Ascending Pride

Sebastian stumbled back, the sheer power had hit him like a gale. After a moment calm returned to the world as Sebastian looked past his raised arms, that admittedly would not have protected him. Sebastian stared as Ashton was stroking one of the tails soothingly, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

Caius pouted but stopped bothering with the humans, "Aiya, didn't someone earn a feather or something," Caius turned his head to face his dinner rations, this conversation wasn't fun anymore.

Ashton shrugged, "I thought you liked Jakub's passion." Ashton stroked the warm, fluffy tail. For such a large tail, it was rather light… that or the fox wasn't resting his weight on Ashton.

Caius huffed, "Maybe in a few days that will mean something, but its time for them to scheme and plot in some dark corner away from you Little Snack." It was already getting late, his poor baby hadn't eaten since breakfast, and these humans still hadn't expressed their thanks. At least in other nations Caius and his kin were respected even if they weren't liked.

Ashton watched as Promise walked to Novak's side, her eyes were still wildly searching for something. When she turned to stand beside the other two their concern was muted, but still visible. Ashton glanced at the fox out of the corner of his eyes, soul guiding… he hadn't been aware they could also meld souls together.

Caius didn't turn his face, but started to slowly smile wider and wider the longer his Little Snack watched him, Aiya, such a curious baby! Caius flicked the Little Snack's nose with the tip of his tail, "Aiya, I will blush Little Snack. Give the lordlings their prize and I will tuck you in, then you can eat in my tails." Caius teased with a delighted smile.

"So, what did we catch today?" Ashton asked as the imperials escorted Novak, Jakub, and the three priests inside. Ashton didn't miss how most of the lordlings were watching the group, they were clearly distracted but Lucera stepped forward.

Lucera couldn't help but watch the necromancer glare at the emperor before striding inside. Lucera had traveled with Zane and her cousin Rommel since Jantje was still indisposed, they had unwittingly come across a cave with goblins. Lucera had managed the killing blow on their shaman, who had been capable of second tier spells.

Lucera unwrapped the dark orange mana core, it wasn't even half the size of her palm, but it was still pulsing with power. After it finished absorbing the last of the lifeblood it would settle down. The darker the core, the higher the tier, Rommel stated he thought the shaman had been leader class closer to the fourth tier. The other goblins had only been cored and a few boss classes, but their organization and coordination would have been on par with any human squadron. It had taken them all day, with all their guards to clear out the nearly thousand goblins, Zane had even left half a dozen guards to watch for survivors after setting fire to all the tunnels. Now, they would be forced to flee, or die.

"I killed the shamanic leader of the goblins, they must have been hiding in the mountains for at least two or three years to have such numbers. We also plan to explore the tunnels in the morning for any survivors." Lucera announced proudly offering up the third-tier mana core.

"Very impressive, the shaman must have been on the verge of a breakthrough." Ashton remarked with a nod. Ashton didn't waste any time pulling out the prize feather in the protective sphere. With a causal wave he sent it over on a gust of wind.

Lucera fumbled to catch the floating feather while still holding the mana core. "Young Song?" Lucera asked uncertainly, yesterday the winning beast had been alive… but he should accept the mana core, right?

Ashton tilted his head with a kind smile, "Think of the feathers as encouragement, I'm not expecting any of your spoils." Ashton added glancing over Zane and Rommel, both already had small pouches of mana cores they had collected. Someone's day had been very enriching.

Lucera grinned with a graceful curtsey, "Many thanks Young Song. I hope your own spoils were equally plentiful!" Lucera added seeing the pile of fur just off to the side. Hopefully, Lord Caius had willingly let the fur go… Lucera was vaguely aware that Lord Caius would shed his winter coat, but she wasn't sure how it happened since he did gift his fur away periodically.

Ashton's smile was a little more genuine, "I would say so, now off with you. I'm sure after your harrowing day a long bath would be welcome." While the princess had cleaned up, there were still singed parts of her clothes and even hair.

Lucera gave a beaming smile with another curtsey as she backed away. Lucera felt another rush of delight when Caius's tiger tooth smile appeared, it appeared both had enjoyed the day a good bit. If both beasts were happy, they would be more generous, Caius was known for his capricious nature, but he also gave the best gifts. Well, until Young Song appeared, maybe Sin beasts were more liberal with their gifts?

