Rainbow Of Memories (Old VI Thread)

[Jeshal the Ironclaw]

(Set when Tanya Keltoi was captain of the Golden Hide. Jeshal's second day on the ship. Other characters involved: Valdrisk and Aille as kits; Xhavek Mokorai; Anithias & Julia Freedom; Armina Rogue; Sverin;Tyazel; Rynn; Handers; Gabriel; Shadow. Tox is put on mock trial for painting her crew pretty colours)

RAINBOW OF MEMORIES

First post Macabre 24, Yr. 1728, 2:04 pm



Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
The night was getting older: early winter darkness had already come and cast its velvet cloak over the harbour long ago.

At the prow of the ship, happily oblivious to the chill and the time, sat two little children on their mother's lap. It was their first proper shipboard lesson tonight, specifically navigation, and they were excelling in their Captain and parent's eyes as she gave them a final refresher.

"So we both know our way aroun' the skies then?"

"Yeah mum!"

"Show me the Dog Star then."

Aille obligingly lifted her paw and pointed. Smirking, Tox nodded and patted her gently. "Awight Vald, where be Betelgeux?"

Again, a little paw wavered against the starlit backdrop and rest on another point of light. "Righ' there."

"I must say 'm impressed with you two." Tox grinned, "Yer both picked it up much faster than I ever did when I started, then again I was a stubborn ol' boot of a learner. Ye musta got it from yer dad."

The giggles and smiles as they thought of their clueless mother swiftly trailed off at the mention of their father. After an uncomfortably long pause in which Tox wished she had never mentioned him, a wavering voice broke the stillness.

"I miss dad..."

Instinctively Tox drew the pair of kits close to her, managing with a mother's ease to embrace them both at once. They clung to her warm fur to derive comfort just as she held them dearly to keep herself strong infront of them. A little bit of him still lived in them, and the consolation was always enough to keep her from total misery. They needed to be loved.

"Hey now, shhh, remember what I said about dad?"

"Y-yeah mu'.."

"Well?"

"Dad's up wiff th' Norf star..."

"...'An he's allus goin't ter be therre t' 'elp us 'ome."

"Aye, an' he always will be, so jus' think: he's there with th' stars, shinin' out an' lightin yer way for y', so he ain't really gone away, he's jus' a little further, tha's all...."

The words had a soothing effect on the little trio that sat in the cold; the innocent affirmation spoken by her kits helped to solidify Tanya's own crumbling existence without her husband, and her apparently confident words managed to ease the loneliness of the children he had left behind. They stayed and watched the stars for some time, resting together in silent calm until eventually Tox gave the children a hug again.

"Alright, time fer you two t' get off ta bed – you should have been asleep hours ago!"

This had the desired effect – both kits squirmed and sprang to life in their mother's arms, managing to slip from her grasp and stand before the cross-legged Captain pleadingly.

"Muuuuum!"

"Do we 'ave to? Pleaseeee can we stay f'r jus' a liddle bit mooore?"

"Non-negotiable... Well, I don't suppose..." The children's eyes followed her paw as it rest at a pocket on her hip, before it shifted back with a playful gleam in the emerald eyes, "Nah, you'd be too young for it."

"Wha' mum?"

"Oh please, whatizzit?"

"Yeah, we's old 'nough an', an'..."

"Alright then, let's see what ol' missus luck has to say."

In her paw appeared a coin. The kits shrieked with excitement as their mother explained the game.

"Heads, you get yer tails off ta bed, tails, an I have to let you stay up."

"Ooooh, Okay!!"

The coin flipped. Tanya's smug smile became incredulous as the twins screamed their joy. "Alright, same terms an' again, you can stay up even later."

Once more the coin flipped and the vixen stared slackjawed at the tails side of the guilder.

Aille decided to push her luck. "Can we try somefin diffrent?"

"What would you like to wager, then?"

It was Valdrisk who came up with a reply, clapping his paws delightedly at the prospect. "Whattif you gots to do summat really naughty!"

"Really naughty? Like?"

"Paint the fur o' the uvvers all pretty colours!"

"Hmmm... Alright, but only if you go to bed straightaway and be good. If I get heads, you have to go early every night."

It was high stakes they were playing for, but the kits eventually agreed.

Another flip. Another adult groan and childish whoop as the kits tore off for bed. Smirking on her own, Tanya rolled the double-sided coin between her fingers and began to formulate the plan.

----

Dyes had been 'procured' from Kiptooth's little inventory in the Infirmary; rosters had been scratched and everybeast was allowed to get a long night's sleep, and sleeping drugs were added by the little Captain to the drinks as soon as Sorrona had approved them as clean. Tanya grinned as she lurked in her cabin with several bowls full of water and little boxes of powder-come morning time, her crew would put a new meaning to the term 'colourful'.


Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek was usually an early riser despite his nightly drinking sessions. However for some reason he overslept and what he woke up to would forever be the bane of his crew life. A gull squawked loudly just outside and the small Aide jerked awake.

"Huh? Whazzat? "

He peered around blearily and stood up from behind his desk and yawned as his muscles twinged from his odd sleeping position. He had fallen asleep at the desk as he sometimes did when the workload kept him glued to it. His back popped and he scratched the back of his scaly head. It was going to be another long day. Then he happened to get a glimpse of his reflection in his window.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!"

He stood there and screamed in horror. HE WAS PINK! WHY!?! WHY WOULD ANYBEAST DO THIS!?! He began to pace worriedly. He couldn't let the crew see himself like this, he would be a laughingstock! And not only that how could he concentrate when he knew every other snigger would be directed to him! Wait...

Someone did this on purpose. Some stupid beast had decided on making him look like a fool. They probably hoped that he would storm out of his office in a rage and start roaring at beasts and what not. Well he wasn't playing by that game. He hunkered down and got right back to where he left off. Sleeping. little did he know that there was supposed to be an officer's meeting today.


Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom/Armina Rogue
Anithias groaned as the sounds of morning hit him; the squawking of the Missertross gulls, the gentle lapping of the mini-tide against the hull, Falun stirring sleepily in his crib. Opening his eyes blearily, Anithias saw a black-furred being sleeping next to him.

The bleariness left him at once. Anithias, close to panic at finding himself in bed with a stranger, kept still, examining the black-coated female – he could tell that much – to see if he could identify her. His first thought: Oh 'Gates, please tell me this isn't Armina! His second thought: Wait, I don't recognize this vixen. Oh dear 'Gates, please tell me I didn't go out for a drink and pick someone up. But no – he was in his cabin, meaning that something was wrong. By all accounts Julia should be here. If he'd picked up a vixen, Julia would have found him by now, and he'd be still be sleeping with a knife in his ribcage.

The vixen stirred slightly, letting out the sleepy purr that Anithias heard every morning. Anithias blinked, the truth dawning on him – this was Julia. "Julia?" He whispered, just to make sure.

The vixen stirred further, turning her head to look at Anithias. "Yes, 'Nithy?" she murmured sleepily. Her eyes blinked open, then widened. Scrambling back, she let out a scream, coincidentally at the same time as Xhavek. The resulting cacophony immediately woke everybeast on the ship who wasn't still under from the effects of the spiked grog from the previous night.

Anithias held up his paws, trying to reassure his wife. "Julia, it's okay, it's me! I know your fur is –"

"My fur!?! YOUR FUR!!!" Julia said, panicking. For the first time Anithias noticed that the paws he'd held up to reassure her with were...

