Expedition Introduction Side Adventure The Urk Expedition: Apple Crates don't Snore...

[FinnianBrightfur]

If the captain's words didn't set everything right, the scruffle between his ears sure did.

Finn looked up at the captain, and studied him intently. There was a compassion in that hug that spoke volumes. Talinn had to be a father. No one else could give a hug like that. But there was something deeper there that gnawed at Finny. His mind could almost grasp it, and yet, not quite. It was almost a pain, or a loss -- as if Talinn needed that hug just as much as he did. The kit didn't want to let go now, and yet the moment had passed. Trying to chase after it would be folly.

A painful lump grew in his throat again. Morgan was offering her meals to him. The captain offered him a job, and shelter. It was almost too good to be true -- and without the captain's word, Finn would have never believed it. Finn tried to open his mouth to accept the offer, but words failed him. He swallowed hard, and nodded vigorously. "Yes sir!" he said in a hoarse whisper.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue felt his heart surge in his chest. Maybe he had been wrong about Talinn. He couldn't help but smile widely at Finnian. "Seems your a part of the crew now, lad."

 

[Duke Talinn Ryalor]

Talinn offered a rare, warm smile as Finnian accepted his offer and an internally sighed in relief. He could still do good, somedays. He would have to write up the paperwork and immediately apply his special anti-flea ointments on himself and have Silvertongue handle his clothing as he changed into one of his spare set of clothes. And many other additional duties for Silvertongue, Morgan, and company to ensure the kit’s fleas didn’t spread to the crew.

“Very well, Finnian, I accept you into her Majesty’s Navy at the rank of Deckswab, to be formalized upon the signing of the proper paperwork. For now, however…” He turned to look at Silvertongue, still smiling. “...Aide Songfox will escort you to the infirmary for a special anti-flea bath. He will then meticulously comb every inch of you to ensure none of the adults or the larvae remain on your person, burn your old clothes, and provide you new ones. He will then bring you to my office to sign the paperwork necessary to officially induct you. He will also, after this is done, take my current clothes and wash them in the steam laundry for a minimum of one hour, and meticulously wipe them down to do same, and then bring Ralynn a replacement dinner from the Galley. This is in addition to his normal duties.”

Turning the other two, Vihmastaja and Morgan, he continued.

“You will talk to Finnian about every single location he has been. You will then take the special anti-flea cleaning solution and scour every inch of deck he has been or may have been on, and you will do this twice over. You may conscript Deckswab Greeneye to help you, as I have noticed he has been a little bit idle of late. These apples and their crates, unfortunately, must be tossed overboard to prevent any contamination.”

Giving the little fox kit a salute, he then looked at them all and in a firm voice stated “Dismissed!” as he went back to his office to apply the anti-flea ointment and put his clothes in a sealed laundry bag and change.

@Silvertongue Songfox @Greeneye @Morgan Liu @Ralynn Waverunner @Vihmastaja

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Things were moving very quickly. In under the space of an hour, Finn'd gone from being a stowaway to -- well, he wasn't exactly sure about everything the captain said about formal eyes-ing paperwork, and missed the bit about what his rank was.

But it didn't matter. Finn was going to do the best he could at whatever they assigned him to do -- that much was at least evident from the sparkle in his eyes.

Finn's chest swelled with pride, and he barely paid attention to what was being said as he thought of the adventure that lay ahead of him. Kits like him had short attention span, especially when they were overwhelmed. However, certain words or phrases had the magical ability to snap them back to reality in an instant.

"...for a special anti-flea bath..."

The captain might as well have blown a trumpet with how quickly Finn snapped out of his daydream. The kit's ears went red as turnips, and swiveled backwards in humiliation. He had felt a little twinge here and there, but he hadn't thought anything of it until now!

Finn looked as if he were about to protest the captain's decision for a split second, but the way he went on with his instructions, there wasn't a way to slip a word in edge wise. His mind raced for a way out of this situation, but he heard his father's voice chuckling with affectionate amusement with his son's predicament.

"Oh Finn, you really got yourself in a pickle now, don't you?"

He had just agreed to be part of the crew, hadn't he? He just signed his life away. Now Finn only had a rough idea of what that meant... mostly from watching his father. When orders came in, his father had to leave, and there was no arguing against it. Orders were more important than birthdays. And hard as it was, his father tried to remain cheerful about it. Finn, however, hadn't learned that skill just yet.

