Rainblade-Ryalors Open Vulpinsula & Surroundings Westisle Cultural Appreciation Day

[Kal Goldtail]

@Tal'Rakan

Kal was less so comfortable with attention that the lynx was drawing to them, but she only sighed ever so slightly and perked back up. They were all looking at him, not at her, after all. And oh boy, was there a lot to look at, with feathers, size and presence of the beast. She laughed, somewhat nervously at the question directed at her.

"Well, I'm Kal. Not really anybeast important, I'm afraid. Sorry to disappoint." She looked at the mentioned parade. "Um, truthfully, I don' know. May be worth askin' someone lookin' more knowledgeable." She noticed some beasts slightly showing away from the claw. "Oh, right, you seem to be fightin' with claws, sir. That is very interesting, is that common for your people. And, well, about Phoenixes - sorry to ask - are there really Phoenix beasts out there?"

 

[Tal'Rakan]

@Kal Goldtail

The lynx didn't show displeasure. Albeit he was a bit bummed. Without access to any local libraries or archives, he and his beasts had to rely on anything the locals could share with them. At the question, his face became very serious. "Phoenixes are divine preinkhs, no mere preasts. The ones that came to khuide and lead us, take forms closer to ours so we, mere preasts, may comprehend them."

That was sufficient in his mind. No need to question the divine was in Tal'Rakan's mind. He did lighten up, moving to the next topic.

"War Claws are difficult weapon, prut one we can naturally wield, relyinkh on instincts to fikht alonkhside the traininkh. Those are common amonkh the most offensive of our soldiers." He explained while gesturing around with his paw while having his natural claws extended, moving them through the air as if trying to rip something.

After that, he chuckled. "I respect you tryinkh to work around the marital aspects. Prut I am curious in knowinkh why this festivity even is here."

 

[Aramaeus Lemon]

Aramaeus opened his mouth, then shut it. It occurred to him that going to such an event, or even accepting an invitation to one, was a perfect thing to use as blackmail. If he was going to be dealing with this femme, Niceties or no, perhaps he should adopt a nom de guerre. "My name is Antony Goldfur," he introduced himself, offering his paw, oblivious to the fact that, peeking out behind a peony he'd stuck in his lapel, a monogram on his maroon coat clearly identified him as Aramaeus Lemon, Ministry of Justice.

~~~

Marianna nuzzled Ivo's cheek with her snout as the attendant, unshakeable in the face of the lovebirds' affections. The ritual involved bringing the water to a boil several times, pouring it out over the clay cups and platters into a bamboo box below, including one with the initial boil of the tea which as also poured out - all of which, the attendant assured them, was in preparation for the correct brewing of the tea. Finally, the cups were filled with the aromatic tea and set in front of the pair of foxes.

Marianna carefully sipped at her cup, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Alright," she admitted, "that is a very delightful cup of tea. It almost tastes like there's fruit and honey in there. What do you think, Ivo?" She looked to him for his opinion.

