Open The Trenches Trembling Treble

[Marie "Whisper" Deftclaw]

Whisper was not processing right now the words well. Though they were so far treated well by the two other beasts. In a way, it felt bad to once again rely on them for support, kind words, anything for that matter. Whisper really felt as if they were indebting themself more and more. An having only music and talent as their only currency to spare, it felt even worse to abuse them for that matter.

"I... I ju-just don't w-want to b-be u-useless b-burden. Y-you did he-help me a l-lot. You a-are t-too good for me. I..." They had to pause for a longer moment to calm their rising anxiety from overwhelming them again. "I ha-have nothing t-to give. Ju-just... Let.. me d-do s-s-something f-for you." It cost them a lot, but Whisper had enough of being a failure.

But the very same fear was paralysing. Whisper was not a beast capable of acting that easily, no matter how much determination there was in their little body. They did manage to stand up and get the grasp on their violin. But they just had to start. That was the hardest part to overcome.

 

[Berchar Fleetfoot]

Now was neither the time nor the place for Berchar to reassure the fox that he was anything but too good, for wartime stories would likely do little to ease the anxiety coming off of them in waves. Re-accessing that part of him which found compassion in his work, the jerboa allowed a beat of silence to settle as his mind raced to find compromise.

"Tell you what," he started carefully, "I think you have plenty to give outside of music. If repayment is something you insist upon, why not help me in a different way? Our new friend here," he gestured to Pomodu with a smile, "is clearly new to how things work in Bully. Why don't you help me take a little time to answer a few questions? I wager we're more welcoming to it than most in this place." His attention turned back upon the red panda: truly he wanted to ask a litany of questions as to her whereabouts, where she had travelled and if ever she had visited his home. Such musings would have to wait. "What do you think? We could have a few drinks, make sure you're quite alright." Brows furrowed, then. She had so much money, and yet... "Did you come here all on your own?"

 

[Pomodu lu Modokunomulo]

Pomodu's eyes brightened at the mention of drinks. "I buy!" she volunteered, then wilted. "Oh da'tu i'su ba'd? I no shou'du buy?"

 

[Marie "Whisper" Deftclaw]

Whisper slumped back into their sitting. They were visibly shaken with what just occurred. They managed to push themselves, pulling all they had to move past their anxiety just to show back to those people they are not worthless... and they got swatted down. Tears made Whisper's eyes glassy again, but they didn't sob nor mention it, clearly, to her, the best she could offer, wasn't enough.

Slowly pulling the strings with their claws, playing quietly, just to themself really, a very bleak watlz, Whisper did manage to calm down by pouring the pain into it, even if the fox was the only audience of their own music, they supposed it was just something they had to get used to here in the Harbour. Their voice was hollow as they finally got to responding to the two. "I d-do not d-dr-drink. It hu-hurts me. A-and I am us-useless t-to you. I o-only came he-here recen-recently myself." Whisper informed, staring at the table, avoiding looking at the other two. "I am o-of no help... But I wi-will answer wh-wh-wha-what I can."

 

[Berchar Fleetfoot]

A swift flush of heat bloomed at the jerboa's eartips, feeling rather that his attempts to try and navigate the situation in as empathic a manner as possible was generating a stack of faux pas his family would have been mortified to witness. He never had quite grasped their level of smooth talking or artful negotiation. When Whisper made several bleak noises from their instrument, picked up by such large ears as his, he was somewhat baffled and put out himself, wondering if he would at all manage to say the right thing.

"No- no you aren't useless at all," he assured, "you just aren't like most citizens of the city. In fact, it looks like you're in good company with us because we aren't either." He attempted a nervous smile, faltering as he considered why they might seem so upset. "I wasn't - telling you I don't want to hear your music, by the by. It was beautiful, I merely thought - with the bow...it might be difficult. And it's already been a difficult night so I would not impose. I didn't realise you're also new here."

Running a paw through his headfur, feeling more embarrassed by the moment, Berchar tried to dredge up a smidge of courage. Or, at least, what he took to be some. "Actually, Pomodu, I think that's a great idea - why not practice? Just...maybe wait for them to tell you how much it costs, first." He looked to Whisper. "You don't have to drink alcohol. Maybe, though, we could share our stories?"

 

[Pomodu lu Modokunomulo]

Pomodu listened to Whisper's lament, her eyes increasingly widening. The little fox confused her - they were obviously talented, and quite pretty too, at least by the standards conveyed by the art she'd seen of foxes in the Imperium, but they didn't seem to believe in themselves at all. Pomodu pulled her paw away from her pouch, leaving her money alone for now, before looking to Whisper compassionately. "Okay," she allowed. She hesitated before asking, "Why you no li'ke youse'fu? You see'mu very ni'ce! Wha't happe'n?" She paused before offering, "A'n'du you wa'n'tu a hu'gu?"