Rainblade-Ryalors Private East Tookumberry The Poison Fox and the Singed Rose

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's eyes practically turned wide as saucers. "Bully Hahbah? The big city 'erself?" She'd heard tales of the place since she was a little kit bounced on the knees of the adoring patrons of her father's tavern, regaled with tales of distant lands. For all that various places were spoken of, Bully Harbor held a special magic, a blend of wonder and danger in equal measure. It was a place that turned paupers into emperors, and sometimes vice versa. You rose gloriously there, while those who flew too high inevitably burned up in the sun.

Mina Rose hesitated before giving her answer. She should just say yes; there was nothing left for her here, after all. Her parents and lover's bones were both long out on the tide, her home burnt to ash; she didn't even have any clothes left to call her own. For all of that, though, this island had been all she'd ever known. For the first time, standing on that beach, 'everywhere else' seemed mighty big. "Alrigh'," she allowed at last. "I'll go wiv' ya, Auntie Tanya." She tried the appellation experimentally on the tongue. It didn't quite feel right yet, but that might come with practice. She glance down the beach to where a vessel was coming in to the village docks, far larger than the normal boats that ran island to island here. "Reckon 'at's yer schooner down there, ain' it?" she speculated. She gave a small shrug before starting to amble in that direction. "Well, at leas' I'm all packed," she quipped. She glanced at Tanya as she added, "Maybe ye can tell me abou' 'ese cousins ye mentioned, an' my new uncle. I gotta awful lotta names an' faces t' learn now, don' I?"

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

It felt like a lifetime since she’d seen such wonder at the name of the Harbour, and yet she had seen it in Kinza only a pawful of seasons past. She could not fault the legend: even in decades past the reputation of the city itself had drawn even her fascination as a youngster. How she had come to hear of it was all but lost to fogged memory now yet lodged indelibly in her mind had been that first week. The sheer scale and spectacle of the Harbour and its gilded edge of violence had been almost hypnotic; a heady combination of fright and thrill, where opportunities seemed endless if one could make it to the end of the week. It would prove a true test of how the place had come along since her youth to hear feedback from Mina Rose’s own experience. Her guilders were on far less than she’d have hoped for.

An empathic nod followed the vixen’s wry observation on her light travels, electing for now not to overwhelm her with promises of a Trenches apartment and anything she might need. There was a time and a place for generosity and all potential at this stage for it to seem suspect. Padding alongside her niece, Tanya nodded. “Aye, that I can do – and that you do. ‘Tis a big family by all accounts, so we’ll take it slow, but for now we’ll focus on me good self. I do that best, y’see.” A lazy wink and she continued. “So I’m Tanya though you can call me Tox. Your uncle, my husband, is Jeshal the Ironclaw. Now he was Minister’ve Commerce back in the day,” by my appointment, how that bit me in the tail, “so if you ever have any money worries you go see him, he’ll see you right. I have four children, though two were with my first husband and they’re off ‘Gates knows where on their own adventures. My other two are the cousins you’ll be meeting, Kinza and Lorcan.”

She cast her eye over Mina Rose again, quiet for a beat. “You two don’t look all that dissimilar. Kinza’s a bright girl, got talent as a seamstress an’ some street smarts between her ears. Think the pair’ve you would get along well – an’ probably up to some trouble, eh? Lorcan…” There came another pause as Tanya sought a word before it seemed to elude her. “…He’s still workin’ out who he is, though he means well. The pair grew up in a place rural like this, so you’ll be in like company for getting used to life in old Bully. Truth be told…” She dropped her voice a touch, as though conspiratorial, “I barely know me rudder from me mizzen in that place, so much is different from when I was your age. Think there’s a fair few of us findin’ our paws, and no shame in it.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's eyes widened more and more as her family was slowly revealed to herself. The name 'Tox Rainblade' had been legendary enough for even the somewhat historically-clueless vixen to have heard it spoken; she hadn't realized that was the admiral that her father had named the inn for, though. Further revelations only overwhelmed her even more. I've got two ministers in my family. 'Gates, and my most notable accomplishment is inventing a new drinking game. Her cousins' descriptions she absorbed with a keen interest; she could certainly see how Kinza might make for interesting company, and Lorcan sounded like the sort of lovable goof she'd always wished she'd had as a big brother. For the first time in her life, her anticipation and hope was growing to have actual peers her own age. Sure, she'd been to a few sleepovers in her younger days, but those had fallen off as her life became more and more tied up in the inn, and theirs absorbed with marriage, kits, and domesticity. Maybe Kinza and I can paint our claws and talk about todds we like, she thought whimsically.