~~~

Mileya's pawfingers missed a string as Asta asked after her kithood, and it took her a second to recover. "It... It was different," she said at last. "When we lived here, in Bully Harbor, with Vaelora - our adoptive mother," she clarified, "it was very free, very cozy. We grew up in the Trenches, we saw the city around us. Even if we were princes and a princess, she raised us not to see ourselves as better, different, or separate from everyone else. It wasn't like that after her death, in Eastisle." Her voice almost sounded haunted. "My uncle... he was a very sad todd. He always has been. Even with my Aunt Dusk there, even when my cousins were born, when he was surrounded by family, he always had that sadness about him." She smiled, a touch melancholic herself, as she reflected. "I didn't really understand that until I was grown up. I realized that it wasn't sadness because of what he'd lost, but because he'd trusted beasts, and he'd been hurt because of it. After all that, it's hard for him to trust anyone. I guess I understand that now."

~~~

As Caden held down the rat, Daniil gripped his mother's blade. The pleading of the young doe rang in his ears, a child begging for their father figure's life. He raised the sharp curve of the blade, placing it against the buck's throat. "I trusted you in my moment of need," he stated. "You betrayed that trust. That must be punished."

He tilted the blade, and he brought it up sharply. The very tips of the rat's whiskers fell free, drifting to the ground. Daniil sheathed his blade, looking at the buck in disappointment. "Do better for her," he implored him, gesturing to the youngster. "Even if life requires you to behave criminally, you can still behave with honesty and honor. Demonstrate to her what that looks like, less your actions rob her of another father."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo tasted the tea. And while he couldn't say it was bad, it was too delicate for him. He liked stronger flavours for sure, but there was something to being here with Marianna that made the moment itself sweeter. He ran over the whole ceremonial again, glad he could see it, making sure to draw it later so he can do it on his own to surprise his love at some day. After that, he registered her voice.

"Well... It's good, but me think I could add sum cloves maybe t' really get 'em more sharp." He admitted, spotting that their attendant mouth twitched. "But I'll keep in mind ya like it so I can get sum fer ya for special occasion." He winked, emboldened by the previous joke and her reaction. However he decided not to go any further with it. Even subtle, but repetitive attempts, could get tiring quickly.

Some time have passed as he continued to cuddle while consuming the tea. As it run dry, he had one more question to Marianna. "Wanted t' visit a stall with 'em weapons. Mind if we go there next? I saw a thing on t' way I may have sum use for."

 

[Kerney Erdősi]

@Pomodu lu Modokunomulo @Kaii Nashirou

Undisturbed by the vixen's momentary change of character, Kerney looked at the blank space at the bottom of the paper. The crossbow strapped to him seemed to burn against his back, the only thing of value he owned. Definitely not giving that up. Also, ink on the paw doesn't come off easy. Normally easygoing with getting dirt on his hands, Kerney was less enthused about getting a new nickname when he returned to the pub in the evening with one black palm.

A signature will do, then... Although he'd have to make one up on the spot. Didn't exactly do paperwork often. He picked up the quill on the table, dipped it in ink, and held it in a firm fist like a kit who had never written anything before. First time for everything, he supposed.

The squirrel smiled as Pomodu tried to pronounce his name. "Close enough," he said. Kehrewak had a ring to it. With his tongue poking out as he focused, he slowly drew a "K" onto the paper with three shaky lines, then what might be a circle confining it. By some miracle, the paper hadn't torn. He put the quill back down, his paw already cramping, then turned back to the tallest beast in their party.

"Very. Thank yah." He plucked the little piece of metal out of Pomodu's paw and slid it across the stall table to the vixen. She made the change quickly, and Kerney cupped the five coins in his palm like they were the most treasured things. It would be so easy to just keep them for himself. He could lie and say that the coin was five gliders, not ten like she thought. She was a foreigner, after all.

But he didn't. He chose to attribute that to his own character and not the presence of the marbled fox. He held his paw out for her to take her money. "Here, lass, these are yours. I'll be off to change. Just a moment."

Thankfully, the stall had a single changing booth, its curtains decorated with red and gold Westisle imagery. Kerney was thankful that he didn't need to duck into an alley on a day like this. He slipped in and shut the curtain behind him, outfit in hand.

 

[Kal Goldtail]

@Tal'Rakan

Kal nodded along with the explanation, not showing how weird she found the entire thing with Phoenixes. Intriguing, but weird.

"Ah, sorry, of course. Well, from what I know-" She started, trying to make her brain work like it used to, furrowing her brow. "Westisle, as it's known today, joined a union with Imperium, so it's a relatively new land under the rule of Empress, and home of Duke Ryalor, who's, well, an importan' person to say the least. So, every year, a festival like 'is is held, to - I suppose - share the culture. Everythin' is pretty cheap or free, 'specially here where poorer beasts mingle. A nice gesture from our rulers, I 'spose." She stumbled over her words, trying to explain as best as she could. "You seem like a traveler, sir, have you been to many places besides your homeland and 'ere?"

 

[Tal'Rakan]

@Kal Goldtail

There was a visible scowl upon Tal'Rakan's muzzle upon hearing this question. He, of course, didn't want to admit really how badly he and his nation were backward. Still, an answer had to be made. And not wanting to be seen as weak, he resorted to a half-truth. "I am possiprly amonkh few preasts of my homeland who could say they've seen the world."

Since that was the best he could do, he decided to move on to the other topic. Namely speaking, a small notion that felt weird to him. "While I would like you to khet me somewhere where I could try the food, I also wished to ask, you say only for festival thinkhs are cheap or free?"

While he continued to follow the vixen, he failed to spot that, in the crowd, there was someone else following them. Someone that was blending with the crowd perfectly, and yet, without a doubt, someone observant could see one orange, spotted wildcat following the two.

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna positively beamed as Ivo promised to remember the tea so he could treat her with it in the future. Given his memory, she knew those were more than idle, empty words. Her smile broke into a delighted laugh as he mentioned seeing some of the weapons. "Okay," she agreed, "but if you're going to purchasing Fyadorian weapons, I'm going to buy you a yukata to go with it, okay? A nice one," she added, smiling as she leaned against him. "You've spent so much on me today, let me treat you a little bit too!"

