Furotazzis Private Zann's Alley/Backyard Tail Fishing

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna was used to the bluster of males. Her brother certainly seemed to bloviate enough to whip up a monsoon with the amount of wind he moved. She also was far too accustomed to melodrama from years of consuming romantic literature of dubious artistic quality, and thus found herself little moved by the actor's protestations. Methinks the vixen doth protest too much.

Still, he was right in a way about their strategy - and, despite being called out on it, perhaps it was wisest to lean in. Marianna spread her paws in acknowledgement before clasping them before her again. "We could, I suppose, do things in the traditional Furotazzi fashion," she allowed. "Falun would do so in a heartbeat if I asked; he rather does enjoy proving his tolerance for viscera in that way. However, I still have my faith in your character, and hence this discussion has remained bloodless. I remain hopeful that we can chalk this all up to a misunderstanding, and maintain our professional relationship - including with suitable compensation for the indignity of the moment." She let the offer linger in the air, leaving the manner of said compensation to the imagination. If this todd had come seeking romantic fulfillment, such could be arranged.

"Please," she implored the fox, "if you would bear with us and suffer a moment more. What is your opinion of the supremacists themselves? Speaking within the confines of a room populated solely by foxes, of course." She gestured between the trio of them, hopeful that the privacy of the moment would win some trust.

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo stood up and let his tail gently brush against Marianna's. A silent 'thank you' for her joining in and trusting in his suspicion. Ruffano was definitely hiding something, Ivo was now assured of it. At least knowing how other beasts acted when interrogated, Ivo wasn't taking too much to himself anything that Ruffano was saying.

While Marianna made her points and gave her questions, he wandered slowly towards the bookshelf, from which he had produced a book that looked exactly the same as all others, titled "The Charmer". Opening it and holding in his good paw, Ivo came back to stand by his vixen, making sure that she would be able to see the contents of the book.

Said book was one of few things Ivo planted in the room. It was in fact a quickly collected dossier on what he could get about Ruffano. There wasn't too much, but enough to, if needed, find him both suspicious and give him criminal charges.

"And while yer at it... I would ask fer politeness. T' only thing that we've harmed was yer pride, albeit considerin' ya've exploited kits and possibly gassed beasts in public places? I dun think ye have as much of it as ya speak." Ivo added, reading from the collection of notes on Ruffano from the book. Those may have not been solid proofs, but enough beasts would confirm them to convince any judge.

 

[Ruffano Quickwhistle]

Ruffano’s ears twitched at the sound of Falun’s name like somebeast had just cracked a whip. His paws shot up in a sudden, animated flurry.

"Aah! No, no, that should not be necessary!" he sputtered, backing a step as though he might materialize as Marianna had seemed to. "We can discuss this as civilized beasts of culture, yes? No need to call in that brute... he’s likely still pickin’ marrow from his teeth!"

The actor let out a nervous little laugh, straightening his vest and trying to reclaim what tatters of dignity remained. He even flashed a shaky grin toward Marianna, as though a touch of humor might smooth the edges of the situation.

Then his eyes flicked to Iva, and to the book in her paw. The Charmer. His expression warmed for half a second before curdling the moment she began to speak yet again.

"Exploited kits? Gassed beasts? Have you lost your senses!?" He barked a sharp, incredulous laugh, paw pressed dramatically to his chest. "That’s the work of a madbeast! I’ve never stooped lower than a little fib and a stage dive! I’m a performer, not a monster. My crimes are dramatic, not demonic!"

He paced a tight circle, tail flicking in agitation, before pausing as Marianna’s voice softened again. The talk of “compensation” stopped him dead in his tracks. His ears perked.

"Well..." he began, voice honey-slick now, "I do appreciate generosity when it’s extended. I imagine a suitable token could help soothe such a frightful misunderstanding." He smoothed his whiskers, all mock civility once more.

When the question came about the supremacists, he chuckled and lifted his paws in a gesture of theatrical surrender.

"The supremacists? Hah. Complicated lot, aren’t they? I suppose I admire their passion. A fox should celebrate who they are. The grand country, the artistry, the blood and breath that built it. There’s a beauty in that kind of pride..."

He caught himself mid-sentence, muzzle scrunching as if he’d just bitten into something sour. "But don’t mistake me! I don’t hate other beasts, heavens no! Why would I? A full house is a full purse. Woodland, mustelid, even those scaly-skinned eccentrics... they all clap the same when the curtain falls!"

He waved a paw as if to dismiss any lingering doubts, voice rising as he warmed to his own words.

"I’ve no stomach for blood, mind you. Never wanted to see anybeast killed for a cause. Even Kilaris... poor fool as he is. For all his pomp... didn’t deserve to go up with his birthday candles. I just..." He shrugged, helpless grin returning. "...saw no other way he’d leave that ministry, that’s all!"

Realizing how that sounded, he winced and hurried onward, looking at Iva once again.

"You read your little books and whisper your theories, but I know what this is. Two foxes sniffin’ for a scapegoat so they can feel safe again! That they caught the perp and all is well once again! Well, news for you: the only thing I’ve ever led beasts to is laughter!"

He stopped short, fur still bristling, and gave them both a defiant grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"And if you want a confession...fine. I confess to being talented, charming, and bloody unlucky!"