The vixen nodded smartly at her aunt's observation, straightening up a little bit as the eagerness infected her steps and the swish of her tail. "I can 'ardly wait ta see it fer meself!" she remarked, a smile breaking her face for the first time in weeks. She even gave a small pirouette on the sand as the walked, wobbling through a move she'd only ever heard described to her and had attempted in the privacy of her own small bedroom, and recovered a bit awkwardly to fall back into a normal step. "I reckon I'll prob'ly 'ave ta get a job 'ere, won' I? 'Ey gotta 'ave taverns in Bully, righ'? I imagine 'tis big enough 'ey probably 'ave three e'en!" The enthusiasm in her voice was infectious as her green eyes lit up with the thought of such a grand locale.

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

The youngster’s enthusiasm proved infectious. As many misgivings as Tanya might possess about every possible outcome for this vixen, it was difficult to let herself fall victim to the threat of the future after seeing her smile. In this moment she was vibrant and full of potential, a world away from the grief and desolation which seemed to weigh so heavily upon her here on the Keys. Whatever was coming for her she’d be alright: she was a Rainblade, protected by Rainblades. Dusk would see her daughter right.

“Oh, there’s a couple places,” Tox chuckled. The sheer scale of the sprawling Harbour was likely to beyond Mina Rose’s imagination and the older fox was keen to see how her niece would handle the revelation when they arrived. “I dare say you’ll find your paws in one if that suits your fancy for work. Tell me, though: I know ownin’ a tavern of your own’s likely been all that’s been offered here, but your interests ever wandered anywhere else? Other hobbies or jobs you ever fancied trying your paw at?” It was as much a gauge of personality as it was an indulgence: if Mina Rose wanted to follow a particular career, the least Tanya felt she could do to make the move smoother was to see if there were means of making it happen.

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina's enthusiastic expression turned to pondering as she considered that the world of possibilities might be greater than she initially thought. "Huh. Well, I allus wan'd ta try my paw at bein' a sum-lee-ay," she admitted, the mispronounced version of sommelier almost painful on the ears. "I've a good nose, I think, bu' Pa ne'er let me drink aroun' the guests. He allus thought I'd wind up doin' somethin' indecent wiv' em. Oh," she added, "an' I can play Alkamarian guitar, ya know, pawfinger pickin'. I ain' much good yet, bu' it's fun fer me." Her expression briefly turned mournful again, corners of her eyes drooping, as her memory turned back to the inn. "'At's burned up now too. It wasn' much, just a cast-off from one a' Cap'n Gilbert's crew, but it was mine." She gave a small shrug as she looked toward Tanya, smiling at her aunt with a youthful energy. "I guess I'll 'ave ta save up an' get one a' my own."

Mina hesitated before asking, "So, is our family rich? Like, ya said m' uncle, yer todd, was minister a' money or summat. Nah 'at I'm diggin' fer coin or none," she hastened to clarify, putting up her paws to distance herself from the notion. "I ain' 'at sorta vixen. I wanna earn me own way. 'Tis good t' know 'oo I can go to in a pinch is all. I ain' ne'er been out on m' own b'fore, an' I reckon I'll bungle it a few times 'fore I get it righ'."

