Chance meeting (closed)

[jc199123]

Alek Gygax is a 6’5” tall dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is a slim but muscular man that weights 265 lbs. He was in the employ of a mercenary group that was hired to bolster the king’s rank. The group was comprised of foot soldiers. Alek favorite weapon is the great sword his is a very special sword because it is bigger than normal if he puts it on his back the tip of the sword is barely of the ground. Alek hates being a mercenary but it paid well and if he survived it could lead to early retirement.

He was standing on the precipice of the battle field and he was filling will nervousness because this battle was said to be the deciding battle for the war between two opposing kingdoms. The battle field was surrounded by the forest. Alek heard the call to the enemy troops to charge and then he heard the call for his side’s archers to fire. He saw the wall of arrows fly through the sky then strike the charging enemy. After the arrows hit their targets he hears the call for their charge and he takes off with the rest of the troops. The initial slam of the two fronts had a sound of metal hitting shields and flesh. Soon the two fronts morphed into one singular blob of men hacking away at each other. Alek had a little bit of a hard time swinging his sword around because of the lack of space but he managed to take a few of the enemy with his hits. He was enthralled in the battle when he felt a sharp pain in his side just above his armor. Then he soon felt blood running down his side and he turns to see who had stabbed him to feel someone take a war hammer to him knocking him to the ground. He could feel that his chest was on fire and seen that his armor was heavily damaged and a huge dent with holes poked through was centered on his chest. After some time Alek wasn’t able to stay awake and he passed out just from the pain itself. He hoped that the apothecaries would come and pick him up off the field so that he wouldn’t die

 

[Mairu]

Natasha was taking a walk in the forest when she spotted HIM. He was at the edge of one side of the forest, a clearing surrounded by the forest. Natasha had heard of a battle earlier with the kingdom she was in and another one but she didn't know that anyone had been left behind. So with her fox Rala she went over to the man, sniffing him. "Hmm, seems like he was in the battle and was hurt very bad. His sword is heavy and good which means he is very good, but why would the people leave him?" Natasha talked to her fox, which answered back in normal fox language. "Hmm mistaking him for dead eh? Well that might be, I still don't know if he was with our kingdom, oh well might as well take him, going to have to leave his armor here though." Natasha decided to take off his armor, and though he seemed to be in pain when she accidentally touched a wound, the man remained passed out. Natasha sighed though, a lot of blood on her white dress, which was the one she wore in the forest. She was also barefoot so she would have to wash her feet, oh well. After getting off his armor Natasha wondered what to do about the sword. "That thing is heavy, ugh. Well I have a huge scythe strapped to me so this won't be much more." Natasha then easily lifted the thing and used his strap to maneuver the thing around her scythe on her back. She then heaved him into what people call the princess position, her ears and tails coming out, as she was a nine-tailed fox and she used her unhuman strength to get him back to her mansion.

Once there the maids hurried to take him to the infirmary. "After you are done treating him, tie him to the bed, I don't know if he is from our kingdom and I don't want him leaving or trying to kill me before I know." The maids bowed and nodded before scurrying away as Natasha went and took a bath before getting on a blue short kimono on, her scythe put away on her wall safely and his sword by her bed. She couldn't have him trying to get it to hurt her now could she? After all she was called a monster and some people could get a high price for killing her. After eating her steak she went to the infirmary. "How is he?" She asked and one of the maids smiled. "He is doing better, in fact he should wake up soon and we did as you asked and tied his hands with steel, thinking the silk ties might be a little too loose for his kind of strength." Natasha then chuckled and nodded. "You may go." The maid then bowed and left and Natasha sat, watching the man, waiting for him to wake. She had a lot of questions to ask him.

