Caius stretched as he stood up to move closer to the nest in progress. Caius wasn't sure why the birds would periodically work on the nest, then stop but it wasn't his nest… not yet. Caius laid out on his side to leave as much fur available to his Little Snack, aiya he would not beg to be brushed! The little one had promised all on his own.
Ashton stretched as the tails opened, then he stepped onto the ground. The temperature difference wasn't so jarring today, but still noticeable. Now… he needed a fur brush… as a human and now as a bird, fur was not his forte. "Fox, do you have a brush?" Ashton asked circling the large beast sprawled in the sun.
Caius jolted, Aiya… even if the little bird had a regular fur comb or brush… his fur was rather… resilient. Caius sat up aggrieved, "Aiya… I've never needed one…" Caius bemoaned as his ears flattened.
Ashton walked up to the large fox face, "Then I will go make a fur comb. When I have a better idea, I'll make a brush." Ashton stated glancing around the trees. It would have to be something simple. Ashton walked into the tree line to find a thicker tree, half a dozen foxes were following him "sneakily". Ashton pretended not to see the fox tails behind trees or ears above bushes or fallen trees.
Ashton found a tree with a little over five-foot diameter, without glancing at the little foxes all around, he placed his hand on the trunk and carefully sent a pulse of mana through the tree so all the critters fled. Ashton then used a wind blade to slice off the top with branches, with another gust of wind the top was carefully lowered to the ground. Ashton then used fire and wind to shape out a comb about four feet long, while half the length had teeth were about ten inches.
Ashton glanced at the left-over stump and half the trunk… then decided another comb that was only about 18 inches long with teeth only six inches, and a nine inch long with four-inch teeth might also come in handy. The rest of the tree was left standing so critters could use it as they pleased. Ashton was "escorted" back, foxes leaping all around, pawing at the largest comb curiously.
Caius waited eagerly for his Little Snack to return, Aiya, such a diligent little baby! Just as Caius saw his Little Snack returning with one large brush, and two smaller ones he laid back down as if he'd never moved.
Ashton crossed his legs and sat down to start carving enchantments into the wood. Ashton didn't deliberately delay, but he did take his time. Temporary did not mean lacking.
Caius had closed his eyes, happily waiting to be brushed… and waiting. Caius opened one eye after several silent moments to see his little bird bent over the largest comb with a small carving knife and a dozen small blue marbles… Aiya? Caius wanted to start rolling on the ground, maybe scream.
Ashton didn't stop, but did smile as the large fox visibly deflated, curled up into a ball and hid his face beneath his tails sulking. Ashton took half an hour to carefully carve the large comb, then another ten for both smaller combs. The largest comb was then set with six quartz along the spine, while the small combs had the quartz placed on the faces.
The enchantments were simple, don't break, remove dirt, oil. At the same time, infusing his own mana into the skin and fur. Still, they were intricate since they would only siphon his excess mana or collected mana in the quartz.
Caius had been periodically huffing hard enough to move his tails, expressing his great disappointment at the delays. Aiya, his Little Snack was so heartless, not glancing back or consoling him. Caius lifted a tail just enough take another peek at the hard-working baby bird. Caius almost jumped out of his fur when the Little Snack's face was inches from his eye.
Ashton grinned, "Such an impatient fox," Ashton teased nodding his head for the large fox to roll onto his side.
Caius grumbled, "Aiya, maybe I don't want to be brushed anymore, so mean… ignoring me all this time." Caius continued to grumble but he rolled over, neck stretched as far back as possible so he couldn't see his Little Snack.
Ashton shook his head, "It would be a pity if the combs broke or damaged your fur. I do hope after being brushed you'll agree the wait was worth it." Ashton walked around to the head that was bigger than himself with the largest brush. Ashton took his time starting from just behind the ears, to slowly start brushing out the large, thick, heavy coat.
Caius was surprised his Little Snack seemed to know exactly how much pressure to use, the comb had dull teeth that were soothing. Caius had always taken great care to keep his fur immaculate but the last few days just sleeping had created a few tangles that the baby slowly combed out, no tugging or jerking.
The large fox fell asleep by the time Ashton was halfway down his spine. Ashton used the big comb down each tail, then on the exposed left side of the large fox's body. When all the tangles had been carefully brushed out, Ashton used the second comb to start working on the undercoat, getting more of the large face, front legs, back left leg, and then finally the tails again.
Ashton glanced up but didn't stop his ministrations as he felt a disturbance in the mana flow. After a few minutes an explosion shook the earth. The far side of a mountain was now smoking, a few of the imperials came out to look, but went back inside after glancing around.
Ashton soothed the stirring fox, then continued as if nothing had happened. One more piece of the puzzle had just revealed itself, now would the empire notice?
A full three hours had passed before Ashton set down the second comb, then lifted the smallest of the tails and started combing slowly, picking out loose fur for his nest. Slowly massaging the muscle knots out. Looks like keeping Ashton warm had slightly strained the big fox, Ashton slowly brushed the knots until the muscle beneath the fur was smooth. Ashton also made a note to remind the big fox to drink more water.
Ashton glanced up, a dozen foxes of varying sizes all laying around them, watching, a few had tails flicking. Ashton shook his head as he continued to the next tail, the image of a baby chick surrounded by foxes made him smile. A chick into the fox house? The fox fence?
Neolani was surprised that even after five hours, Ashton was still brushing Caius's fur. A large pile of fur had been brushed out as birds slowly started swooping in, then were weaving it into the larger nest. Neolani sat down on a large rock watching how carefully Ashton combed through each tail, spending an hour or more on each… After three hours on the main body, then more than an hour on the first tail… still on the second… the scene was… endearing in a way.
Neolani took a deep breath… she couldn't even remember the last time she brushed her daughter's hair… or help her husband do chores around the tribe. She was always giving orders and rushing to and fro, especially these last six months preparing to find Ashton.
Neolani sighed… Ashton and Alexei had been interacting more than she had with either. Now Caius. Neolani leaned back looking through the leaves to the sun… when had she lost sight of all the little things in life? When did she stop being proud of their successes. When did she start focusing on their failures?
Ashton looked up as he reached the tip of the second tail. Ashton sent his Ember a kind smile, glanced around, then stood up to proceed to the base of the third tail. Unlike the body where he had started at the head, Ashton started at the end of the tails since the fur was much longer. The muscle of the tail was easily as thick as his waist when he felt around for it, but with fur the tails were ten times as thick.
Neolani watched as Ashton continued his ministrations, it was already close to three in the afternoon and the delegations should be returning soon. Since Ashton was in no rush, he must be planning to continue tomorrow.