Open Side Adventure Special Accommodations

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper was a stubborn beast. It had always been both her blessing and her curse. Coming from a military family, an ethos of resilience and self-sufficiency had been drilled into her from an early age. What she could do for herself, she did; where she could get by without asking for help, she would.

This found her on the floor of the infirmary, straining up toward the desk on which the ground mealworm formula to feed the shrew pup was currently kept. She'd run into a problem; without use of her legs, she could push herself up with one arm, straining a paw over the edge of the desk to try to reach the bottle, but didn't have the reach to get it. She could hear the pup fussing in its cradle, small, squeaking mewls piercing the air as it cried for food. Piper gritted her teeth as she grabbed onto the edge of the desk instead of continuing to reach, then, holding on tight, shifted her grip from supporting herself on the floor to grabbing the desk's edge with her other paw as well. Arduously she pulled herself up, trying to get her torso above the edge of the desk where she could rest her stomach on its surface. This was far harder than it looked; while she'd passed all her basic military training and did regular exercises, pull-ups had always been her most hated exercise. She hadn't realized just how much she counted on her legs for support, nor how difficult it was to brace herself with them without feeling or movement in them.

At last she managed to grab the bottle of feed for the infant from the back of the desk, clutching it to her chest. This then left her with a new conundrum: how to get back down to the floor without risking either smashing the bottle, it rolling away, or injuring herself in the process. It was in this position that she was trapped when the door to the infirmary opened and she was caught most definitely defying doctor's orders to remain in bed.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii walked into the infirmary for another checkup. Considering how his relationship with the ship's chirurgeon went, he wasn't too thrilled about it. While still at pain and bandaged, Kaii wasn't a wimp so he got to work sooner than most (in part thanks to the fact Barrett couldn't stand him anymore) under the promise that he would come for those checkups. And well, he gave his word, thus he would sooner die than not show up. So he came early for he had nothing better to do and wanted for it to be over quickly.

But instead he found one of the marines, a weasel, fighting fang and claw to get the bottle while using only her front paws for movement. It didn't take much for him to realise she was unable to use her legs. Nearby cries, coming from a shrew pup Kaii was told they took, further explained why she was doing so.

Politely closing the door he decided to ease their suffering, he stepped closed and gave her a nod. "Good day to you. Would you like some assistance? I can either bring you the pup or tae you to it, if you wish so of course." To spend his time easing someone's pain was a time spent well.

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper winced in embarrassment as one of the foxes (was it Swifttail? She hadn't figured them all out yet) opened the door, catching her in the act. She at least didn't lose her grip and fall back to the floor, though she wasn't in a good position to stay here either. Her voice was a bit breathy and strained as she replied, her weight driving the edge of the desk up into her stomach. "If you can help me into that chair," she nodded to one in the corner, "and then bring me the pup, I can feed her." It would solve the immediate problem, but in a few hours the pup would need fed again, and she'd be right back in the same spot. If the pup's nappies needed changed, that would only make things more difficult. That required a flat surface and the use of both paws, something she couldn't afford when using them to support herself.

She looked to the fox with a small amount of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you," she told him honestly. "I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name in all the chaos of that place." Urk was going to be that place to the crew for a while, she was sure.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

"Naturally." Kaii said as he moved to help the weasel up first. "My name is Kaii Nashirou, Engineer's Mate." He added before realising he may struggle with lifting her. She was after all a marine, a lot of muscle meant a lot of weight and he was wounded. Thus after repositioning her into more comfortable position he went to grab a chair and brought it closer to the bed. Only then he heaved the weasel onto the chair.

"Huff... Sorry I cannot carry you. I am still quite wounded myself Miss... Ah pardon me. I also ought to ask your name." The marble fox stated as he now went to grab the pup, gently taking them from the cradle. While his movements were careful and deliberate, there wasn't much warmth in the way he had handled the pup.

