The Ace Fur Trade [Finished]

[The Jenn]

After an indeterminate but small length of time, Fluffy heard the sound of something shifting and grating, which shortly led to more light as a bipedal rat dropped down a ladder and descended with a lantern in his hand. He glanced around, as if to reassure himself that all was as it should be, and then approached her with a curious tilt to his head. She could tell that he was part Highland like her, but there was also something dark in his coloring that might have been Corvistowne or Torquehelm. She didn't see any bindings, but that didn't mean all that much. His missing ear was... strange.

Danny scratched at his cheek as he looked in on the young Ace. She really was a beautiful thing, just in the prime of her life. No wonder Betsy hadn't been able to help herself. Anything made out of her fur would be gorgeous and sell for a ridiculous amount of money. The tail was garish, but Horace had mentioned that it wasn't natural and probably wouldn't breed true.

He had half a mind to test that theory, especially after seeing her sitting there next to the Avington. What a pretty mix that would be. It might be worthwhile holding onto her for a little longer if they could get a litter off of her. Normally Betsy didn't approve of breeding the Aces, but sometimes an especially pretty pair like this happened along and it seemed nearly a crime not to.

The Avington had been another 'less than legal' acquisition, kept in the hidden chamber, because of his gorgeous pelt. The tree, branching off like it did, could be the center of an incredible cloak. Granted, the Ace itself was one of the many afflicted with mental problems, but he wasn't one to care about the state of their minds. So long as they were well cared for until the time came, Betsy didn't fuss, and it wasn't like they needed their intellect - or lack thereof - for anything anyway. "Hey, you're a pretty thing, aren't you?" he said with a little click of his tongue.

Fluffy's ears perked up the slightest bit. That wasn't a bad thing for him to say. That was actually a good thing. Maybe he would be willing to help her? She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything he'd held up a hand.

"Ah, no, thanks. I don't need you sayin' anything. Don't know what kind of vocabulary you have, but I don't really want to hear it. You look pretty lonely, though. How about a friend?" As he said it, he unlocked the cage with the ferret and looped a short leash around his neck, leading him out. He seemed extremely docile, quite possibly leash-trained before coming here. This could have easily been someone's pet with how pretty he was.

The rat then proceeded to open Fluffy's cage and guide the ferret inside. The spaces weren't cramped by any means, with enough room for a little bit of comfortable pacing. There was no sense in keeping the creatures cooped up and uncomfortable. It often led to distressing habits like gnawing on their fur, and that was the last thing he wanted. "Maybe you and this guy can get better acquainted," he said, amusement creeping into his voice as he looked down at the drooling Ace. It was certainly one of the stupider creatures he'd handled, but so long as the looks bred true, he didn't care. Avington and Highland usually made for attractive combinations anyhow. "I'll just leave you to it." With that, he removed the leash and stepped out of the cage, locking it behind him.

[carcinoGeneticist]

