Ashton didn't show his surprise as he was swaddled up, yes, being so closely watched could be rather annoying… but sometimes it was nice to be cared for silently. Ashton watched as the royals, nobles, and imperial children all set out. Alexei and the children also went out but his Ember and most of the warriors remained behind…
Caius eyed Littlest who was nonchalantly wandering closer as he brought twigs and leaves for the female owl. By Littlest's seventh or eighth trip he just happened to stumble onto Caius's tail. Littlest, clearly in his startled fall, had accidentally extended his claws. Caius wrapped the uninjured tail around Littlest's back paw and lifted him so they were eye to eye.
"Squeak?" Littlest asked with his eyes open as wide as foxily possible. So, what if papa's eyes were bigger than his body? Who doesn't have big eyes? Littlest's eyes were the biggest when they were all the same size. Look at how innocent he was, just working hard to help his owl make a nest. Papa had clearly tripped him purposely because papa was jealous.
Caius didn't need words to understand Littlest. Big innocent eyes? The look of bewilderment, then of being falsely accused, then understanding almost made Caius want to toss Littlest away. Who taught this brat to turn black into white? Clearly, Caius had been laying here in the sun for three hours already, only rocking his little bird. Yet this was his fault? What a brat.
"A-oo-oo-oo-ooo," Littlest chattered indignantly using his paw to point accusingly at the large tail holding him upside down. Did he also make papa lift him up so high? Clearly he'd been working single-mindedly to make a nest and stay out of the way of all the tribal humans! Yet papa was wrinkling his nose at him! Was there no father now that he was looking for a new mate??? Would papa really… just pretend the children and grandchildren were always at fault now? Was he no longer papa's Littlest?
Caius watched Littlest act as if the world were abandoning him. Eyes growing even rounder as they watered up. Truly, blue is made from indigo but is more vivid than indigo… who taught this brat? At this rate Caius would be the reason for world hunger! Soon Littlest's eyes were so moist he would be the first fox to shed teers…
"Ao-ooh-oo-ooh-bark!" Littlest started wriggling in an effort to escape, clearly, he should just move in with his female owl, she would love him. His owl wouldn't bully him, or pretend he was at fault just to please a new mate.
Caius rolled his eyes dramatically, "Aiya, what a little liar, just admit you wanted my fur to please your big female. Who taught you to just dance around and hope someone would know what you want?" Caius dropped Littlest with a huff. Little liars all around him… who raised such brats? Caius then thought back… Aiya, hopefully the little bird would be a better example than whoever taught Littlest to be such a sneaky brat. At the very least, Littlest should have taken after Caius himself.
Littlest bristled his fur and started nipping at Caius's paws indignantly, clearly they had all learned from papa! Besides! Littlest was also a fox! He had his own fur!!! Who would want old fox fur!!! "Yip yip, aooo, awo!" Littlest accused then started showing off his own tail, clearly disdaining his papa's old, dry, discolored fur. Didn't papa know everyone preferred young animal fur for being softer and warmer?
Caius seriously debated swatting this braggart to death… Me? My fur? Aiya, what a delusional little brat. Clearly his fur was the softest, warmest, and most beautiful! Who else had been able to woo so many specimens, almost all the epitome of beauty, grace. Caius was pride of their race for centuries. This brat was sprouting lies with his eyes wide open!
Littlest continued to wave his tail around, of course his fur was better, no matter how powerful papa became he couldn't age backwards! Old cow! As if they didn't know how much effort papa put into keeping his fur shiny! All those weird baths, lotions, oils, spells! At least Littlest was all natural!
Caius was about to show this pipsqueak a natural smack to his behind.
Littlest leapt away with a huff! Big bully papa! Destroying because he was jealous! Grandpa should just change from lust sin to envy! At least then they wouldn't have to keep pretending papa was still the most beautiful! Huff! Cleary Littlest was unloved here so he would just go find his female owl. She would love him no matter how pretty papa became.