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

"ARMINA!!!!"

Armina woke instantly, instinctively reaching out with her right paw to steady herself on her perch in the rigging. Only to be greeted by a sharp pain, and the realization that she wasn't in the rigging, as she usually slept, but in her bunk. Immediately she remembered her broken arm and the party of the night before. She groaned slightly. She must have been pretty drunk to have slept in so late. Drunk. That was strange. Anithias would have undoubtedly had a fit if he'd caught her drinking.

Armina reached for the post of her bed with her left paw, preparing to pull herself up, only to suddenly freeze. Her arm was green. Armina quickly checked the rest of her body. Yes, her fur was suddenly green. Someone must have dyed her fur green while she was sleeping, though whoever it was had mercifully kept away from certain areas.

"ARMINA, WHERE THE 'GATES ARE YOU????"

Armina quickly sat up and opened the door of her cubbyhole, as the crewbeasts called the makeshift rooms sometimes erected with spare wood, to see, marching down the corridor...

Anithias stopped a meter away from his door, waving his paw at his bare chest. "Blue," he said angrily, his paws bunched into fists. "Is this some sort of sick joke?"

Armina didn't answer immediately, gawking instead at her ex-godfather's sudden change of fur color. A black vixen walked softly up behind Anithias, putting a paw on his upper arm soothingly. With a shock, Armina realized this was Julia. "I- I- who-" Armina spluttered in shock. She unconsciously ran a paw over her own face, which was likely just as green as Anithias' was blue.

Anithias seemed to notice for the first time Armina's fur color. "Oh, clever," he said scathingly. "Paint your own fur so no one can blame you. Nice try, but no one's fooled."

"Bu- bu- WHAT?" Armina said angrily. The unjustness of it all seemed all too apparent to Armina. "Oh, right," she said sarcastically. "I see. I picked the lock of your cabin, painted your fur, snuck back to my own bunk, painted MY fur, and managed it all with one paw – my left."

"I don't know how you did it," Anithias said angrily, "but I know you did it. I'm bringing this before the officers. I'll have you discharged for this! Where's Xhavek?"

Anithias marched back to the officer's cabins, knocking angrily on Xhavek's door. "Xhavek! Military tribunal immediately! We're having Armina discharged." He shot Armina an angry glare.

Sverin/Tyazel
Sverin woke up. Not an easy task for this wolf, but he still did it. He opened the door to his cabin, and met sunlight. He closed the door again and saw a very strange thing. Tyazel was bright yellow. Sverin shook him. He slowly woke up, but got shocked immediately.

"Sverin!!! You're red!"

"What?" answered the wolf.

"You're red!"

"Come on, Tyazel, wake up! Does your fur change colors? Now you're as golden as THIS SHIP! AAAAHHH!!! I'M RED! BLOOD! I'm DYING!!! AAAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahaha! It's just paint! HAHAHA!!! Wait... Who did this?"

"Probobly Xhavek. Let's go get him back!" answered the beast with the golden hide.

"Ok Xhavek, here I come!!!"


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Roused by the din that was erupting all over the Hide, one of the newer recruits to the ship yawned and uncurled from his sleeping place behind a beam in the hold. He had not yet taken the time to ask where it was best to sleep, not being sure which "cubby-holes" were spare. Not that he would have cared normally about ownership, but as yet he thought it best not to cause upset so soon. At least not after yesterday's foolishness in front of the captain.

Growling to himself at the memory, Jeshal got to his feet, his iron paw scraping off the boards. Absently he blew a strange powder from its surface but did not question it. He padded over to a small barrel, in which he had gathered some rainwater, with the intention of freshening his face. He flinched at the continuing shrieks from other crewbeasts, wondering grumpily what all the hoo-hah was.

He froze, his muzzle dipped towards the barrel's contents, ripples twinkling with natural mirth. Unable to restrain the kit-like whine that he emitted in the face of his reflection, he followed it up with a snarl.

"...PURPLE!?"

Jeshal lashed out at the barrel, spilling the water across the floor. He soon realised this was not to his advantage.

"Bad plan...bad plan!"

His paws scrabbled at the fleeing liquid, made all the more difficult by only having one of any use for the task. With his one soakable forepaw, he patted at his face. To no avail. The substance would not come off with normal water.

Enraged, he blundered off in search of answers.

Rynn
"...PURPLE!?"

"No..." she murmured as she held her tail in her paws in bewilderment, "'tis magenta.."

Rynn stood up from her bunk, dumbfounded, then sat back down again. "Who in gates..?" Her fur was an unnatural pinkish red color, and aside from that it wasn't coming off from her rubbing it or combing. Despite herself, she found it somewhat amusing, and a slim smirk plastered itself on her face. The she-cat wondered if this had anything to do with the other night's failed attempt at seasoned potatoes. "They 'ad turned into an un'oly mush hadn't they?" She mused.

Never mind that! Even if somebeast had a strange sense of humor, she needed to remove the dye before the meeting Xhavek had mentioned earlier. The feline desperately hoped the captain wouldn't see her like this. That would be embarrassing. She rose up heading toward the place near the galley where they kept the casks of water. She rushed herself over, not bothering to clean herself up nor change the baggy tunic she slept in, for fear of any other crewmembers seeing her. The magenta wildcat wasn't paying attention, and could only partially see clearly as she shuffled over to the water, because of the headfur that flopped itself over left eye. To her shock she recognized the magenta tint on the ends of her dark auburn bangs. "Why...?!" she sputtered aloud, only viewing the headfur in her face.

She hardly noticed when she collided with the todd. Tripping over her own feet after the surprise of her own fur and now the blur of his own odd shade confused her further as she stumbled.

"Well," she muttered scanning her eyes over the newbeast "...It is purple."

Jeshal the Ironclaw
Caught completely off guard, Jeshal had slammed into the oncoming wildcat and was now staggering to keep his balance, which his manufactured claws caught with the aid of a wall.

"Well....It is purple."

Annoyed and confused, he snapped, "Watch where yore goin', y' clumsy fool –" and broke off when the realization struck him that he was not alone in his problem. It seemed that it wasn't simply because he was new that he'd been pranked. The shouts across the ship were starting to make sense.

"Yore a funny colour too. Woss 'appened? We got madbeasts on this ship?"

Anithias Freedom
Anithias noticed Rynn and a new fox, Jeshal-something, collide outside the cook's cabin. Anithias stared at them in shock: the fox was now purple, of all colors, and Rynn was magenta. Anithias turned to stare accusingly at Armina, but she seemed just as shocked as he was. The youngster gave the First Mate a bewildered look, as if to say Your guess is as good as mine.

Jeshal seemed quite steamed by his new coloring – not that Anithias could blame him. The First Mate was not partial to his own sky-blue fur either. Julia was cradling Falun in her arms, who was now painted with the blue fur of his father and the black headfur of his mother, as if to mock his original coloring. The kit seemed delighted with everyone's change of colors; he was happily clapping his hands, as if applauding an orchestra performing some great symphony of color.

"Yore a funny colour too. Woss 'appened? We got madbeasts on this ship?"