"I'd say we can leave now,[/b]" Seth spoke for Heilyn, standing up and away from the bed with a small glimmer of excitment in his eye. He wanted to get on the road, though not for the same reasons as Xiven or Heilyn, he knew. He wanted to find a fight. Life in the courts, with children, was definitely interesting... But lacking in the kind of chaos that the bat thrived on. "No point in wasting time, right? For Fluffy's sake.[/b]"

~~~

The journey to the bar was alarmingly quiet, especially after Seth had asked Heilyn for the name of the bar and then been able to direct the driver of the carriage without further instruction from her. The bat's eyebrows were furrowed slightly as he sat in near silence, expression one of displeasure that the woman had been the least bit surprised that he'd been there at least dozen times while she'd been stuck watching the children. He might be a bodyguard now, but he was still Seth! He'd known booze for longer than he'd known Heilyn, that was damn sure, and he wasn't prepared to give it up.

When they reached the bar, the bat could practically feel himself bristling with the need for something to happen. He payed the carriage driver and then glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then shuddered as his coat began to change - the colors all swirled and shifted until he was left as the perfect picture of a Highlander, pristine white coat broken by vivid red slashes. Things would be much simpler this way, after all: he had worn this disguise every time he'd entered the seedy joint, in an attempt to steer attention away from himself.

"Ladies first,[/b]" he muttered as he opened the door, grinning.

[Satra]

"Really now, Xiven?" she laughed, "I hope not to disappoint too badly, m'dear." Oh, how she would love to introduce Xiven to the wonders of drinking! ...Let's just hope she didn't have that pesky little immunity to poison thing.

She couldn't help but smirk. She knew that look on Seth's face. She'd kept Seth caged up for far too long in the Court. It was time to let him have a little fun.

"Yes, of course," she said, smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, "For the sake of Fluffy."

~~

Heilyn had left her Tove to watch their kids in their leave. While there wasn't much Tinman could do as far as discipline, he could always go and get other people when trouble broke out. She didn't like leaving them alone... but it had to be done. Seth's muscles were needed, but so was Heilyn's diplomacy... well, it'll have to do for now. She just hoped things didn't get too out of hand by the time they got back...

...and then she found out that both she and Seth frequented the same bar on their off time without even knowing it. It was... her entire relationship with the man never ceased to surprise her. ...so why was Seth brooding...?

She smiled, watching him transform in front of their very eyes and hope the door open for them. She scritched him under the chin as she walked past him inside. Many of the patrons knew her. The ones that did not quickly get out of her way or edge away from her, avoided her eyes. Chin held high and shoulders back, she sauntered through the bar straight to the counter. Upon sitting down, the two seats on either side of her cleared up. God, she loved the "lower" part of town. So many of such low rank~

"Danny," she smiled, elbows rested on the bar counter as gloved fingertips gently touched her chin and lower lip. "How are you today?"

[Kari Muffin]

The trip to the bar was indeed, alarmingly quiet. The whole way there Xiven could only hope that Fluffy was all right. If anything happened to her, things would die. In particular the things that went out of their way to touch her Fluffy. A brief thought about her mother back at the palace visited her. Hopefully Mom would be taking care of things there.

After what seemed like an eternity they arrived. Xiven hopped out of the carriage. She had thought she had seen everything, but then Seth promptly turned into a Highlander. The feline wanted to say something, but she couldn't find the proper words that wouldn't sound idiotic in the current situation. With a small shrug she trotted through the door and followed Heilyn.

It was indeed seedy, and Xiven felt like a fish out of water. Jumping onto the barstool she glanced over at Heilyn. Well, she seemed to know what she was doing.

[The Jenn]

Danny looked up from wiping a spill on the bar's surface at his name from a familiar voice, though not so familiar that he would know its owner without looking. His one ear twitched in slight surprise, the other ripped off quite a few years back. His fur was a mix between Highland and red Corvie, though the former was more evident. He could be anywhere from early forties to mid fifties, depending on how generous the viewer was inclined to be, and his fur looked a bit skeazy. He could do with a more thorough brushing.

"Ah, hey, Heilyn, he greeted as soon as he caught sight of her face. It wasn't like he'd ever seen another Bog-dweller besides her. She was pretty damn recognizable. "Haven't seen you in a few weeks. Here for a pint? With... friends?" His eyes traveled to Xiven, on the stool next to her, and then back to Seth. Another semi-regular. Coincidence? Probably.

[Satra]

She rather disliked the look of the man. The only one in this room who had an excuse for her hair to be oily was her. She and Xiven were probably the best maintained clients in the entire Bar. There was Seth, who she insisted on keeping immaculate... but that still didn't take away that rugged edge his Solandrian blood gave him.

Not like she was complaining.

She chuckled. Any other client a 'pint' would've meant that piss-flavored drink, but with her?

"You know what I like," she smiled back. A 'pint' was a bit of an exaggeration of how much she drank of the harder liquid, but not by much. She knew Danny loved it when she came in. She pat Xiven across the shoulders, "This here's a daughter of a friend of mine. I've decided to take her out for a drink." A wicked smirk crossed her face, "Why don't you get her a Nova Pink Dragon, hmm?" She then nudged Seth.