While Neolani couldn't understand what was happening, she could clearly see the interactions. It would appear even Caius was weak to his kin… still his nose was so scrunched you'd think his face lost a fight with an unbreakable door… Neolani watched as the small fox pranced exaggeratedly back to the large owl who had been watching silently.
Ashton finally stopped holding back his laughter, even if he couldn't understand the language, he could get the general meaning. The fox's kin were incredibly smart, able to use mana to convey meaning rather than words. Besides… the fox's gestures and expressions were exaggerated enough to tell a story all their own.
Caius sulked as he unwrapped his Little Snack, "Aiya! That brat Littlest! Daring to say his fur is better than mine! And claim I am at fault! Little Snack! Where is my justice?" Caius complained thumping his tails unhappily.
Littlest waved his tail in a huff as he trotted indignantly back to his female owl. At least someone would love him, keep him warm at night, and not blame him unjustly. Littlest then circled his makeshift nest, luckily the female didn't seem to mind the temporary creation. Still… compared to the tree nest it was so… small… and drafty.
Ashton had been awake, "listening" to the conversation, stifling his laugh. While there hadn't been any words from the smallest fox, for them to communicate through mana waves… was impressive. Such communication must have taken years to master. The gestures would have conveyed some meaning… but communication through mana… Ashton had never even thought about it.
Caius watched as Littlest used his tail dramatically to sweep the area around the female owl… did Caius even like that brat??? Well, just burning all his fur away would be a good lesson, see if the owl still wanted Littlest then.
Littlest felt a sudden chill as his hackles raised in alarm, he turned aghast to his papa… still, a smart fox knows when to retreat. Littlest slunk into the makeshift nest, twigs falling as he burrowed under the female's wing for comfort. Littlest had been teaching the female owl to communicate with them. She was a quick learner, already able to convey general, broad terms though not specific ideas yet.
The female owl lowered her wing, leaning so the small fox could burrow between her talons like an egg to be protected. When her feathers completely covered her small fox, she settled down so if the big fox came she would be able to easily pick up her small fox and fly away.
Ashton let out a snort of laughter as he sat up. The large fox's nose was crinkled angrily at the blatant discontent the two much smaller, much weaker beasts were displaying. Their grumbling was audible for all to hear, "I see a rather strong resemblance." Ashton remarked stretching his arms over his head, twisting his waist from side to side.
Caius looked aghast at the statement as he eyed the clearing… "Aiya? Who dares be a bad influence for my kin?" Caius demanded smacking two tails on the ground threateningly.
Neolani's eye twitched… was Caius himself not the greatest influence on the foxes? Then again, who would tell Caius to his face that they were just using his own tricks against him? Neolani watched as every single fox started to look around, as if looking for such a dastardly culprit hiding in plain sight.
Ashton shook his head with a chuckle, "Come fox, why don't we eat then I can brush you out." This fox was just causing drama to cause drama, still seeing how close they all were… not to mention they all played along. The scene was heartwarming to know the beast family was willing to travel together for decades… or perhaps centuries.
Neolani walked over to Caius in his giant fox form… well, he was only about thirty feet long and fifteen feet tall. Neolani gauged Caius's dimensions, the perfect size to eat a grown man whole. Neolani wasn't sure if the sizing was deliberate or Caius's natural fox size. "We've prepared a midmorning meal if you would like Lord Caius."
Caius forced himself not to shudder at their idea of a meal. Aiya… but he couldn't be blatantly rude or dismissive yet… his pretty birdy wasn't one to be enamored with the new and shiny. "Aiya, I ate enough earlier, I don't usually eat everyday… or several times a day. I would lose my figure." Caius informed haughtily raising his nose to the sky as he let the sun make his fur shine.
Neolani held in her snort, the smaller foxes were staring at Caius as if he had grown seven heads instead of tails. "I see, well if you decide to change your mind we have a variety of meats." Neolani hadn't missed Caius's look of aversion to the cooked meat this morning so had kept the deer, horned rabbits, and other large rodents alive.
