Major Thread Fortuna Vitrea Est

[Michel Fabron]

Michel heard the screams from behind him and dashed back to beneath the stage. He listened there for several moments, gleaning enough from the bits of conversation and exclamations he could hear to discern what was happening. Setting his lantern back down, he got to work once more, moving far more quickly than he had been. It seemed things had gone quite awry above, but even if he could not kill the Minister outright, he could at least take out whoever was on or near the stage in short order.

---

@Aiken Brudenell

Kilaris had begun, entirely unprompted, to list his most recent accomplishments to Aiken, stopping occasionally to ensure the stoat had recorded every minutiae he had uttered. And then there was a scream from the theater, and moments later a crowd rushed through the doors and into the atrium, clamoring about a body falling from the rafters. Unsmudgables closed around Kilaris, a Stealthblade relaying information to him. The rat grabbed for Aiken.

"My good reporter! Come with me! There is a situation to capitalize upon. It seems we have a mystery afoot, and I certainly would not want to be left out on my birthday."

With Unsmudgables on either side of them, the rat urged the stoat and his partner through the crowd.

 

[Kal Goldtail]

@Izakis @Liza Fairpaw

The sailor cusses that escaped Kal's mouth as the body came loose were definitely too strong for her a few years ago, now though, they seemed not enough to convey her panic. The entire operation was supposed to clear her of suspicion, and now, while with a Smudge, she dropped a damned body on the floor. While it was a team effort, and a lot of things have gone wrong, she did blame herself, and became tense extremally quickly. In effort to not be seen from downstage by accident, she quickly and quite recklessly jumped to more secluded part of the catwalk. Her companions at least, didn't seem that panicked.

"Damn I should'a never come 'ere." She muttered. "This is gonna make a stink."

 

[Jeshal the Ironclaw]

Glass delicately passed to his claw, Jeshal had clasped Finn's offered paw. Somehow the lad reminded him of Larks back when he had been young. He, too, however was curious and suspicious about his newly revealed connection to Alwyn. Jeshal didn't know how to feel about the Ryalors' firstborn, considering he was technically Alwyn's uncle and perhaps should demand the same instincts as Mina. Yet, Mina had been kept out of the Ryalor influence, and she looked so much like his wife that she was easier to accept as family.

It was when he was on the verge of whipping up a new fanciful tale about his gauntlet for Cricket that the authoritative vixen returned to question the youngsters and attempt to secure his responsibility over the gecko. Before his initial answer could be given, something fell past his vision over on the stage and made a disconcerting thud. A commotion ensued of several shrieking and fleeing beasts. A brief glance to the deceased assured him it was not Tanya, and so it was easy enough for the chaos-thriving todd to remain calm.

"I think ye be having far more pressing matters ter attend to," Jeshal replied to Minerva, whether she would be listening or not at this point considering the situation. "It be mentioning nothing of an immersive corpse rain experience on me ticket."

@FinnianBrightfur @Cricket @Minerva ​

 

[Ivo Suresight]

'Iva' tugged Marianna closer, protectively putting her tail around her dear vixen. The words she heard made her gloomy to say the least. As such, while she had her doubts to do so before, the decision was made, one that she hoped would at least somewhat bring Marianna some respite. Iva knew she had to do this considering it was her story that caused such strong reaction.

"If that will help, as soon as that beast will no longer be of any use to me, I will give me proofs to Justices anyway." Iva assured her and nuzzled her snout, not exactly caring for any glances around them. "I will hear your story, but you can be sure I have no love for slavers too. Even without harsh experiences."

@Marianna Furotazzi

 

[Marie "Whisper" Deftclaw]

Thanks to the genuine and firm presence of the older beast, Whisper collected themselves just enough to speak again. "H-he..." They had to stop and think despite scrambled thoughts rushing in each direction. Nicolaus... what was unique about their brother? It wasn't easy question to answer, not because he wasn't in any way special, but more because Whisper really had not that amazing of a grasp on what other beasts were like, even the ones that were their own family. Such was a life of a loner, but in this case, it was a serious problem.

Whisper did remember one thing though, and they put up their paw to show the only ring they wore. In a circle made of green glass, there were a small claws, represented by small silver shards and scratch marks engraved into the glass and laced with gold. "T-this i-i-is my fa-fa-family i-i-in-ins-s-s-ignia!" The little fox had finally managed in their high, kit-like voice. "N-N-Nicolaus ha-has a br-brooch lik-like tha..."

Whisper stopped speaking, seeing as the pine marten reached for the sword. That was it, beasts weren't kind as in the stories. Reality was brutal and Whisper was sure that was the end, that they will be murdered right now. Freezing on the spot, they collapsed to the floor, again curling into fetal position.