"And this charming fellow," she smiled. He was pretty good at playing along, "Met me at the door and offered to buy me a drink or two. Ain't that sweet? I hear there's a special place in heaven for those willing to sacrifice their wallet," she said, sneaking in a plug against religion. She figured nobody who frequented the Snoozing Stoat would find offense. And if they did? Well, they could come talk to here about it.

Heilyn had never directly said she worked for the Court, but she had a feeling Danny made the assumption. With as much money as she had to spend, not being a Highlander (why would one be here?), a Face Card of Hearts, and continually under stress? On top of that, how many other Bog Dwellers are there running around? Nosy Highlanders made it a point to learn every stinking piece of gossip there was to know about the strange woman from such a disagreeable region working right in their "backyard" so to speak.

She had to act normal for a bit. She just hoped Xiven would be patient with her pace.

[Kari Muffin]

Xiven tapped her claws on the counter top. She knew full well that Heilyn had to "play it cool" or some such nonsense like that. It didn't help her anxiety. Her ears twitched at the mention of the drink. Wasn't that something neon pink with a high alcoholic content that her mother told her never to touch? That probably meant she wouldn't be able to actually drink it properly.

Her luck with alcohol was rather slim. The last time she tried to drink vodka that she had acquired from the kitchens she found out through a frustrating process that no matter what she did it would return to its container of origin. But since someone was actually serving her a drink... well she could only wonder what would happen. At least this would be a decent social experiment.

"I have a feeling you're going to make sure someone's going to have to carry me out of here, Heilyn, aren't you?" She snorted and brushed her tail down for a moment. Guh. She hoped that Fluffy was going to be okay. Please let her be alive and safe.

[carcinoGeneticist]

"It's all about givin' an' gettin', if you know what I mean,[/b]" he grinned at Heilyn with as much smarm as he could possibly cram into one expression, throwing a muscular arm around her shoulders. He shot Xiven a glance when Heilyn ordered her a drink, ears perking slightly. Then he laughed. Inwardly, he couldn't help but feel at least a little bit of worry for the girl. The fact that this was her first experience (away from her mother at least) in a seedy bar like this was true... and a Nova Pink Dragon? That would be harsh. "Starting her off fast! That's the spirit.[/b]"

Once he had a drink for himself (only a very small one, he didn't want to be completely wasted for this), he leaned back in his chair and set about looking around the bar. It was a relatively calm night for this place, which was good - the less scene they made, the better.

After a moment, he turned back to Xiven, giving the girl a good-natured shoulder bump that he hoped would help quell some of her worries. They'd be working on finding Fluffy again soon, and he just hoped she didn't get too anxious now. "And don't worry yourself, miss. I'd be happy to carry you home.[/b]" he laughed cheerily, rolling his eyes with disgust once Danny was looking away.

[The Jenn]

Danny smirked along with the coyote, more than amused that she'd been able to pick up someone to cover her drinks so quickly. Normally she didn't bother with anything like that, preferring to stay to herself and drink. That was just fine by him - when she came, she drank a lot. It made him wonder if she had some sort of poison immunity, being a Jack of Hearts, since it never seemed to send her over the edge like it should have. Wouldn't be the first time he'd dealt with the ability, though admittedly it was rare.

"Yeah, no problem. I'll mix up a Dragon for the Miss and get you your usual." Between them they probably had about the same amount of alcohol, but the Nova Pink Dragon looked a lot more harmless than anything Heilyn tended to drink.

Their quick and easy camraderie amused him, especially since they'd only just met at the door. Someone had a good chance of getting lucky tonight, obviously, especially if the woman was so receptive to getting liquored up right away. Then again, maybe the bat had bitten off more than he could chew. It would be amusing to watch the pair of them, and the girl they'd brought with them.

"So Heilyn, what brings you here tonight? Nothing special? Escaping the joys of motherly bliss? Or just looking to get a little buzzed?" He leaned against the bar, wiping off a cup and willing to chat. She was usually an entertaining customer simply for how different she was and her sense of humor was cruelly entertaining.

[Satra]

"Thank you, Danny," she smiled. Goodness, she was in good spirits tonight, wasn't she? Probably had something to do with a good-looking, well-muscled "Highland" Bat draping himself on her. "A bit of both. You're a well-connected man, aren't you? I fear there may be some event in the near future among my colleagues that would require me to smile a lot and look pretty. Do you perhaps know of any decent tailors who are current in the latest fashions? I'm afraid such things allude me," she laughed, picking up her drink and downing about half of it in one go. She talked like a flowery courtier, but finished her eloquently structures statement drinking like a blaggard. No wonder she amused Danny so much. She ran a finger up the arm draped over her shoulders.

"It's not technically adultery if you're not married, right?" she gave Seth a sly look. She was talking about cheating on Seth... with Seth. Despite the fact that a Queen's pet's life potentially depended on them moving fast, the situation at the moment amused her greatly.