Anithias was seriously beginning to reconsider Armina's role in this spectacle, but as she was the only beast on the ship who would pull this kind of stunt, he wasn't going to cross her out yet. "Here's your madbeast, Jeshal," Anithias said, pointing at the green vixen. "I have a reasonable suspicion that she's behind this mess."


Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek listened carefully to the ruckus outside his door. So, everybeast had gone through a color change. Well at least Xhavek wasn't the only one. And maybe he could show his face after all. However a sudden thought hit the monitor. He could get the culprit's scent right in his own office! Eagerly he slid his tongue out and began to search for a trace of a scent that should not be there and...found none.

The only beasts who had been in his room were there and none extra. The Captain's and her kits smells were there. She had given dispatches to the monitor yesterday and the kits had been with her so that eliminated them. Anithias' was there, but the First Mate had come to tell Xhavek something but the lizard forgot what. (The meeting of course! XD) And the last was his own which was always there. And Armina's was not present and therefore she could not have done it. Grinning to himself he pulled on his gloves and stopped.

Whoever had done this had seen his scars! Eyes widening in horror, the small monitor shivered. If the knowledge of those got out beasts would start asking questions, something he REALLY did not need. Shoving his fear and apprehension to a dark corner of his mind he looked at this logically. If the beast who had done this opened his or her mouth he would be able to find them. And there were only two beasts who could have known besides the two he had shown. The Captain and First Mate. Grinning to himself at figuring out the possible culprits, Xhavek finished dressing and with not a little amount of trepidation pulled his door slowly open. And laughed.

He couldn't help it and neither would any other beast if they were able to look at this from and observer's point of view. Anithias was a bright sky-blue, Julia a deep jet black, while their kit Falun had black headfur and blue everywhere else. Armina was a garish green while Rynn was a reddish pink, what was it exactly? Magenta! and Jeshal was amazingly enough an ugly purple. Then the lizard looked down at himself and now that he was seeing how funny everyone else looked he couldn't help but realize that this was probably just a childish prank meant to amuse and not to harm. Wiping a merry tear from his eye, Xhavek strode over bold as brass and put both claws on Anithias' blue shoulders.

"Mine friend relax! It iz a harmlezz prnak! I myzelf zeem to be a victim of it. Bezidez your anger towardz Armina iz pointlezz, for if she had done it her zcent vould have been in mine offize and zinze it vaz not she could not have painted me zis horrid color. In fact I have a feeling zat ze Captain knowz zomething about zis. Zeeing az how she could be ze only other culprit. Letz go azk her yez?"

Now that he was over his initial reaction Xhavek could see the mischievous genius of such a trick. Very clever, spiking the grog and painting the crew. Maybe they could all join paws and sing happy children's songs while they were painted up like the rainbow. At this Xhavek barely stifled another chortle.


Anithias Freedom/Armina Rogue
The aide's cabin door opened, and Anithias' jaw dropped – Xhavek was pink. To his credit, he didn't laugh, though Armina had no such qualms – the teen immediately started asphyxiating with laughter, the same time that Xhavek started laughing at the strange crew assembled outside his cabin. Once their laughter had died down, Xhavek wiped a tear of laughter from his eye and put his claws on Anithias' shoulders.

Mine friend relax! It iz a harmlezz prank! i myzelf zeem to be a victim of it. Bezidez your anger towardz Armina iz pointlezz, for if she had done it her zcent vould have been in mine offize and zinze it vaz not she could not have painted me zis horrid color. In fact I have a feeling zat ze Captain knowz zomething about zis. Zeeing az how she could be ze only other culprit. Letz go azk her yez?"

Anithias stared at Xhavek in shock, his brain whirling. Suddenly it all made sense – the impromptu party the night before, the free grog that the captain had personally passed out, the drowsy feeling as he and Julia had climbed into bed...

Anithias smiled mischievously. "I think it's time we go on a little captain hunt. Xhavek, Rynn, Jeshal – search for Vald and Aille. If I know Tox, they'll be in on it. They'll either be in Tox's cabin or hiding – if they're hiding, just listen for giggles. If you find Tox, hold her down for a while until we can figure out what to do with her."

Sverin/Tyazel/Handers
Sverin and Tyazel stormed out of the cabin. "Xhavek! What did you dooo... Waaaait. N'vermind. You wouldn't paint yourself, would you? I guess not. Well? Who did this?"

* * *

Handers woke up to shouting and laughing. Something was going on. He got up and rolled out of bed. Then he noticed an arm. A pink one. "Whaaamphf!" hollered Handers. It was his arm! He shook his head and looked again. Still pink. He tried to scratch whatever was on his arm, but then he noticed a BLUE arm. He was painted in half! He looked in the reflection of the window. He looked pretty good half-blue and half-pink!

He opened the cabin door. "Hello, all you one-colors!" He looked at all the different colors of beasts. "If we were to line up in rainbow order, where would I go?"


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Having watched the accusations become tossed about the area, Jeshal was standing with a baffled twitch of the snout at the colourful array of beasts surrounding him. Ever since Xhavek had strode in with an eerily cheerful gait and implicated this might have been the captain's doing, the rookie fox was struck numb for being angry.

He countered this faltering of character by glaring shrewdly at anyone who glanced in his direction.

Nearby a door opened and there came a hollering from a two-toned opossum.

"Hello, all you one-colors! If we were to line up in rainbow order, where would I go?"

Folding his arms and leaning against the wall of the narrow corridor, Jeshal grinned wolf- er - foxily.

"Well we could chop yer in 'alf an' you could 'ave the best o' both worlds."

Rynn
Still clutching at the small throw around her shoulders, Rynn blinked. This was the captain’s doing? She could hardly believe it, but then again she could. Captain Tox wasn't beyond playing pranks on her crew, in fact, as good as a captain as she was, most likely she felt like a good jest once in a while was healthy. And she apparently wasn't the only one who thought so upon hearing Anithias's comment.

"I think it's time we go on a little captain hunt. Xhavek, Rynn, Jeshal – search for Vald and Aille. If I know Tox, they'll be in on it. They'll either be in Tox's cabin or hiding – if they're hiding, just listen for giggles. If you find Tox, hold her down for a while until we can figure out what to do with her."

She was ready to reply when a few more surprised, and off-colored crewbeasts appeared. One in particular was a shocking mix of blue and pink. He popped his voice up "Hello, all you one-colors! If we were to line up in rainbow order, where would I go?"

"...eh?" Rynn murmured just before the copper fox with the strange paw, casually leaned against the wall.

"Well we could chop yer in 'alf an' you could 'ave the best o' both worlds."

The usual smirk flashed back on Rynns muzzle. "Funny, I was thinkin' th'same thing." She chuckled, then shook her head, shuffling the disheveled headfur out of her eyes, "As, f'the two kits... I'm sure I can get them t'talk as soon as I get m'paws on th'candied chestnuts I've left in the galley. Let's make it quick, though..." She looked down at her own clothing, a loose fitting light colored tunic and a pair of "shorts" also loose. "It's a bit chilly."

Jeshal the Ironclaw
Although he was partially reluctant to seek out the kits he may have near frightened with his awkward behaviour the previous day, Jeshal was beginning to feel the pieces of a plot falling into place in his patchwork mind. It was potentially dastardly, wicked even, and it overrode his embarrassment of being so new to the ship.

Looking to the golden fox, whom he had quickly learned was the second-in-command, he nodded.