~~~

Pomodu's fave registered confusion as the squirrel gave her five silver-coated single gilder coins, and she held them up, examining them incredulously. "Di'su i'su o'ne gihduh coi'nu'su?" she asked, disbelief in her voice. "No feeh li'ke reah' money, i'su wha'tu gi've ki't foh pulay."

 

[Orina Emberkin]

@Aramaeus Lemon

Orina took the todd's paw in a firm grasp. Her gaze slid to the name on the jacket. "Antony, it's excellent to make your acquaintance. What is it that you do as a dedicated servant for our Empress? Do you work with a particular Ministry?"

---

@Mileya Ryalor

Asta listened to Mileya's story, trying to imagine what such a life would be like. It was so foreign to her, the existence these sorts of beasts led seeming to lead to great strife and difficulty. It had been the collision of such beasts--those in the higher echelons of power--who had collided with her life, causing great pain and tragedy. Whatever it was that drove beasts to such lengths to accrue power and money also seemed to make them and those around them abjectly miserable.

"But you having good beasts around you to trust, no?" Asta inquired. "Daniil, I knowing, at least, you can trust. Now me and Caden, too."

---

@Daniil Ryalor

There was something that rang hollow in the doe's words and tone to Caden, but he could not know for sure if she spoke truthfully as she begged for her "uncle's" life. He felt the rat flinch in his grasp as Daniil's sword came to his throat, then lop off a portion of his whiskers. The rat stopped struggling, and Caden slowly relaxed his grasp on the beast. He released the rat's arm, and the lithe rodent ducked away from Caden to dash off, shoving through the crowd.

The doe's tears turned to cackling laughter, and she grabbed two of the purses that had dropped to the ground before following on his heels. "Stupid fox!" She made an obscene gesture to Daniil before she squeezed between the legs of the onlookers and disappearing from view.

Caden sighed and glanced at Daniil, shrugging. "Well, at least neither of us got stabbed. You alright?"

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo chuckled, getting himself disentangled from Marianna just for long enough so that the two could stand up. "If ya insist, I ain't gonna say no. I jus'..." He paused for a moment. Looking at the place he held his money, deeply hidden within his clothes. "Ever since I've me job and 'nough money to live well, I kinda jus' don't have much reason t' spend it 'sides me lil' hobbies and some needed bribes. Am happy I can 'least indulge ya, even if ye probably much richer than I am." The todd had explained while leaving the parlour, taking Marianna by the paw and down the street to the vendor he had spotted earlier.

"I suppose it work both ways tho." He added after a short break. A few moment later, they were already at the stall. The sign by it advertised the Tantos, Kamas, Tetsu-bishis and Shurikens present at the stall as perfect choices for self-defence. Ivo was decent with the daggers and knew well how to throw them. That is why he took up the latter two items, examining their sharp forms and weighting them in his paws. He would have to learn to use them, but with how concealable those were, he felt it was a good investment. Especially now that he actually cared for more than just his own hide.

