Open The Bilge In The Bucket Under His Wing

[Chokra Rustfire]

"Well, I haven't even introduced myself yet!" Chokra said with another hearty laugh. "The name is Chokra Rustfire! From now on, though, yer to call me Cap'n!" He looked between the two of them. "Or just call me Uncle Chokra. Whichever one ye prefer." He then looked at Berchar. "If ye do be a mouse, ye got the biggest ears I've ever damn seen on a mousie!"

 

[Berchar Fleetfoot]

Cordan’s manners seemed to align well enough with those from his childhood; Berchar warmed to him swiftly. It was a peculiar balance: these foxes were both dangerous yet friendly; he was safe with them, he believed, provided he kept himself useful. He made note to re-read some of his older notes from the academy later.

“I’m a jerboa, actually,” he replied with a flick of the ear, the only outward sign that the mouse comparisons, as so often made, touched a nerve, “but you are right, there are…few of us here, if any. Probably for the best but that’s neither here nor there. Might I ask where you last saw your nephew, Chokra – sorry, Cap’n? What sort of trouble do you suppose he’s in?”

 

[Corda & Cordan LeConte]

"Yes, Captain!" Cordan enthused, straightening his posture a bit. "I'm sure that Corda will want to call you Uncle Chokra, though, if you'll excuse her familiarity." He listened to Berchar's explanation, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face at the misnaming of the species. Well, now he knew. "Whatever the trouble he faces," Cordan remarked regarding Chokra's nephew, "we shall rescue him from it!"

 

[Chokra Rustfire]

"Right, my dear nephew." Chokra clapped his paws together. "He's in a 'spot of bother', as yew fancy beasts might call it. We ought to find him quick. A horde of angry pirates have chased him across the seas for the past two years, and just recently landed 'ere. So, I reckon we 'ave some time to find 'im before the pirates try an' raid this place lookin' fer 'im themselves."

 

[Berchar Fleetfoot]

“Oh my word...” Berchar’s long ears wilted at the prospect of such threat, leaning back on his long tail to better steady himself. Living within the security of the famed Imperial fleet, he hadn’t given a thought to piracy in some time. If a known crew had slipped past and were in the city proper, they could be particularly dangerous…

“I suppose we better had,” he replied, “for everyone’s sakes. Well, we’re ready and willing. Do either of you have any clues where they might be now? Any names, any, what’s the word…?” He looked to Cordan, paws gesticulating for a moment “-leads! Any leads?”

 

[Corda & Cordan LeConte]

Cordan considered carefully for a moment, pacing. "Hmm, let me think... If I were on the run from a group of pirates, where would I go? ...a ship! Wait, no, that's idiotic, if you're on the run from pirates, a ship is the last place to hide. I know!" His eyes lit up. "I would join the city watch! The last place that pirates would go looking for anyone is in the company of the law."