Open The Bilge In The Bucket The Slups The Old Haunt

[Colonel Harvon M. Jere]

The Colonel nodded casually along to the description of the rat Silvertongue was searching for as he smoked, faintly amused at the idea such a rough-sounding rat lacking in that many appendages could share the foppish fox's company, much less 'handle' much of anything.
He knew plenty of capable beasts lacking eyes, arms, or legs, but reckoned if any of them were to lose quite that much of their body they'd keep away from sharp objects and dangerous gigs for good.

Jere crooked an eyebrow when the Furotazzi invited the minstrel over to his place, sensing immediately intentions beyond mere friendliness.
Rogues like Falun were high-chasers, and the fun that came from corrupting some young fellow afflicted with innocence in a town that spat their kind out like chicken bones was no doubt as addictive as whatever else Falun found entertaining.
"I would advise you focus on your naval career, pup." The old todd couldn't help but suggest as an alternative, speaking around his pipe.

When the golden fox addressed the Colonel with his actually very reasonable question, Jere couldn't help but utter a rough, throaty chuckle. "Heh heh heh. No, there are certainly still plenty of Imperial Army-related conflicts I could better devote my time and energy to, but I was called to Bully Harbor for some administrative duties a host of very irritating Missertrosses assured me absolutely required my presence." He breathed, having said all of that at once with an increasing edge to his tone.
The Colonel shook his grizzled head, noticing the frustration leaking into his words and flashing a small smile, his green eyes twinkling. "Hm. And so I am here at the Bilge in the Bucket, my old haunt from when I was younger even than you; releasing my frustrations on my fellow Imperium faithful, as is Bully Harbor tradition."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

"My naval career?" Silvertongue asked with eyebrows raised. "Sir, I mean no disrespect when I say this, but I don't think the Navy will be my career. I'm simply- um- doing my due diligence as a citizen of this land. Performing is where my heart truly lies. Singing, dancing, playing my lute." Silvertongue held the lute fondly in his paws. "This has been in my family for generations. My father gave it to me, and his father gave it to him, and one day I hope I will have a son I can pass it along to."

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun considered the other foxes over his cigar, weighing them as he tried (and failed) to blow smoke rings. It had been fun brawling alongside the three, even if the minstrel was a bit flighty and distracted. He almost considered whether it was worth making overtures to invite the to the 'Tazzis, but he decided against it. Someone like the Colonel, with so much life experience behind him, would be ill-fit for taking orders from a beast half his age. As for the minstrel, he was amusing, certainly; vague notions of getting him to perform at a 'Tazzi-run tavern (once they had one, of course) floated through his head, as nebulous as the smoke he exhaled from his lungs. No, he decided. No, this one would certainly not be cut out for a life of crime. It took a certain sort of constitution to make an oath to the Family and mean it. As the last thirty years had proved, there were too many beasts who upheld an oath only while the gliders and grog both flowed. Falun needed the sort who were in right up to the Hellgates themselves.

Falun chuckled at Silvertongue's comment regarding his hopes for the lute. "Who knows," he commented. "With the reputation 'at minstrels have, you migh' have one or two out there already that you just haven't met yet." A small shot fired, more to test the waters than anything else. He had his suspicions about the leanings of this fox, but even in the new, more progressive regime of Empress Amélie, one couldn't be too open and forward in asking such questions. Besides, Falun enjoyed the game of oblique references and shrouded innuendos.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue's eyes widened in surprise, and he huffed, turning his nose up at Falun. "Well, I never-!" He seemed to be upset, but couldn't seem to think of a proper retort, just glaring at Falun before finally speaking. "I will not sit here and be mocked a minute longer. Now, if you will excuse me." He started to stand up. "I need to go look for my mate- I mean my friend. Good day, sir!"

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun made a small calming gesture, indicating for Silvertongue to sit back down. "No offense meant," he stated by way of apology. "Just never can be sure when speaking in mixed company." He glanced in the direction of the Colonel to indicate his meaning. Bully Harbor had come a long way over the past three decades, but it still had its laws and norms that, even while relaxed and unenforced, created a certain code of silence not unlike that in the mafia. In a way, being a mafioso had prepared Falun well for the trials of the underground scene for beasts of similar proclivities.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

“Right, mixed company…” Silvertongue said, sitting back down. He sighed and he looked at his paws. He took a minute to look at his outfit. “I suppose I’m not exactly taking any effort to hide it, now am I?” He shook his head. “I mean, as flamboyantly dressed as I am, I don’t think I could make it much more obvious.”