"Aye, I like yore thinkin'. No point in us traipsin' all the decks fer a guilty Cap'n what's most likely hidin' an' snickerin' 'er face off. Let's git oursel's over ter that cabin. Only one thin' easier than takin' sweets from a kit, an' that's givin' sweets to the little bandits."

With that said, he pushed himself through the corridor and headed off in the direction of the captain's quarters.


Gabriel
The scuffle and screams fell on deaf ears as Gabriel slept on through the cacophony. Snoring peacefully, the todd stirred as somebeast ran into his bunk and consequently ran off, clenching a battered knee. Squinting his eye as he slowly awoke, Gabe sat up slowly and glanced around at the technicolored beasties filling his vision with a look of slight contentment.

Wow... I must be still feeling those mushrooms...

Getting to his feet, the fox made his way through the crowd to the upper deck, smiling sleepily as he waved a hand before his face, which was oddly enough quite white.

Well this was worth the gilders, for sure.

Chuckling quietly at the vibrant colors around him, Gabriel realized he'd forgot to don his pants before heading on deck. Arching an eyebrow, he attempted to visualize a pair of baggy pantaloons, nice yellow and pink ones to accentuate his pretty white fur. The todd shrugged as his attempts failed, looking around at the faces and forgetting the absence of clothing.

Making his way randomly about the ship, Gabe wondered what color Tox would be as he looked around with a sleepy smile on his face.


Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek nodded with a merry grin at Anithias. Little Falun had the best of both worlds for he was a double color. Poor Julia, she's probably furious about this. Chuckling with glee, the monitor followed Jeshal towards Tox's cabin.

Knowing the little ones they would be giggling so hard that they're tails would be little puffs that out-sized the rest of them by the time the search party found them.

"Heh puff-ball kitz zat'd be a zight."

Xhavek couldn't repress the gales of laughter that shook him at the thought of there being more fluff than fox when he found Vald and Aille.

"Puffy likkle demonz... Hahahahahahahaahaha!"


Armina Rogue
Tox, as might have been suspected, had installed a very competent lock on her cabin door to avoid break-ins. Thankfully the door was unlocked, perhaps as a sign of fair play by the captain.

Armina carefully opened the cabin door, a palette of colors following her in. "Vald? Aille?" she called softly. A tiny snout peaked out from behind Tox's desk for a second before withdrawing with a giggle. Smiling, Armina moved a little to the left, trying to peek behind the desk. A light scampering of paws answered her movement as Vald and Aille crawled beneath their mother's desk.

Armina smiled, enjoying the little game. "Why don't you two come out?" she suggested gently. A chorus of giggles answered her.

"Nah goin' to!" Vald called out playfully.

Armina sighed theatrically, motioning for Jeshal and Rynn to bring forth the bait. "Well then, I guess we'll just have to eat these candied chestnuts all by ourselves, then!"

This had the desired effect. There was another scrambling of paws, and two snouts poked out from behind the desk, eyes glittering. "Ches'nuts?" Aille asked hopefully. The twins started for the sweets, but the adults quickly withdrew their paws, causing the twins to retreat to the desk. "First, you need to tell us where your mummy is," Armina warned.

Vald and Aille seemed to think about this. "Mum said nah t' tell anyone where she was..." said Vald hesitantly. As if to prompt them, Armina took a chestnut from Rynn's paw, popping it into her mouth with a satisfied "mmm." This was enough to change the twins' minds – both immediately dashed from their hiding spot, grabbing chestnuts from the adults' paws before they could hide it again. Apparently the lure of chestnuts was just too great. Armina wondered if interrogators had ever attempted to coerce their subjects with sweets.

Aille laughed happily, popping another chestnut in her mouth. "Mum said she wuz goin' ter hide in a sneaky place!" Both kits giggled at this.

Armina frowned at this. "Go on."

The kits giggled again. "She wuz goin' ter hide in th' hold, bu' we arn't tellin' where!" Vald burst out. Both kits toppled backwards with laughing.

Armina stood up, satisfied. "Alright, you two can have the rest of the chestnuts. Everyone, search the hold!" Armina said, marching out. The hold would take a while to search, that was certain – you could hide a platoon amid all the boxes and crates. Armina smiled grimly. They would really have to repay Tox for this one.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Now well beyond relief that it was nigh every beast that had been painted nose to tail, Jeshal grinned all the while the young vixen engaged in negotiations with the kits. He was also vaguely aware that the peculiar shade of green painting her fur, whilst giving the impression of some slippery seabeast, was causing him to actually notice another female besides the one haunting his thoughts. Granted Armina was perhaps a few too seasons young, she was beautiful enough to throw him into yet more confusion over exactly why it was he was aboard this ship in the first place. Was it really as simple as revenge?

He was shocked into attention the moment she barked out the command:

"Everyone, search the hold!"

Jeshal glanced merely once at Rynn before whirling about as fast as his paws would spin and bolted in the direction of the hold.


Armina Rogue
(Auto permitted by Tox)

The hold proved to be a more difficult searching ground than anticipated. After having searched down the dark aisles repeatedly, the group was now carefully crawling over stacks of boxes, looking for a master of concealment.

Armina carefully clawed her way over a particularly large and unstable box before freezing at the top. Something large and brown was huddled in a dip in the sea of boxes. The quiet scrape of metal on wood drifted to Armina's ears.

"Griss?" she asked uncertainly. She had heard of the mad old rat before, but never met him. Griss turned swiftly, looking at her with wide, maniac eyes. Suddenly something hard hit Armina on the top of the skull, causing her to topple into Griss' ditch with an "oomph". Getting up and rubbing her head, Armina looked angrily at Griss, who was cackling and chanting wildly.

"Pretty colors, pretty colors, everybeast the pretty colors! But where the painter, hmm? WHAAHHAAAAAAA!" He let out another ear-splitting cackle.

"Griss, where's Tanya?" Armina asked determinedly.

Griss seemed delighted by the question. "Where's Tanya? Where's Tanya? Tanya here, Tanya there, Tanya everywhere but where you look!" He let out another cackle.

"Griss, I really don't have the patience for this."

"Then you don't have patience for searching either."

"Which is why I'm bloody asking you where Tanya is!!!!"

Griss cackled. "Sparrow walks on ground seeking worm, doesn't realize it's under him."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Deftly Griss whipped a long stick from some hidden place, carved with many looping designs that made Armina's head hurt to look at them. Deftly he pushed on the box that Armina had been climbing, the one that had been unstable. With a startled yell the box toppled into the aisle, landing with loud grumbling. "...great bloody rat! What did yer tip th' box over for!?!?!"

Yup. They'd found Tox.

"Everyone! We've found her!" Armina called.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Cursing at his ill luck for not having found the captain first, Jeshal hurried in the direction of Armina's shouts. When he arrived he wrinkled his nose at the rat past its sell-by-date before engaging in the matter at paw.

Standing beside the golden fox, he folded his paws and peered down at the beast that had purpled him.

"I commend yer, miss. Question is, what do we do with 'er now?"

His bistre eyes glinted maliciously, exacerbated by a playful grin.


Armina Rogue/Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
(Auto permitted by Jeshal)
Armina grinned as Jeshal came running up the aisle, stopping before the large box. He peered at it inquisitively.

"I commend yer, miss. Question is, what do we do with 'er now?"