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

Tanya merely nodded in understanding as her niece explained her interests. That she butchered the pronunciation of sommelier felt an echo of her first seasons in the city. Alright, that might have been unfair on Mina Rose: she hadn’t even known what a sommelier was. Music was an interest and she also noted that. Tempting though it would be to see about gifting her one at the end of the year, she rather suspected the vixen might prefer the satisfaction of earning it heself.

Her work ethic was commendable, and Tanya was pleased to hear Mina Rose keen to pay her way, even if the older vixen would have happily indulged anything her niece could have wanted. Perhaps it was maternal instinct; perhaps it was guilt for those she had failed. Still, it was a good sign: if she was happy to work for what she wanted she would owe less to others. All the better for her future.

“Bunglin’s the best way to learn: you’ll have beasts happy to keep an eye out for you. With money…” Nose wrinkled reflectively. “It’s a mite complicated, there. Your other aunt, now, she’s got ‘er paws in a few purses: her side’s more familiar with the Harbour these days. Matter of fact she’s arrangin’ to get you an apartment settled so you at least have somewhere to stay before you start working. Don’t worry: if you feel you want to pay back rent you can, but the least we can do if we’re bringing you to Bully is make sure you have a bed. As for uncle Jesh, between you an’ me,” Tanya’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “I think anybeast workin’ with money is wise in investment. We’ve lived rural for some time and money hasn’t been much concern, but something tells me he’ll dig up some funds from the old days.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose nodded in what she hoped was a sage manner at her aunt's conspiratorial tone. Truth be told, she didn't really understand how investment worked at all. Giving money to another beast and telling them to give you back money later just seemed like a bad idea to her, but then, what did she know. "Well, I'll try not ta go askin' fer money too much," she promised. "My Pa didn' raise me ta be a beggar none; he allus told me 'twas be'er ta starve on m' footpaws 'n ta feast on m' knees." She nodded sharply to indicate her own agreement with the sentiment. "If I take anythin' from th' family, I'll pay it back, promise," she swore. Her eyes lined with tears as she admitted, "Ye've been real kind ta me already, Auntie Tanya. I... I don' wanna spoil 'at fer nothin'." She'd just gained a family after losing one; she wasn't going to let something as paltry as coin rob her of this one too.

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

“’Ere now, don’t you worry about that none.” Reaching out to clasp her shoulder, Tanya offered her niece a smile. “I doubt there’s much of anythin’ you could do to spoil how I see you: you’ve a good head on your shoulders, Mina. From what you’ve just told me you’re a hard worker and an honest sort – and that counts for a lot.” Having come from little money herself, the value of coin had always been an interesting dichotomy for Tanya: gilders had meant security, food and essentials and ever she had been partial to the glimmer of jewels. However, having lived on so little had instilled a reluctance towards opulence. She couldn’t picture a loss Mina Rose could exact which she would resent the vixen for. After what she had said, Tanya hardly believed the hard-working girl would get nearly so far.

“Now the city might not be particularly flatterin’ about those traits of yours, but don’t you let it make you think those aren’t important. Anybeast gives you too much trouble, you just let me know and I’ll pull a few strings.” It was easier to neglect that they would be the ends of a garotte, but the offer was genuine. Mina was family, and as kind as she seemed Tanya was loathe to see her fall prey to the harshness of Bully. There were plenty of lessons she would need to learn on her own, but they need not come as thick and fast as they had for her elders. “As it stands, there’s money in the families to support you getting on your paws, and you can borrow as much or little as y’like. Kinza’ll no doubt give you a good price on her work if you need repairs or somethin’ new to wear and Lorcan can help with any of the practical nonsense in your flat, and no doubt you can help ‘em right back. It’s all, what’s the word…reciprocal.”

Quite suddenly the vixen’s brush lashed as a sudden thought occurred to her. “Oh – Mina, me beauty, before we get on the Sparrowsong I’ve a favour to ask: when those bastards left here, did anybeast mention any unusual weapons they might have had or left be’ind? Liddle cannon things or something of the sort.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose blushed at her aunt's compliments, a bashful smile creeping over her face at the faith expressed in her. It was clear how much she relied on others to bolster her, especially after losing everyone who had supported her; a word of praise likely meant more to her than a rain of gilders at that moment.

