Expedition Open Voyage to Croper's Cove: Hang the Treasure!

[Vihmastaja]

@Corporal Sarra Piper

It’d been a long time. A long time since she was first put on the track that had brought her here, since she’d first been sent to the Hide. Dark days and cold winds, Vulpinists and cannibals, she’d faced it all, and somehow she was still alive.

The captain spoke, and Vihma’s spine stiffened, first for obligation, and then, as his words passed over her, a sense of pride still unfamiliar after all the years. She raised her muzzle in recognition, letting the feeling fill her heart, wearing it like the green and white she longed to wear, those colors that had distinguished themselves so well on Urk’s shores.

Henceforth, she was a marine. She thought to say something back to Gyles, to the officer she’d fought with twice now, who’d even helped to save her life in Urk’s chilling waters. The moment passed before she could, before she could find something worth saying.

She felt different in a way she still couldn’t quite place, even as the gathering began to disperse. She thought to find Morgan, to steal away with her someplace, so she could express herself to someone she trusted to listen, to help her figure herself out. The captain had wanted Morgan to stay, however, and so Vihma found herself somewhat alone, stuck with herself and her thoughts. Alone, but only for the moment.

Piper’s calling her by her new rank snapped her back to her senses, new reality forming up behind the other weasel’s words. She wasn’t alone at all anymore – the marines were her own.

Vihma smiled, throwing up a quick, casual salute for the corporal.

“I’d be ‘onored, mate. T’tell ye the truth, I liked it a tad better than me bow. Bit surprised ye’d want t’part with it, even considerin’…”

The weasel cut herself off, smile faltering into something of a wince. She’d hardly even known Piper before the fighting back on the island, before her injury, but it still got to her sometimes, still made her pause, slip up. Still made her think of what they'd been through together.

She raised her muzzle again, carrying herself with a little more of the pride she'd felt earlier, letting it push other thoughts away. The ease with which it did so pushed something of a smile back into her features, enough to spread to her eyes.

“I’ll make ye ‘n Tultow proud, I promise ‘at much. If I manage t’shoot even ‘alf as good as ye, I think I can make good on it.”

 

[Amatis Moontail]

While Amatis' expression didn't change much from the stern look that he naturally wore (even when happy), his ears perked up at the engineer's words. His tail rose slightly from its low and still position, quivering slightly.

Intellectual discussion... Now that was something he could do!

Let my work shine as it hid the shadowed dullness of the rest of me, he thought

He nodded to the engineer

"That I can do, Engineer Nashirou. I must admit that I know little of engineering, although I certainly dot not have an unwillingness to learn. Among the natural sciences I specialise in things that grow, although I also have some knowledge of earth and insect, among other things."

"Hopefully I will be provided with a space to set out the tools of my trade."

@Kaii Nashirou

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

At the feline's words, Kaii shook his head gently and presented his tool bag. "I am afraid Doctor Moontail that you will have little luck with that. The only beast with a proper room on this ship is the captain himself. Rest is delegated to cots and hammocks wherever they can fit them and a bit of storage. There is a reason for me carrying all my tools with me, only leaving in storage the tube with blueprints and spare clothes. Though I do have to seek if being an officer would not change this situation..."

Considering it for a moment, Kaii came to the conclusion that ultimately, he would rather stay sleeping at the compartment he was at, for sleeping along other foskateers, in a traditional foxpile, was after all cathartic. With their general rank-ups, he simply hoped they wouldn't all decide to ditch the comfort of the group for the comfort of the larger bed. Kaii was used to rough living conditions, considering his housing situation for the majority of his life was very ascetic, but he knew from the few years lived as a noble that luxuries known were not that easy to give up on. Speaking of...

"And also please, while I do respect the scientific honorifics added to my name, Simply calling me by name is sufficient. Especially as I am technically of high nobility, not that it matters upon this ship, which would supercede the usage of the title of an engineer. And with full honesty I cannot say I have finished any recognized university in order to attain it. I can only defend it by my skills, knowledge and experience."

