Open Into the Foxes' Den

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn bit back a retort and instead caught himself sighing despite his efforts to remain stoic as his mother made another one of her remarks. He even actually checked his gown, despite knowing it was properly tied, such was the effect that his mother had on him. Grumbling slightly under his breath, he followed her like an obedient kit-some things changed, other things stayed the same, and the only one who had ever given him the advice and gumption to gain more autonomy from his mother had been Annabelle...and she was...no, he was not going to think about that. Not now, not while he was vulnerable.

Alwyn followed closely behind his mother, and just simply stared at Daniil and Caden holding paws, in a position that was...hard...to construe as friendly. Harder still when his mother made another one of her comments, which caused him to flush. Thrown out of sorts by the situation and his mother’s manipulations, he did not even protest as he moved to lie down on the other bed. This was too much for him to handle at once, in all honesty. He knew, of course, of such dandy relationships-it was something of an open secret in Amarone that much of the nobility he was assigned to guard, and, more than a few members of the Guard, had such inclinations but he had never heard of such in an interspecies context. How did that even…? And Daniil?

He shivered a little bit at the thought, less so because he was aghast at the nature of such, he had...been...experimental with his numerous vixens, and his own record with love was...checkered...but because it was his cousin, and his cousin had never told him, and now, with the issues it raised within the Guard, of him going after a superior officer…for Kitsune’s sake. He pulled up one of the blankets on the bed over his head, both for the warmth in the chilly room, and to hide his expression until he could compose himself.

What a clusterfrig…

A sentiment felt only more when Caden actually dared to make a sarcastic remark to his mother.

 

[Dusk Rainblade]

Dusk, for her part, did not look offended by the comment. While her husband was somewhat notorious for his thin skin, his wife was not so easily provoked. Rather, she waved a paw in combined acknowledgement and dismissal of the barb and apology respectively. "It was entirely my fault for sending in an operative I sufficiently trained for the task," she allowed. "It is not a mistake I will repeat." Her eyes went to her son, who was, to her perception at least, moodily sulking beneath the covers. "It's not your fault either, Alwyn," she assured him. "I should have known that you weren't ready."

Daniil spoke up, not letting go of Caden's paw. "Actually, Alwyn handled the situation quite well, Aunt Dusk," he stated in his cousin's defence. "But for our presence, I'm sure he would have succeeded. You really don't need to be so hard on him, you know." He didn't know where the bravery to talk back to his aunt was coming from; possibly it was inspiration from Caden's own gumption in the face of the Minister.

Dusk raised an eyebrow at this. "My my, look at this. It seems my nephew has discovered his spine. That, or he's using his mother's blade as back support now." Her eyes went to Caden, and there was something approaching respect in her eyes. "Well," she remarked, "other than noting that, despite the rather liberal attitude of our current Empress, a certain amount of discretion would behoove you both - indeed, more so for the professional relationship at play - I can only say that I wish you both well. Perhaps," she added, glancing to her son, "you can give your commander here a lesson in how to find a stable and respectable partner. Something tells me that, when his mission expense report comes in, there may be some rather salacious misallocations that we need to discuss."

Daniil shot a commiserating look in Alwyn's direction. Great Kitsune above, she just can't let him rest.

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"Is she always like this?" Caden did not bother to lower his voice as he spoke to Daniil. His hackles prickled as his ire rose in defense of the todd whose paw he held and even in defense of Alwyn. He was quickly putting pieces of both Daniil's and Alwyn's stories together, his understanding of them coalescing more as he faced down their aunt and mother, respectively. Mum, you weren't the best, but at least you weren't this.

"I find, Minister," he began, turning his burning red gaze to Dusk, not waiting for Daniil to answer, "that beasts make wiser choices in life, and have more confidence in themselves, when they're shown proper support and care and given guidance by those they choose to call family. I have seen nothing but strength and integrity displayed by Alwyn and Daniil in the time I have known them, and tonight was no different."

He nodded to Alwyn. "The Lieutenant had to make rapid decisions in a situation that had escalated in moments. On top of his original mission parameters, he had to take into account the rescue of two beasts who were insufficiently armored or prepared for the numbers we were up against. Not only did he get us out alive, but he also thought and acted quickly to interrogate one of the prisoners in such a manner as to break his will and gain access to the information necessary to the success of his mission. He ensured the capture of two beasts, who I'm sure will prove useful to you. We all escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, which I could chalk up to simple luck, but were it not for the Lieutenant's quick actions, I am certain neither me nor Daniil would be alive." Caden's grip was firm and steady on the todd's paw.

"And in the midst of it all, I would not be here to speak to you were it not for Daniil covering my flank with strength of spirit and a great deal of backbone that I have come to know over the years is a rarity amongst even the most skilled of fighters." It took an effort for him to keep from lifting his lip in a growl at the vixen. Unsettling as she was, she had lit a fire in him that would not be easily extinguished. "You'd be a fool not to be proud of the both of them."