@Caden S. Freemont

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

The tom wasn’t fool enough to consider her offer, and Tanya couldn’t fault him; he was clearly a seasoned professional in the business. Likewise, he was intent on leaving neither witness nor obstacle. Everything screamed at the fox to run (for combat was always best done from the advantage of stealth), but she could not leave this to chance. Should she get out of this in one piece Dusk and Orina were going to get an earful about the security detail tonight. Who in ‘Gates had even sent this one?!

When the feline made for the candlestick mount professional appreciation warred with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Oh he was creative. Wonderful: after all these years she was going to die by candlestick holder. Quick as promised? Perhaps, but lacking the dignity she had always imagined for her own final blaze of glory.

The sturdy iron did not immediately give as he had expected, however: it was the only opening she was likely to get. At once the disguised vixen made her move, one paw coming to the clasp at her throat as the other moved for her dagger. Nimble movements were somewhat hindered by the additional height blocks in her boots and so Tanya made the actions as economical as possible: she darted forward, unclasping the cloak and tossing it forwards over the wildcat’s head to try and entangle him as, in the same gesture, she struck out with the dagger towards his ribs.

@Sean Wicke

 

[Minerva]

Minerva turned sharply at the sound of something falling. The situation was deteriorating and to be frank, she would much more prefer going to see what was going on. It wasn't in her orders however, as much as it hurt her, all matters like that were to be solved by the agents. She was only here to guard the crowds from direct assault and make sure no funny business is happening.

So she shook her head and instead focused on the fox, the kit and the hatchling. At first quickly responding to the fox. "Not my duty, the agents deal with those." She then turned to Finnian. "Kit, whatever you did, I am not after that. Good you see your mistakes and what harm you did." She added taking a look at the fox who was this kit guardian, considering calling them over but they did look similar enough to assume they were related. Also they did wear matching clothes which further helped in this assumption.

Thus the last matter was with the lizard. Minerva just wanted to be over with them really, hearing them muttering Minerva considered that in fact, she would be very much the same. But no child would grow disciplined without learning respect for the rules that defined the survival.

"If you care for my work, just do as ask so I can let you go. Jeshal, you take full responsibility for this child, you can go." She exclaimed coldly. "She can't be your daughter, you would give her better clothes. Why you care for her?" Minerva added, wanting to get to the root of this.

And at that moment she did notice two guards that stood by the fox Minerva thought to be Finnian's father. They were now frantically searching for someone, getting closer and closer to her.

@Jeshal the Ironclaw @Cricket @FinnianBrightfur

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail’s ears angled forward at Talinn’s words, the faintest shade of pink still lingering under his cheek fur from the Duke’s sly jab. He managed a nervous but genuine smile and dipped his head.
“Aye, sir. We’d insist on ye bein’ there, an’ we’d always cherish yer input!”

Rising, he gave Silvertongue’s paw a firm squeeze before offering to help him up, a flicker of pride still dancing in his eyes. Turning to Kaii, that pride bloomed brighter.
“Between meself an’ Kaii, I think Silvie an’ I are goin’ t’be just fine an’ dandy.”

The words had barely left his muzzle when the sickening thump shook the air. Gasps and shrieks tore through the hall as the corpse struck the stage, the sound of bones against wood ringing with a sickening, wet crack. Swifttail’s tail lashed violently behind him, the earlier warmth of his former captain's approval vanishing in a heartbeat.

“Great seasons!” he yelped, instinctively tugging Silvertongue close and stepping back toward Kaii and Mina Rose. His eyes darted wildly between the chaos of fleeing beasts, the chandelier still swaying above, and the sudden arrival of another imposing figure at Talinn’s side. Two ministers, a corpse on stage, and panic breaking like a tide all around them.

“Mates! What’s happenin’!?” His voice cracked with raw anxiety, ears pinned tight as he searched the faces of his companions for answers.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Talinn gave the vixen an appreciative look as he took the slice of cake on the plate and waited patiently for the announcement he knew was already coming, though secretly, he hungered to dig in to the tasty confection. He had not had time to eat most of the day, and was starving. Still, he must remain suitably regal, both to accept the feelings of the Songfox, Fairpaws, and the decorum that would be expected by the heir of House Nashirou. He heard the declaration, and pretended to think it over deeply, though he already knew what his answer would be. He even tapped his right paw on the wheelchair’s arm as if in thought. Then, he nodded once, firmly.

“The path which you and Mr. Fairpaws wish to walk will be a hard one to walk in the light of day in the Imperium, but I suspect that to the two of you have considered and accepted that burden. Fortunately for the both of you, the culture of the province whose cake you eat has always been more open on such matters, and the Empress has therefore been more accommodating of such relationships than her predecessors in the name of peaceful integration and due to her kind nature.”