 

[jc199123]

Alek began to try to toss and turn but couldn’t. He was having a nightmare from all of the battles he had and whatever was holding his wrists and ankles wasn’t helping to calm him down any either. He finally awoke still trying to free himself but couldn’t then he realized that there is a figure with him just looking at him. “Hello did you drag me from the battle field and also could I trouble to get these restraints off of me I mean you no harm in any way.” He said looking up at the fox woman. He didn’t know who she was but he was grateful that she helped him and he was worried that she had left his weapon on the battle field to either rust or worse for someone to take from the battle field. He could see a mass keep running in and out of the room or at least he thought he could see a little mass. “What keeps running in and out of the room?” He asks the woman he still couldn’t comprehend where exactly he was at or who he was with. He just hoped that he wasn’t with an enemy or their supporters seeing how he could be worth some money to his enemies and seeing how he is a mercenary there could be multiple bounties on him from multiple kingdoms. He just laid there taking in his surroundings and what keeps running in stopping to see what was going on and then running again. He hoped that this woman would trust him not to hurt anyone in the place that they are at. He began to wonder if the woman had pets or something. He wanted to see if the pet would let him touch it but seeing how he was tied up at the moment he couldn’t really do much but to try to see what the mass was.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha just looked at him for awhile before snapping her fingers and a maid took the restraints off before hurrying out but Natasha put a hand to his chest, pressing gently. "Do not try to get up too fast, be careful. Also don't try anything or I will kill you no matter who you are. Also your weapon is in my room and I can outrun you so don't try to go after it to kill me. I can also pick you and it up at the same time as well, it's actually lighter then my scythe. So who exactly are you?" Natasha then looked at her fox, which came running back and forth, curious about the guy but also scared so Natasha sighed and finally called it over. "Rala come here, it's alright, you can bite him if he tries to hurt you." Natasha smiled gently and pet the fox before turning her eyes to the guy, her ears flicking. She then heard the baby kits start to wake up and sighed and clapped her hands once and a maid came in before she turned back to this man. "It seems I have to go, sorry I can't answer your questions and you can't answer mine yet but we will have time later. Meanwhile Sarah will tend to you. Try anything though and I will make your life a living hell. Got it? Good." Without waiting for an answer Natasha grabbed a big bag that had been beside her and walked away, going to the fox nursery she had and tending to the huge number of little kits, some of the younger fox girls also doing so as Natasha had taught them. The reason they were there actually was because most kitsune, or fox shifters, whichever you wanted to call them were poor and asked Natasha to take them and let them learn what they could from her. Natasha being the nice one obliged and took care of them and taught them about what they could do. Actually part of the training was dealing with little kits. Foxes were valuable allies and friends for her kind. Natasha's mind wandered back to that guy though, he was interesting. Natasha shook her head though to get rid of those thoughts.

A few hours later Natasha came back, seeing the man was still there. "Still here eh? You are smart." Natasha nodded to Sarah and she left to get dinner ready as Natasha watched the man, going to her seat next to the bed. "You hungry? It's almost dinner time. Also are you feeling any better? I don't want you dying on me, also hope Sarah treated you well, we aren't used to outsiders so she may have been a little on edge around you. Now I want to know everything about you, only because I want to know if you are an enemy to my kingdom or not and if you are........ well sorry but I will have to turn you in. Enemies are enemies even if they don't mean to be." Natasha then sat silently, waiting for an answer.

 

[jc199123]