Moments later, he put her into Piper's arms. "Here you go, albeit... as much as I do not doubt your willpower, I do believe you may need some better solution to this all." Kaii stated the obvious, looking at the scene in front of him with slightly frowned brow and wrinkled nose.

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper gently cradled the infant, holding her in one arm before picking up the bottle of formula and shaking it vigorously. With one paw she opened it, then took off the cap and dipped her claw in the mixture, then raised it to the infant's mouth. Immediately the infant latched on, suckling on the claw to get as much of the formula as possible. Piper sighed, a deep weariness in her voice. "I know," she admitted. "None of this is ideal. Even this feeding method; back in Bully Harbor I'd have a feeding cap to put on the bottle. It's how we fed my daughter when I was on deployment. As for getting around, well," she shrugged, "you saw how hard it was even without an infant in my arms. I don't know how I'd manage if I needed to get her back in her crib."

She glanced up to Kaii, remembering his first question. "Piper," she answered his question. "Corporal Sarra Piper, Her Grace's Royal Marines. At least, I was. Somehow I doubt I'll be allowed to serve now." There was a note of mourning in her voice at that. It was clear that her service meant a lot to her identity.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii spent a moment observing the feeding procedure. Mostly to remember it should he ever be in need of using it himself. That didn't mean he wasn't listening. And while he missed on the saddened voice of the weasel, he did not miss a single word. "At least not without prosthetics. Though to replace both legs? That would be very expensive feat of engineering and one that still would be limiting."

He took a seat on the bed near her, observing now the chair she was sitting at. "Granted your experience is still invaluable. Knowledge is of great value, I am sure you can still serve by teaching the future Marines. With what we went through, I am of opinion that's for the best. We do not want this one to be repeated ever again." He stated in his flat tone, though his mind was now coming back to what she said before. "As for your manoeuvrability, you need a wheelchair I am afraid. I can use little spare time I have to dismantle a pulley or two and give this chair wheels, that should help you at least until we get to the harbour where you could get the real thing." Kaii offered, himself being apprehensive about taking more work, but after saving Morgan, knowing that such things were greatly appreciated not just by the beneficiaries, but also by his friends.

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper winced at the pronouncement. A wheelchair. She'd always considered herself a progressive beast, a supporter of injured veterans, one who believed the stigma around disabilities needed to be addressed and cultural discomfort with their injuries ended... But that wasn't when it was me. She knew that, if she hadn't gotten her feeling back yet in her legs, she probably never would. This was simply the final knell for her ever walking again.

She sighed, pulling her claw from the pup's mouth, quickly dipping it again and returning it to the pup's mouth as the infant squeaked in indignant hunger. "I know," she admitted morosely. "I just... I never wanted to be confined like this. I know how beasts look at veterans like me - with pity, like we're broken. I hate that. I got enough of that after... After my daughter." It nearly broke her again to speak of Emilie. That wound was always too fresh, no matter how much time passed.

She looked to Kaii, a thought arising in her mind. "If I wanted to still serve on the ship," she asked slowly, "how hard would it be for me to move around? If it's workable, if I can actually move myself about, then maybe they'll be more inclined to keep me."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii put up his paw to his chin, considering the question at paw. It wasn't impossible. Nothing was. But Kaii knew that major rebuilds were rather not something the Navy would pay for just to accommodate few injured but willing veterans. He was ready to say that it isn't likely but... the mention of a daughter and pain it was said with? That affected Kaii. He knew himself how much pain came from something bad happening to your family member.

"I cannot promise you a miracle. Even the best solution comes with serious effort you would have to put in. I can offer you a way to stand on your legs, moving them as I've said would be far too difficult and expensive to make." Kaii stated as he had one idea that could work well. "To move around with those? I have an idea too, just tell me if you are ready for it."