He paused, then looked at the two of them, then Kaii.

“Very well, I grant them my kago. Ganbatte kudasai, the both of you. Gentlebeast Nashirou can give you a further explanation of those terms, given our shared heritage.”

He carefully sliced a piece of the cake off, and skewered it with it his fork. Glancing up with a smile between sardonic and amused, he looked directly at Swifftail as he spoke.

“Please take good care of my former Aide, Mr. Fairpaws, and if your relationship proceeds to the point where you wish to make your mate your mate, please invite this former mate of yours to the ceremony. I can suggest quite a few that might be appropriate, and venues as well."

A light reprimand, and not quite so subtle, but Fairpaws would have to learn, and swiftly, the appropriate social graces now that he and Silvertongue had chosen the more difficult path, especially for beasts who had not yet earned their own noble titles, though he suspected Kaii would soon offer his vows of allegiance to him, and then have Silvertongue and Swift swear to his own, thus extending them some formal and perhaps much more importantly informal protection. After all, if Kaii chose to do so, then any insult made against him, would be an insult against the throne of Westisle due to his vassalage, and if he protected Silvertongue and Swifttail, by extension any insult to them would be an insult to Kaii. The Imperium was not as harsh on dandy relationships things as many lands were, but there were still many who were not exactly fans of such even behind closed doors, let alone openly. Thus, anything to smooth the wheels, such as remembering proper decorum at all times, would help them.

He stoppped to carefully cut a slice of the blue and gold cake, and skewered it with his fork. He was about to take a bite of it, when he stopped to watch the server literally start tossing pieces of shattered cake into her mouth, made worse by the fact that it had been on the floor. A certain look crossed his face, and he coughed, rather loudly.

"My apologies, I did not ask this fair maiden's young name. If I could have the pleasure, Ms...or....Mrs....?"

@Mina Rose Brewer @Silvertongue Songfox @SwifttailTheFox @Kaii Nashirou.

Silvertongue barely registered the fact that Talinn had given his approval. His nerves were completely fried. It was Swifttail who pulled him back to reality. "Cap'n, I'm glad that you accept us as we are. It means a lot coming from you, sir-"

The sound of the body slamming into the stage startled Silvertongue severely. His head jerked over to the sound of the disturbance.

He stepped in front of Swifttail, pulling his lute from his pack and wielding it by the neck, the cherished instrument now a deadly weapon in his paws- despite how comical it may seem to any beasts observing him.

"Swiftie, we need to get someplace safe. Something's going on here." He looked around for any signs of danger, his tail swishing about irately.

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil didn't recognize the squirrel who came up to the guards, but she seemed to be in charge and have some idea what was going on, two attributes that Daniil definitely lacked. He focused his attention on Asta, weighing her request against the danger of the moment. "We can," he allowed, "but he went backstage to investigate, and it seems like there's some sort of commotion there, maybe even danger. Caden would be very upset at both of us if we walked into harm's way. If you want to go," he promised, squeezing her paw, "then I'll go with you. I swear, I won't leave you alone. Maybe, though, we should find someplace quiet and out of the way to wait for him instead?"

~~~

Marianna felt a surge of relief as Iva laid out clear terms for seeing that his informant received justice (and that Justice received his informant). She could certainly accept making use of the beast first, so long as it wasn't at any other beast's expense. "Thank you," she murmured quietly, nuzzling against her gently. "It means the world to me, that you take me seriously. I promise to try to do the same for you when you have qualms or desires that conflict with our business. I'm not well-practiced at it, but I'll keep trying to get better."

