Ascending Pride

Novak was well aware Jakub had issues, insane even… but this… this wasn't just a different tier of insanity, it was a class all its own. Jakub would mumble incoherently, scratch at his face, then start stabbing one of the two puppets while screaming. Teers pouring down his face, spittle flying, all while he screamed at them… then he would go quiet as a doll, then without warning the cycle would repeat.

All twelve mages had decided to ride outside the carriage, two even hanging onto the back rather than sit with the deranged mage who had not spoken lucidly except to demand a carriage. Novak had been cleaning blood off himself the entire trip, but instead of growing numb to Jakub's actions… he grew more concerned and apprehensive.

Ashton was halfway through the third tail when the large fox sat up, staring south. Ashton glanced up; Jakub was getting close. Still the imperials were ready to whisk the necromancer assassin pair away, having already ordered a guard to direct them to the back.

Caius grinned with narrowed eyes, "Aiya, how boring would that be? Talvi, go ahead." Caius urged as he turned to inspect his radiant fur. Aiya! So nice. Caius changed to his human form as he picked up his Little Snack.

Ashton raised a brow, "There is still time." While the fox's assistance had sped up the necromancer's ability to learn the truth by several days, it was hardly worth the fox getting up now. Ashton tilted his head, the fox already had Promise… he should know everything already.

Caius settled the small bird his in lap, "Aiya! Little Snack! It wouldn't be fair! The poor humans from other nations deserve to know what happened just as much as the empire!" Caius gave a sly smile as the delegations all perked up from their tables, most had clearly settled in quietly as his Little Snack worked so diligently.

Zane snapped to attention, him, every visiting royal, every priest, every mage, every guard were sharing glances. Zane's own anticipation and trepidation were competing for supremacy in his heart… if they could learn why… they could start countermeasures.

Ashton glanced to the delegations then without warning placed his hand on the fox's chest and pushed.

Caius was so startled he fell back, luckily his tails were a perfect cushion. The push hadn't been meant to hurt him. Caius looked up as his Little Snack had both hands on his fur so his face was trapped by the much smaller forearms. But Caius didn't move, while he could probably force the baby bird up… his instincts had him going completely still.

Ashton tilted his head, their faces only a few inches apart. With the large fox on his back, Ashton was half sitting on the much larger chest as he examined the fox.

Zane stilled, holding his breath… if Young Song didn't want them to know… Zane wasn't sure Caius would force the issue.

Rommel's gut clenched, logically they would side with Caius… but fighting Young Song would not be worth it, nor did he think Caius would appreciate them speaking at this time. Rommel didn't miss how tense Caius was either, he was completely still, belly exposed, and while Caius was smiling, it was stiff.

Ashton then settled back so his arms were crossed under his chin as he lay on the large fox's chest, "The delegations learning the truth doesn't benefit you Fox, so just for entertainment?" Ashton asked as the fox let out a slow breath.

Caius slowly shifted his tails so they sat at more of an incline rather than flat. Caius then wrapped his arms around his Little Snack's waist, "Aiya, can much not be settled through words Little Snack? Besides, that necromancer is here to see you." Caius teased watching to see why his Little Snack had reacted so…

Ashton tilted his head from side to side, "Yet you were aware I didn't plan to meet him… you have an idea of what my plans are. Hmm, is it your nature… or do I simply not understand you enough to surmise your plans?"

Caius hesitated, he had fully intended to have the delegations find out but the inspiration had struck only a moment ago, as if the beast gods themselves had woken him for the opportunity. Caius curled the edge of his tails, "It could be a bit of both."

Ashton gave a quick nod, "I see, a few days doesn't really make a difference." Ashton added, his only reason to delay was so the imperials would have time to calm their emotions. Still, Ashton watched the fox closely, this tricky fox wasn't just doing this out of the kindness of his heart, or because of the chaos it would cause. For some reason, the fox wanted everyone to witness the truth today.