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper's breath caught. She was used to hard work; it hadn't been a cakewalk to become a marine, after all. "Please," she begged him. "Even if it's a long shot, I'll take it."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii took a breath and then spoke of his idea. It was good to inform first what he had in mind. „So, I do believe that me and Swifttail, my fellow engineer, could make a rack for you to put your legs in. The idea is that it would support your body while standing. It would take some getting used to, but ultimately if you don’t feel your legs, it shouldn’t be unpleasant. However, to move with them, I can either offer giving you two levers that you could use with your paws to move them around, or just give you a crutch. Those are only things within reason I am afraid I can do for now.”

He took a moment more to think before adding on. "And for the future? Putting on precision gears and springs, adding a few strings to the base of your tail and it would be possible for you to walk without using your arms. That is a very long shot however, but not impossible one at least."

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper's gaze turned thoughtful as she gazed into the middle distance, visualizing the apparatus, and only returned to reality when the pup began to squeal in discontent at finding her claw devoid of the formula. She dipped it once more, returning to feeding the infant. "Walking might be difficult," she admitted. "Really, just a way I could get around the lower deck would be a start - or even just reliably around a single room. The idea of a standing support cage is really good though. Hm." She thought about it for a little bit before inquiring, "Is there a way to combine that with a wheelchair? Like, a way it can turn from me sitting and moving around to me standing and locked in place." She shook her head. "I don't know what I'm talking about," she admitted. "Really, I should just be grateful for what I have. Considering how many we lost, I feel ungrateful mourning for my own troubles right now."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii pulled out a loose piece of paper and then his pencil, starting to quickly sketch the idea and doing most rudimentary calculations while listening to Piper's request. As she however spoke of what she wanted, Kaii really struggled with visualising it with a wheelchair. Using two separate solutions would be good, a simple block mechanism would be needed to rigidify the knees but it wasn't too hard either.

Then she turned mournful, and Kaii shook his head too, pausing for a moment. "You have every right to do so though. They have died and their legacy needn't be forgotten. But we, who survived thanks to their efforts, have a duty to not sulk because of them. There is no need to waste a more lives. Certainly not ones that are capable still." he then turned the paper, showing her the simple drawing of a wheelchair with two big wheels for hand propulsion and a sketch of the support rack with lockable joints, all made from simple materials they would have on the ship. "That is what I can offer before we get to the Harbour. Once there, with proper forges and tools... and some funds admittedly, I can make it look better and be sturdier. Also more comfortable. Now it would allow you to sit on the wheelchair, should you wish to stand up, you just pull yourself up and the legs will lock. Then, reaching to the knees, you can unlock them and again move to sit on the wheelchair that way." He explained gesturing and showing the parts he described.