~~~

Sean's vision was obscured by the fabric at the most inopportune time, giving the other assassin opportunity to stab at his side. Layers of fabric only did so much to cushion the blow, and he felt a searing pain as the dagger pierced his flesh and fur. Relying on memory, he ducked back and behind the curtains into one of the boxes, tearing the cloak free off his head with the benefit of a moment's interruption. Shifting the improvised hook to his off paw, he seized one of the box seats by its back and, heaving it with one paw, tossed it through the curtains toward the last known position of the vixen.

~~~

Dusk winced at the chaos inspired by the body hitting the auditorium stage. I am definitely not paying that wildcat any bonuses. "Just a part of the performance," she stated, trying to keep her voice calm. "It's one of Kilaris's new experimental productions. From what I understand, he saw one of those new 'Absurdist' shows while traveling and was inspired. As close as I can understand it, the less it makes sense, the more artistic it's considered to be." It was a blatant lie, but she needed to do something to contain the chaos and give Tanya a chance to complete the mission. If Kilaris spooked and fled, this whole plan would be for naught.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Words of the Duke weren't too surprising to Kaii, he was glad vastly that, for a beast called traitor and one that may have put paw to the death of his parents and sacking all the wealth of the dynasty, Talinn Ryalor was decent to his subordinates. It was not the first time he had to consider this conundrum. The Duke was representing betrayal and absolutism, while also knowing the code a lot of nobles coming from Fyador and what was now Westisle adhered too. The Duke wasn't harsh to Kaii nor to the beasts around him and was respectful of their needs and quirks alike, he also did help Kaii to take the first step towards the restoration of his family's name. Overall, the marble fox had very positive opinion about his benefactor, considering his past. But it was past that was veiled in secrets, that was the main reason Kaii wasn't affected by it too much, he didn't want to base his opinions on speculations.

Before he could give his thanks for the blessing Duke gave to his friends, Kaii spotted another beast coming closer. Even before she spoke, he knew that was Talinn's wife. Recognising Minster of Misanthropy wasn't a difficult task considering her unique presence. Quickly he moved to show appropriate reverence with a bow. In doing so, the waitress introduced herself, making Kaii's eyes follow to take a look at her.

And something very odd connected within the mind of his.

Mina Rosa Brewer, she was... very alike Duchess Dusk Rainblade in looks. Younger, but safe for that? Almost the exact copy. It was weird, such things did happen between unrelated beasts rarely, but to have two such beasts in one place at one time? The probability was extremally low. It didn't mean impossible, and while Kaii had not much experience in games of intrigue, he was sure it had something to do with it.

The words of the Duchess herself didn't impress the young Nashirou. Such crass joke wasn't the problem really, speaking it in front of this vixen, adding even that she was not worthy of their son? That was cruel and Kaii knew already that Duchess Dusk would not be a beast whose presence he would cherish. Thus he ended his bow, a bit too early for sure and instead finally spoke, addressing the Duke respectfully just before Swifttail and Silvertongue could. "Thank you Your Grace, I am pleased you share the values of our ancestral culture. This humble Gentlebeast also greets you Duchess. I am pleased to make you acquaintance.”

Then while his friends were sharing their thanks to the Duke he decided to attend to the humiliated Mina, she already had her mishap and Kaii wished to show her some respect she deserved, offering her a soft smile. "Miss Mina, right? Again, pleasure to meet you." He than lowered his voice to make impossible to hear to anyone but them. "And don't take the words you've heard to yourself. High nobility tends to care too much for pedigree..." Swift's voice mentioning him brought him back to the main conversation, just about as the sudden thud of the body falling onto the stage snapped Kaii's instincts to act.

Just like Silvertongue moved to protect Swifttail, since Kaii knew the Duke and the Duchess had entire personal army around in the crowd, be it agents or soldiers, He decided to move to protect the one beast unaccounted for. He produced a short rod from inner pocket of his jacket. It was unscrewed telescopic pole from his glaive. Within a moment, he expanded and locked it, forming a metal quarterstaff in his paws. He stood there, securing the waitress vixen and the flank of his friends alike, intensely looking around, making sure no danger was coming to them.

And, seeing the massive commotion around the scene and many guards and agents moving to it, assured him that the danger was not coming here, he thus turned to the others, noticing how cool the Duchess was. Again, she was of Misanthropy, possibly she knew exactly what was going on. He didn't like this game of secrets but he decided to side with the ones in control. He spoke to the other two Todds and the vixen by his side.

"I think that this whole 'performance', as the Duchess called it, is at least not going to bring any intentional harm to us. I believe it would be for the best however if we were to at least move a bit further away from the scene. No need to risk collateral damage." Kaii voice was stoic, wary. He was ready to fight to protect the ones around him. More importantly, he was increasingly displeased with the whole place and the never ending cycle of intrigues among the influential ones.

@Mina Rose Brewer @Dusk Rainblade @Talinn Ryalor @SwifttailTheFox @Silvertongue Songfox

 

[Ivo Suresight]

While there was one thing, Iva decided not to break the moment. The request wasn’t light, and well, there was a whole conversation that was required for it. Iva, thanks to Marianna, was learning a lot about how to do a relationship, at least with her. And using emotional moments for serious matters wasn’t really fair to Iva, outside of the work that is… albeit that wasn’t so clear too.

“When something like that comes to me mind, I’ll let you know. For now, be sure I do care for your needs. Always.” It wasn’t something Iva let Marianna know for the first time. The festival that happened recently being the best example of the Iva’s care for Marianna. Still, for the two souls that were broken, such declarations were important and it was good to remind other side of them. Iva for sure needed it, and assuming that Marianna did too wasn’t too far fetched.

After a longer moment of snuggling, Iva gestured to the nearby waiter. Mostly because of the scent of fruit and pastries combined. The waiter didn’t seem concerned with serving two openly loving femmes, or at least he had enough tact to not mention it, instead just letting them pick from the platter.

Iva without hesitation wanted to take her favourite, raspberry tart topped with sweet cherries. Firstly however, she wished to get one for Marianna. She pondered really hard for a moment, what could be her vixen’s favourite? Not raspberries for sure. She finally settled on trying with the one tart adorned with many slices of orange. Giving it to her before taking one raspberry treat too.

With a smile, she gently tapped her tart with the one in Iva’s paw. “If you can, let’s try to focus on the party still. I don’t want to see you upset today anymore.”

 

[Calaisee Lewyre]

Calaisee Lewyre

@Lily Lesse

Calaisee hadn’t gone far yet. Firebombs - glass bottles fit with rags and filled with surplus clingfire - had been stashed in a supply closet, and she made a point to hand them out now, making sure many of the Vulpinist beasts under her oversight could take at least one before heading out to their positions. The strike was to be soon, and she knew from veterans of the Imperium’s many wars that fire was the most terrible weapon of all.

The bottles looked enough like wine, the vulpine militants filing out like servers about to prepare a next course for beasts at a banquet. Calaisee, now clad in a cloak not fitting for the environment, but well-suited to concealing the weapons she would use, made to carry two of them, besides her knives.

Lily’s voice surprised her, bounding through the kitchen and to where she was stocking up for the attack. She came back with some weight to her step, stowing her weapons away as she walked.

The first thing she saw was the unfortunate maitre d’. The stoat gawked at her and at Lily, out of uniform and ready to fight, already beyond disbelief and well into fear. That was good. She thought him to be a petty tyrant, such that his kind often were when in positions of power, lording over the vulpine staff like he was a better beast. This could be a learning experience for him.

Ignoring Lily for the moment, she seized the beast by his white coat, brutally bashing his face with the pommel of her dagger, until he fell to the kitchen floor, unconscious. Wiping the blood from her weapon, the vixen returned it to a sheath in her cloak, and finally turned to give Lily the attention she’d requested of her.

“Ya, Lily? What’s the matter? Wasn’t that beast, was it?”

