anything and everything

scene: Ahri and Germaine (and special)

Ahri was five years old now and trusted to run alone as long as she remained in her father's territory. The territory was very large so that wasn't a problem. She was also supposed to avoid humans and run from other predators.

Ahri had wanted her mother to come on a run with her but she and her father were busy preparing food for the winter. Ahri wasn't quite old enough to be of much help with that. She could salt meat but she her mother would smoke it. They'd finished all their canning last night. They'd have to do another round when her late blooming garden produced food.

She was running near the northern side of her father's border. This was a little ways into Francia by human standards. She was in her kitsune form, the little 5 or so pound ball of energy. A white fluff ball with a single black toe.

Ahri slowed her run when the breeze brought her a new scent. Curiously, she followed it. Perhaps she'd be able to being home dinner.

Ahri hadn't gone on her first official hunt yet but that didn't mean she hadn't brought home a couple mice, birds, or squirrels to snack on before.

The scent was fresh and Ahri knew there was a lake around here. The creature must have gone for a drink. She continued to follow the scent, staying low as if she was still hunting.

Eventually she got to the lake where she saw the creature. She had no idea what it was. It looked like a giant lizard with long legs. That was her best description, she was truly clueless.

The creature, ever sensitive to magic, looked around for whoever he felt. He knew there was a creature around there with magic. He eventually spotted her. A tiny white kit of some sort. At first he thought a fox but then he noticed her many tails and that strange magic signature. Like her powers couldn't decide what they wanted to be yet.

He took one step closer to try to figure out what she was and the white creature bolted. She squeezed herself into an old rabbits den under a big tree.

Germaine would have no problem shoving that tree over if he desired but an animal this tiny wouldn't give him a worthwhile meal. He's spend more effort knocking over the tree than she'd return. She was more fluff than meat.

He walked to the tree and leaned down, trying to peer into the hole at the creature. He would have never considered keeping a bit of distance incase she tried to attack. He had no natural predators.

The creature inside the hole stared at him. She was hiding but now cowering. She took a hesitant step closer to him, then another, until she got close enough to sniff him. Germaine remained transfixed as the tiny animal leaned closer so her cold black nose bumped against his scales, a bit below his eye. Maybe it was some kind of greeting.

Germaine released a low rumbling sound, the friendliest sort he could conjure. His species didn't have many communicating or friendly sounds. Body language was more commonly used in animals and his species was solitary until a Vuivre came looking for a mate. Even then the pairing didn't last very long.

The kit seemed to understand. Her tails wagged and she gave a soft yip. The two were interrupted by a loud howl that broke through the moderatly quiet forest. Germaine had heard it a few times before. It came from past the south side of his territory.

The tiny kit under the tree gave her own, much higher pitched, howl in reply. That must be her family or pack.

Germaine raised his head and stepped away from the tree, watching the tiny white fluff ball slip out and tear off towards the origin of the howl.

He huffed and shook his head. What a strange creature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Germaine and Nolan had were spending some time in Delyra. Nolan had been living with Germaine for a while but he was a little homesick and wanted to visit his sisters. He'd invited Germaine and Germaine had agreed. There was work to be done in Rouxe but he could do most of it here as well. This may also strengthen the bond between Rouxe and Delyra.  He was curious if Delyra would be imperialistic as Count Sitri had predicted. Perhaps he could get some answers during this visit.