Alek looked was glad that this woman let him out of the restraints but he still really didn’t feel like moving to go anywhere. He wanted to get up so he could pet the fox but figured that Rala wouldn’t let him pet it so he didn’t bother to get up. He soon heard what sounded like little foxes and wondered if she had some type of fox nursery the sound was faint and barely audible but when this woman got up to leave calling a servant it somewhat was a clue to him. He just laid there letting the servant do whatever it was she was instructed to while she was gone. The maid didn’t really look like she was sure that she should be taking care of him or that he should even be here either in the house or castle or the fact he should have been left on the battle field. He just lays there letting the servant take care of him till he hears the fox woman come back. He just lays there till she starts asking him questions then he gets up and says “Yes I am hungry. I am feeling a little better. I’m a mercenary that the local king hired to bolster his ranks so that he could defend his kingdom from an invading king trying to expand his kingdom.” He finally sets up so he could see if he was able to get up. He did have some trouble but it wasn’t anything that really hurt him. He looks over at the woman and asks “my name is Alek what is yours? Do you have some kind of nursery or something because before you left I could barely the sound of baby foxes before you left the room grabbing the big bag that you had with you?” He wanted to get up to go see the nursery if she had one but he didn’t know if the woman would allow it so he didn’t bother to get up or even ask if he could yet.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha listened to this man and she clapped her hands once and told Sarah to go get dinner, which consisted of steaks and some croissant rolls, also some mashed potatoes with gravy if Alek wanted though Sasha wasn't one for vegetables. As Sarah rushed off to get the food Natasha talked. "Nice to meet you Alek, I'm sorry I had you restrained, I didn't know if you were an enemy or not though by your answer I think you are not. Yes I have a nursery but I would like to get to know you better before saying much about that, besides I barely know you. My name is Natasha though, if you didn't already know I am a nine-tailed fox shifter, or kitsune as you probably know. Also I will normally have my ears and tail in, as I like to keep an almost human nature about me for someone I don't know well but it wouldn't be fair to you if you didn't know what you were up against." Natasha then took a deep breath and her ears and tail seemed to almost disappear, and she looked like a human except for her shiny pale skin and electric blue eyes, which almost seemed to glow since they were so light even if they were sharp. Right then Sarah came back with the food, some mashed potatoes on Alek's plate. "Hope you don't mind this humble dinner, I am usually a bit more fancy but meat and potatoes is usually what a man needs after battle correct? Also I am usually at the table, where I am able to have a bit more and I don't know if you can get up yet." Sarah nodded then and left, having even made it easier for Alek as he had a little table for himself that his plate was on so he wouldn't have to hold it.

 

[jc199123]

He looked over at Natasha and said “depending on the man though food would be nice I would rather be playing with an animal right now. That was the reason I ask if you had a fox nursery I was hoping that you would let me at least go in with you so I wouldn’t just be lying in bed all day but I understand if you want to wait until you get to know me better.” He continued to eat hurting a little bit from the stab wound under his arm and his chest wasn’t helping much either. He loved playing with animals that would come around him and in some cases he would make some of the neighborhood dogs sick from playing too much. The dogs wouldn’t stop and he could make himself stop either so the blame was half and half in this case. He kept trying to eat but he couldn’t take the pain much more so he looked over at Natasha and said “I’m sorry I can’t eat any more it isn’t the cooking is bad it’s just moving my arms hurt because of the wounds I have on my chest.” He looked around then asked “where is Rala at I want to see her closer?” He always wanted to see a fox up close. “I’ve always wanted to have a pet but with my travels I didn’t want to get a pet then end up leaving it for extended periods of time so I decided not to get one.” He said to Natasha trying to have a conversation with her. “Why exactly did you save me?” He asked her “I’m grateful that you done so but I’m just wondering seeing how my kind tend to kill yours for some reason and that reason isn’t a very good one either.” Bill never really got the reason that humans killed someone like her but he heard that some people kill them for a reward or something to that effect.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha listened to Alek as he talked, trying to figure him out. She knew he wasn't an enemy but he seemed so calm when he was up against a supernatural being. Weird. She was interested in his liking animals so much though. Interesting... "Are you sure you aren't part supernatural yourself? It's very unusual for a human, especially one in war that would have such a bond with animals. Sorry to offend the human race but that is how it is." Natasha then nodded as Alek said he was done and soon Sarah took it away. "It's fine, I can understand not wanting to eat much." Natasha actually would have asked if he wanted help if she knew him better but they really didn't and that would be inappropriate. He then asked about seeing Rala closer and Natasha smiled. "That is her choice and she can understand you, it's weird, how animals can understand humans but humans can't understand animals. I can understand foxes though, since I am partially one. A nine-tailed one but still." Natasha then saw Rala looking at the man from the corner of her eye and smiled before looking surprised at Alek as he asked why she saved him, going into what she had thought of before. "Well I know I can handle you even if you went after me, not being much competition with being so injured and it's not in my good nature to let someone die. So I decided to help since I could, I'm not so cold hearted to let someone die thank you very much." Natasha's eyes bored into him before her eyes went wide and followed Rala which had now jumped onto the bed and went right up beside his face, tilting her head side to side and Natasha look at him considerately, wondering what made him so attractive. Was it this unusual connection to animals that was calling to her? She was part of one though she was more human but still. This calling....... what was it? Natasha shook herself mentally at those thoughts, he was human and a war one, she shouldn't be having any of these kinds of thoughts and they barely knew each other. Even if he was a little attractive she was not going to be caught doing things that she actually sort of wanted to do. Quickly though she snapped out of it when Rala jumped from the bed, sitting beside Natasha but much more calm and Natasha guessed Rala approved of the human. "It seems Rala approves of you, maybe tomorrow you can see the baby foxes. Anything you want to ask or say in the meantime though?"