~~~

Vihmastaja Rhoodie

@Morgan Liu

Vihma had barely gotten a good look at the marten she thought was Asta when the scene devolved into disorder. She hadn’t the time to speak up or ask what was going on before Morgan had pushed her against the wall, safely away from the mass of beasts who fled the auditorium in a panic.

Oh, she was confused. It wasn’t really clear what was happening around her, between the low-hanging chandelier and the shock of the crowd, but as the weasel let herself be handled by the stronger ferret, she found it didn’t really matter to her that she knew or understood.

She breathed a laugh… or that was what she thought it was, when Morgan made her little joke. Vihma’s tail thrashed the wall behind her, her paws around the ferret by instinct, even as she pulled away. Her face felt hot under her fur, but she was free from care.

“Was wonderin’ – when ye’d be the one t’make the first move, or if that wasn’t yer thing.”

~~~

Aiken Brudenell & Adelyn Ufrey

@Orina Emberkin

Aiken didn’t have the highest opinion of the Minister of Niceties. Kilaris was ultimately his boss – his employer, the source of his income, of whatever prestige his profession gave him – and so there was a level of decorum to present, beyond merely what was polite to offer a beast in good standing, and on his birthday, no less.

Still, this was the beast who – be it through his own will or the weakness of his will – had seen the new regime’s wave of censorship and repression be brought down on the Imperium. There wasn’t a lot to respect there, even as he smiled and asked away about the tipsily rat’s life and ambitions.

That was until the crowd gasped and screamed, some of their number running for the exits. Quick as he could, Aiken pocketed his notes and ran after the Minister, following the beast as he made for deeper into the atrium, the epicenter of the disruption. Adelyn followed shortly behind, trying not to lose her mate or the minister in the rush of beasts.

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's eyes widened as the strange vixen approached, putting a paw on the other minister's shoulder. Her appearance... it was strikingly similar to Tanya Keltoi, the vixen who had rescued Mina from both the Tookumberry Keys and the deep depression into which she'd sunk in the wake of her life both metaphorically and literally burning down. Could this possibly be Tanya's sister? It took her but a moment to connect the dots with some of the things she'd heard about the family. Tanya had a sister, Dusk, who was a minister of something, and she was married to Talinn, another minister of something. If this was that Dusk, then that would mean this was her aunt and uncle! Actual living family!

And then Dusk tore Mina Rose's soul to shreds as casually as if she'd brushed aside a cobweb.

The joke at her expense, the one about her own uncle chasing after her, had her choking on a piece of cake for a moment as it went down the wrong windpipe. By the time it cleared, Dusk had made a comment about 'doing better for Alwyn' as well. Is Alwyn their son? If so, then that would make him...

She felt a moment's queasiness, though she traced it more to the outright dismissal that her aunt showed to the idea of her being a possible match for him. Cousins marrying wasn't unheard of in the Tookumberry Keys; in fact, unless you travelled off the island, it was often hard for most to find an eligible match who wasn't a cousin of some sort. What hurt was the outright contempt for Mina Rose in her aunt's voice, an instant assessment of the vixen as not worth her time.

She turned away, trying to hide the tears coming to her eyes, and found herself being comforted almost immediately by that handsome todd again, the one she'd mistaken for a minister. His paws on her, sheltering her from harsh words and threatening acts alike, filled her with a warmth she hadn't expected. She found herself peeking up at him, eyes wide, wondering if those sparkles around his face were a trick of the light or of the mind. "Thank ya," she whispered, her tone hushed.

Tha-thump.