Upon hearing the sharp dismissal, Finn involuntarily snapped to attention, and tried to mimic the others actions as the captain left. Smart as he looked, his face very much screamed that he Did. Not. Want. A. Bath.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue still didn't seem to understand what a salute was. He instead held his hat in his chest whenever he was addressing Talinn. Once Talinn left, he donned his hat, crouching down next to Finn. "Don't worry, Finn. A bath isn't such a terrible thing!" Silvertongue gave Finn a reassuring pat on the back, before suddenly grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. "There's no use trying to squirm out of this." He said calmly, smiling widely. "I just happen to take cleanliness very seriously. Speaking of which, I'm going to have to get my own clothes washed. Along with yours too." He turned to Morgan and Vihma. "Seems you two can't catch a break. We'd best get to work, wouldn't want fleas spreading anymore than they already have. Now, come along, Finn."

With that, he started to walk towards the infirmary, allowing Finnian to walk but also clearly willing to drag him if necessary.

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn had many vain ideas of what his first job would be. Clearly, they'd want to put him to the test to see what he was made of. Perhaps they'd order him to race another beast to the top mast, or wrestle him on deck, or run a gauntlet. Maybe they'd want to see how quickly Finn could fire the cannon. (Of course, Finn had no idea, but he was pretty sure he could figure it out!)

Strength and courage. Those were the only virtues a sailor had, to the exclusion of all others! How could his first assignment be a bath!? Or more specifically, to be bathed. They didn't even trust him to do the job himself!

"I'm not a little kit!" he protested with an injured frown, shortly before he was hauled off by the scruff like one.

THE INDIGNITY!!

The utter shock of being scruffed like this caused him to instinctively go limp. Finn crumpled like a sack of potatoes, and he was dragged on his tail like a yet-to-be-invented rolling suitcase for several feet. "Oww oww oww! HEY! I can walk by myself" he pleaded, scrambling to stand back up. If Finn was going to be led to his own execution, by golly he'd have the self respect to at least walk to the gallows with his chin held high!

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue relented and he released his grip on Finnian. "Sorry, just didn't want you running." He said. Making his way into the infirmary, he began to get the water ready for the bath. "No time to waste, Finnian, get out of those clothes." He turned to the doctor. "We've got to treat him for fleas." He explained.

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn had honestly expected Silvie to scruff him all the way to the infirmary like a criminal. It was a terrible feeling losing your autonomy like this -- but it was a part of youth. At the very least, he'd be able to keep the last scrap of his dignity, and walk under his own volition. Finn could feel the eyes boring into him as he walked through the ship. It was like they knew he didn't belong there. The foxkit kept close to Silvie on the way to the infirmary, trying to hide as much as he could behind the Aide-de-Camp. The captain had said he could be there, but it was quickly becoming apparent that a place among the crew was earned, not given.

The fox nervously looked around the infirmary as they entered. He was thankful no one else was around... but the place smelled faintly of blood, and the ship's surgeon was busy cleaning his instruments. The gleam of something sharp caught Finn's eye, and the kit cowered behind Silvie.

"What in the blue blazes..." remarked Mr. Barrett none too kindly as Silvie and Finnian walked in. The surgeon had a reputation for being a severe and intimidating man, and tonight he was in rare form. His quick mind pieced together sufficient information to guess what was going on. If the captain didn't want the kit onboard, he'd either be in a sack sinking to the bottom of the sea, or in the brig. The fact Finnian was coming in for a flea bath (of all things) could only mean he was a newly minted crew member. "The cap'n turning this ship into a rotten orphanage now, is 'e?" he asked gruffly, before putting the knife away in a drawer.

With an exaggerated sigh, the doctor walked over to a cupboard, and rummaged around several amber bottles. He retrieved one with a smudged out label on it, and sat it down on a countertop with a firm thunk to indicate his displeasure. Moments later, a fine toothed comb clattered down in a metal basin, and the cupboard slammed shut. "What do you mean, we? This sounds like this is a you problem." Crossing the room, the pine martin cracked the window open, and gestured to it. "Throw 's clothes out first thing. I don't want to have to deal with fleas 'n here. I'll look'm over when you're done."

With a grunt of frustration, Mr. Barrett stormed off to his office, breathing out murder. "Got enough of you careless oafs gettin' yourselves busted up as it is already... Kits. Gates, this crew'll be the end of me..."

