Kaleidoscope: The Fox And The Butterfly

27- Inlaws Am I right?

"Now, let's talk some bargain, shall we?"

Hearing those words, Ren raises his brow, though he keeps his awareness sharp- his ears attentive and his head lowered slightly.

For the passing moment, he keeps his mouth shut, to the Manticore's dismay.

"Oh, don't be too tense now, dear boy. I'm just looking forward to make a simple deal with you, that's all," He nonchalantly affirms as he approaches.

Still, Ren keeps his guard. No response is said from his mouth.

"Still not convinced, huh?" He glances to the chains keeping the fox in place before with a quick slash of his tail, he whips it off, causing the connected silver to scatter around the room as rhythms of clanks echo, "Hopefully, that'll ease the tension."

Despite that, Ren immediately jumps back, having one foot standing on the bed's headboard as his tail puffs up.

"My... Am I that terrifying?" He palms his eyes as he chuckles, his wide smile showing his human teeth, "Don't test me, boy," His sinisterly gentle tone is gone, replaced by his unfiltered demeanor, "Just like you. My patience has limits," He spread his fingers that still sticks to his face, revealing behind it a cold, ruthless eye.

A shudder causes Ren to swallow his spit, his ears laying back as he lowers his gaze, "Then..." He rises his head back at the man, "Tell me what my gain is first."

The Manticore puts his hand back behind his waist, his eyes now smiling back, "Oh, simple really. Freedom, of course," His tone softens back into a gentle facade as his smile turns smaller, "But not just to get away from this place. You'll be free to do whatever you want. To be wherever you want. To be with whoever you want. Even with my daughter. I'll grant you my blessing, son."

To those last words, Ren briefly widens his eyes, though they return focused again.

"Now to get all that, I need you to..." He pauses, grabbing his chin as he stares at the floor, "Make a simple oath. With a certain... something."

One of Ren's ears quivers as he raises an eyebrow, "And... That something is?"

"Just wait till you see it."

-----

Clacking of the man's shoes reverbs againts the marble floor as he leads the fox onwards. Passing through doors labelled with numbers, they went on through the long hallway of the apparent fancy hotel, accompanied by the warm orange of the hall's lighting.

Ren could only furrow his brow at his surroundings. It seems what Yuu told him is true. He really is in a hotel. But why though? Why a hotel out of all places?

But... If this is in fact, the central base for The Wings Of Freedom... Then, pretty spot on for them to use the 'hidden in plain sight' tactic.

"Where are you taking me?" Ren asks, in the midst of their steps.

"The answer to your question," The Manticore answers without glancing back.

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"I'm afraid you'll be intimidated into saying no."

Ren purses his lips and sighs, "I won't. So just tell me now."

"Too late for that, boy."

"What? Why?"

"Because either way, you have no choice but to follow me."

"Then, what was the point of your offer?"

"Because I'm not a brute. I have my own ways of doing things. And it wouldn't be nice to force things onto my potential son-in-law, correct?"