~~~

Marianna accepted the orange tart, her eyes lighting up. "How did you know oranges were my favorite?" she asked rhetorically. She gladly toasted with the pastry, a small chip of sugary glaze breaking free and drifting to the marble floor below. "Thank you, Iva," she told her partner quietly. "Thank you for taking me out of my own head when I need it the most. It's a nice change, having someone who cares around."

~~~

Lily spotted the group of vulpinists gathering and hurried to join them, one of the firebombs that Calaisee had promised tucked under her arm. She pushed her way through to Calaisee, lowering her voice. "I foun' th' pois'ner," she informed her leader, her tone urgent. "He was in th' pantry, dead. Stabbed in th' neck, I'd say. Cal, wha'f summon knows 'bou' th' plan? 'Is coul' be 'n ambush - and ya know any'ne coul' be a snitch." Misanthropy had made many attempts to seed spies throughout the vulpinist movement over the years, trying just as hard to flip others into informants for their own ends. It had left the entire movement paranoid about infiltration, sometimes to the detriment of cohesion.

~~~

Morgan actually blushed before she found the gumption to put on a cocky grin, her paws slinking around Vihma's waist. "Well, I didn' wancha thinkin' I only liked ya fer yer body," she remarked, trying to play it cool even as the pink on her cheeks showed just how tickled she was by the comment. "'Course, migh' wanna find time b'fore we ship out again; gonna be a lot harder ta ta get privacy on a ship 'an in 'n apartment."

She glanced up at the room, surveying it with a frown. "Huh. Well, maybe 'ey'll fix wha'ever's wrong wiv' th' chandelier an' start back up again. Ooh," she spotted a table nearby with an unopened bottle of wine left on it, "score! C'mon, let's 'ave a glass or two b'fore 'ey come back."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Iva for their part just flashed a grin and played into the role. “I suppose I got me some of that feminine intuition.” She broke into a small giggle before continuing. “It is refreshing to be cared for and care for someone else than myself.” She gave a small peck to Marianna before taking a good bite into her tart, tail and ear wriggling, adding to audible purr of enjoyment.

“Heh, sorry.” Iva said with slight embarrassment. “Raspberries make me feel this weird joy, on top of tasting good.” Another bite was followed with the very same reaction. Then the two vixens eyes met. “I’m feeling mischievous now… Since I’m now, well, effeminate, maybe you would have some idea how we can have some fun? Two vixens let loose in such crowd surely can cause some chaos.” It was followed with a roguish gleam in Iva’s eyes and gentle tug of her tail that now pulled Marianna a bit closer.

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

A silent curse rattled through Tanya’s mind as the wildcat ducked into the boxes, for she was not inclined to follow. The potential for making their fight public was one matter she did not relish; worse yet was the potential to be thrown over the side. At her age and slight stature, it was a possibility she did not want to offer the stronger assassin.

In her hesitation she did not move fast enough to avoid the chair which came crashing through the curtains without warning. Taken off guard, the disguised vixen uttered a bark of alarm as the furniture crashed into her, tasting blood in her mouth where her jaw had snapped shut on contact with a chair leg.

By instinct she rolled to the left to try and recover her senses, scrabbling in haste to hack at and break that same leg free from the chair. It would do to deal with that blasted hook. Eyes wide and ears pricked, she remained on guard for a follow-up, hoping at least that he would be coaxed back into the corridor. If she could get the hook out of his paws that would leave room for the dagger again; failing that, if she had the strength left, there was the garotte.

@Sean Wicke

 

[Matisse Dubois]

The place was in pandemonium: all this over one dead body. Had these beasts never walked the streets of Bully Harbour? Honestly. Skirting the auditorium amidst the chaos on his slow progress towards Dusk, Matisse filled the time by collecting his weapons.