 

[jc199123]

Alek wanted to pet Rala but she had jumped down off the bed before he could reach out to pet her. He looked over at Natasha seeing her in a trance before she snapped out of it and asked if he wanted to ask or say anything. He holds his hand up to signal her to wait not in disrespect he just wanted to try to get Rala to come close again. “Come her Rala can I at least pet you a little bit seeing how I am not in any condition to play all that much right now?” He asked Rala trying to get her up to him again. “Sorry about holding my hand up but I really wanted to pet her to thank her for her help. I to answer your question about me being supernatural myself I don’t really know my mother died when I was born and my father was on the battle field and died as well when I was born but one of my father’s friends took me into his clan and he always said the no matter what type of guard animal they got my father was always able to walk up to the front door of the long house and have the group of animals fallowing behind him. I was the same way if they got guard dogs even the most feral of dog I could walk into their cages and the dogs would act as if they were common house pets so they made me feed the dogs while I was there. My step father told me that the big sword that I carried was his and was a key to unlock the info from my true families past but I can’t find anything on it plus I don’t really know what to look for anyway. I also want to say sorry for asking why you saved me but I only asked seeing how humans and supernatural haven’t really gotten along in the past.” He looked over at Natasha and Rala seeing that Rala was looking up at Natasha as if to ask if she could or if to ask if Natasha was going to be fine or something he didn’t really know. “I think this was a cue for me to retire for the mercenary work and just live my life the way I want to and hopefully find someone to settle down with. I never really liked going to war but I didn’t really have any other skills and the clan that took me in taught me to fight so I wouldn’t be completely useless.” He said feeling some sort of attraction to Natasha but he didn’t really know what it was or how to address it so he let it be. “I hope you don’t mind that I want to pet and when I start to feel better maybe play with Rala and the baby foxes know how some people are with their pets” Alek asked Natasha hoping she didn’t

 

[Mairu]

Natasha looked carefully at Alek. How strange, it was almost as if he wasn't human. He smelled human though. It also felt as he was calling to the fox part of Natasha, she felt a strange longing. What was happening to her? Natasha looked at Rala for a minute and they talked to each other through the bond they had and Rala felt it too, like she wanted to be near him as well, like he was calling to her. How weird. Natasha then looked to Alek as he talked. She was actually annoyed when he held up his hand, to talk to her fox of all things! Her annoyance went away when he talked again and she listened quietly. After Alek stopped talking Natasha nodded to Rala once and Rala went up on the bed, laying beside Alek's hand and Natasha yawned. "Well in any case I need time to process all this. Rala will stay with you tonight. Goodnight." Then with a nod Natasha left and went to bed, thinking of everything that had happened before falling asleep.

 

[jc199123]