Caius let his gaze sweep over the caught prey, nothing particularly appealing. Even if the food wasn't already tainted. "I will be content." Caius made sure to keep his tone light, but he was also drawing a line. The sooner Caius abducted his Little Snack away the better. While Caius encouraged his kin and the local birds to mingle… best to keep a respectful distance from the humans.
Neolani glanced over the rest of the foxes, many of whom were hiding their faces beneath their tails. Neolani wasn't a fool, clearly something was off about Caius's diet. Since his arrival he'd been only eating humans and a few bites of mana fruit… perhaps he only ate humans… Humans did offer a higher concentration of mana compared to the average cored beast when eaten alive, but there were plenty of beasts that were more mana inclined or had more meat.
Ashton saw the interplay between his Ember and the fox. Clearly his Ember had reservations about the foxes' eating humans as their staple food, while the fox was drawing a line between beast and man. Ashton tilted his head, as a personal preference, meat of any kind was about the same. Still, watching others of your own kind being toyed with before getting eaten alive had to be hard to watch.
Ashton glanced over the foxes, to them, there was a clear delineation between the nations. So, as far as the foxes were concerned, humans from Smyrna were considered different from the humans of the tribes or Adar. For the foxes, it would be the difference between eating a spiny mouse, or a deer mouse. Though all the mice might consider them the same, the foxes could argue they are different.
Caius noticed the contemplative glances his Little Snack was giving them, "Aiya, let's feed the baby! Your feathers are already looking better." Caius stated happily as he stood up walking to the earth tables. Aiya, this baby! Thinking so hard! No doubt, thinking like a human.
Neolani stepped to the side. Following Caius back all the while Ashton was still wrapped up in the tails. There had been immediate improvements to Ashton's mana sea but… his emotional stability had also been fluctuating, almost all good emotions but not all. If there were more positive emotions, there was the opportunity for negative emotions. Negative emotions could abruptly damage Ashton's seals protecting his carefully cultivated humanity.
Talvi followed slowly with a basket handle in her jaw. Talvi was well aware of Neolani's reservations, but… there was a reason beasts and humans rarely coexisted. There were more than just moral differences, of course a vegetarian beast would not offend the sensibilities of humans as often.
Neolani had a half dozen platters of vegetarian foods, and two platters of pastries ready. Caius lifted the closest platter onto a tail and then used his tail as a table so Ashton didn't even have to get up. Neolani knew Ashton needed sleep, sunlight, and mana to prepare for his ascension, but… having him only awake three or four hours a day was rather concerning.
"My Ember, will you not eat with me?" Ashton asked glancing down at her furrowed expression. His Ember had been growing tenser as the days passed, Ashton had hoped being out of the capital, away from the damned would alleviate her concerns. Minor as it was with his blessings, the damned were concentrated enough to influence any who passed into dragon territory.
Neolani regained her thoughts as she smiled up at Ashton, "Of course," Neolani didn't miss Caius's mild rancor, but he lowered his tail so she could sit level with Ashton. "Thank you, lord Caius." A warrior brought her a plate with venison steak, potatoes, and boiled broccoli.
"You've been so stressed Ember, perhaps a day at the waterfall without responsibility would do you some good. I hear there is even a hot spring on two of the mountains, heated by the magma." Ashton offered pealing an orange.
"I'm just worried, so much is happening… when we leave this place…" Neolani started then stopped herself, "Maybe I do need a day to just relax with Alexei and the children…" None of the problems plaguing her were hers to fix… she was just stalling for time to prepare for Ashton's ascension, then preparing for them to escape this damned place.
"There is time enough for worries, besides, tonight there will be more answers, then we will have to hurry up and wait again." Ashton half teased, half sighed as he selected another fruit. Ashton had noticed his sense of taste had dramatically increased, strongly seasoned foods were starting to be a bit overwhelming.