Up the other end of the aisle Anithias came running, Julia and Falun close behind. The blue fox looked at the box with a combination of satisfaction and resignation. "Good work, Armina. As for your question, Jeshal, we're going to hold a trial to decide what to do with her. But for now, we'll get the lid off."

The two males pulled the lid off of the box, allowing one much-ruffled captain to tumble out. Anithias smiled down at the captain, recalling a game from his kithood.

"Tag, you're it, Tox."


Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
As the heavy old crate rolled down and clattered to the waterlogged floor, the ragged little fox made not a sound as she tumbled out awkwardly amongst a packing of untarred ropes and shredded canvas, sprawled at the paws of the multi-coloured beasts who were to form her judge, jury and executioner. After a lengthy pause the fox grinned; if it hadn't been for the fact that she seemed to be perfectly enjoying herself, the less-stable-than-usual gleam in her eyes, singsong voice and tilt of the head may have been cause for some concern.

"Well 'ello there Crew..." A beat, she scratched her ragged half-ear and shifted to a sitting position, "I must say yer all look stunnin' – very fetchin' looks fer you all! However, I must say that I am disappointed in yer all – Are you assumin' that dear ol' Tox is goin' ter go all quiet-like?"


The defiant shine in the crazy emerald eyes sparkled too late. Without warning the scrawny young Captain shot up on her footpaws, squirmed between the shoulders of Anithias and Jeshal, the rest of the dyed crew behind, and sprinted for the stairway.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
The copper fox could feel the rush of exhilaration that coursed suddenly through his blood. To tell the truth, he had played very few proper games as a kit and to have to hunt down a beast without the intention of causing at least some pain was something of a novelty for Jeshal.

His jaw hanging open as the little vixen evaded both he and the first mate, it was a split-second before his calculating brain kicked in. He glanced about at the items strewn about the hold. The ropes were too long and heavy, most of the sheets too vast to lift even with the help of another beast. His questing paws snatched up a sizeable sack of grapeshot. Dumping the contents as swiftly as he could, he was off and running after Tanya, the sack clutched like a butterfly net.

Only larger. This butterfly was, after all, a unique breed.


Gabriel
Having heard something to do with the hull or somesuch, the oblivious todd shrugged and left off imagining a new coat to head for the hold and hopefully more disturbingly entertaining sights. Pausing at the stairway to the lower decks, Gabriel thought he'd heard a few voices, possibly even Tanya's.

"...I must say that I am disappointed in yer all – Are you assumin' that dear ol' Tox is goin' ter go all quiet-like?"

Grinning like an idiot, the bare-naked fox entered the stairway just in time to see the Captain running directly for him. Slightly concerned at the boringly normal Tox, Gabe opened his mouth to speak, body completely blocking Tanya's escape, "Uh... why haven't you brightened up in the slightest?”


Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
Scrambling nimbly over boxes and vaulting those she could not easily climb, the little Last Quartermaster found herself steadily gaining ground over the crew who gave such determined chase. Springing over a final boundary of boxes and closing the final few feet to the stairway, the diminutive Captain began considering the merits of performing a proper 'disappearing act' as she bulleted up the stairs-

Nearly running slap-bang into a very sturdy, very underdressed, familiar fox.

Initially, Tanya was stunned; pushing backwards from his chest out of instinct, the scruffy vixen let her wild eyes flick over the todd with such rapidity that it didn't even seem possible that she had taken it all in. She staggered down a step or so, her voice somewhere between hysterical laughter and horror.

"Ha! 'Ave a little dignity, Gabe; we gots children aboard this vessel!" she shrieked, twisting artfully on the stairs before the grips on her boots gave out to the water-soaked old stairs. She temporarily lost her balance before skidding and tumbling back down the stairs, a flash of copper and gold fur whirling in her vision as her captors were brought ever nearer.


Gabriel
Slightly startled by the sudden flurry of activity, Gabriel was beginning to worry that the happenings weren't a figment of his imagination...

"Ha! 'Ave a little dignity, Gabe; we gots children aboard this vessel!"

Shaking his head quickly, the todd froze as he realized what he was doing, or what he wasn't doing...

O gates...

Whipping around in a frenzy, Gabe sprinted for his bunk like a madbeast, bleached fur glinting with a noticeably reddish tint.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Jeshal skidded to a halt at the foot of the stairs and made an expression of sneering bafflement at the sight of Gabriel turning tail and speeding off in his birthday suit.

Quick to recover, he became aware of the slender frame of his Captain bouncing down the steps towards him and Anithias. Gripping tightly to the lip of the great sack he held, he flourished it over his head and leapt at the bowling vixen, bringing the sack down over what he hoped would be her ears,

"Oh nay ye don't, Cap'n!"


Anithias Freedom/Armina Rogue
Anithias and Armina had given chase as well, Armina halfheartedly. Truthfully, she was somewhat impressed with the captain's trick; in fact, if the captain had asked her, she would have gladly assisted. Still, she hadn't had this kind of fun since... well, ever, unfortunately. Orphanages were not particularly places of fun and games, nor the streets of Summerdock.

The duo skidded to a halt at the foot of the stairs just in time to see a fox at the top of the stairs streak off. Unfortunately, it was a literal streak. Thankfully, the view was blocked out by a rapidly falling Tanya. Jeshal immediately jumped on the vixen, pulling the sackcloth over her.

"Oh nay ye don't, Cap'n!"

Anithias immediately leaped in to help secure the sack, all the while reciting naval charges.

"Captain Rainblade-Ryalor of the -oof- Golden Hide, I, First Mate Freedom -ow- initiate charges of misuse of ship supplies, heinous... -grr- crimes against the crew, and irresponsible use of colouring products, to be tried before the crew and officers of your vessel."


Shadow
Shadow had of course been sitting up on deck minding her own business and playing with Taylein when her keen ears had picked up a rumpus clattering below her. She had watched as people charged about the deck looking for the Captain. They were all peculiar colourings. Shadow looked down at herself and then at Taylein. Well they were of normal colouring. The albino's mind put two and two together. Crew painted strange colours and the culprit would be... Tox. The oldest crewmember knew this almost instantly and smirked to herself.

The albino had tried to ignore it till she had heard the familiar voice of the First Mate drift up.

"Which is why I'm bloody asking you where Tanya is!!!!"

The femme rolled her eyes and got down from her perch gracefully bringing her little bundle of fluff with her. She set the kit on her hip and proceeded across the deck and down the stairs just to see a rather crazed looking vixen fall back down them and end up with a sack over her head.

"Captain Rainblade-Ryalor of the -oof- Golden Hide, I, First Mate Freedom -ow- initiate charges of misuse of ship supplies, heinous... -grr- crimes against the crew, and irresponsible use of colouring products, to be tried before the crew and officers of your vessel."

Shadow snorted. "Heinous crimes against the crew? Really now Anithias that's taking things a little far. The dye’s easy to remove if you have the right items and the knowhow."

She removed the sack containing the vixen from Anithias which was no easy task as the todd bared his teeth at her and clung on. She pulled Tox back up so she was upright against her and said in a low tone of voice to her. "You've really gone and done it now haven't you Tanya."

"I will take Tox to her cabin and stay there with her. If any of you wish to follow that is of course your right as her badly planned out joke's victims." With that said she proceeded to lift Tox up and trap her against her body before starting up the stairs.


Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
The sack efficiently ensnared the vixen above the waist, trapping her head and arms efficiently beneath Anithias' greater muscle as she squirmed and writhed for an escape, the claustrophobic sensation refusing to give out to claws or teeth as she bit and scratched at the heavy material to no avail. She listened to the charges almost idly, slowing down enough now lest she injure her First Mate as, without warning, the pressure vanished and the cloth was pulled from her head. A blur of copper and gold went by her eyes again before a wall of white and red made the crazy expression freeze.

"I coulda done worse: made it permanent or coloured you a nice bright orange," she panted quietly as her ragged ears swivelled back to the amassing crew that sloshed about below the staircase. Green eyes flicked between Anithias and Shadow as she spoke.

"Act'ally, I made some slight modifications ter Kip's dye – if you want to ever get it out, then you'll need the right mixture from me. Go ask the lazy-tail marten hisself; he won' know what I used an' it'll take him all day to find an' make a removal – I can sort all of the crew out in an hour or less iffen they promise not to decide on nothin' too cruel to do to their lovely ol' Cap'n."

The unhinged smile became a little more defiant. Metal-capped teeth bared in a grin that was both mocking and challenging at the albino who held her.

"Now...I don' want to 'ave to bite yer, but if you insist on trying to break my spine, I'll 'ave ter resort to drastic measures." Her expression softened a little and she winked. "Let 'em have their fun lil' trial – you can be my defence, eh?"


Anithias Freedom
Anithias grabbed at the sack as Shadow tried to rip it from his paws, allowing a snarl to cross his face. Of course, he wasn't actually all that angry with the captain; truthfully, he thought it was a rather ingenious prank. Still, he'd at least see her dyed something really horrid for this. Maybe puce. He'd always hated puce.

"Heinous crimes against the crew? Really now Anithias that's taking things a little far. The dye’s easy to remove if you have the right items and the knowhow."

She pulled the sack from Anithias' paws, yanking the diminutive fox to stand up beside her. She muttered something aside to Tanya, probably telling her off.

Shadow turned back to the crew, announcing, "I will take Tox to her cabin and stay there with her. If any of you wish to follow that is of course your right as her badly planned out joke's victims."

She began to drag Tanya up the stairs, and Tox looked back at her crew. "I coulda done worse: made it permanent or coloured you a nice bright orange," she mentioned as she was dragged up the stairs. She paused on the stairs before adding, "Act'ally, I made some slight modifications ter Kip's dye – if you want to ever get it out, then you'll need the right mixture from me. Go ask the lazy-tail marten hisself; he won' know what I used an' it'll take him all day to find an' make a removal – I can sort all of the crew out in an hour or less iffen they promise not to decide on nothin' too cruel to do to their lovely ol' Cap'n."

Anithias felt the corners of his mouth turn unbidden. She knew how to make an offer, that was sure.

Tox now muttered to Shadow, though Anithias couldn't help but pick up her words. "Now...I don' want to 'ave to bite yer, but if you insist on trying to break my spine, I'll 'ave ter resort to drastic measures. Let 'em have their fun lil' trial – you can be my defense, eh?"

The corners of Anithias' mouth twitched again. "So be it, Tox. I," he raised his right arm, "as First Mate of the Hide, agree you will come to no grievous harm in the sentencing of your trial. And Shadow –" he nodded in acknowledgment. "You've kept the Bar Association at bay all these years. It should be no problem for you to get Tanya out of a tight spot."


Rynn
"So be it, Tox. I, as First Mate of the Hide, agree you will come to no grievous harm in the sentencing of your trial. And Shadow – you've kept the Bar Association at bay all these years. It should be no problem for you to get Tanya out of a tight spot."

Rynn watched Anithias raise his right arm almost solemnly, as he stated what would to be taking place. A trial. Seemed like a mockery for such jest in her mind. The feline chuckled to herself. This was such a weird situation, though. How many captains dyed the fur of their crewmembers?!

She took a step forward a hint of playfulness in her smile, her magenta tail swishing against the waters about her paws. "And th'trial can take place in th'mess. A few rearrangin' of tables an' we got ourselves a nice courtroom."


Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Rynn stepped forward, a playful smile on her face. "And th'trial can take place in th'mess. A few rearrangin' of tables an' we got ourselves a nice courtroom."

Anithias nodded. "A good idea, Rynn. I suggest we all prepare for our captain's 'trial'. And Shadow?" He nodded at the albino. "No allowing her to escape on the way. We're going to have a fair trial now, and we want the accused to be present for it."

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

Some minutes later, the galley had been transformed into a passable resemblance of a court room. A jury box had been set up to the side, and the jurybeasts were now being chosen from among the crew. A witness stand was erected from a spare crate taken from the hold, and set next to the table that served as the judge's bench. Two tables were pulled opposite the judge's bench to serve as the plantiff's table and the defense table. Both Tanya and Shadow were seated at the latter. Due to the multiple victims of the captain's "crime", only one chair was placed at the plantiff's table – that of the prosecutor.

Anithias surveyed this all from the judge's bench. As First Mate he had surreptitiously seized the post, somehow procuring a gavel and a large, ornate copy of Thy Imperiume Navee Handbooke. This last item was more a showpiece than anything; Anithias had already memorized its contents back-to-front.

"Order! Order!" Anithias called, banging his gavel several times for emphasis. The multitude of technicolor crewbeasts assembling in the jury and the spectator benches quieted to a faint mummer. Anithias knew this was the best he would get.

"Before we begin," he said, "we will take a call for the positions of court scribe, bailiff, and prosecutor. Please note," he continued loudly, "that we will only be accepting for this position beasts of obvious expertise or rank, or those who have proven themselves before the officers of this ship." He glared down at the spectators, most of whom wisely chose to remain in their seats. "Anyone who feels they fit these requirements, come forward."

Julia immediately rose from her seat and walked to the front. "Yes, Jewel?" Anithias asked his dark-furred wife, taken aback.

"May I fill the position of court scribe?" she asked, her voice crisp and professional. Anithias could tell she was trying to bend her personality to fit the role. He nodded, and she sat down on a chair to Anithias' right, where a notebook, quill, and inkwell were already set out.

"Any other takers?" Anithias called.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
The Ironclaw, dressed in his apt formal wear of a black frockcoat, his equally black cavalier and sandals, forced his twisted grin into a sombre and straight expression. He could feel his nerves fray as he looked about at the mostly still assembly of brightly-hued crewbeasts and then to the starkly empty chair reserved for the prosecutor. He settled on his decision.

Jeshal rose from his seat, looking directly at the first mate who had taken up the position of judge in the proceedings. He swept off his hat, revealing yet more purple fur, and bobbed a bow to Anithias.

"Yer hon'r, 'tis me desire to place meself forward fer the duty o' the prosecutin' side. I ain't an officer, and true enough I ain't been aboard fer so much as a season, so I plead fer the generosity o' the crew ter let me prove me worth fer the task. In any case..." he allowed a disingenuous smile, "how 'ard can it be? Short o' blackmail or mass mem'ry loss, it be clear to me peepers what the verdict be."

He allowed himself a quick, sly glance over at the defendant. This would be a farce, to be sure.


Anithias Freedom
Anithias smiled at Jeshal's reasoning. The fox certainly looked the part; his frockcoat and cavalier made him look very dashing and professional. Had he been a ferret and his fur black instead of purple, Anithias would have mistaken him for Hercen.