Caius interlocked his fingers as they rested on his Little Snack's lower back. Aiya, so serious… but so adorable. Aiya, he would have to be more diligent… then again if everything went according to this baby's plan… what fun would that be?

Ashton saw the mischievous smile and tilted his head, really, this big fox was going to keep him on his toes. It would seem adjusting his plans would be a regular habit if the big fox remained. So long as it was all harmless, Ashton didn't mind adjusting his plans for the warmth and comfort this big fox provided.

Caius grinned playfully lifting his Little Snack up, "Aiya, such a serious baby! Be still my racing heart!" Caius teased sitting up, then cuddled the smaller body. "For a moment I thought you would take a bite out of me." Caius complained rocking back, then standing up.

Ashton had been curled into a ball as the large fox stood up. Ashton had the perfect view as the smallest fox darted in, snatched some of the larger fox's fur in his mouth from his tail, then darted off, seemingly without anyone else noticing.

Caius walked toward the little regina, "Aiya, where is that chair from earlier? Also, a quick snack for the poor baby, he's been working so hard!" Caius announced partially aggrieved. Aiya, how had he slept so long? Caius would have to look at those combs…

Neolani immediately cast three spells to form the large chair of earth and leaves. Caius plopped down gracefully, then sprawled out behind Ashton as if he were merely a pillow. A beautiful, breathtaking pillow that had more living pillows that adjusted themselves perfectly for Ashton's comfort.

Alexei had just walked back into the clearing to see Neolani bringing a platter of assorted fruits and nuts to Ashton. There was a vivacity to her step Alexei hadn't seen in a while, he grinned as he brought the children over. Each carrying a small fox kit, while the parents were in cages.

"It would seem everyone has returned early today," Ashton remarked seeing the curious fox kits as Alexei sauntered up. Ashton picked a handful of raw peanuts to eat slowly. Ashton appetite was still larger than any humans, but the mana fruit were incredibly filling. At this rate, Ashton might only need to eat lightly with a mana fruit once a week to be satiated.

Melia danced forward showing off the small red fox kit that was probably only a few weeks old, "Lord Caius, don't they look like you?" Caius had not even glanced at them as he snatched a small bunch of grapes from the plate for himself. He was laying on his side behind Ashton, one arm propping his head up while the other held the bunch of green grapes.

Caius scrunched his nose, "Aiya, so sour. Little Snack, who picks sour grapes?" Caius complained barely sparing the foxes a glance, they weren't his kin so he wasn't concerned. Besides… those dull furred animals were like comparing a bald monkey to the humans.

Melia noticed Caius's disinterest, but a few of the other foxes had moved closer, inspecting the kits. "Ash, we thought you might like to have a few babies to play with," Melia added with a brilliant smile, Caius did keep calling Ashton a baby after all.

Caius's gaze snapped to the kits… while he didn't have fox as part of his diet… that may change. Suddenly there was a hand covering his eyes. Caius blinked behind the small tender palm, then shifted his neck. The hand continued to block his view. "Aiya?"

Ashton rubbed his knuckles on the fox's nose soothingly, "They are a bit young, besides, I think one fox is enough for now." Ashton then looked over his shoulder as he lifted a knee to his chest, "This fox seems rather jealous as well," as if to confirm the accusation a tail shifted to wrap around him. Gently, but firmly pulling him back.

Melia giggled and twirled away, "Then I will keep this fox well and raise it to have fur as beautiful as yours." Melia announced as she skipped off. Best to keep her small fox out of sight, lest it wander into someone's stomach. Melia had caught Caius relaxing when she said he belonged to Ashton… though… she wasn't willing to give up on Ashton just yet.

Alexei grinned, "Well, who'd have thought. A chicken and a fox snuggling up." Caius was clearly guarding against them, though he wasn't making it too obvious. Still the idea of a red chick being raised by a fox was kind of funny.

Caius raised a brow as he slowly ate another grape, "Little Snack, I'm not sure if they're insulting you, or both of us." Caius kept eye contact with the Regina's mate, "If one of my kin compared me to a chicken, I would eat them." Caius informed with a wide smile that showed his teeth.

