Open Completed 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."

 

[Dusk Rainblade]

Caden's response was enough to draw an actual expression of astonishment to Dusk's face. For a moment she sat speechless, and Daniil held his breath, prepared to beg for his friend's life.

"Well," Dusk stated at last, "given that I am not a fool - or, at least, not a great one - I suppose that I must conclude you are correct, Mr. Freemont. My apologies, Alwyn," she directed to her moping son. "You did very well, and deserve recognition for that. I see that the circumstances were more complicated than I initially ascertained, and you performed admirably through them. You as well, Daniil," she added, directing this last comment to her nephew.

Daniil blinked, looking incredulously between Caden and his aunt. "That's it? You listen to Caden's word, but not Alwyn's?" He couldn't quite keep the irritation out of his voice at the turnabout.

Dusk gave a small shrug. "As far as I know, Caden has never lied to me for his own advantage - while I would be an extremely poor mother if I didn't recognize that Alwyn has occasionally put a very liberal spin on accounts of his own activities," she added. "Admittedly, most of those have involved vixens in various states of undress, but still. The endorsement from Mr. Freemont here is well-considered."

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn slowly, carefully, moved the sheets down until his head was showing as Caden and Daniil defended him against his mother. In many ways, he was shocked-hardly anyone stood up to his mother, and no one had ever done so for his sake-even Annabelle had only been able to comfort him, not go up against her. He watched the exchange carefully, and, subtlety beneath the sheets, despite himself, the tip of his tail wagged a bit as she was put in her place to a degree at the combination of the two things. The icing on the cake was his mother being forced to apologize to him for once instead of the other way around. Even when she made yet another crack about him and vixens, he was still more at ease.

“Well, what son does not actually embellish or keep a few little secrets from his mother? He does want her to be proud of him, after all, and we are all just beasts at the end of the day, no?” He joked, rather daringly for how he usually handled his mother, and the suggestion that every beast had flaws, even her.

He then nodded at his mother before she could possibly clap back, to secure his little victory.

“You are right, however, mother about the need for more training-even if I never quite cut it as the best infiltrator, learning their tactics will make my primary duty of protecting my charges all the better.” He blanched as he took a little at the stack of paper on the table “...and...I suppose...becoming more able at administration is always a useful thing.”

He glanced over at Daniil and Caden and gave an apologetic nod, but in one of the rare moments he did have with his father, he had been told that paperwork in the Imperium was neverending, but that there was opportunity within it. The opportunity to, say, portray their actions in the best light possible and omit certain details from the official record, and very few would be any wiser. While there was much he disagreed with Talinn on, he did see the wisdom in those particular words.

“I think we can make the official report satisfactory for both my mother and Amarone, no?”

@Orina Emberkin @Dusk Rainblade

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden tore his burning gaze from Dusk to settle on the stack of papers. "Do we have to do it now? I've just had a dose of laudanum, and I doubt you want me anywhere near an official report right now. I'm surprised I'm still awake, honestly."

Had it not been for the presence of Dusk and the Lieutenant, Caden was not sure he had enough inhibitions to prevent himself from pulling Daniil into bed with him to cling to the todd while he drifted off to sleep. He shook the thought away as certain parts of his body told him that sounded like an excellent idea indeed.

"Besides, I need to get home to Asta before the night gets much older." The jack made to push himself from the bed, but winced at the pain jolting through his shoulder with the motion. He growled in annoyance. "We are allowed to leave whenever we want, aye?"

 

[Dusk Rainblade]

Dusk contemplated the request as Caden proved himself to be the kind of patient who tested the goodwill of his nurses. "That isn't for me to say," she addressed the matter of him leaving. "I'd imagine the doctors might have some words with you on that account. However, I suppose that your memory now, under the influence of laudenum, would be no more accurate than after a period of recovery, so there's nothing much to be lost in the delay. So long as the report is complete by end of week, I'll consider it sufficient. That goes for you too, Alwyn," she added, patting his footpaw at the end of the bed. "Get some rest. Just no tomfoolery with the nurses," she added sternly. "It you're in good enough shape for that sort of nonsense, you're healthy enough to return home."

Daniil, for his part, got to his footpaws, relying on a crutch the hospital had provided, before offering a paw to Caden in turn. "I'll walk you home," he offered.