"They’re weapons of an assassin. Not somethin' any beast after me tail will expect fer sure... What'cha think Mari?" He asked, albeit it was clear he was at least somewhat excited in his pragmatic approach, simply because his tail was wagging just faster enough for it to be noticeable.

@Marianna Furotazzi

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii let Kerney enter the stall and turned to shocked Pomodu. An idea have passed through his mind. Would he be like that if he were to never learn what poverty was like? Should he inherit his family's wealth in full, untouched sum, would he also be so disjointed from the reality of money? In a way maybe his pain was not for nothing, even if the scars of the past were still deep and unpleasant.

"The beasts here are mostly impoverished. Many subsude without seeing even those five megre gilders you hold. With no offense to our rodent fellow, he might have not hold such money in a long time, seeing as he held onto him." He took a momentary pause to consider the next words before stating the truth. "An aftermath of a terrific war, as well as the divide attributed to strata, are very visible in the society we have here." Then an idea hit him, just before the squirrel made their return. "Miss Pomodu, if I may ask, are you perchance any sort of nobleborn beast? Are you a daughter of a king, duke or anything akin to such titles?"

@Pomodu lu Modokunomulo @Kerney Erdősi

 

[Cricket]

Risk was always a tempting word to the young gecko, so often did it come paw in paw with reward, but she was careful not to leap too swiftly into the scheme. She'd watched enough elders discussing terms to shady deals in back alleys and alcoves to know that eagerness was seen as foolishness. Still, that frosting looked good.

"We might be interested," Cricket replied to the young feline, nudging Finnian in a friendly manner, "mightn't we, Finn? But we're gonna want some details, right? What's your plan that's so risky?"


@Mariel Rustyfangs @FinnianBrightfur

 

[Aramaeus Lemon]

Aramaeus panicked at the question, his laryngeal prominence bobbing as his mind raced. What was a safe ministry? Niceties? No, she was from Niceties, she'd know it was a lie. Absolutely not Justice, he couldn't let this get out. War? Too risky, War was prominent. Innovation would prompt questions about what he did, questions he didn't know how to answer. Misanthropy would be good, but beasts from Misanthropy didn't go around saying they were from Misanthropy. That just left...

"Commerce," he answered, trying to sound casual. "The Epicurean Bank. I'm an accountant." Great, it was foolproof! Accounting was so phenomenally boring that no one would want to ask any follow-up questions.

~~~

Mileya nodded, looking down at the instrument as she kept playing. "I know," she admitted. "I know I can trust him, and I can trust you two as well. You're all safe because..." She hesitated, then changed the subject. "So, what made you start learning to play music?"

~~~

Daniil only seemed momentarily surprised by the betrayal; then, rather than anger, his expression simply fell into fatigue. He sheathed his mother's blade, then started sorting through the purses, looking for Caden's. "I don't know," he admitted. "Part of me feels like a fool for believing them - for wanting to believe they could be better. I feel hopelessly naive, but... but I think I'd hate the world and myself a lot more if I hadn't believed them. A world where I couldn't believe that they could be good... I don't want to live in that world. Does that make sense?"

~~~

Marianna watched Ivo examining the exotic weapons, her own tail flicking with amusement. She had to admit, it was cute, watching him getting excited over something. Normally he played everything so suave and aloof; to see genuine eagerness on his face, a kitlike energy at the prospect of a new toy, made her want to wrap her arms around him and kiss his cheek. "I think," she remarked, stepping closer and looking at the blades, "that we'll need to get you a dartboard for target practice. I know a range in the Trenches that usually has a few of its used boards to sell for cheap. And," she added, looking over the weapon with interest, "if they don't come with a custom holster, we'll want to pick one up. Safely concealing and carrying those seems like an ordeal. Maybe a bag for those little caltrop things, and a wider holster for the throwing stars, so you can pack them in together?" She had to admit, exotic weapons wasn't a part of Fyadorian culture that interested her much. Clothes and food, yes, but weapons from any culture had never had much appeal to her. She was happy to see Ivo so engaged in his interest, though, and would gladly support him in it.

