Private Side Adventure The Urk Expidition: A Quiet Night Under Serene Starlight

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Closed thread with @SwifttailTheFox

A crescent moon lay nestled amongst a blanket of stars dotting the night sky, nary a cloud in sight as far as the eye could see. The waves gently rocked the Hide to and fro. Most of the crew were asleep, save for those who had night duties. One of these beasts was Silvertongue. He had essentially two jobs due to him speaking out on Morgan's behalf, and he was just now getting some time to relax.

He considered going to bed, but he knew he wouldn't get much sleep. He pondered to himself for a moment before he walked over and started climbing the rigging. Reaching the crow's nest, he expected to have it to himself, only to see Swifttail standing and staring out at the endless expanse of the sea.

"Oh- mind if I join you?" Silvertongue asked softly. "I wanted to take a look at the stars, seeing how clear it is out tonight."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail jumped, claws tightening on the edge of the crow’s nest as the voice broke the quiet. He hadn’t heard anybeast climbing. He certainly hadn’t expected anybeast, really.

But when he turned and saw who it was, his tension loosened like a sail caught in a breeze.

“Oh! Oh, yeah. Sure,” he said, shifting his weight and brushing down the fur on his arms. His voice wavered from the start he had received, but he was visibly relieved and already starting to relax again. “It’s a good night for stars.”

He stepped aside, giving Silvertongue more space...not that there was much in the small wooden ring above the ship. The other fox moved with a kind of elegance Swift always felt a little clumsy next to. His light blue coat glowed in the moonlight, soft and silken like a sky before dawn. It suited him. Charming, deliberate, a little bit unreal.

Swifttail rubbed the back of his neck.

“I come up here sometimes,” he offered quietly. “Not always for the watch duty. The stars keep me company. Makes things feel smaller. Simpler.”

He looked out again, tail swaying gently.

“You ever think they’re lookin’ back?”

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

"Of course they are." Silvertongue nodded, saddling up besides Swifttail and leaning on the rail. "My godmother once told me that each star is the soul of someone who has passed on, and they're watching over us. She's a very eccentric and spiritual old beast, but I'd like to think she's right."

Silvertongue stared out at the stars, a slight smile on his face as he reached his paw out skyward, as if trying to catch one of those glimmering lights in his paws. "There is such beauty in this world, if only one takes the time to appreciate it."

He turned towards Swifttail. He appreciated being able to speak to another fox as an equal. Talinn is the captain, and not to mention his elder. Finn is always so full of energy, but he's a kit, and Kaii- well, he's a genius, but far too socially awkward. The rest of the foxes on the crew didn't seem interested in making friends, either. So, Silvertongue was glad that he could at least find some companionship with Swifttail.

"Do you have anyone up there? Watching over you?" He asked, not really realizing in the moment it might be a sensitive question.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail kept his eyes skyward, shoulders gently rising with a slow breath. The moonlight caught the faint shimmer in his gaze.

“Aye.” His voice was low, steady, but threaded with something tender. “Some days it feels like more than can fill the sky.”

His tail drooped behind him from the weight of memory settling into fur and bone. When he turned to look at Silvertongue, his eyes were glistening, the tears there not yet spilled. But he smiled, soft and true.

“Knowing they're up there is everything to me.”

Just then, one faint star slipped across the sky. A quiet streak of silver that vanished as quickly as it came, like a secret whispered by the heavens.