Finn swallowed hard as the surgeon left, and looked helplessly at Silvie. There wasn't really a way around this, was there? Bending over, he tugged his shirt off over his head, and carefully dropped it out the window. He had no shoes to speak of, and sure as the gates were on their hinges wasn't taking his pants off until the bath was ready!

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue kept the water running while he grabbed the amber bottle left by the surgeon, pouring some of the mixture into the water. Then, he reached into his pack and pulled out a fine, clear glass bottle, popping it open and pouring some very fragrant liquid into the water, the concoction having the rich scent of lavender. Afterwards, he removed his gloves and dipped his paws into the water, splashing it around so that it started to bubble up. "There we go, we'll have you smelling nice and fresh after all this is done." Silvertongue nodded.

Once the bath was ready, Silvertongue turned his back to Finnian. "You can get in the bath now. I won't look until you say I can."

He then set his hat aside, unbuckling his doublet and unbuttoning his fine silk undershirt.

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn had a magnificently devious thought at this point. Silvie's back was turned... How funny would it be to run off and leave him waiting? The thought caused a grin to flash over his muzzle briefly... But alas, it was but a fantasy.

The foxkit peeked this way and that, before pulling his knife out of his waistband. Holding it in his teeth, he tossed the remainder of his garments out the window, and skulked over to the washtub. He crawled into it, and was surprised to find the water pleasantly warm. He'd expected it to be frigid.

Now regrettably, young kits had no regard for delicate things like perfumes, or such kindness from other beasts. While an older Finn would have graciously accepted the gift, younger Finn wrinkled his nose, and gagged slightly. "Awwhh... It's scented... Does it have to?" he grumbled.

"Alright, 'm in..." he said as he leaned over the side of the washtub, setting his knife safely down by the base.

 

[Morgan Liu]

Tossing the crates of apples overboard took a while, mainly because hauling them up to the deck, even with the use of a winch, was very difficult and time-consuming. The whole time, Morgan was trying not to think about her beloved leather jacket. Hopefully she could just spray it down and it would be fine, but... She tried to ignore the pang in her heart as she considered the risk of losing it.

"C'mon," she suggested to Vihma as they took a breather after tossing the apples overboard, barrel and all. "Let's go see the adorable little scamp and figure out where he's been." She hesitated before asking Vihma, "How'd you know that goin' to the captain was the right call? I was sure he'd toss the poor lad overboard himself."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Meanwhile in the infirmary, Silvertongue turned back to Finn. "You know, that shampoo is special. It was a gift to me. Now, I am sharing it with you."

Silvertongue crouched down by the bathtub, and he pulled out a loofah. "Let's start with getting that dirt off of you, shall we." He started to scrub Finns back. "If I'm ever too rough or if I make you uncomfortable, please tell me."

Silvertongue wasn't exactly thrilled with having to bathe a stranger, let alone a kit, but he was not willing to risk disobeying Talinn.

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn was just worrying about how all the other boys at his school would have teased him mercilessly about the scent, and how maybe the crew here would do the same -- when Silvie's words startled him out of his selfishness. The kit spun around, his ears bright red, and a look of shame and regret on his face

"I... I thought it was! I didn't know that it was--" he stammered, trying to take back his words. Seemingly, there were things more embarrassing than flea baths.

Finn looked down at the soap bubbles like that awkward Giftsmas sweater from Grandma that you really didn't want, but still had to be thankful for anyways. Finn scooped up a generous pawful of the foam, sculpted it on his head like a hat, and offered a timid smile. "I-It's really nice, thank you."

"Oh... Um. I don't even know your names! I was so scared I forgot to ask!"

 

[Vihmastaja]

Vihma had stayed mostly quiet, spoken for by Silvertongue when she approached the captain, and by Morgan when they returned to the hold. She’d said nothing, keeping up a largely unreadable expression, only betraying some slight resignation through her downward eyes, fatalism for things to come.

Still, the matter settled more gently than she’d expected, and without the punishment she’d feared would come without her intervention. Not other than the extra tasks she and Morgan had been dealt, anyway.

That had been something to grumble about, but even as Talinn left and they set about their new duties, Vihma remained largely wordless, busy with her thoughts and the apples they were due to discard. She was almost startled when Morgan asked her a question, looking back at her for the briefest of moments before diverting her eyes.

The weasel thought about lying. She didn’t like to. Wasn’t good at it.