~~~

Pomodu's eyes widened at Kaii's question, the astonishment showing that he'd managed to hit the nail right on the head. "How you know?" she asked in surprise. "My papa wa'su di ki'ngu, de'n he die a'n'du my buota i'su di ki'ngu. I a'm no moh ki'ngu'su daughteh, pwinucessu you say, I a'm ki'ngu'su sisutah, so I muh'su'tu go. I a'suku to go to di Valupin'sula, buota ki'ngu say go. So," she shrugged, "now I a'm he're. I a'm to be..." She frowned as she struggled for the word. "Su'pea'ku foh ki'ngu bea'su'tu? Da't jo'b." She gave a small shrug as she added, overpronouncing each syllable, "E-veh-nu-tua-ly. Foh now, I see everyti'ngu."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo ran his finger pads over the sharp edges. Despite him being gentle with it, he still felt as it cut into them, resulting in a short hiss of pain from the fox and dripping of the star-like blade. Marianna was right, he needed holsters for those, but she had little idea of how he was doing things. Even now he had both his daggers well hidden among his clothes, accessible but difficult to spot or find. And as he needed those items for defending himself and Marianna if needed, he would rather also conceal them. The holsters were more for transport and to not cause much suspicion.

"T' board sure sounds great. 'Em holsters? I s'pose I need em for transport. Moreso I will need t' see me tailor. Those're darn sharp." He spoke more logically, still excited at the prospect of trying something exotic. After a bit of a banter with the trader at the stall, Ivo managed to bring the price down into a bit more comfortable range. He may had only mediocre knowledge of weapons, but he for sure knew that those were not worth their weight in silver. And the holsters were not worth more than the weapons themselves. Unltimately, after parting with substantial amount of coins he had left, Ivo packed his new equipment, cherishing it with a wide grin.

"Well, that's why I rarely do shoppin'. I tend t' end up gettin' broke after somethin' caughts me eye." He gave a melodramatic sigh. "But, ya did mention clothes to go with 'em Shureecans. Lead t' way! With all 'em books and other curios me think I will need sum more room at me flat." Ivo smirked at the notion, following Marianna now to the clothing stall.

 

[Orina Emberkin]

@Aramaeus Lemon

Orina kept her expression level despite her mirth at the todd's hastily-concocted falsehoods. She wondered how long he would be able to keep up his attempted ruse, and what would happen if she poked enough holes in it. "Ah yes, I know a few beasts in that department who will be at the event tonight. I'm sure you know Ivy and Barro. They're not exactly subtle about their interests, though of course they don't share too many details at work."

---

@Mileya Ryalor

Again Asta was tempted to inquire after the source of the vixen's hesitation. She thought of how she might approach it while she answered Mileya's question. "My parents teaching me. They traveling as performers in a theater and music group when I was born. My mother's health was bad after that, though, and they starting a farm instead to make money. They still performing in the town where we living, though, and they teaching me music from before I could walk. When I getting older, after my mother died, I playing and singing with my father, too. Just always being a part of my life, really."

---

@Daniil Ryalor

Caden held out his wallet. "I already grabbed it, mate. But it looks like some other beasts want theirs." He stepped away to allow several others from the crowd to scoop up their stolen belongings. "That makes sense, aye. I can understand why you feel that way. I don't share that sentiment, probably just have seen too much shit to really believe in the black and white concepts of 'good' and 'bad' as it applies to the beasts in this world, but I can understand why you'd want to hold onto that ideal, and I certainly wouldn't deny you that."

The jack motioned for Daniil to come over to him, ducking behind a food stall where they were blocked from view of anybeast unless somebeast came through the back of the stall. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure nobeast had followed them, and opened his arms slightly with a questioning look, asking without words if the todd wanted a hug.