@Amatis Moontail

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn maintained a professional silence, posture, and expression as he stood a bit off to the side during Gyles’s speech, dressed not in his Stoatorian Guard armor or uniform, but in the more practical for the sea leather armor that a marine might wear. He wore only his longsword at his side, eschewing the poleaxe-while he had brought it, along with his proper armor, for whatever land expeditions might require it just in the event they expected extremely heavy combat, it was not quite as suited to ship combat should it come to that. It had taken quite a bit of effort to dress up properly and maintain himself today, though, due to Finnian’s antics the night before-and the fact that he had continued his usual routine of drilling every day as well, with extra emphasis on his blade and paw-to-paw techniques at the very crack of dawn, but he was handling it well all things considered. He had been drilled since he was nine into doing such after all such that it had become natural to him. Maybe he was here because of straight up nepotism and twisting the paws of his parents and a special coded letter to Amarone to be close to Finnian, though of course he did not state that as the reason-but that did not mean he was not capable as well.

His posture did break slightly, for the briefest of moments, when his son was promoted for his efforts, and a slight smile cracked across his lips. Finnian had achieved much on his own during Urk, with no meddling from either him or his family, and he was already clearly being groomed into officer material.

He was proud of him for that, and even more so that he had already made so many comrades and friends that he could rely on-and no wonder. He was bright, kind, and pure of heart, just like his mother had been. Unmarred by the collective generational trauma of House Ryalor. He understood, more and more, why Anabelle had run away back then-to give their son a chance that he himself never had. And it had worked.

But he has to get stronger, and soon. I can shield him from the worst aspects of our family, but I cannot shield him at all times from our enemies, or those of the Imperium. It’s why I’m so hard on him and his training, and so insistent that he eat well and become strong. So that he can weather any storm...and hopefully become better than me.

He had told his son to keep the revelation close to him for now and to keep using Annabelle’s last name, though he suspected it would get out at some point on the trip, at least to those closest to him. And he would quietly let Lorcan and Kinza know, as they were family as well. But he had to still position and strategize for the formal public revelation in the future, and to trap his parents into allowing their grandson to continue his service on the Hide with his friends. He had several ideas, all of which would cost him dearly in the future, but his life was no longer just about him. It was about Finnian now. And he would do anything to keep his son safe and happy.

Speaking of which…

Still keeping an eye on Finnian, he spotted both his cousins, Lorcan looking a little shocked by the size of the ship, and while Kinza seemed to be adapting a little bit better. He decided to go and greet them, starting with the first, and maybe call in a favor with Swifttail to have them go and look at the engine if that was their desire.

Besides, I need to talk with Lorcan later about learning to shoot a bow. On land with my squad, it was never as much of a problem due to our armor and more specialized roles, but out here, I need to finally finish learning what Alexei could never teach me.

Slowly, and keeping mind not to get in the way of any other beast, he made his way to Lorcan and gave him a gruff nod.

“Hello cousin, how are you holding up? What do you think of the Hide so far?”

@Lorcan Rainclaw @FinnianBrightfur @SwifttailTheFox @Kinza Rainclaw

 

[Cricket]

The potential for a freebie was not merely exciting for the gecko, but most of the lower-income beasts in the city. Cricket had watched Finnian prepare to throw the parcel with both excitement and a tinge of panic, elbowing and scrambling to ensure that she both caught and kept the gift which was clutched to her chest.

Indignation – “How’m I supposed to wait that long?! Proper vermin don’t wait!” - warred with sorrow to see him leave and a growing warmth in her chest. She couldn’t remember feeling affection for anybeast save herself since the Newhaven had left; here Finn was leaving her, but…perhaps she could trust he’d be back.

Nah, he had to come back. Santapaws be damned, she’d hunt that little fox to Urk itself if he thought he could run from her.

Scales brightened with a flush she couldn’t articulate. Scrubbing at her cheeks with her tail, paws indisposed as they were, Cricket watched the impressive bulk of the Hide begin to pull away from the safety of port. “I’ll open it once you come back, so there! G’wan then, go be all important and show all those newbies how it’s done!” You’ll be amazing, idiot.

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn's ears perked. She had a point... a proper vermin wouldn't wait. He hadn't accounted for this in his planning, and the clever retort left him speechless.

The fox snuffed for a moment, scrambling for words to say. The mere foot or so the Hide moved felt like a mile. Finn swallowed firmly, and forced a nervous smile.

"~aWoBulL?~" he asked. A grimace. The voice crack came at a particularly inopportune time, but it forced a laugh out of him at his own expense.