 

[Alwyn Ryalor]

Alwyn glanced to Daniil and Caden, eager to return him despite their crippling, if bandaged wounds, repressing a sigh. The two of them were in no shape to just waltz out the door, his cousin barely able to walk and the albino marten under the influence of laudanum. In a non-ridiculous world, someone would be sent to fetch Asta and escort her here, but if anything this night had taught him was that his cousin and Caden were determined. He glanced to his mother.

“Understood about the report, Mother, but could you at least provide these two a MAUL escort, if not a carriage if they are determined to recover at home? They are in no shape if they run into any of the more ‘lively’ beasts that tend to walk the streets around this hour, even in the Trenches, and it seems a rather long walk on crutches, Daniil. If that is okay with you and my cousin…?” He inclined his head towards Caden.

Least I can do is make sure everyone returns home safely. I think I will personally stay here until I recover, gives me a nice break, some time to think, and yes, Mother, some fun with the nurses...

@Caden S. Freemont @Daniil Ryalor @Dusk Rainblade

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden did not try to hide his irritation. "If I'm being forced to write a report for a MAUL operation I didn't even voluntarily participate in, I suppose the least I could expect in return is an escort home."

He glanced down at the gown he wore, then to Daniil in identical attire. "Though we'll need something to wear. And what did they do with our weapons?"

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil, at the mention of their weapons, let out a small, panicked whine. He grasped at his side, feeling for a sheathed blade that wasn't there. "Requiem -" he started to yelp in panic before Dusk put her paw up to calm him.

"I confirmed that your weapons and clothes, what could be salvaged of the latter anyway, are both in secure storage," she stated. "Yours too Alwyn. One of my beasts is gathering them as we speak, and will return them to you at the door. It seems that the staff don't appreciate sharp objects being left out in a hospital with a reputation for treating the insane." She gave a small shrug before adding, "A rickshaw will be waiting to convey you home. Daniil, will you need them to convey you onward, or would you prefer to be dropped at Caden's place?"

He blushed before he responded a bit evasively. "I'm not far from Caden's, and I'd rather make sure that he's safely settled before heading back myself. I can make it just fine on footpaw."

Dusk nodded, not inquiring further. "Very well," she confirmed. "A nurse will meet you outside with a change of clothes - hardly the most fashionable wear, I'm afraid, but it's what they have available."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Once he had gotten to his footpaws, Caden nearly fell back to the bed, the room spinning. But he kept upright and made for the door with an effort of will. He gave a nod to Alwyn, his expression apologetic, and offered Dusk a curt bow of his head before leaving the room.

The clothes were indeed not particularly fashionable, nor well-fitting, but Caden could not complain about the baggy tunic and trousers he was given, for at least they were not coated in blood and sewage and soot. His left arm in a sling, the marten felt as though he would fall asleep on his footpaws as he stood, swaying slightly, waiting for Daniil to be ready.

Once the todd joined him, the pair were led out a side door to where a rickshaw borne by two burly MAUL agents waited. Caden fairly fell into the covered seat beside Daniil. He was finding it difficult to keep his eyes open. Once the hospital attendants dropped their bags of belongings in the rickshaw, the MAUL beasts started off down the road.

"Daniil," he murmured sleepily as they bounced along the bumpy street. "Can I lean on you a bit?"

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil clutched Requiem to his chest from the moment it was returned to him, ignoring the looks that the MAUL agents gave each other at how he clung to the blade like a kit with a blankie. The sense of relief was palpable, and, he decided, he didn't care what disdain it might bring him. Caden didn't seem to mind, and he'd certainly never disparaged Daniil for his attachment to his mother's blade, so why would he care about anyone else's opinion?

At Caden's request, Daniil froze, momentarily considering the ramifications of the request. Then again, Alwyn and Dusk already knew about the pair, or at least had made their assumptions, so...

"Of course, Caden," he whispered, shifting to present a less bony surface for the marten. "For as long as you'd like."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"Thanks." Caden lowered his head to Daniil's shoulder without hesitation. It felt good, he mused, half-asleep. Beneath the smell of antiseptic and the sterile smell of the hospital clothes, he caught some of the todd's scent. The sense of comfort that washed over him took him over the brink into complete and restful unconsciousness. "You smell nice." He did not realize the words escaped his lips as he fell asleep leaning against Daniil and the rickshaw carried them onward through the night.