Open The Trenches Unsmudgables Spilling Sweet Wine

[Liza Fairpaw]

Liza really just wanted to finish her noodles, and she thought she might be able to standing out in front of the safe house with the two other beasts guarding the front entrance. The mood was somber amongst the trio as they reminisced about their comrades who were lost during the mission that had gone sideways. Liza's nerves were still on edge, and when the wildcat approached from the street, the mouse bristled at Naika's tone. She pawed her noodles to one of her companions and glared at the cat.

"Your daughter was apprehended after attacking me during an Unsmudgable operation. You will be able to see her once she is through being questioned for her involvement as an aggressor in the operation."

---

Voira listened to Miothyle, nodding along as the vixen explained herself. Once she was finished, the rat sipped at her tea.

"Well, to give you some pertinent information, we are the Unsmudgables, a faction under the Ministry of Niceties. We have various aims throughout the Imperium--diplomacy, charity, peacekeeping, intelligence-gathering, and the like." Setting down her tea, the rat steepled her fingers and regarded the fox with a questioning gaze. "I believe you that you were not involved with the other beasts we apprehended. However, I am interested if you overheard anything they said. Did you catch any names or information?"

---

Rory watched Morgan closely as Daniil revealed what information he had, and the todd's numerous accusations against the jill. The sea otter said nothing, his gaze shifting to Ressik when the weasel spoke. He glanced to the back of the cell at the young cat who was clearly not keen on any participation in the conversation whatsoever. The Smudgie Commander had been working operations for years, and he had a sense of when something was amiss. Something simply did not add up here. As sweeping and complete as Daniil's accusations were, the entire situation did not sit right with the big sea otter.

"You, weasel," he said to Ressik. "We haven't heard from you. What's your name and how did you get wrapped up in this? You certainly fought like you had a lot to lose. I lost some good beasts because of you tonight."

 

[Marble]

Leaning forward and listening to the Rat, curious about this group and wanting to know more. For now she got the short description but figured she could probably get more later. Figuring it better to be open and honest she would think back to the strange figure in the shadow of the Alley that had started the nights events.
"Well I was taking the time to enjoy the clear night when this figure called from an alley, asking if I had the goods. Figure was a ferret, white fur, stocky, sounded feminine and had an accent like a sailor. Then a kit fell down from the rooftop not giving a name and saying I speak to their Lawyer, whatever that is." Giving a shrug "I then decided to back out before it got out of hand and the ferret realised I wasn't their contact as the third of that group showed up. Weasel and small for one, grey fur, they spoke to the Ferret in a tongue I do not speak, nor one I immediatly recognise from the traders I encountered. Said antio, not sure if that is a name or a greeting. That is all I know unfortnuatly. After that I made to leave and ran snout first into the other. I was making to get him care before... well I'm sure the Unsmugables that were there can fill in the rest."

Sipping the tea and then leaning back in the chair.
"I admit you have me curious about your group now. I give myself to no kings, however to help keep people safe was my duty before moving out here. Would I be able to learn more or am I to keep quiet about this whole affair?"

 

[Liza Fairpaw]

Voira had withdrawn a small notebook and scribbled down the information as Marble spoke. Once the vixen had finished, the rat took the paper form her notebook and folded it carefully.

"I see. Thank you for that information. It will prove useful, I'm sure." She stood and crossed the room, pawing the note off to another Smudgie in the hall, who left, ostensibly to speak with the others questioning those who had been apprehended. Voira turned back to Marble and considered her answer for several moments before responding.

"I can tell you more, certainly." She sat again, her demeanor seeming to relax somewhat as she fell into what was clearly a familiar conversation. "Our organization falls under the purview of the Ministry of Niceties, as I mentioned, though we have a great deal of leeway to act as we see fit within the bounds of the guidelines set forth by the Ministry. We play many roles within the Imperium and do so with quite a bit of flexibility, so a beast of almost any skillset can find a place so long as they are willing to stay within the bounds of our standards and ethics."

She opened a paw to Marble. "You said it was your duty to keep beasts safe before coming here. Where do you come from and what did you do there that found you helping others?"

 

[Marble]

She hoped that her information was enough to find those that were responsible for the chaos even if she didn't know what the goods were exactly, it seemed that they were bad enough for this group to take action. There was a slight wonder in her mind if she was doing the right thing by being so honest, Miothiyle herself was also part of the choas and did take shots at the group in the missunderstanding. Her being put in a cell was a possibility, and who would she have to vouch for her or even notice her absence.

This worry was likely unfounded though, as Voira went on to tell her more about the group and, whilst she knew nothing of the Ministry of Niceties, they didn't sound like the type to dissapear her. Now it was Miothiyles turn to explain more about herself and what she did.
"I come from the Emerald isles, or The Many Islands of the Emerald Sea. Should be self explanitory of what the land was like the islands are quite large able to fit numerous townships and even several cities on the largest of them, so naturally a lot of trade moves through them, a lot of travelers moving from place to place. Of couse those roads can be quite dangerous with bandits or feral beasts occupiying them, same as the oceans but that's a different dicsussion. I am a huntress of Artemis, I have taken a sacred oath to serve my lady and uphold her tenants, in doing so I also became what is known as a road warden" Taking a slight pause to finish off her tea and hydrate herself before continuing.

"As a Warden of the Road my duty was to travel along certain roads and make sure they were safe from bandits and beasts, as the nation unified and grew though we become a pseudo goverment role, I guess not too far from you Smugables. What that meant was for the small hamlets and trade posts we Wardens had a level of authority to act as a neutral party to resolve conflicts and carry out judgment should the need arise. It was dangerous and not uncommon for Wardens to die in the line of duty but I did enjoy it and did my duty well. One day though I felt my calling elsewhere so I passed the route onto my apprentice, one of Hermes, little chaotic but good man, and then I came over here. Mostly been doing odd jobs but still keeping up my skills and well, since I am being so honest, had an encounter with Vermin out hunting with my partner so still got my skills in a fight. Tonight I did let myself faulter but the city is not my domain so to say" Shrugging and pouring another cup of tea signifiying that she had finished speaking if there Voira had questions

 

[Naika Rustyfangs]

Naika's carefully dyed black headfur spiked at hearing what did the mouse say. Her daughter, questioned?! Naika wasn't usually hotheaded, but any sort of danger to Mariel was enough to make her go feral. In quick assessment of the three Smudgies in front, she had a good idea how to take them down. Just throwing a few darts to poison them and let them die begging for antidote was a feasible option. Or maybe she could throw a flash bomb she made and use the distraction to cut them down. There were always those gunpowder barrels she had hidden and marked as pepper...

And fortunately, before she made a mistake of actually attacking any of them, she realised one thing. It would be fun, that is for sure, but she wasn't wearing anything that would make her inconspicuous. She would ruin all that she has built for Mariel and her future in the Imperium and that thought was sobering.

While still on edge, she had thought of a daring, if different approach. Lying. Using her skills she quickly took on a mask of a cat at ease, confident and spoke with articulated, levelled tone. "If you've got hurt, I am willing to pay the recompensation... though I can't see any proof of any wound on you." She cleared her throat to make her point. "Knowing her, she was just at a wrong place and at a wrong time, but I would rather hear first from her what happened. I do struggle to believe after all that with her interest in history of all things Vulpinsulan, she would truly hurt a Smudgie unprovoked... And it would be a shameful display for one to punish a child who got scared of their operation..."