Alek could tell when he held out his hand so he could talk to Rala that it annoyed Natasha but it quickly went away when he started talking to her. He surprised when Rala jumped back into bed with him and he became even more surprised when she let Rala stay with him. He began to pet Rala wondering why Natasha had left Rala with him. He looks down at Rala and says “I guess we are bunking together for tonight.” Rala looked up at him before getting up and giving him the same look every dog or cat gave him before they started playing. “Oh no Rala not now I don’t think what you are thinking is a great idea I am hurt and I don’t want to make it worse right now.” As soon as he finished his sentence Rala jumped on his hand and began to run up his arm to his shoulder and rubbed her head on his cheek. Alek began to her a voice a small voice at that. He said nothing for a while then asked “Rala do you hear that it sounds like a voice from somewhere or one?” As soon as he spoke the voice stopped. “I guess we could play for a little bit Rala but if I get to sore we will have to stop.” he said and as soon as he finished Rala let out a strange sound that sounded happy then Rala jumped on top of his head and just sat there for a bit. He reached up and as soon as he got his arms up Rala jumped off of his head and ran to his feet where the fox made a stance like the fox was going to attack but it was playful none the less. Alek knew what Rala was going to do so he grabbed the edge of the pillow and readied himself. Rala took off like a blur and lunged at him and Alek wrapped Rala up in the pillow. “I got you now girl… boy? Hmmm I guess I should ask Natasha if you are a girl or boy shouldn’t I.” He asked as Rala began to wiggle out of the pillow. Rala licked Alek’s nose as soon as the fox got free from the pillow. They played for about an hour before Alek had to stop from the pain of his injuries. He could also tell that Rala was tired as well so he said “I think it is time for bed Rala you’re getting tired I can tell and I’m getting tired as well. Alek lay down and could feel Rala jump on his shoulder before leaping to the bed in front of him. He fixed a pillow for Rala to sleep on but Rala wouldn’t. Rala curled up next to him so Alek grabbed the as well as Rala. He placed the pillow beside him and Rala on the pillow. He covered both of them up and went to bed.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha woke up a few hours later to a strange feeling and then realized it was a full moon and that she had reverted to a full fox. Hell. This rarely ever happened and only few had the ability to revert fully, but why? Usually she had control over it even if it was a full moon. Oh well she wasn't going to get much sleep in this form in her bed, most foxes loved curling up to a human or other foxes so Natasha went to the fox nursery, curling around some of the baby foxes as they instinctively curled up to her and she fell asleep again.

Next she woke up and it was morning and she had gone back into her human form and since her bedroom was actually connected to the fox nursery she slipped back into her room and got into a white soft casual dress before going back into the nursery and feeding the baby foxes herself since the younger kitsune were still sleeping. She then wet to check on Rala and Alek and sure enough she could sense the bond between him. What exactly was he? Natasha went over, sniffing Alek's head. He smelled like a human and mostly acted like one but how she was drawn to him was weird. Natasha then notice she was right over him and went to her chair, Sarah bringing Natasha breakfast that consisted of eggs, and a croissant roll, oh how she loved them. Natasha then began eating while waiting for Alek to wake up.

 

[jc199123]

Alek had woken up during the middle of the night to find that Rala was curled up close to him and he slowly moved to get comfortable before he went back to sleep. He hoped that he wouldn’t roll over on Rala during the night. He didn’t know if Rala had ever slept in bed with Natasha but he wasn’t going to kick the fox out of bed because Natasha wouldn’t let the fox sleep in bed with her. He could feel Rala stir around a couple of times during the night but Rala never left his bed. He was in a deep sleep when he felt something sniff the top of his head. He felt around and found that Rala was tucked into his chest.

He jumped a little when he found that Rala was still in bed with him. He wondered who or what just sniffed him. He stayed still till he heard someone enter the room. He slowly turned over to see Natasha setting in the chair next to is bed again. He felt Rala stir and wake up. He felt Rala climb up on his head and start nipping at his ear playfully before stopping. Alek looked at Natasha and asked “Hello there how did you sleep last night?” he soon felt Rala begin to try to play some more. He got up making Rala fall to his shoulder and he said “You better go over to you master and say hello Rala or she won’t let you stay the night with me again while I am here.” He son felt Rala give him a lick on the cheek before jumping off of him then the bed. I’ve been meaning to ask you this is Rala a male or female fox?” he asked Natasha.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha smiled when she saw Alek wake, but had been a little worried that he had seen her sniffing him but relieved that he didn't seem to, since he didn't mention it as he asked how she slept. "I slept fine, more importantly how are you feeling and how did YOU sleep, person who has the injuries." Natasha looked at him critically, like she was saying, um you should be worried more about yourself then me. Sasha then giggled as he said about going over, a little miffed at the master thing but forgot about it. "I'm not a man and I'm not a master, Rala has control over everything she does, only reason she asks me about some things is cause you are really mostly a stranger mister. You are like an alien being, seeing as we rarely get humans around here." Natasha and Rala then looked horrified, Rala nearly shouting her thoughts, like do you think I'm a freaking male? Hasn't she been saying she when talking about me?" Rala then turned her back on Alek after shouting her thoughts and Natasha sighed and looked at Rala. Rala dear I don't think he meant to offend you, so please don't be so mad." Rala's tail thumped once to show she was still angry and Natasha turned back around. "To answer your question Rala is a she and is now offended that you asked, since she had slept with you last night and you should have known to her opinion." Natasha looked at Alek apologetically as Rala went out of the room, fuming but also wanting to be near him at the same time which made her angrier and made Natasha sigh again and smile awkwardly.

