Rainblade-Ryalors Open Vulpinsula & Surroundings Westisle Cultural Appreciation Day

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil looked thoughtful as he considered that suggestion. "That... That's actually a good thought," he admitted. "I mean, if we can find a todd we both trust, one who we are sure will treat her with kindness and patience and understanding, then she might actually give him a chance. Not Alwyn, though," he hastened to add. "Cousins marrying isn't exactly outside of tradition in the Ryalor family, and technically speaking since we're adopted, even by Vulpinsulan ethical standards it's a little looser, but... Well, I like my cousin, but he's definitely not right for her at all."

Mileya looked up sharply as the merchant named his price. "Gakki-san, kitto ii machigaeta no ne. Sen happyaku to ittakedo, hyaku hachi-jū no tsumoridatta ni chigainai wa."* She gave Asta a small, reassuring smile.

*"Mr. Musical Instrument, surely you must have misspoke. You said one thousand eight hundred, but you must have meant one hundred eighty."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden laughed loudly enough that several nearby beasts turned to look at him. He shook his head, toning his laughter to a small chuckle before he spoke. "Alwyn? No, no I definitely wouldn't--He's a good beast, don't get me wrong, but he's not exactly stable, not in the way I'd want were I to set somebeast up with him." The marten rocked back on his heels as he thought. "None come to mind currently, but given our various connections, it's only a matter of asking around and getting to know some beasts. I'd say we're good judges of character, and if not us, then we just sit our potential in a room with Asta, and she'll know if he's worthy within five minutes."

The jill in question watched with curiosity as the vendor spoke with Mileya. She had been picking up on some of the language, but it was so different from Vulpinsulan and Varangian that she could only detect some words rather than any coherent meaning. The vendor's frown told her well enough that he was displeased with Mileya's haggling.

"Surely you know how weak the gilder is, milady," he said. "These are finely crafted instruments imported directly from artisans in Westisle. One hundred eighty would be an insult to their great talent. One thousand if you must barter, but even that is a great bargain for such an instrument."

 

[Tal'Rakan]

@Kal Goldtail

It was very interesting to see how this city and culture could transform on a whim. Tal'Rakan didn't even know before that Westisle existed. As such he felt odd walking around as most beasts around suddenly wore different clothes, ate different things and spoke words not used before. It wasn't that back in his homeland there was only one culture, certain Lynx tribes and all non-lynx species to this day hold their own unique characteristics. Still, they could be experienced or seen by going to the towns, cities or villages where they were cultivated. Safe for the First Sun holiday, when they all were represented at the Phoenixes Court and celebrated, one wouldn't experience them without wanting to do so.

Here however, order mattered not. From little what he had gathered, this whole event was a result of another High Priest desire to show the culture of their homeland. It was sickening to Tal'Rakan that those beasts held such sway over what was happening in the land they were merely living at. But if such anarchy was allowed by their god, the Sun Fox? He wouldn't bother to try and change that. Instead Tal'Rakan was just padding around, looking even more so out of place in his plumed cloak and crown and the armour beneath. He actually had some intent to try the food primarily, but he wasn't sure where to start and as such he just decided to ask first random fox he had spotted.

"Khood day to you. I wish to ask for assistance. I am new to this place and well, this event have put me off a prit. Care to explain the prasics and show me around? If you need me to, I can pay for your trouprles."

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil chuckled at Caden's suggestion. "I almost feel bad for the todds subjected to Asta's scrutiny. She'll find out everything about them with a speed and precision that would make a M.A.U.L. agent envious." He smiled at Caden, daring a small touch on the arm - as much as he was willing to do in public. "I don't know how I got so lucky, to have you in my life."

Mileya's tongue trilled rapidly through the Fyadorian words, never missing a beat. "Sutando to yobi no gen ga tsuite ireba, sen-doru wa datōna kingakudesu. Soshite…"* She pulled from her sleeve a small pouch tied to her wrist, fishing out a pair of sparkling electrum fifty-gilder coins with a gold core for weight. "Gakki-shi no jikan o sonchō suru tame ni."**

*"One thousand is reasonable, so long as the stand and a spare set of strings is included. And..."

**"To honor Mr. Musical Instrument for his time."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo fur would furl up at Marianna's words were it not for the fact he was still soaked in water. "Well... I only have one matter t' deal with today. I need t' pass some documents t' one fella from Justice I've got working with me. Safe for that, am yours for whole day fer anything we wanna."

He slowly raised from the spring, pulling Marianna upwards too as she was firmly tangled with him. After a gentle kiss to her forehead, he parted from her and stepped aside to shake off water from his fur, unashamed both with himself and with the fact he was looking at her. Once he was just damp, he took a towel and threw it over himself, grabbing his clothed for today and moved to back to the changing stalls. "Also, we coulda take part in 'em tea ceremonies. I've heard they are as intricate as delicious... and so called mochi given as sides are even sweeter... like ya." He grinned before disappearing into the stall.

Soon after, on the other side, he met with Marianna again. Now that he was dried, his fur was combed and his tail as bushy as it could get, Ivo didn't bother with words, only extending his arm to let Marianna into his paws again.

 

[Kal Goldtail]

@Tal'Rakan

Through the sounds of festivities, Kal almost startled at words directed so close and so directly towards her. She turned around, scanning the beast. Older, clearly stronger, but a fish out of water. Armored, despite the casualness of the event. Feathers? Was that a crown? There was a lot that surprised her in this interaction, from Lynx's accent, to looks, ending at the sole bizarreness of someone clearly of some wealth approaching someone of her status and asking for assistance. It probably did show on her face, though it wasn't an antagonistic look by any means. The interaction being so out of place, she stumbled over what kind of tone to apply.