"...keep warm, ok?" he blurted out. "H-hey, I uh... I gotta go now. Silvie's a Lieutenant now, I think, and..." Finn gestured vaguely towards something on the deck, and took half a step back from the railing, while doing his best to keep a brave smile on his face.

 

[Amnesty Greysoul]

The surgeon had been a frighteningly perceptive beast even while drunk and injured. He was hardly less so now. And for a heart-stopping moment, she was terribly, horribly afraid that he was going to ask about her past right here in front of the entire crew. Her relief when he did not must have been palpable.

"Oh, certainly. Anybeast might have gotten themselves into a similar predicament. It would hardly be helping to patch them back together just to leave their reputation open to injury by beasts who weren't there and might be prone to idiotic assumptions."

She had schooled her expression into one that gave nothing away. No knowing smirk. No sly glance that might be construed as a threat. Given the fact that the marten had recommended her to the position she now occupied it seemed unlikely that he was worried about that from her, but it couldn't hurt to be too cautious, too full of discretion. And so she hesitated before asking her next question.

"Have you heard how our anonymous patient's injuries have been healing?"

@Arthur Barrett

 

[Till Dupré]

Till put their paw over their mouth and chuckled at Darragh’s misconception. There was the temptation not to correct him, but Till did not want to put the fear of Boar into everyone they met.

“Sacreforêt. Oh hoho, thank you, sir, but I am in fact ze new chef, and before you ask, I do not boil stoats unless zey are very, very naughty.”

@Darragh Harper

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Arthur was like a gleeful little school boy making jokes behind the teacher's back. The marten cleared his throat with a slight flush, and found something innocuous to study on the deck.

"Yes! Well! Ermherm... The patient is rather... ...incorrigible, I'm afraid. Quite the lost cause. He ended up..." -- and suddenly realizing how ridiculous his antics were for someone his age, coughed. "...nnneeeded a few stitches replaced. But otherwise, on the mend I suspect!"

Switching the subject, he looked over to where the foskaterrs had been standing moments ago. "You should make sure to come on deck later tonight. Those todds are full of energy at the moment, and I suspect it will be quite the show."

 

[Cricket]

That was the second time she’d heard his voice crack; this time she did laugh, teary-eyed though she remained, managing to part one handpaw from the parcel in order to wave more emphatically. At least this time the dock wasn’t so lonely; this time the beast departing seemed intent on his return. She’d see him again, she’d just have to raise Hellgates in the city until he was back to slow her down.

There was something always awkward about such slow partings, and Cricket had never much liked them anyway, so Finnian’s attempt to excuse himself was a welcome one. “Alright, then!” she called out as the jostling crowds began to force her to retreat into the melee. “You do your fancy cruise an’ keep in one piece! Stay warm y’self an’ stay away from shrews!" And then, without thinking, blurted, "I'll miss ya!”

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Putting his muscle to use with a will, Lorcan gave his cousin a nod and grunt of greeting as he finished sheeting in with the rest of the group. Granted on a ship this size the task needed more paws to bend to the work and more sails to tend to than he had used, but the system was the same. Most of the work already being completed in the preparation to sail it did not take long to make the adjustments for departure. He had not been long in Bully, which had felt claustrophobic, and the climate was far from what he was used to, but salt spray in his thick coat felt right. It was good to be facing the horizon once more. He wondered if Kinza was enjoying this sense of freedom also.

Work complete for the moment, the todd inhaled deeply and turned and properly acknowledge his cousin. “Alright, cousin. I like the Hide fine: got a touch more used to her since we first came aboard, just feelin’ my way around the size of the crew. Lot more’n the ships I’m used to, you know? What of yourself: been much on the ship before this voyage?”

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn shook his head at Lorcan as he watched the crewbeasts during the work.

“Been on vessels of her class, smaller, and larger, but never had the privilege during my training to be able to protect the Empress and the beasts she wants protected on their travels, though I suppose my role has been more akin to those of a marine than of a sailor. The Hide though was kept secret until the beginning of this year, was worked on for a few years by my father, being the first of her kind. A steam engine, copper-bottomed hull, and a few other things he cooked up while Minister of Innovation. Said something along the lines of eventually all ships getting those touches once the kinks are worked out. Will say the Hide is one of the larger ships in the fleet, only a few are larger. Packs quite a powerful punch with its cannon I hear as well. Blew away an entire village on Urk with just one broadside if the reports are to be believed, and I do. Father doesn’t respond to treachery all that well and the shrews tried to murder his aide-de-camp for no reason I heard. That would have been Silvertongue.”

