Open The Frost Fair of 1765

[Amnesty Greysoul]

Someone pushed up through the crowd beside Amnesty, and the white fox had only a moment to think that she had seen the sable before-- the orange-patterned blanket cape the mustelid had just unclipped was wonderfully distinct-- when someone shouted from right next to her and she became suddenly aware of both Cricket's proximity and the location of the little reptile's fingers. She didn't mean to. It wasn't dignified. But Amnesty yipped. The part that was intentional was her own paw snapping down with the goal of closing, firm and harmless, on the would-be pickpocket's wrist.

It wouldn't be disastrous if she lost the contents of her pocket. A few gilders she had hoped to spend at the stalls, a variety of herbs both medicinal and fragrant. Not disastrous, but absolutely annoying. And not the sort of thing that was going to do much in the way of longterm good for the little urchin, regardless.

"Oy, I don't think that's your pocket, now, is it?"

@Cricket

 

[Kinza Rainclaw]

Kinza was having no more luck than her brother on the ice. Sitting with her backside going numb on the ground, be-skated footpaws spread out, she huffed and tried to catch her breath and dignity. Maybe joining in the snowball fight would prove more fun if she could find her way over there without asking anyone for help.

------

The approach of another large beast, a wolverine, surprised Zara. By his description she assumed he must be the new Minister of Commerce, being a well-dressed wolverine. She was out of earshot of the compliment paid to her, focusing instead upon the gift Ruffano opened. Some sort of drab old prosthetic hand. What a strange present. Far less beautiful than the bracelet the fox then gave in return.

"Oh, how lovely," she remarked, only to then be offered a gift of her own by the presumed-Minister. "Why, thank you, it's simply darling!" The trinket was immediately attached to her wrist.

Quickwhistle made his introduction and so she waited to hear the confirmation of her benefactor before she made her own introduction.

@Callisto Bluemoon @Ruffano Quickwhistle @Pomodu​

 

[Jill (The Beast)]

Mordecai let out a soft sigh, apparently his illustration had gone on too long. In his many years, the poor old Abbott had still not learned to be brief. Still, the smile on Jill's face was a welcome one. His expression softened and warmed -- before he realized he'd been insulted.

"Windba--Windbag!?" he spluttered. "Why... ... I think there may be a gift in there for you too, Jill! A measley lump of coal!" he chided with a chortle.

But his brow pinched together sorrowfully as he remembered her question. As if Jill had answered his question, he continued on. "Vulpuz uses that very trick on you Jill. He drags out the orphan, the infirm, the lame and says... 'It's useless to try! Their suffering is too great!' But he's an old liar he is. And he aims to take you out of the fight by making you give up!"

The old squirrel swallowed, his feisty spirit waning. "... but lies are tricky. Y'hear it enough, y'just... start wondering if maybe it's true. Maybe y'should give up. Take the gifts back home'n... bury them with the dead..." His words had taken such a suddenly morbid turn, one might have wondered if he was talking about himself. But suddenly, he chippered up.

"...so that's why y'make friends with a sturdy fox who'll drag ya by the tail out t'battle! Sayin', 'Hellgates shaln't prevail as long as we're suckin' breath!'" he cried triumphantly, with a little hop for emphasis.

@Jill (The Beast)

Jill nodded, still smiling. "If old Vulpuz tries to give you any trouble, Father, just holler for me. I'll come running and give him the ole one-two!"

She emphasized this by punching the air with her fists. Her smile faded, and she turned to Mordecai. "Let's hurry now, Father. It's Giftmas after all. Forgive me for souring the day with this conversation. I don't wish to speak of it anymore."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"A medic?" Caden managed a chuckle. He shook his head. Before he could say any more, the todd seen earlier with Tanya came sliding up beside him and Daniil. His attempts to get up were unsuccessful, and Caden flinched as the younger beast nearly collided with him. The marten scrambled to the side, holding onto his partner for purchase, off-balancing Daniil somewhat in the process given their weight disparity. He offered the fallen todd a grin and shrug.

"S'ok, really. No harm done, after all. Here." He hauled himself carefully to his footpaws, then lowered a paw to Lorcan. "Need a paw up?"

@Daniil Ryalor @Lorcan Rainclaw