 

[jc199123]

Alek could hear what he thought was yelling but no one’s mouth was moving so he just sat there and ignored it. He didn’t know why Rala was offended by him asking in fact he thought asking was better than invading her privacy and looking for his self. “I slept fine last night I woke up a couple of times due to Rala moving in closer to me. I feel fine a little sore from Rala and mine’s play time before bed… I’m sorry about the master thing I didn’t know the humans use that term for a pets owner so seeing how I am human I am used to the term… I am also sorry for offending Rala I didn’t know she was a she and I didn’t want to find out the only way I was taught to tell the gender of an animal it is a big invasion of her privacy.” He said hoping that Natasha wasn’t mad at him as well. He was hoping that Rala would have returned back to the room so he could apologize to her as well but he didn’t see her at all. “So when are you going to take me to the kit nursery?” he asked wanting to go so he could at least see the kits even if he couldn’t get down on the floor to pet or play with them just yet. “Do you think I should go find Rala and try to apologize to her for offending her about not knowing that she was a female?” He asks Natasha seeing how she has spent more time with Rala than he has. He was getting a little hungry but he did feel like eating just yet.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha listened to Alek just nodding a few times at some of the things he said before smiling at the pause in his talking. "You aren't seeing the kits today. You have to understand that those kits are a sacred part of the kitsune culture. Only very trusted people and kistune get to see the kits. You have only been here for a little time, not enough for me to get to know you. Also just tell me when you want to eat, I will have some brought. Also I would say to not expect to get to see the nursery anytime soon, maybe in the near future I will bring a kit out to you, but the nursery is off limits to you for the time being. I'm sorry but it is a very treasured and sacred place for us kitsune." She looked at him apologetically before smiling when he asked about going to search for Rala. "I would suggest letting her fume. She will calm down in a little while and be fine." Sarah then brought water for Alek and white grape juice for Natasha, since Natasha was rich she got to enjoy the finer things in life but didn't know if Alek would like the juice and water was what most people recovering needed anyway. Natasha just loved her white grape juice though, it was soooo tasty.

 

[jc199123]

Alek didn’t figure he would get to go into the nursery but he thought she said she would let him in today. He took the water and drank it and he rummaged around in his pants pocket to find two bracelets that his dead friend’s wife made for him as good luck charms. The bracelets were black and red lacquered wooden beads. He slips them over his hands onto each wrist like he always done whenever he wasn’t in battle. He wasn’t really hungry yet he usually went out early in the mornings to do a few sword exercises before he ate anything. He looked over at Natasha and said “you will have to give me a little me before I am hungry I usually do some morning exercises with my sword before I eat and seeing how I don’t think you will let me pick up my sword just yet I won’t bother asking to do so.” He really wanted to pick up his sword he has never been restricted not to have it near him or in any case to injured not to be able to use it. He moves himself to the edge of the bed then asks “how about we go on a walk seeing how I have been in bed for a better part of a day?” He wanted to get up and stretch his legs for a bit before they started to cramp up.