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper leaned forward as much as she could without disturbing the pup, examining the design. "That looks like it would work," she confirmed. "It's a good compromise between stability and mobility. It'll at least get me off my tail for the time being." She grimaced at her own joke. "I'm not good with technology that doesn't involve putting bits of metal and wood into beasts from afar, but I'll happily help test and give feedback. Anything you want, I'll cooperate." Her eyes started to glimmer with tears as she said, "Thank you, Mr. Nashirou. I was starting to feel like my life was over. Now you've given me hope."

~~~

The trip back to the Harbor was long enough to design, craft, and test a few iterations of the chair. Some tweaks were needed here and there to account for the way that weight distributed across Piper's legs, especially without her able to control them directly, and avoid any tension that threatened the integrity of either the chair or her limbs, as well as any spills that would send her toppling over with the chair on top of her.

As the ship docked in port, though, Piper seemed to be in a good position. She tested the latest design, first working a pair of levers to both apply brakes to the wheels and move her footpaws to rest on the ground, strapped into the metal frame that secured them; then a second set of levers, combined with her own weight as she leaned, helped her to stand up, the frame supporting her as she straightened up. It was a bit ungainly, and she still swayed slightly as she got her balance, but she was upright and locked in place.

"It's incredible, Kaii," she exclaimed, experimentally waving her arms to make sure that the shift in weight didn't send her toppling. The tears started to come back to her eyes as she inquired, "How can I ever thank you?"

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii who was standing nearby, providing safeguarding to Piper as she was testing out what he could do with Swifttail's help. He knew it was crude, but that was the proof of concept. Soon, with proper tools and maybe some money, he could tinker it closer to comfortable. For now, he was just glad to see another beast flourishing. After lending his skills to save Morgan, even if he still was very aware neither he nor anyone can save each beast, there was understanding he was not using time for just Piper, but also for the many to come.

After she tested the current iteration, even if it was still not the best, Kaii was happy to see it worked well. He and Swifttail did their work as best as they could after all. Still he could see that it was not too… comfortable. While Piper couldn’t feel her legs, the metal rings holding them should not harm them. That was the hard part and Kaii wasn’t going to take Barrett’s time. Pine Marten was busy as it was with the other wounded.

To the words of thanks Kaii waved his paw modestly. „Admittedly, you did so by taking part in this. Giving your feedback and stating what works and not. Thanks to you, I hope It will make your life easier as well as giving semblance of normalcy to many others. You said it yourself it makes you feel useful, keeps you driven. That is what I want to see”

He was in way going to demand money or anything like that. Not when in the future his work could help thousands. Kaii liked the idea of working pro publico bono, even if he was sick with the fact it wasn’t helping his situation much.

The opening of the doors brought him back to reality as he had turned to look at who was coming in, hoping in a way to see Swifttail or his other friends who knew about this project.

@Amnesty Greysoul @SwifttailTheFox

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

The door creaked open, and in padded Swifttail, soot still smudged into the fur along his cheek and the tips of his paws. He carried himself with the easy air of somebeast checking back in on familiar work rather than stumbling into something new. His ears perked as he caught sight of them, Kaii standing nearby, Piper upright in the contraption they’d cobbled together.

He gave Kaii a small nod first, then Piper.
“Kaii, mate. Piper. Looks like the two o’ ye’ve been busy without me.”

Stepping closer, his tail gave a slow flick as he took in the sight. The frame was holding, Piper steady in its support, her balance catching true. A smile tugged at the corner of his muzzle.
“An’ here I thought we were buildin’ a chair, not a throne. Ye look every bit yoreself again.”

His eyes lingered on the work a moment longer, then he tipped his paw toward Kaii.
“Yer mad contraptions keep surprisin’ me, Kaii. Never figured I’d see ‘em makin’ lives lighter, but here we are.”

The fox’s grin widened, playfulness softening the heaviness of the moment.
“Careful, Piper. Keep practicin’ like that an’ they’ll have ye bossin’ us around the deck in no time.”

But he quieted after, his tone easing into something more sincere.
“Truth be told, I’m just glad t’ lend a paw. Builds more than metal, this does… builds hope. An’ that’s worth all the soot on my fur.”

@Kaii Nashirou @Corporal Sarra Piper

