was a bit quieter, she audibly heard the rustling of hundreds of crystals, then followed by a thud from just below her scaly paws.

"Fuhu~" She giggled nervously. "I don't think that is a good sign when chandeliers fall... always a bad sign." She then pointed at the hanging corpse, her muzzle terrified. She turned slightly, deciding that maybe it is a time to seek safety, only to spot a grim looking wildcat. Assembling pieces of a trombone into something sinister. She grasped the shoulder of the mouse gently, guiding them to spot the cat and whispering a scared, yet decisive question. "What should we do?"

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn protested as both Alwyn and Mina assaulted his dignity. What was all the fuss for, a little food down the shirt? The foxkit kept a brave face, looking about as if he hadn't noticed what was going on. The big ol' wet patch on his shirt was twice as big as the tiny little stain that used to be on his breast. "Thank you..." he grumblehuffed, ears flattened out against his head.

Mina Rose smiled as the stain vanished under her and Alwyn's combined attentions. At Finn's mumbled thanks, she brightly remarked, "Aww, don' worry about it sweetheart! Ya jus' keep the pointy end a' them kay-bobs pointin' up from now on, 'kay?" She looked to Alwyn gratefully at the invitation to find him later, her eyes tracing over the handsome todd once more with a degree of longing. There was something about the todd that set her at ease, making everything feel manageable. "I'll be seein' ya later, handsome," she remarked, shooting him a quick wink before picking up the platter of broken glass and heading back toward the kitchen.

"Pointy end of the kebab.... feh!"

“You have to be a bit more careful with those, Finny.” He said, gently reprimanding him, before putting a paw on his forehead and scritching him a little bit between the ears. “But if you are hungry, it seems my father and mother are a little bit preoccupied. Perhaps we could go get some food for you and then listen to some music until they have extracted themselves. But first, say thank you to the nice lady, would you?"

Finn's muzzle broke into a somewhat more playful grin at the scritches, and he looked up to the older todd with a face full of mischief. He gave his tail a little flourish, completely unable to withold the taunting. "Ooooo~! Alwyn, she liiiiikes youuuu!" he jeered, elbowing his guardian in the side. Vixens carried cooties, you see -- but Alwyn (worryingly) seemed to be succumbing to them. Finn hoped that this little booster might strengthen his immunity.

Glancing about, he caught sight of Talinn and Dusk -- and on the other side of the room, Kaii, Silvie, and Swift. He cheered up seeing his old shipmates... but it seemed that right now, social interactions were out of the question. "Yeah, I'm starvin'! All this stuff is just... eat whatever you want? Like, I could just eat cake?" he asked incredulously, watching the foxes sharing a piece -- but his voice was cut short as the chandelier dropped several feet.

@Alwyn Ryalor

 

[Liza Fairpaw]

@Kal Goldtail @Izakis @Sean Wicke

Any further conversation between the trio was cut short as the chandelier dropped. Past that, however, Liza saw the body rising from the stage to be caught in the pulley, halting the progress of the chandelier before it crashed onto the performer below. The Unsmudgables on the catwalk went from sentinels to quickly moving into action. Several closed in on the dark form of the feline moving upwards towards the balcony, arrows aimed for his center of mass.

A big sea otter, the glittering sapphire on his pin indicating his rank as a Rangeblade commander, dropped from a rope hanging within the flyspace to land fifteen feet behind the tomcat.

"Stop and put your paws up where I can see 'em, cat. I've got an arrow trained on you, and four more Smudgies are ready to turn you into a pincushion on my order."

On the other side of the catwalk, Liza had already received her orders via paw signal from another commander in the heights above the stage. She glanced at the two civilians with her. Their way down was blocked by the tomcat and the Unsmudgables dealing with him. Throwing her bow over her shoulder to free her paws, the mouse pointed to the body dangling from the rafters.

"Follow me. Gotta check on the probably deadbeast up there." It would at least get the civilians away from the known potential threat. She dashed the other direction down the catwalk, glancing over her shoulder to ensure the two beasts were following her. They came to the closest point on the catwalk to the rafter the limp body hung from. The rope the fox hung from was too far to reach, and Liza did not fancy her chances at jumping to grab for it. Best to leave those kinds of acrobatics to the squirrels and martens. She looked around for any other access point. There was rigging above them that could potentially be loosened and used to swing over to the rafter, but she was nowhere near tall enough to even climb on the railing to reach it. Liza pointed above them.

"Can either of you get to that? We could use it t' get up to the rafter where he's...hangin'." Yeah, the fox was definitely dead. Necks were not supposed to bend that way.

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

The Smudgie tilted his head, his voice heavy with suspicion. “Who is this dolt?”

The MAUL agent squinted at Ruffano, unimpressed. “Ye think dat trick works on us?”

Ruffano’s grin widened as he soaked in the guards’ confusion. Yes, yes, this was going perfectly An uninvited entrance wrapped in bravado, a poetic co-conspirator by his side, and the faint scent of scandal thick in the air.

Ruffano waved a paw dismissively, as if their skepticism was nothing more than an ill-timed cough in the middle of his performance. "Oh, my dear, dear fellows… your cynicism wounds me far more than any blade could." He was already leaning toward Darragh, preparing to embellish the ruse with a shared wink and a whispered cue.

Instead, he got a shoulder tap. Ruffano turned with the smug expectation of being thanked, already drafting some quip about “rescuing young talent from the claws of bureaucracy.”

What he got instead was a fist.