The girl nodded along eagerly with the account of her cousins and the support she could expect from them. She found herself growing surprisingly excited to meet them; despite previously not knowing of their existence, and having no real reason to believe they'd get along well just on account of being family, a part of her thrilled at the idea of having family her own age. She'd grown up largely without contemporaries, and had always wanted siblings; there'd been a time she'd begged her parents for a little brother or sister, only to be heartbroken when they gently informed her that wouldn't be possible.

Mina Rose furrowed her brow in confusion at the change in the line of inquiry. "Matter o' fact, yeah," she confirmed, uncertain how her aunt had known that. "I heard th' village folk talkin' after th' attack, sayin' them pirates were firin' little paw-cannons abou'. Didn' seem t' be very good wiv' em, bu' they still 'ad swords, an' swords are plenty dangerous 'nough."

A thought entered her mind, and she rushed to get the question out before she could forget. "Auntie Tanya, I... Wha' were my ma an' pa's names? M' birth folks, I mean. Yer siblin' an' 'eir partner." It occurred to her that Tanya hadn't even specified whether the relationship was a maternal or paternal one, which seemed like a very odd choice of words. She tilted her head in curiosity as she awaited some clarification on the topic.

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

“Hm. Interestin’.” Though it had only been a secondary purpose for exploring the Keys, far removed from the priority of recovering Mina Rose, it was worth reflecting on whilst she was here. Paw-cannons: it was as horrifying a thought as it was captivating. Nothing on the elegance and speed of her beloved archery, of course, but the potential damage of such a thing could have far-reaching consequences. Old ministerial instincts were difficult to suppress: the ramifications of advanced weaponry could be catastrophic, let alone in the paws of pirates. She’d need to do a quick scoot around the beaches and see if any parts had been left behind or fallen off. If she was lucky enough one might even have been abandoned for her to take back, and then…

And then what? Was she really going to turn such a thing over to her sister and Misanthropy? Should War or even Innovation not have first dibs? The vixen puffed out her cheeks as she stared at the ocean: this sort of political chess was exactly what she’d enjoyed being absent from. Still, it came with the territory. You don’t invite yourself to the table an’ complain about the manners there.

Whatever excuse she was going to need to fabricate diminished at once in the face of Mina Rose’s question and what she might have to consider next. Lying came as easily to Tanya as breathing but that hardly meant she relished it, particularly when it came to family. Mina Rose was a kind soul deserving of truth after all she had been through, but it was not her tale to tell. Her stomach knotted.

“Well it’s all been a bit confusin’” she started – and that at least was no lie. It was also now that the tale felt all too easy to poke holes in, but options had been scarce as it was save assuming parentage of the vixen herself. Had there been less requirement to move faster she could have spent time with Dusk to sew up the story, but needs must. “I only found out you were even alive recently I’d been gone from the Imperium that long. Your pa was named Valdrisk, but as for your ma, I can’t say as I know. Not yet at least.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's face fell as Tanya informed her of what little could be said about her parentage. "Oh." She wrestled with her disappointment, trying to stamp out the sense of ingratitude. Her aunt had come all this way for her, which was very kind of her to do. As for her birth parents, Mina Rose hadn't even known of their existence until just then. Why then was she crestfallen to hear it inferred that they were both dead as well? "An' I take it 'at he's, well... 'at I won't be meetin' 'im," she asked, more for clarification than anything. From everything her aunt had said, it seemed very likely that she was twice an orphan now.

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

The older vixen’s ears settled back, partially in discomfort for lying and partially in grief over Valdrisk. That much at least was no lie even after all the years. She almost found herself wishing the tale true, that he had passed whilst she was living in Kutoroka: the indelible image of finding him in his cabin that morning still haunted her dreams.