Alexei wasn't fazed, "Oof, good thing our pretty bird isn't so petty." Since Caius wanted to cause mischief, let's see what pushed his buttons, and how obvious he would be with Ashton right here.

Caius narrowed his eyes even more as he continued to smile, "He is a pretty bird, isn't he? Too bad no one has been taking proper care of him. Aiya, just look at how dull his feathers still are. At least I've been able to fatten him up a little these past few days."

Alexei gave a dramatic sigh, "Yes, poor little birdie, it's so fortunate you arrived just as we managed to get him past the starving phase. By the beast gods, had you given our baby bird a mana fruit on the first day… he may have exploded." Alexei watched Caius's fur bristle, then suddenly relax.

Caius leaned back, "Aiya, here I am offering my personal treasures to a poor, neglected, starved baby, yet you're accusing me of showing up late. Not a single word of thanks from the tribe whose sole dedication should be protecting a baby before he was ready to break his shell." Caius sighed as his tail slowly brushed up against his Little Snack's leg.

"Aiya, I even crossed into dragon territory, all to see this baby, brought my closest kin, and have been guarding him day and night. I even selflessly informed the tribe that they were poisoning their protector due to ignorance… or negligence, yet I wasn't even acknowledged. Even a beast knows not to bite the hand that feeds." Caius continued watching his Little Snack…

Alexei stilled… if that was why Caius didn't look kindly on the tribe, it would make sense. Alexei personally couldn't muster up any goodwill to a few men who had been harsh on Neveu just because he survived. Alexei had also called two older men out repeatedly over the years… If such men came up and started trying to ingratiate themselves with him or Neolani, after abusing a child so blatantly… Alexei would have more than just words.

Ashton didn't interfere, while it wasn't the whole truth, it was a start. Besides, the carriage would be arriving in less than three minutes.

Alexei stood up straight, giving Caius a formal bao, "You are right Lord Caius, thank you for correcting us, and helping Ashton. Hopefully we aren't a lost cause. I hope moving forward we show the proper appreciation for your assistance and knowledge in the future."

Caius shifted his gaze from the silent Little Snack back to the Regina's mate, how… tactful. "Aiya, now I am the unreasonable one. Yet I am not so easily assuaged." Caius dismissed the Regina's mate, he would not give false platitudes, nor pretend with them. At least, not in regard to his Little Snack.

Alexei could hear the dismissal; he turned an apologetic smile to Ashton. Sighs, next time he should pick his battles better, and… not use Ashton as a shield. Ashton only blinked at him, then glanced behind, a silent acceptance and reminder.

Caius ate another sour grape, teasing his Little Snack's toes with the tip of his tail. No reaction, how… unlike a beast to let such a challenge go unanswered. The baby didn't pull away, nor was he pouting… it was almost as if… he hadn't even been aware of their little spat.

Ashton continued to eat the unshelled nuts and fruit, he could already see the dust kicked up from the speeding carriage.

"Aiya, Little Snack, are you ignoring me?" Caius asked so quietly only his Little Snack would hear.

Ashton raised a brow looking over his shoulder, "Of course not," Ashton didn't suppress his smile when the fox's nose crinkled with each grape he ate, what a glutton for punishment.

Caius's fox ears went back, aiya that was sour! "Aiya, Little Snack… did they pick these sour grapes on purpose? Or cast a spell so tiny limes replaced the grapes?" Caius brought the grapes closer to his face as if to inspect them.

Ashton used his free hand to stroke the tail harassing his toes, "Hmm, I like sour grapes. Are you perhaps, feeling guilty?" The fox's ears remained flat but he didn't respond.

Caius glanced away, Aiya, what a smart birdie. No matter which side the baby would have taken, he would have seemed biased. Not to mention, objectively the tribe was in the wrong, but Caius was picking faults. Given the chance he would start looking for bones in eggs. Aiya, had he made his grievances known too soon? Good thing that necromancer was here to distract them all.