Off-duty as he had been it would not have done to wander the space fully armed with swords such as his, and so the sable had taken to stashing them for insurance. It was probably overkill to grab for them now, but it was often better safe than sorry in such instances, and he did not relish facing any irate beasts with only a dagger these days.

Disappearing briefly from easy view, the handsome sable returned with the hoked swords back where they belonged. He deigned to loiter, expression caught somewhere between amusement and bafflement as he watched proceedings unfold.

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn was about to agree with his cousin, and if necessary, carry Asta himself to the safety of his formation if his cousin did not have the strength to do so, when a black squirrel-the vice Minister of Niceties-appeared and bid him to come with her. It took all his willpower not to tell her to bugger off-she was not his superior officer-and secure Asta, Daniil, and Finn, as all his instincts were screaming at him to do. After all, Niceties, along with MAUL, had been the one to let this near disaster happen, and, if his suspicions were correct, they were not nearly out of the woods yet. But a part of him, much as he hated it, was of his parents, and the beast was the Vice Minister of Niceties. Uneasy, he decided to give her a few brief moments as he glanced back over at Daniil, in deep hushed conversation with Asta.

“Daniil,” he called out abruptly “I need to attend to something with the Vice Minister for a few moments. Keep an eye out, protect her, and remember, do not go anywhere alone with a charge. I should not be long.”

Turning back to the squirrel, his voice lowered and more than a tinge irritated despite his efforts so suppress his frustration, he replied.

“I can give you a few moments while my cousin calms down his charge, but after that, I need to see both of them to safety.

He inclined his head towards the fox’s broken corpse as the two of them approached it.

“Things seem pretty Kitsune-damned clear to me, unless my Mother or Minister Kilaris have taken to a much more grisly form of entertainment as of late. Even if that were the case, this is not her style, although I suppose you would know more about our esteemed host this evening than I would.”

He took a few, deep breaths to calm himself down, returning towards a more cold, analytical attitude.

“But I suppose I could be wrong. What is going on here?”

-------------------------------------------

Oscar and Theo made their way through the crowd, searching for the temporarily lost foxkit, red feathered plumes visible amongst the mass of beasts. It did not, thankfully, take them much time to spot a short, fiery ball of fur in fancy near the refreshments table, and both of them breathed a sync sigh of relief. They knew, of course, it was unlikely he could have gotten far or hurt himself at such an event, but to see it confirmed did much to relieve their anxiety. Pushing aside the beasts of the crowd and telling them to make way, they soon arrived at the table.

Just as the audible gasp of the audience could be heard, and both Guardsbeasts instinctively turned, poleaxes lowered. In addition to the chandelier wobbling from earlier, it appeared a fox-or-what was once a fox, had crashed down onto the stage-even worse, next to their Lieutenant and Daniil. Both of them glanced at each other, knowing time was tight. Alwyn would definitely take his cousin and return to the formation as soon as possible, and would most likely begin to secure VIPs and try to make for an exit or a much more secure, safe room. They had to get Finnian, and soon.

Hurrying up to the table, they gave a respectful nod towards an older todd with one paw seemingly made of metal, a small, weird, lizard-looking...thing...and a younger, female arctic fox who seemed to be unusually hard and well-built for a vixen. Oscar, spotting their charge, knelt down and smiled at him.

“Finnian, there you are, time to get back to the formation, though we can carry some of the food and sweets for you. There has been something of a disturbance, and we need to make sure that you are safe. Be a good lad and come with us until we make sure everything is all right, would you? If you do, maybe we can let you see some of our larger swords at the barracks later, maybe even hold them, once the Lieutenant has finished his business.”

The older stoat gave a reassuring wink to the young kit.

Hopefully this bribery works, he’s a good lad, but I can see he is out of his element here, and truth be told, I have no idea what the Lieutenant wants with him here, other than to be safe. Still, orders are orders.

@FinnianBrightfur @Minerva @Cricket @Jeshal the Ironclaw

 

[Orina Emberkin]

@Alwyn Ryalor @Daniil Ryalor @Aiken Brudenell @Marie "Whisper" Deftclaw

Orina heard out the young Lieutenant as they approached the corpse. She squatted beside the body, taking hold of the head and turning it. "Messy," she muttered. Hooking a claw in the dead fox's collar, the squirrel pulled it back to reveal a tattoo at the base of his neck. She made an irritated noise in her throat and shook her head, standing.

"Your mother hired a hitbeast to kill assassins who were targeting your father tonight." Orina prodded the dead fox with her footpaw. "Vulpine Supremacists, by the looks of it. Unfortunately, it seems whoever she hired is not keen on discretion."

Some of the beasts still in the theater were beginning to approach with macabre curiosity. They parted as Kilaris and his small retinue pushed through.