"The court accepts your appointment as the prosecution," Anithias said with a slight grin. He noted out of the corner of his eye that Rynn was seated in the forebeast's chair in the jury, Armina directly behind her. A very confused technicolor Sokea was also seated in the double row of six, as was Sorrona. One by one, the spots were beginning to fill.


Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek immeadiately stood after Jeshal stood back down. If some rookie todd could get in on this so could the Aide.

"If nobody az anyzing againzt it I vill be filling ze role of ze bailiff. Y'know to be honezt I've alvayz vanted to try my hand at being lawbeazt."

What the lizard didn't mention was that this curiosity stemmed from the habit of always being on the wrong side of the law. This would be a most interesting and enlightening experience. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his brother, painted stark white sit down among the jurors. Good for him, at last he was begging to take action without direct encouragement.


Anithias Freedom
Anithias smiled as Xhavek stood and volunteered for bailiff. There was no other beast Anithias could think of besides the Gravedigger who could so excellently fill the role; the diminutive monitor had developed a reputation among the crew as a beast to be feared. Anithias had heard whispered stories among the crew that Xhavek was really a demon summoned by Tanya to keep her rowdy crew in line, a rumor that Anithias did nothing to stop. After all, with a crew of such misfits and criminals as the Hide had, fear was one of the few tools capable of controlling them, particularly the rowdier beasts such as Bootnose and Johan.

"Very well," Anithias mused. "Xhavek, if you would take your place here, and give the call to rise?" He motioned to a spot just before the judge's bench, rising himself in preparation for his "entrance".


Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek wriggled to straighten out his clothing as he stood at his position next to the judges bench. Somebeast snickered. Xhavek's cold eyes immediately swept up to Bootnose, who for his part tried desperately to look innocent. That of course was impossible for the ugly stoat but it was a good effort. Xhavek glared at him a little longer, giving Bootnose the 'I'll deal with you later' stare before facing forward once more.

"All rize for ze honorable judge Anithiaz Freedom."


Anithias Freedom
There was a satisfying swish of fabric and the shuffling of boots as the entire room rose. Anithias, already standing at the judge's bench, simply shuffled the papers on the desk a few times, looking official, and then seated himself. There was another satisfying thump as the entire room sat in unison.

"The court will now come to order," Anithias rumbled in his best bass voice. "We will hear argument today in the case of Ryalor vs. Hide. We shall hear the prosecution first."

He rapped once on the desk with his gavel for good measure.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
The loudest noise in the court room was the scraping of Jeshal's chair as he rose to take the floor, his muzzle twitching faintly through a barely detectable bout of stage fright. His dangerous eyes swept the audience, his custom grin forced into a solemn grimace. His silky-smooth tenor voice slithered across the court.

"Ladies n' gen'lebeasts, the case be brought against the accused by me 'umble self on be'alf of ye, the victimized public. Cap'n Tanya Ryalor of the Imperium ship The Golden Hide be facin' the charges as follows: allowin' the distribution o' tainted supplies with intent ter render her crew inop'rative; wilful sullyin' an' misuse o' crewbeasts' bodies without the proper consent; evadin' responsibility; engagin' in violent be'aviour not becoming of a beast of 'er rank; inducin' widespread emotional trauma..." He paused to scan the crowd for Gabe's face. "And overall gen'ral lawlessness."

His sinister smile crept in for a brief moment before he concealed it beneath his facade. He spread his paws wide in theatrical style, the iron one making an eerie screech as the claws spread.

"'Tis me opinion that we push Ms Ryalor's proposed punishment ter the full extent that this sort o' miscreancy allows. Not least fer bein' a poor role model fer growin' kits, but fer the sake o' the loyalty an' decency what be harboured by 'er own crew. The Hide an' its beasts demand respect, an' this cruel leader 'as shown not a scrap. So, says I, 'tis time we took it from 'er!"

He bowed his head, eyes narrowing shrewdly, and waited for the response.


Anithias Freedom
Anithias nodded, satisfied by the argument. As far as he was concerned, this case was already decided. Still, they had to give the defense a chance.

Anithias nodded at Jeshal. "Thank you, Barrister Ironclaw. You may be seated."

Anithias turned to face Shadow and Tox. "The defense now has the floor."


Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
"Ta."

Having been giving Jeshal a blank stare throughout the entire dramatic prosecution, Tox now found that she had the floor, and a possible shot at getting out of this 'unscathed'. She stood up quickly, before Shadow had a chance to defend her, and was speaking immediately. Out of the majority, Tox had probably been the only one to frequently end up in a proper court – albeit ninety per cent of those times was as an expert witness to a murder with her being on trial, remarkably, only twice, and so she had at least some knowledge of how this would work.

"Before proceedin' with defence, might I enquire as to why such a 'decent' an ''onorable' crew would resort to barbaric means of restraint?" Here the vixen lifted her paws from under the table, loosely tied at the wrists with a short length of cord, and gave Anithias a sardonic smirk, "As dangerous as I'm said ter be, the court can 'ave my assurance I won' be disappearin' on anybeast."

That said, the diminutive vixen was already moving to address the jury, tied paws forgotten as she chatted smoothly with the assembly.

"Now then, my dear, victimised crew," she drawled with a particular sense of... base sarcasm, or was that relish of some sort? "I should like to address one particular word in tha' lot of rubbish that stings quite a bit: cruel. I migh' be a liddle bit short tempered at times, I can admit to that – Kip can attest ter it bein' not all my fault as such," she waved a paw roughly in the direction of the bright violet pine marten in question, "but never, never have I ever treated ye cruelly. Who makes sure to triple-check the charts to ensure that we reach land with ample supplies? Who, might I enquire, has turned a blind eye to the contraband 'erbs that I see half yer lot smokin' or sniffin' in the bunks? Which Cap'n is renowned for givin' 'er crew the most freedom an' opportunity? I could be 'anged for 'ow lax I am and 'ow many Naval laws I broke so yeh can live as yeh see fit. Jes'...jes know that. Call me what y' like, but never cruel."

Nodding to herself jerkily, the scrawny little fox raised her eyebrows and glanced out over the assembly once more,

"I like ter think a Cap'n who cares for her crew and instils a liddle bit of fun inter their daily routine makes fer a good role model, in my 'umble opinion.

“And might I pose one final question to you, the jury: is there any single beast who would deny that they ain't smirked at least once this mornin'?"

With her piece thus said, the Captain twitched her ragged ears and sat down again, expression unreadable.


Anithias Freedom
There was silence in the court room after Tanya had spoken. Anithias couldn't help a satisfied smirk. He could tell from Tox's defense that this was not her first time in court. She had spoken, and spoken well. He could tell at least some of the jury were affected; Armina was unnaturally sober, and Sokea actually looked close to crying. Then again, almost anything from a beast getting a splinter to somebeast dying usually had that effect on her.

"Well said, Captain Ryalor," Anithias spoke. "However, the word 'cruel' shall remain in the transcripts, and I shall not tell the jury to disregard Barrister Ironpaw's statement." He leaned back in his chair, satisfied, before turning slightly to address Jeshal.

"The prosecution now has the floor, and may call any witnesses to the witness box."