It landed square on his nose with an audible thock, and the world went bright for half a heartbeat. Ruffano staggered back, one paw shooting up to cradle his muzzle. The coppery tang of blood hit his tongue.

"Youch!!!" he yelped, voice pitching up in shock. "Murkin fop of a weasel! How dare you strike me!"

His tail lashed as he instinctively brought up his paws, not in any well-practiced stance, but in the broad, inelegant guard of a beast who was hoping the next punch wouldn’t find him so squarely.

“Oi! Break it up!” the MAUL agent barked, rushing forward with surprising speed.

“None of that here!” the Smudgie added, moving in to wedge himself between the two. The pair worked in practiced, if begrudging, tandem, one pushing Ruffano back, the other holding Darragh at arm’s length.

“This ain’t the pit fights, and it sure ain’t your stage!” the MAUL agent growled, shoving Ruffano toward the edge of the steps. “Now cool your tails before you both end up in the cells.”

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail’s ears perked and his eyes went wide the moment Kaii turned the cake toward them. The rich scent and perfect slices gleamed in the light, each topped with frosting so smooth it looked like porcelain. He leaned in just a fraction, unable to help himself, taking in the details like he was seeing treasure for the first time. He’d never had anything like this before. Certainly nothing that looked so fine it could have been locked away behind glass. And here was Kaii, offering it freely.

"Gates, Kaii… I’ve never seen a cake so fancy in all me life," he murmured, the awe clear in his voice as he accepted a plate.

Staying close to Silvertongue, he let his shoulder brush the bard’s arm as he balanced the slice, the closeness still new but steadying. His paw found Silvertongue’s for a brief squeeze, a wordless reminder of their earlier promise, before his attention returned to the delicate wedge of decadence in his paw.

The fork had barely touched the surface when a sudden, jarring sound cut through the air. Above, the grand chandelier lurched, chains rattling, crystals clattering against each other in a discordant shimmer. Swifttail froze, tail halting mid-wag, ears snapping upright. His head whipped upward, every trace of that delighted glow wiped away and replaced with tight, uneasy focus.

"…'Ell's Teeth...?" he breathed, eyes locked on the shifting mass of crystal overhead.

@Kaii Nashirou
@Silvertongue Songfox

 

[Matisse Dubois]

Though it had taken him until reaching the Harbour’s shores herself to gain much appreciation for music – or indeed any of the finer joys in life – Matisse had come to consider himself rather fond of it. He listened attentively to the beast on stage as she played, finding himself swaying a little in time with the beautifully played melody. It was not one he could say he instantly recognised, but that itself was refreshing. Too often at events such as these beasts played it safe with the same pawful of songs: this would keep beasts on their paws.

It was impossible, also, to ignore the pride radiating from the albino marten as he watched his daughter play. Intrigue warred with itself: part of him pleased to sink his claws into such valuable knowledge, another wondering what such pride must itself feel like. He had long ago abandoned the thought of children, after all.

Just as the dark-furred mustelid inclined his head to offer his own praise-filled commentary there came an unpleasant noise from above; one far too familiar to his ears. Matisse tensed for an instant, eyes darting to the chandelier. His surprise was at least not faked: that could not have been sheer accident, but to what point and purpose? Was this a warning?

He was not supposed to be making himself appear too keen, too involved. For now Matisse decided to bide his time, remain as eyes and ears at the floor unless his new companions should deem otherwise. “What in…?” He looked to Caden and Daniil, prepared to follow their lead.

@Caden S. Freemont @Daniil Ryalor

 

[Cricket]

She couldn’t figure out just why this fox was being so helpful, but just when all had seemed lost for the cause and this vixen was going to have her thrown out his swift mind had found another avenue. Tempting though it was to cling to her independence lest he see this as a favour owed, she resigned to sticking close by. At worst she could always find some poor sop to cling to; quite possibly if this old beast was feeling sorry for her she could pick his brains.

“I only wanted t’ eat in peace,” the gecko muttered rebelliously, making a good show of creating pathos. “Beasts look at me funny what with ‘ow I’m a reptile, I didn’t want ‘em staring here too. No law ‘gainst eating under a table, is there?” She looked to Jeshal. “An ex-Minister would know, wouldn’t you, sir?”

@Minerva @Jeshal the Ironclaw

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

Tempting though it had been to spend her time keeping watch of her extended family and those she knew, ‘Betony’ was not being paid to stand idle. Alright, she wasn’t being paid at all but for an undisclosed favour but such a matter was trivial. She did not take her job lightly and so when the chandelier made its awkward partial descent her hackles rose immediately. She was still too new in the city to be entirely au fait with the comings and goings as she once was, but that was an ill omen if ever she saw one.

Tanya did not take such omens lightly. Not tonight, mate.

Regaining composure after a started beat, she adjusted her cloak. “I’m terribly sorry,” the brown vixen apologised with a polite bob of the head to Hali, “I think duty calls, and I should go see if my fellow Rangeblades are managing with…whatever that was. Please enjoy your evening: if you’re new and don’t know who to speak to, I hear that todd there,” she gestured to Jeshal across the room (whatever was he up to now? He was as bad as she for collecting kits), “is ex-Minister Jeshal the Ironclaw. Talks fancy but ‘e isn’t a stuffy one – might be a beast worth introducin’ yourself to. Either way I’m stationed down here most of the night so I’m sure I’ll see you again once this is sorted.” Bobbing another swift curtsey to the wolverine, Copperbrush turned and began trotting for a set of doors. The expression on the vixen’s face turned grim.

@Hali Snowhide