He shook his head.

“Mission may be about treasure on the surface, but you don’t need a grand warship with this kind of firepower to do just that. Show-of-force maybe, or something else. One of the things you learn in the military here is there are always plots within plots. Stowett seems solid, though. My father is many, many things, but he tends to have an eye for competence and little patience for those who aren’t. He wouldn’t be in command if he didn’t see promise in him. I think we’ll be all right.”

Hearing Kinza sing, he jerked his head slightly towards her.

“Kinza seems to be holding up well, though. I take it she’s the same as you with regards to the size of the ship?” He paused, thinking of a way to maybe make up for his embarrassing display on their first meeting. “You know, if the two of you would like, I could show you around some of those innovations I talked about when you have the time. I helped out Engineer Fairpaws with a matter so we’re on good terms, and I’m sure he’d love to talk to you at length about them.”

@Lorcan Rainclaw @Kinza Rainclaw @SwifttailTheFox

 

[Kinza Rainclaw]

Satisfied her current knots were sorted, Kinza hopped up to sit on the rail, gripping one of the stays to ensure she didn't topple back into the sea. The wind whipped through her fur and bandana and it felt wonderful. She let the sounds of the ship (crew included) and the waves melt through her, enjoying what she could until she was offered any further orders.

A glance across the deck informed her Alwyn and Lorcan were in conversation. It reminded her of the day they'd all met on the Armina. Reminded her of Falun and his rough talk and not-unhandsome face. What was he doing today? Getting into more trouble? Her thoughts drifted to the fox kit, Finnian, distracting her that he seemed to be very fond of the gecko who had been waving him off. She smirked at him from her perch. This place was going to be full of drama, she just knew it.​

 

[Amatis Moontail]

Amatis had expected that, so although he was disappointed he was not surprised. He was lucky that his fur hid the signs of his discomfort from the talk about honorifics. He never usually used first names. It implied a certain level of familiarity or friendship, at least to him. He usually preferred to be called Dr Moontail, himself.

"Ah... Well... Certainly, Eng... Kaii."

"I certainly wouldn't expect a ship this... Packed... would give everyone a room. Some storage space for my equipment will be... Adequate."

He gestured to the bags he had with him.

"I haven't got much to find a place for. Some books, lenses, dissection kit, and so forth. The usual field kit as well as some personal effects."

@Kaii Nashirou

 

[Amnesty Greysoul]

Pluck her tail and call her a rat. Ship's Surgeon Arthur Barrett had a sense of humor. And a mischievous one at that. Beasts could contain multitudes.

"Well, if he needs them looked at again, I'd be more than happy to do so. I'm sure your own duties are more than enough to keep you quite busy, and it's tradition for a beast to follow up with her own patient's, is it not?"

Amnesty followed Arthur's gaze to the vulpines in question and her muzzle quirked in another slight smirk. "Full of energy indeed." She paused. "I don't think I've met most of them. Just Finny, of course. Who are the others? Ha. If they're not too wrapped up in their duties now at the start of the voyage, perhaps I should meet them. I've found it's easier, sometimes, when your patients are familiar with you before you have to treat them"

@Arthur Barrett

 

[FinnianBrightfur]

Finn lingered by the railing for another moment, and looked longingly at the gecko. Her tears were more than he could bear. The todd's bottom lip screwed upwards with a shaky breath, and he waved furiously with his paw. He nodded once, turned, and disappeared out of sight.

Tears streaming down his face, Finn quickly scrubbed them away with his palms. Gates, what with his new position on the ship granting him a small measure of renown, he couldn't just walk around with such a face. Would be bad for crew morale! (Worse still, someone might make fun of him.) The foxkit bit his lip fiercely to try and pull himself out of his sorrow, but to no avail. He simply had to get out of the public eye to compose himself.

Grasping the rim of the main hatch, Finn nimbly vaulted over it, and disappeared below deck.

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Finding it easier to not make eye contact, Arthur continued his study of the crew. He made no response to Amnesty's inquiry, but sent her a knowing smile. Pausing to think, he began to introduce the crew.

"Well... there's Mr. Songfox, our newest lieutenant. Quite the talented singer, and a delight on deck in the evenings. Plays the lute. Headstrong, and an idealist... but can surprise you when push comes to shove. Led the lot of us out of Urk when he was just an Aide de Camp, and the command staff were incapacitated."