The rat let out a theatrical gasp, paw to his chest as he stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. "How utterly gruesome!" he cried out. "And it simply fell from above?"

Orina rubbed at her temple, unable to completely hide her annoyance at the appearance of the Minister. "It appears this was an assassin, your grace," she said flatly. "Foiled from his attempt on the Minister of Innovation. We'll have the body removed and do a complete security sweep of the building. We should cancel any remaining festivities for the safety of our guests."

"Nonsense!" Afton crowed, squaring his shoulders. He grabbed Aiken by the shoulder and pulled him forward. "See? This is a story, my good reporter. I certainly would not want to eclipse my own accomplishments and celebration with such focus on wanton death. But what is bravery, that in the face of assassins, to look them in the eye and tell them they shall not stop us from living our lives to the fullest. The party shall continue!"

She knew the rat well enough to know he would only dig in further if opposed, and so she pressed back to guarantee the continuation of the celebration and his eventual demise. "Minister, does it not seem ill-advised to--"

"Vice Minister Emberkin," Kilaris snapped. "You have heard my directive. Have the body removed. I will personally make an announcement to my esteemed guests. Excuse me."

The rat gave the body a wide berth as he strode resolutely towards the golden plinth upon the stage.

In the chair beside Daniil, Asta managed to push herself to her footpaws. She tore her gaze away from the body and looked up at him, taking a deep breath. "Okay. Maybe just somewhere away from...from..." Hey eyes slid back to the dead fox on the stage, and she shuddered.

---

Caden looked down in distressed confusion as the little fox crumpled to the floor beside him. "What--?" With the number of beasts milling about in the atrium, half of them nearly in a panic, Whisper would be trampled in moments. Doing the only thing he could think to do, Caden scooped them up in his arms as though they were a kit.

"Hey, Whisper, it's alright. I've got you. I'm not going to hurt you."

A growing sense of urgency tugged him towards the theater doors. He was afraid to deposit the fox somewhere, given their current state of distress, so he held them against him and walked into the theater, speaking as calmly as he could manage despite his heart thudding in his chest. "I just have to check on something. If you want to get down, let me know. But I have family in here I need to check on, and I don't want to leave you on the floor, either, where you could get hurt."

Weaving around the crowd still in the theater, he spotted Daniil and Asta near the stage. Alwyn was on stage with a squirrel, a rat Caden suspected was the Minister of Niceties based on his attire, and a familiar stoat alongside various Smudgies. Just as Caden arrived at Daniil's side, the Minister began to walk across the stage.

Caden called out to the Lieutenant, "Alwyn! We should get everybeast away from the stage. I'm not sure, but remember what you told me, the message from your father?" He pointed at the stage with his free paw, the other still holding Whisper. "It's starting to make sense now."

---

@Kal Goldtail @Izakis

Liza accepted the skink's help back onto the catwalk. She gave Kal a wave when the fox returned. "We tried, mates. At least 'e didn't land on anybeast, eh?"

Two other Unsmudgables approached, a stoat and a rat. "Liza! We've got a problem."

"Oh, I know, I'm really sorry, it just kinda slipped, an'--"

The stoat cut her off. "There's a big cat who just took out a bunch of our beasts up here, and there's chaos down in the theater. We've got orders to go find the cat." He seemed to notice Izakis and Kal for the first time. "Who're they?"

"Uhh, friends?"

The stoat shrugged. "Whatever. Get them down backstage and grab Jen and Tivvy while you're there. Take the back way up to the boxes. We think he went up there."

As the stoat and rat jogged off, Liza slung her bow over her shoulders and addressed Kal and Izakis. "Well, you heard the beast. It's time to head down, eh?"

 

[Marie "Whisper" Deftclaw]

Whisper couldn't do more than just tremble. The message in their head was muddied by the fear. Instead of any reasonable thought, Whisper was assured they are getting kidnapped. No words, no acts, nothing could change it.

Why didn't Whisper even try to fight or do anything then? Simply because they knew it was all for naught. It wasn't just fear paralysis, it was also hopelessness.

And in part a wicked feeling that maybe if that is just their future, they have to accept it, after all, they were by each merit not a beast that should be alive. Why should they bother with perceiving oneself as a beast worthy of things that living ones had?

Such dark thoughts warped their mind, all while Caden was genuinely heroically protecting them. But in the end, they held. The little fox held onto Caden. Only because they just didn't want to die alone.

And while he spoke to another fox, unknown to Whisper, from a distance they were spotted. A todd, much more in shape and one clearly affluent was now passing through the crowd, trying to get to the scene. Causing a bit of a ruckus in the process. They were however relentless only stopping when the guards made them.

@Caden S. Freemont @Alwyn Ryalor