Jeshal the Ironclaw
The summoned party rose once again from his seat and chuckled silently. His opposition had been delightfully impressive in her opening response and Jeshal was pleased to see that at least one part of his claims had ruffled her. To appeal against her perception of her personal nature was deliciously rewarding. He made a mental note to try it outside of the courtroom.

Moving to take the floor again, he chose not to cast a glance to Tanya this time, allowing instead his bland expression to reveal the faintest of smiles.

"Thankin' ye, yer 'onour. It be me privilege ter call Armina Rogue ter the stand. Will ye accept?"

His callous eyes cast upon the face of the grey-furred youth.


Armina Rogue
Armina, at that time, was not paying much attention to the trial. She found the formal speech, even Jeshal's mocking one, to be very boring and tiring. She was instead using her time to study her nails, which were now dyed a strange foggy green. Scratching at the dye did little except to draw a white, powdery indent in the claw.

"Thankin' ye, yer 'onour. It be me privilege ter call Armina Rogue ter the stand. Will ye accept?"

Armina looked up, her jaw dropping open. She was suddenly aware that every eye in the room was upon her, undoubtedly observing her poor attention span. Closing her jaw and swallowing nervously, Armina stood.

"I'll..." She swallowed nervously again, glancing up at Anithias. He was currently leaning on his elbow, massaging his eyebrows with his paw, undoubtedly mourning her lack of attention. Armina looked back to Jeshal, her heart pounding in her throat. "I'll accept."

Mustering what little dignity Armina had left, she walked to the low cargo box that served as the witness stand and climbed into it. She felt suddenly very conscious of her every move, now aware that her very words would decide her godsister's punishment.


Jeshal the Ironclaw
Arms folded, frockcoat swishing at his ankles, Jeshal stalked across to the occupant of the witness stand and leaned casually alongside. Flashing her an insipid smile, he continued the proceedings.

"Assumin' ye intend ter tell the gen'lebeasts o' the court naught a thing but the truth, would ye deign ter give us the details of what happened on the day of the accused's proposed crimes?"

Revelling in her discomfort, he allowed himself another sweeping glance of the court.

"In yer own words an' in your own time o' course."

Armina Rogue/Anithias Freedom
((Co-post between myself and Jesh.))

Jeshal looked the very picture of the cocky barrister as he leaned casually on the witness box. The only thing that could have completed the picture was a fluffy powder wig.

"Assumin' ye intend ter tell the gen'lebeasts o' the court naught a thing but the truth, would ye deign ter give us the details of what happened on the day of the accused's proposed crimes?"

It took Armina a moment to figure out he wanted her to tell the court what had happened. But did he mean that day, or the night before?

"In yer own words an' in your own time o' course."

Armina hesitated before gradually rolling into her narrative. As she continued, she gained more confidence in herself, her words flowing out more easily.

"Well, I was waken... woken..." Armina hesitated for a second before continuing, "woke this morning by Anithias yelling my name. I'd gone to sleep drunk the night before, and woke exceptionally late. I think it was –"

She was interrupted by Anithias banging his gavel once. "Just the facts, Miss Rogue," he said disapprovingly. Armina gave him a glare that would have gotten her kicked out of any other court before continuing.

"Well, I heard the honorable judge calling my name. At that point I realized that my fur was dyed green. Emerging from my cubbyhole, I saw the Honorable Judge Freedom painted blue as a cornflower."

There was an appreciable snicker from around the room. Anithias blushed violet, pounding the desk with unnecessary gusto. "Order! Order in the court!" he roared, his voice louder than the quiet snickering by far.

The prosecution coughed suspiciously to hide his amusement between the bickering judge and witness. He composed himself lest he lose his imposing position then moved away from the box towards the centre of the spokes-floor. It somehow seemed more theatrical and perhaps would spread the tension more thinly if he were in less close proximity to the current victim. His twinkling bistre eyes chose to enrapture the audience.

"Very good, very good, Miss 'Mina. So ye believed it weren't plausible fer the right hon'rable Freedom ter 'ave been the culprit since 'e were also besplattered wi' unfavourable colouring, aye?"

Armina was confused by the question. "Well, no," she said, hesitantly. "Besides, he didn't seem the type to do it. I mean, he's always been such a stickler for the rules." She glanced to the judge's bench to see if Anithias would object to the opinion. Thankfully Anithias was too busy trying to decide whether to take pride in or offense to the statement.

Running his tongue over his teeth as if to physically push back the laughter, Jeshal nodded in acknowledgement of the witness's comment. The tilt of his cavalier played shadows over the hollows that cupped his eyes.

"And then, Miss Rogue? Tell the court what 'appened when ye left yer quarters."

Armina swallowed, her attention snapping back to the court.

"Anithias accused me of orchestrating the entire incident myself. I responded by politely-" she shot a glare at the judge, "-pointing out the impossibility of doing such with only one paw." She gestured to her sling-encased arm.

"However, the good judge did not seem to believe me, responding, and I quote: 'I don't know how you did it, but I know you did it.'"

A sharp rap from the gavel interrupted Armina. "Miss Rogue, as I recall, I am not the one on trial here," Anithias said angrily. "Mr. Ironclaw, kindly keep your witness on task, or I will be forced to hold Miss Rogue and yourself in contempt of the court."

The only noticeable factors of Jeshal's reaction to the judge's threat were a glint to his harsh eyes and the venom with which he injected his next words.

"M' pardons, yer honour. If ye'd permit me to rephrase the question? Miss Rogue, when and if ye departed the company o' the Freedom family, where did ye venture and what occurred thereafter?"

Armina cast one final glare at the judge before answering.

"Well, it was to enter the captain's cabin to get Tanya's location from her kits. By that time Xhavek had deduced the captain's responsibility, so we figured talking to Vald and Aielle would be the best way to deduce where she was hiding.

"I managed to coerce the kits into telling us where she was through the use of candied nuts." Armina grinned at the memory of how easily the kits had fallen. She had no doubt that Tox would soon be putting an addendum onto the 'don't accept candy from strangers' rule.

"The kits told us that Tanya was hiding somewhere in the hold, to which we immediately proceeded." Armina's head was starting to swim with the formal speech, and was beginning to doubt she could keep it up. "Once there, we started searching the hold, beginning with the aisles and then starting to searching the individual boxes. It was Griss who actually found the box, and pushed it over."

Jeshal nodded and twirled his paw to encourage the vixen to continue.

"Well, at this point Tanya resisted capture. It took the honorable judge and yourself, Mr. Barrister," she nodded at the fox interrogating her, "to restrain her. At this point the defense," she nodded at Shadow, "seized custody, and allowed for a trial guaranteed that no bodily harm would come to the accused.

"And now, we're all here," Armina finished lamely.

"Very good, Miss Rogue," the Ironclaw resumed, rounding on the audience. "So as yer can see, the accused be not only named and shamed by 'er own flesh and blood, but when confronted opted ter resist arrest on top o' her other crimes. This alone be evidence enough ter earn a reprimand, thinks I!"

He crossed back to the witness pulpit and drummed his claws irritatingly on the side.

"If ye've nothin' more ter add, miss, ye may be seated."

Armina scurried out of the witness box, returning hastily to her seat in the jury box.

Anithias nodded at Jeshal. "Thank you, Mr. Ironclaw. The defense now has the floor, and may call forth any witnesses."​