Expedition [Urk Climax #1]: The Long Watch

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Swifttail stood still for a moment after Silvertongue walked off. That glow hadn’t faded. It wasn't just from the kindness, but from the way it was given, without show, without strings, just... genuine. He was a sucker for things like that. Chivalry. Compassion. Beasts who meant it when they said you mattered.

Crushes aside, beasts like him were just... good.

He smiled faintly, a soft breath leaving his nose. “Hope he knows how rare that is.”

The quiet settled in then.

He turned, expecting to hear Barrett’s voice or Kaii’s stoic commentary, but the tent was empty. Barrett was gone. Kaii wasn't there. And he hadn't noticed where Finny had gone.

“Huh.”

He stepped toward the tent flap. The light outside caught on the edges of the canvas and he lifted the flap and emerged out into the Urk sunlight.

Silvertongue was still standing outside the tent, gripping his gloves against his chest. He startled when Swift suddenly walked out of the tent. His heart leaped into his chest. There was such a warmth in his body that he felt the cold Urk air could never chill him again. He opened his mouth to speak. But no words spilled forth from his lips.

After what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, he finally managed to squeak out a single sentence. "I think we need to talk."

 

[Arthur Barrett]

"I intend not too miss on rest and sleep for that would make me inefficient. Yet I cannot take more than one needs for the sake of all of us." Kaii responded automatically. He already decided that he needs to keep focused and sharp while maintaining the conversation. Delegating a chunk of his mind to it while leaving the bulk for more pressing matters was thus the best approach. Of course it meant that filtering and work he normally put into crafting his speech wasn't as effective.

"Personal matters kill everyone who isn't wary of them. You are correct in your observations, but solving them for me would require breaking the laws of the universe. After all, statistically, not everyone is meant to be happy." He continued like a machine, speaking with no emotions, no gestures, no mimics. Only letting the conversing part do the speaking but naught more.

Though Barrett didn't visibly react to Kaii, his focus on the younger fox was intent. Good heavens, the kit was a bundle of nerves -- and Barrett knew change wouldn't happen overnight. But some times, as a surgeon, simply relieving the pain is merciful enough. While a hug might go a long way here, the pine marten wasn't the touchy-feely type. However, Barrett had a plan to help take Kaii's mind off of things.

"Kaii, if I asked you, would you do me a favor?" he said warmly. Finding a nice sword sized stick on the ground, Arthur scooped it up with his footpaw and caught it, before giving it a little toss to Kaii. "There's an orange fox kit over there that's currently losing a one-on-one. It would give me great satisfaction to see you beat his fluffy little tail for me."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail blinked as he stepped through the tent flap, nearly brushing into Silvertongue.

“Oh...Silvie. I thought you’d gone.”

He paused at the sight of him, still standing there, clutching the gloves to his heart. His eyes lingered on the bard’s face just long enough to read the tension there, like something was caught in his throat, or his heart. Swifttail’s tail gave a small flick. Whatever Silvertongue needed to say, it was clearly heavy.

He softened his tone.

“We can walk a bit, if you’d rather not stand in the open,” he offered gently. “Or we can talk right here. Either way, I’m listenin’.”

He shifted slightly to the side, giving him some space.

@Silvertongue Songfox

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Though Barrett didn't visibly react to Kaii, his focus on the younger fox was intent. Good heavens, the kit was a bundle of nerves -- and Barrett knew change wouldn't happen overnight. But some times, as a surgeon, simply relieving the pain is merciful enough. While a hug might go a long way here, the pine marten wasn't the touchy-feely type. However, Barrett had a plan to help take Kaii's mind off of things.

"Kaii, if I asked you, would you do me a favor?" he said warmly. Finding a nice sword sized stick on the ground, Arthur scooped it up with his footpaw and caught it, before giving it a little toss to Kaii. "There's an orange fox kit over there that's currently losing a one-on-one. It would give me great satisfaction to see you beat his fluffy little tail for me."

Kaii, turned sharply at the request. His attention captured and his mind again focusing on the conversation. His heightened senses also made him hear soft murmurs from the tent. Swifttail's and Silvertongue's voices. He pondered what was it that made them speak in such way. Personal secrets maybe? He wouldn't be the one to pry in but he of course were somewhat curious.

Banishing those thoughts for the moment he again processed the request from Chirurgeon. Why he wished for him to fight what he presumed was Finnian? And specifically beat them? Kaii came to conclusion it was about training and humbling. Making sure the kit is sharp and ready for what is to come. He could agree it was important.

Looking at the stick he twitched his nose. Too short, inefficient. But he was content for this. It meant that anyone assumed so fair he fought with a blade like a sword. His trick worked. He didn't reach for the stick, instead he reached for his blade and unscrewed the hilt and then he pressed two little nubs that were holding the spring. Soon after it expanded into a long pole thanks to it's telescopic build. With blade detached it was safe, even if it was still made of steel.

Armed now with what would be a quarterstaff, Kaii nodded and turned to Barrett again. "Naturally, Where can I find him?"

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Barrett's muzzle curled into a smile. He swung a heavy paw, and clapped Kaii between the shoulders. "That's the spirit!" Several poems and essays about the nature of war came to mind -- and Barrett longed to give them as some parting wisdom... but the foxkit would explain them in a practical manner, in a way Arthur never could.

The pine marten slipped behind Kaii, and gave him a little push around the back of the tent. "He's the foxkit hopping on one foot, go get'm while he's weak and distracted!"

 

[Duchess Dusk Rainblade]

Greeneye huffed and rolled his eye. "Sure, it maybe ain't of ate any meat yet, but it drank milk from it's mum, who definitely did eat meat. The thing's likely already got a taste fer flesh. Just yew wait, as soon as it's got teeth, it's gonna tear into ye."

He chuckled a bit. "Ye know, why do I even give a damn? I ain't the one who's gonna be begging the Cap'n ter keep it. Yew have fun wif dat conversation, mate!"

"Fine, I will!" Piper glared at Greeneye, tears brimming in the corner of her eyes that indicated, despite herself, that she feared he might be entirely correct. She looked to Vihma, inquiring, "Can you handle keeping him alive if I go back to camp?"