He groaned and rubbed his temple. “You know, maybe I will take you up on that drink. Who knows, I may end up liking alcohol after all.”

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun got up to get the drinks for the three, since they hadn't manifested yet. They were sitting ready on the bar, but that wildcat hadn't brought them over as Falun had requested. In retrospect, she might well have just been a beast seeking shelter, not a barmaid. He returned with the drinks to the table, setting them down in front of each of their places before taking his seat again.

"Don' stress yourself too much," he advised the younger fox. "I mean, technically it's still illegal, so having some plausible deniability ain't a bad idea, but the Empire doesn't care to enforce those laws now. 'Gates, practically every family has someone like us. As long as we don' make too much noise, they turn a blind eye, an' we get to live more or less undisturbed. 'Sides," he added, raising his mug of Odd Tinge, "fashion is swingin' back around in your favor. Flamboyant is glamorous again."

 

[Colonel Harvon M. Jere]

The Colonel crooked an eyebrow at the suddenly much more interesting conversation.
Even the military had its secret society of what was termed "molls", pansies, sapphists and the like.
The Navy also, but they were legendarily far worse at hiding it.
Colonel Jere had been known on occasion to run with those types, wear the green carnation on his jacket.
He coughed and gratefully accepted his drink, downing it swiftly.
"Well, I knew we were alike in some ways, lads, but had not expected quite so much. Yes, flamboyancy is returning... but I do prefer the old, more subdued breed of dandy. A cigar in his paw, a handsome suit. Excuse me." He coughed again, his cheeks taking on a flushed tone beneath the fur as he pictured his old lovers.

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun raised the paw with his cigar in it as a salute to the old fox and his point both. "Well," he remarked, "I'll take 'at as a compliment then." He grinned as he added, "You must've seen quite a bit in your day. 'Gates, I can't imagine 'ow the Imperium's changed." He chuckled as he added, "My own birth father probably woulda died a' shame if 'e could see me now, or see an Imperium where beasts like us can sit an' drink openly in th' Bilge. Serves 'im righ', though. 'E was a righ' ol' piece a' work, from what I've 'eard told. But 'ey, common story around 'ere. Fathers, am I righ'?"

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue, in the meantime, seemed hesitant to try the alcohol still. He picked up the glass, inspecting the liquid within before taking a sip. His eyes widened, and he spat it out, gagging. "Ugh- how can any beast drink this filth?!" He shuddered and he sat the glass aside.

"Also, if this country's leaders think they can decide who I am allowed to be in love with... I'm telling you right now, they're sorely mistaken." Silvertongue looked between the two of them. "If my love is illegal, then I shall become the most dangerous criminal these beasts have known of."

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

There was a pause; then, Falun burst out laughing. It may not have been meant as a mocking laugh, but that was the emotion it implied nonetheless. "'Gates," he chuckled, "you think that makes you a threat to 'em? They don't enforce it because they don't care, and they don't care because it doesn't matter to them what we do. As long as we don't get the upper crust in an uproar, we're beneath their notice. If th' Fogeys came fer me, I guarantee you that my preferences wouldn' even be worth chargin', given everything else they could throw at me."

 

[Colonel Harvon M. Jere]

The Colonel nodded with a small smile to the Furotazzi at the golden fox's remark. "Please do." he said, and his green eyes glided over the big fox for a moment. "You are very handsome. Yes, the Imperium has changed immensely since my first days to Her golden shores. Our... tastes, were not always so casually viewed. And beasts in bygone days were more oft to intrude in others' business, if you could believe it. Feh! Maybe there were just more of them, before the wars, the famine. I've busted my fair amount of faces and worn many a secret signal or code in order to love who I love. It comes with the territory, I suppose."
The Colonel beckoned another waitress over, this time a surly ratess, for a bottle of Odde Tinge, and turned to drink something from a smaller bottle he hid from his companions' view, before slipping it back in his coat.
The old fox then poured himself another mug of Odd Tinge, and raised it to his companions. "You have to fight for what you want. It is the Imperial way, no?"
He tipped the mug to his lips and drank deep, before adding with a chuckle to Falun. "You know, I never did like your father. Pompous bastard."
He took the rejected cup from Silvertongue and finished it off, his tail swishing goodhumoredly behind him.
"It is true, youngbeast." The Colonel said of the criminal's words, peering with amusement in his green eyes at the bard. "Nowadays, it would take a specific situation on these shores... but I respect the sentiment. Times can change, and beasts respect beasts who shed a little blood for what they believe."
The military fox nodded to the lute. "Including with... unusual methods. Hell," he chuckled and took another draught of grog. "Perhaps especially so."