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper started at the new beast coming in and, but for the frame holding her upright, she might well have toppled. As it was, she awkwardly flailed about, waving her arms as she tried to regain her balance and prevent further injury to herself. She at last recovered, a sheepish grin crossing her face. "Thank you, Swifttail," she addressed the fox, "and you as well, Kaii. Honestly, this gives me hope. Maybe I can still be of use." She shook her head before adding, "Though I doubt they'll be giving me a command position. I'm still a bit limited in my mobility, after all, and being able to ascend and descend between decks is key to those roles." She frowned as she considered something. "What happens if there's a fire, and the ship is going down?" she asked. "With being strapped into this, how easy would it be to get out in an emergency? I don't think anyone could carry me in this thing."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii welcomed Swifttail with a nod and wide smile. The presence of his closest friend was always a welcome thing to this marble fox. But he also was happy to see as the platinum fox was genuinely happy with the results so far. Kaii knew his fellow to be a bleeding heart, much more than his, justice bent one could ever be. When Swift offered his approval to the design, Kaii bowed, a bit theatrically with shared playfulness.

And then as Piper started responding, he moved closer and put his paw on her shoulder supportively. She was still worried and rightly so, those were important questions after all and valid concerns. Kaii of course, knew the answer. "I know that in a disaster each beasts acts for themselves. But I would never again sleep easily if I were to leave the ship knowing you were stuck somewhere there Sarra. You do raise a valid point still... but to that I say, you need ropes."

Kaii simply pointed upwards to the celling. "In case of emergency, ditch the contraption. We can put ropes along the celling. Use the mechanism to stand up and then just unfast the straps or cut them. Grab the ropes and get to the ladders. Considering all those seabeasts that have pegs for legs or walk around with deadly amount of grog in their cardiovascular systems, I think no one will object to having some extra supports around."

It was again, crude and imperfect. Kaii thus slightly nudged his friend by his side with the elbow. "But we will work further on making this thing lighter and more efficient. The wheelchair is an intermediate product. I aim to let you fully rely on the leg-frame we've made for you in the future."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail’s ears flicked back as Piper flailed, and he stepped quickly to her side, offering a steadying paw against the frame.
“Sorry, Piper...didn’t mean t’ startle ye so.” His muzzle dipped with a sheepish smile. “Should’ve made more noise comin’ in.”

He kept a paw light on the contraption until she’d found her balance again, then leaned back just a touch, tail swishing slow as he looked the rig over.
“Truth told, there’s still plenty t’ sort out with it. Ain’t no magical fix… just metal an’ straps, aye? Adaptions’ll have t’ be made all around.” His tone stayed soft, down to earth, but the spark of optimism lingered in his eyes. “But it’s a start. An’ sometimes that’s enough t’ turn the tide.”

He crouched briefly, checking one of the fittings, then straightened again.
“Kaii is right as well. What we’ve built’s just the first try with scraps an’ what we could scrounge at sea. Now we’re back in Bully, we’ll find better stock. Lighter, stronger… easier for ye t’ move in.”

His ears perked slightly, a flicker of reassurance in his voice.
“We’ll keep at it, Piper. Ain’t the end of the road, just the first step.”

 

[Corporal Sarra Piper]

Piper experimentally shifted, checking her balance again as the pair explained their ideas for additional adaptations on the Hide. It was smart, and honestly, she could see how the entire crew would benefit. She frowned as she noticed something off, a way in which her balance kept failing her. It took her a moment to realize what it was. "'Gates," she groaned, "my tail isn't moving. No wonder I'm off kilter." She shifted a bit before commenting, "Well, a bit of extra support in the back might not be bad, if we can work it. Otherwise I'm liable to flail while standing. Can't rely on my tail for balance anymore." She looked at the pair, a certain amount of awe in her eyes. "I gotta admit, I never really thought much about what you boys do," she remarked. "You gotta think of things that even the people who need your work don't know that they need. I sure won't be taking you for granted again."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii naturally considered such thing before. Indeed a beast not able to use their tail would struggle a lot with balance. Not that it was impossible to walk around without it, some beasts lost their tails and could manage, but without also felling one's legs? It was no wonder Piper struggled with standing up properly. Luckily Swift was here to support her as Kaii went to his toolbag again.

There was this thing called whirling speculum* he read about. He even had one small example built by himself. It wasn't anything too fancy but it had one defining feature. It was always levelling itself while spinning, applying force that countered any deviation. He pulled out the one he had built and pondered if he could build it larger, acting with the same balancing way a tail would.

"Piper would you mind If I put something on a rope around your waist?" He asked as he got a bit of thinner rope, already using his paw to spin up the device. Sure, there would be need for maybe a spring to power it, but it could give a semblance of what tail was normally doing.

*It is a very early gyroscope really.