“Wasn’t my idea, mate. If I didn’t go… well, yeh said ye would, ‘n say all sorts o’ things t’ ‘im.”

Vihma fiddled with the cuffs of her navy jacket, as though she’d messed them up in tossing the apples overboard. Was there the need to say more? To explain herself?

She’d been terrified that the ferret would go and lie for the kit, take more punishment upon herself. Punishment for aiding a stowaway, no less!

The weasel felt some of her fur raise again, breathing sharply through her nose to vent her emotions before they could build up once more.

For all her fear of losing Morgan to the captain’s law, she didn’t want to drive her away either, to offend her – call her out or tell her she felt her life was worth more to her than a kit she’d just met. It wasn’t worth the risk of being alone again, friendless outside of her head.

“’Course, ‘e would’ve known eventually. So, I chose t’be the one to do it, is all. In the end, Silvie ‘andled all the talkin’ to ‘im. Y’know, like ‘e said ‘e would. And ‘e told the truth, and I’m just glad it worked out.”

She shrugged, still fiddling with her jacket. That was the end of that, wasn’t it? She hadn't quite felt the relief that should come with all parties having gotten away with their skins. Maybe that could come now, now that Morgan's curiosity had been sated. Maybe it wouldn't until they all set foot on land again. Maybe then she could tell the ferret how she really felt.

 

[Morgan Liu]

Morgan nodded as she listened to Vihma's explanation. It definitely took a kind of faith, to do the 'right' thing and expect it to work out. Morgan's life experience had always been that no good deed went unpunished. Then again, perhaps that had more to do with the attitude with which she'd performed said deeds than the deeds themselves. Morgan hesitated before moving over and putting an arm sidelong around Vihma as they walked. "Yer a good egg, Vim," she commented. "Y' know 'ow t' trust in beasts better 'an I do, an' beasts respect yeh fer yer honesty. 'Gates, I can see why yer Mum's favorite already." She chuckled before adding, "Yer way more like 'er 'an I am. You actually know 'ow t' do the right thing. As fer me, well... every family needs a white rat in the den, righ'? Sorry Greenie."

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue looked down at Finnian. "My name is Silvertongue Songfox, but most beasts call me Silvie."

Silvertongue very expertly scrubbed Finn, front and back, until his fur was lathered with soap and anti-flea formula. Afterwards, he took a pitcher of warm water and doused Finnian, sadly ruining his foam hat before taking the comb and checking him for fleas. He was going quite fast and still able to maintain the conversation with the young kit.

"And you're Finnian, right?"

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn didn't seem to mind the scrubbling terribly, but foxes looked patently ridiculous when wet. At the very least, Finny wasn't shedding as well -- he already looked silly enough. The mess would be atrocious, and at the end there'd be enough wet fur to build a second fox. With a little care, his pelt would clean up quite nicely. Silvie would find a cluster of fleas in his nape and between his shoulder blades, though most of them had drowned or died by now. Blech! The little blighters went for the hardest to reach places.

"Yeah, Finnian Brightfur!" he said cheerfully, wringing out his tail. "But people call me Finn, or Finny."

"...what happens after this?" he asked with a slight tinge of worry. Dinner was done, and it was well into the evening. Just outside the windows of the infirmary, Finn could see the sun sinking below the horizon.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

"Well, we'll get you some brand new clothes and after that, we will go have a nice chat with the Captain." Silvertongue explained. "In order to make you an official part of our crew!" He smiled at the kit, before leaning in and double checking every part of Finn's fur for the fleas.

"If only we were still on the mainland. I'd go to the store and buy you the best clothes that gold coins can get me." Silvertongue said with a sigh. "I'm afraid we've only got some tunics and britches for now."

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn imagined just what kind of clothes Silvie would try to dress him in (if given the opportunity), and did his best to appear disappointed. Fashion sense and scruffing aside, the kit decided Silvie was a kind sort, and relaxed. "Are you the first mate? Or a petty officer?" he asked, his voice betraying a little excitement. "My dad was a petty officer!"

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue smiled and he shook his head. "I don't think I'm either one of those, Finn. I'm the aide-de-camp. So, basically a glorified secretary for the captain." He chuckled a bit. "Now, I think we're just about finished with this bath." He stood up, going over and grabbing a towel, before holding it out for Finn. "Let's get you into some dry- and more importantly, clean clothes."