Neolani glanced over, "Since everyone will be waiting, perhaps tomorrow we can go find those hot springs." Neolani wasn't sure if Ashton would join them… or if he would sleep most of the day away. Neolani really didn't want to leave until after the other beast was taken care of.
Ashton glanced up the mountain, while leaving the hunting grounds wasn't dangerous, it would be too tempting. Ashton looked his mana channels over, two more days… two days and he'd be ready to start his first molting.
"You should enjoy this time with your family Ember, letting hurt feelings fester would be unwise." Ashton reminded as he started eating the pear. While there wasn't a rift yet, Ashton's admonishment about Melia's carelessness had not helped Ember's stress. Melia could have easily protected herself had she not panicked, but she was still a child who had never been in real battle.
Neolani cut her steak slowly, "Are you not part of my family Ash?" Neolani had been feeling more estranged from Ash, he'd been getting along with Alexei and even the children but… he was more a polite cousin or uncle than immediate family member. Neolani had hoped Ashton would match with Melia, or anyone of the tribe. Then Ashton would have a real family, but he'd been dismissive of the idea stating he was still immature.
Ashton stopped to give his Ember his full attention, "My Ember, your mate and your offspring need you not as their Regina, but as a mate and mother. I will always be here for you, and through you for them." Ashton made sure to keep eye contact, he didn't want to denounce his Ember, but she was the bridge between himself and her people. If the bridge crumbled from neglect, it would be harder to fix than to build.
Neolani looked into Ashton's eyes, he was still a child, but older than her, he wasn't a beast but he couldn't be considered human… Ashton was so many contradictions… right now he seemed so much older…
Ashton softened his expression, "Some fires aren't worth the temporary warmth, nor is pride always the answer. Now, before more chaos besieges us, why don't we enjoy this meal?" Ashton wasn't yet willing to do more than give his Ember a gentle nudge. Ashton didn't want his well-meaning advice to backfire, which would happen if he continued to harp on the issue.
Neolani could almost see Alphonse giving her a subtle, but important reminder. She took a deep breath; she'd always been proud… and overconfident. If Neolani had any sense, she'd have never met Alphonse, but she also knew she could be very confrontational. "Yes, it's hard to have a peaceful meal these days."
Caius had been half hoping the suborn regina would argue the point, his kin had commented a few times on how easily she would dig her heels in over petty nonsense. Caius pretended to look into the tree line as dozens of birds of prey were waiting, for what he wasn't sure but his Little Snack was plotting much.
Ashton kept their talks light, his Ember could only be coaxed or forced to submit… he would rather not go the latter route. Sometimes harsh realities were needed… but not yet, and not about this. Ashton listened to stories of Neolani's time in the savannah, her meeting Agapi, the tribes they bartered with. Nothing deep, all just touching on the subjects.
Caius listened intently, the tales of freedom and roaming as they wished were no doubt enticing to a baby bird, but reality was never so perfect. Even just the bits and pieces of lighthearted stories was enough to prove how often the regina called on his Little Snack's abilities. They treated him as little more than a sentient power source, one they could not even refuel or care for properly.
Neolani glanced up at Caius, he'd been watching the tree line patiently… but something about his narrowed eyes made her cautious. If Caius was going to be courting Ashton, he would be around quite often, but he'd made no effort to have their groups mingle. Neolani kept up her story of when Melia had first learned to start casting water spells all the while glancing at the owl fox pair.
Ashton wanted to sigh, if his Ember was his bridge to the Inago, Ashton would be the bridge from the Inago to the foxes. Unfortunately, one side was hesitant while the other wanted to maintain their walls. Ashton decided not to rush, bridges took time and effort to build… he would not neglect the foundation in the meantime.
Neolani grinned as she exaggerated Alexei's embarrassment when he'd been washed away by Melia's stream turned into a raging river. After an hour Ashton had finished eating and Neolani excused herself to… prepare being just a wife and mother for a bit.