"'Ello- I mean, good day, sir. I- well." She cleared her throat. "Of course. My pleasure. I don' know all, but I can try to help, at least." She gestured for them to walk and talk, leading them towards a section more focused on armor and weapons of Westisle, as she imagined that would be interesting to the beast. At best, it could be some easy coin. She didn't dare to think of potential worst outcome, was she to disrespect the beast.

"Well, where to start. 'tis a Westisle Cultural Appreciaton Day, organized by our nobles. Duke Ryalor comes from Westisle, if I remember right. 'tis a day to eat their food, try their weapons, and see their clothes." She gestures around. "You, sir, don' seem local, pardon the assumption. Where do you hail from, if I may?" She was mixing her speech patterns and stumbling over her words, generally stressed and flustered.

 

[Tal'Rakan]

@Kal Goldtail

The lynx listened carefully, nothing new so far but at least he was heading someplace instead of trying to randomly stumble into any point of interest. That was a good start, and the vixen, while unassuming, wasn't unpleasant unlike some. She seemed to be more educated and well-spoken than most that is for sure. And her curiosity in fact humoured Tal'Rakan who always liked to boast a bit.

"Ah, I come from Ichan Iluiteomeh. For lack of pretter translation, Land of Phoenixes, place of eternal summer, home of thousand peaks. One far southwest from this place." After previous encounters, he knew that openly saying he is a diplomat led to some... interesting results. So for now he decided against it. "I know very little aprout this nation of yours and I am here to learn" He spoke a tiny bit mumbly, not liking the fact he has to use half-truths.

"I would enjoy seeinkh all. While it isn't aprout this land from what I khather, knowinkh more isn't khoinkh to hurt for sure."

 

[Kerney Erdősi]

@Pomodu lu Modokunomulo @Kaii Nashirou

Kerney tilted his head curiously as the beast produced a beautiful case from her similarly beautiful sash. Watching her produce the coins, time seemed to slow as they sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, his eyes going wide as saucers.

"Are ye kidding?! Put that away!" He spoke in a hushed voice, stepping closer so that his body would block onlookers' views of the precious metal. He wore a forced smile and looked around for anyone who may have seen, trying much too hard to pretend like everyhing is fine. "Yah tryin' te get robbed...?!"

Oops. He didn't mean to be rude. Awkwardly, he shuffled back, eyes darting around the large crowd that surrounded them. "Eee, sorry, I mean... Thank you for your generosity..." He cleared his throat, "But really, you're too generous. Yah already stand out, don't want folks thinking yah have goldies to nick too. Lots of beasts on the street. Food for thought."

Kerney held his paw up in a 'no,' like a bluenose having been offered a pipe. This next part was a knife in the gut, but he supposed he had to say it if he were to turn himself around. "And I can't accept that. Way too much. Way. I'll find another way." He stood there with his arms hanging by his sides, silently hoping that was enough in this foreign social standard he had to adhere to.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

@Pomodu lu Modokunomulo @Kerney Erdősi

Kaii was very surprised by what happened in front of his eyes. This Red Panda producing... really excessive amounts of wealth. Kaii seen larger sums before, technically he was meant to inherit many times that, but it was a timeline not meant to be. The reaction of the Squirrel was very much valid however. Such money was an easy invitation to cause a disaster.

"I do not know about the ways of your lands... but such money here is as our interlocutor said, way too much. You should seek smaller nominals if you wish to partake in charity or acts of spontaneous kindness." Kaii explained plainly while trying not to think if he could ever hold such wealth so freely again.

Turning his attention to the Squirrel he spoke again, with slightly softer tone than before. "I know there are some places that lend outfits at very low prices. Should you desire to try one, without having to buy it, that is an option too."

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna toweled herself dry and dressed herself with a speed that probably set a personal record; whether it was the prospect of food, dessert, or reunification with Ivo, she would never say. The net effect was her readily stepping into Ivo's grasp, her own arm slipping around his waist. "Mm," she remarked, "let's meet this contact of yours quickly. I'd really like to have the rest of the day to ourselves... and unrestricted time to sample Fyadorian food. I really, really want to try this 'mochi' you speak of in particular."

~~~

Aramaeus Lemon hated that he'd gotten himself injured just before Westisle Cultural Appreciation Day. Spending the day in a sling was a severe letdown; he'd been hoping to purchase a wooden katana and spend the whole day demonstrating to passing vixens the techniques and stances he'd learned by mimicking those depicted in certain illustrated and serialized Fyadorian novels that had fallen into his possession, most frequently from the clutches of Missertross Gulls in exchange for a monthly subscription fee. He was adamant in defending his interest as purely literary and cultural, especially after one of his coworkers had caught him looking at a page which included an illustration of a vixen whose proportions seemed to defy the limits of gravity, biology, and credulity. He'd been much more circumspect in reading since then.

His eyes scanned the crowd for his contact, footpaw tapping impatiently. There was only so long left in the day, and he'd been hoping to stop by one of the booths selling serialized novels. He'd heard a rumor that they were selling a limited number of prints that showed certain features the artists normally left to the imagination, and he was quite curious to verify or dispel those rumors himself.

In the interest of cultural education, of course.

~~~

Pomodu's face fell as the fox and the squirrel both rushed to shield her money from the general populace's view. "I on'ly wanutedu heh'p," she remarked, her lower lip starting to tremble in a way unbecoming of a samurai. She looked between the pair pleadingly, her paw covering the coin. "Maybe I buy foh you?" she offered the squirrel, glancing to the fox to see if that would be okay. "So you no worry?"