"Then there's Mr. Nashirou. Brilliant fox, but rather... awkwardly formal. He has a penchant for putting his nose in where it doesn't belong, but that ended up saving one of my patients. Plays the flute, I believe."

"Mr. Swifttail is perhaps the most well rounded of the lot. Tough as nails that one. Hard worker, easy going personality. He and Finn are quite close -- but they all care for him like he was their little brother. Also talented with the machinery. Helped Mr. Nashirou with the save, and found his home down in Engineering."

"Mr. Harper -- he's the young poet stoat going for his rating. A touch clumsy at times, but like Mr. Songfox, has a surprisingly strong spine (and stomach). He may have just been a deckswab, but he helped me save the minister in a particularly grueling surgery. Most beasts would have fainted, but he held fast."

Catching a glimpse of a rather distraught Finnian hopping down into the lower decks, the marten smiled. "And you know Mr. Brightfur, our little stowaway. The minister had compassion for him, and -- for whatever reason, put him to work with me. I was rather harsh with him at first... but he's a courageous little todd. We... used him as our donor for a blood transfusion to save the minister. Bled a full pint from him. Seems to be rather broken hearted at the moment, though. He's a gentle soul."

@Amnesty Greysoul

 

[Lorcan Rainclaw]

Though a cynical sneer flashed through his mind at the concept of privilege, Lorcan knew that his cousin had been raised to entirely different standards. He supposed a beast raised with the ideals of serving others would think such a way – or at least on the surface proclaim as such to remain diplomatic. He wondered not only what his parents would make of the engines taking over the profession but what this Silvertongue was like to have been at the epicentre of such a dramatic battle. He rather wished he’d been there to see it. Typical, always late to the party.

Plots within plots. One of the todd’s ears flicked in understanding. It was neither much his interest nor his forte but his parents had drilled such matters into him for most of his life. Both were experienced in the arts of deception themselves and, having come from the Imperium, had worked to try and school him on cautious behaviour once on Bully’s shores. That caution was far more Kinza’s measured province than his own, but the echo was always worth listening to.

Nodding along with Alwyn’s assessment of the Captain he didn’t take much notice of Kinza’s singing until it was pointed out: her tuneful voice had been the background of his youth, oft taken for granted. “Oh, right. Yeah Ditty’s similar enough as far as experience goes but she’ll hold her own well enough. As for the engine..things.” Lorcan’s nose wrinkled a little, then he gave a toothy grin then tapped the welded sprocket pendant he wore. “That’s more her style and all. Her and ma used to be more interested in engines an’ things what move. I’m a little more…practical, I suppose. I doubt I’d do more’n get in the way and burn me tail. Kinza would probably appreciate talkin’ to those who know their business.”

Movement on the deck caught his eye and Lorcan frowned at the swiftly retreating shape of Finnian. He inclined his head to his cousin again, nodding as the youngster vanished below. “Your little mate alright, there?”

 

[Elliot Berkshaw]

While introductions were being made and the ship was getting underway…

The crew would hopefully notice a small wooden rowboat drifting aimlessly towards the Golden Hide…

At first, it would appear to be unmanned, however, as it got closer, there would be someone in the leaky wooden boat.

A mouse, deeply unconscious, with a thick wavy mane of sandy brown hair, eyes firmly shut, tattered and ruined blood stained peasant clothes, and many, many grievous wounds. Claw marks and slashes across the body and all over, a missing left arm…

Clutched in his remaining paw was a waterlogged coin pouch, while strapped across his waist was a sheathed small dagger.

 

[Silvertongue Songfox]

Silvertongue had been walking across the deck when he first noticed the boat. Curiously, it seemed to be empty. He leaned over the railing, putting a paw over his brow to get a better look, and that’s when he saw the mouse- or what was left of them.

“By the Blue Blazes!” Silvertongue exclaimed in alarm, turning to the nearest crewmember and grabbing them by the arm. “We’ve got a beast overboard over here, sailor! Grab the rescue lines! Quickly!”

He hailed another beast. “You there, go and get the doctor ready for surgery, immediately!”

He turned and he cupped his paws over his mouth, shouting to gain everyone’s attention. “BEAST OVERBOARD!!”