 

[Mairu]

Natasha was thinking and listening to him when she was reminded by herself that yesterday that she had said he could possibly see the baby foxes today. Shoot, darn it was all the excitement. Well there was the playtime, where a few of the bigger ones weren't in the nursery, so maybe then he could see them. Of course there was a separate entrance that wasn't connected to the nursery to the play area even though it was on the other side of the nursery where Natasha's room wasn't. When he was done speaking she then spoke. "If you aren't going to eat now just tell me when you get hungry, I will ask my staff to fix something though you may have to wait a little longer then usual since they put everything away after everyone is fed, which is usually pretty quickly." Natasha then looked a little worried. "On the part of the sword you aren't going near it, I'm more worried about you breaking your arm trying to lift that thing then anything so no, you aren't touching it. Sorry I do not want to be responsible for a broken arm." Natasha then got an even more worried look though it was even more out of concern for him. "Are you sure you want to get up yet? Your wounds are still healing." Natasha then thought of it. "Though if you really are okay, use this with your good arm." She handed a cane looking thing that would help him walk and smiled before leading him out and was about to start walking before something ran into her. "BIG SIS!" Natasha fell to the ground as the younger fox girl bounced a bit and looked excited. "Big sis! Mother fox having babies!" Natasha's eyes widened and sighed before getting up. "Calm down Jennifer, calm down." Natasha then looked to Alek. "Um I am going to have you come with me, sorry but this needs to be done and I don't want to have you waiting on me to get some walking in." Natasha then followed Jennifer and lead Alek to the place were the pregnant foxes were, one named Maria giving birth and Natasha used a few of her powers to help make it easier and Rala licked at the kits, Jennifer intently watching and Natasha seeming to be fine with it even though Jennifer only looked like she was 8. Soon they were done and a few more fox girls came in and looked at the little kits, with their mother, in a day or so they with their mother would be moved to the nursery but for now they were here. Natasha then stood and Jennifer joined her friends and they bowed to Natasha as Natasha did the same before they left. She then looked at Alek, wondering what he thought of all of this.

 

[jc199123]

Alek only sat and listened when she explained why he wasn’t going to be touching his sword. He wanted to tell her about all the times he had snuck out of the infirmary with worse injuries than what he had now but he didn’t want to scare her to the point she would put guards on him so he wouldn’t sneak out. He just looked at her when she handed him some sort of walking stick or cane. He didn’t know why she thought he needed that thing seeing how his legs are fine but he walked with it to humor her and keep her from worrying about him. He soon saw a small fox girl run past him and straight into Natasha. The fox girl looked like a young child no more than eight years old. He was surprised when Natasha told him that he was going to be going with her to the place where they keep the pregnant foxes at. He walked with Jennifer and Natasha to the area the fox was at. He stood in the corner quietly making sure not to break Natasha’s concentration. He could hear a lot of voices again but from the looks in the room he was the only one hearing them then he could hear a strange crying that seemed to be coming from nowhere at all. He kept a calm look on the outside but on the inside he was starting to get worried about the voices. He was wondering why Rala was licking the kits and was going to ask when he seen that Rala was walking near him so he knelt down and reached out to pet Rala. He wanted to see if she was over being mad or not. He saw her jump a bit not really expecting someone to pet her. “Hey Rala sorry for insulting you earlier today I didn’t mean anything by asking if you are a girl or not.” Rala looked at him for a bit before she turned her head and sat down. He knew what this was even though he didn’t hear her like Natasha did. “I really am sorry you have to be a little forgiving with me Rala plus the only other way to tell your gender was to look myself and I didn’t want to make things awkward by doing that.” He finishes saying to her and he could see that she was still mad at him so he began to move his hand away. He soon heard a small breath come from Rala something to the effect of a sigh before she turned around and jumped on top of his hand and started running up his arm. She stopped at his shoulders and laid across them resting there like nothing had gone on this morning. He only said to her “You may fall off so don’t get mad at me if you do.” Rala’s only repose was to lick his cheek before she began to playfully swat at his ear lobe. He gave Natasha a smile before he got up and walked over towards her. “I was wondering why was Rala licking the kits and not the mother?” he asked before he turned his head slightly to say to Rala “Please don’t get mad again the only reason I’m asking is because in the human world the mother of the baby animal licks the baby.”