“Afraid not,” Tanya sighed. “I’m sorry about that, young’un. For what it’s worth I never really knew my birth parents, but the beasts what raised me were just as much my ma an’ pa. Still, it can leave a lot of questions I can’t answer for you, but I’m always happy to listen. I came t’ the city alone: these days I can’t seem to move through the place without findin’ somebeast I’m linked to. Now I won’t sugarcoat that startin’ in Bully might feel lonesome, but try and give it time. You’ve got family waitin’ over there to meet you, but I wager it won’t be long before you start makin’ connections of your own.” I just hope they’re a good sort for you.

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose nodded, an emotional journey mapped across her face as she worked through her grief and disappointment for a relationship she would never get to have in a few tearful blinks of the eye. "Thank you, Auntie Tanya," she managed, taking a few deep breaths to try to steady herself. "I... I 'ope he'd appreciate ya, goin' through comin' ou' ta find me 'ere." She put a paw to her chest, trying to steady the hollow, mournful drum of her heart as she wrestled with somehow losing four parents in a month. "Izzit alrigh' if I ask ya t' introduce me t' th' family, once I've 'ad time ta settle myself in a bit? I don' wanna show up on 'eir door claimin' ta be 'eir long los' cousin, lookin' like some tramp come beggin' fer go-away coin."

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

The sight of the young vixen trying to reconcile all this information with her sense and self, processing the grief…Tanya could have clawed herself for the lies. Dusk, too, for the necessity of it. Curse it all but she’d better find a way to smooth this over soon, or let me tell her.

The question drew a soft snort of mirth. “Don’t you worry about that none, I won’t leave you adrift for that. Tell you what, though: we’ll get you settled into the city first, get your paws on solid ground and once you feel ready I’ll introduce you to the wider family, though you'll probably see your other aunt sooner rather'n later. I wager there’s enough on your plate to be thinking of without a bunch more strange foxes fussin’ around you. Your choice, though, if you’d rather start off with the introductions.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose only needed a moment to consider that before she had her answer. "Nah, I... I don' think I'll be ready fer 'at quite yet," she admitted. "Give me a bit, though, an' then I'll come 'round ta ask ya t' make innerductions, 'kay? Maybe yer kits firs', so I don' go confusin' m' cousins abou'."

She smiled, trying to banish the shadows hanging over her with the expression, and stepped in to hug her aunt properly. It felt strange, being taller than someone else; normally she was used to being the shortest in the room, exempting any mice or such that came in with the crew of a ship. The vixen squeezed her arms around her new family as tightly as she could manage. "Thank ya, Auntie Tanya," she murmured. "I promise, I'll be a good... wha'ever our fam'ly name is."

 

[Tanya Keltoi]

Whatever relief Tanya felt that Mina Rose’s acquiescence would buy some time was short-lived. The hug would have come as pleasant surprise, and indeed the smaller vixen responded with all due enthusiasm and a firm embrace, but guilt continued to thud hollowly in her chest. You’ve nothing to thank me for, young’un. I worry life’s going to be rougher before it gets to smooth sailing for you.

“You’ll be a great one,” Tox chuckled. “Lucky – or unlucky dependin’ on your viewpoint – there’s several names around. Me, I’ve changed my name several times over. This go I’m startin’ with the name from the family what adopted me. For the wider family, though, you’re welcome to use Rainblade but don’t feel you ‘ave to. Good name to bring up if you’re ever in a tight spot, though. Carries a lot of weight in the city.”

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina squeezed her aunt tightly, holding on a few moments longer than strictly comfortable just to soak in a little extra of the affection she'd been without since her parents' death, before finally releasing Tanya, stepping back. Her expression was contemplative as she considered the name, testing it on her tongue. "Mina Rainblade. Mina Rose Rainblade," she tried the variants out for size. "Bit 'f a mouthful, ain' it? Mebbe I shoul' stick t' Brewer fer now, an' keep th' Rainblade bit fer family occasions. Leas'," she added, "'s long as 'at don' offend none. Reckon it'll be a whole 'fore I'm properly innerducted an' all." She seemed entirely unaware that the way she'd transformed the word introduction bordered on the nonsensical.