Caius grinned as the princess skipped away happily, aiya, what a tactful little human. Caius immediately wrapped his Little Snack up as Talvi started forward with one of his treasured mana fruit, artfully placed in the center of a platter with some vegetables and nuts. "Aiya, Little Snack, time to eat, then sleep." Caius shifted back to his fox form so his tails were larger, curling up so he could enjoy his new pastime. Bird watching.

Ashton stretched out as he was rolled around between the tails, then his customary lounger, table, blanket set up was assumed. "Thank you Talvi," Ashton thanked as the platter was set down on the tail.

Caius sat up with a paw to his chest. "Aiya, I am neglected so! What a cruel baby." Caius lamented throwing himself down on his side dramatically but kept his tails steady. Caius waited a moment, nothing… not a sound to be heard. Caius slowly opened one eye just a slit… Talvi, his Little Snack, all his kin, the owl, and the humans were all staring at him.

Ashton picked up a shelled peanut, "Big Fox… would you prefer words to actions of appreciation?" Better to start establishing patterns now, while the big fox didn't seem to mean it, and was probably just being dramatic to entice a reaction. Ashton didn't want to leave it to chance since the big fox had been making regular complaints.

Caius pushed himself up on his paws, then curled around his Little Snack again, his eye level with his Little Snack's face. "Can I not get both? You are so quiet Little Snack, what if I misunderstand one day?" Caius huffed as he settled in, Aiya, perhaps he could get his rations to just silently walk into his mouth. Caius didn't want to get up again.

Ashton stilled, then looked at the platter of food. Didn't Ashton say that communication was important? But words did not build trust, Ashton rolled the peanut through his fingers. If the big fox wanted words, "Thank you Fox, your warmth and care have been… very appreciated." Ashton stated looking directly into the large eye watching him unblinkingly.

Caius revealed all his teeth as he smiled, "Aiya, so accommodating, so straightforward! Eat Little Snack, you're still a growing baby!" Caius tightened his hold around his Little Snack for only a moment, then shifted a little to be more comfortable. Aiya, words were so nice! So easy to reach understandings with a baby, best to form these good habits early!

Ashton reached for the large mana fruit, careful to take small bites otherwise he would waste the juice. The immediate warmth was almost like a mellow liquor, but instead of the sudden burn a subtle honey warmth spread from his throat to his stomach. Ashton just wanted to curl up in the tails and slowly savor each bite, unfortunately the mana fruit would rapidly start to wither after just a few minutes.

Caius enjoyed his new hobby, poor baby! Wanting to savor, but not wanting to let any go to waste! Aiya! Be still his heart! The tiny furrow of his Little Snack's brows as he quickly took another bite was just so adorable! The blue fruit started to discolor within moments of each bite. Like an apple exposed to the air starting to brown. Aiya, poor baby had to eat fast enough!

Talvi sat beside the tails wrapping the younger sin beast up, his slow but eager enjoyment of the mana fruit softened her expression. So hard to believe that small, mostly human youth was now stronger than mother… father Caius. Talvi glanced over the small bird, hmmm she might be able to move things along.

Ashton paused just a moment to eye Talvi, there was a new twinkle in her eye as she looked at him. Ashton slowly kept eye contact as he took another bite, but her human expression revealed nothing else. A bird in the fox fence indeed.

Caius grinned as his Little Snack grew wary, yet so sleepy! Aiya! Caius slowly activated a jewel on his gold armband that had a recording enchantment; such adorableness must be captured for all time! Caius counted each of the baby's blinks, slowly lasting longer, his bites becoming more delayed.

Aiya! You can do it Little Snack! Just a few more bites! Caius silently cheered, none of the other foods had been touched yet. A bit of juice had finally escaped the baby's ministrations and was running down his wrist. So close! Caius very subtly raised the tail the Little Snack was resting on.

Ashton opened his eyes taking a large bite, he was so warm he just wanted to curl up and fall asleep. Ashton was so conflicted… he was already almost full… but there were only two big bites left… now that he was eating more regularly the pit in his stomach was starting to fill.

Caius wanted to squeal at how pitiful his baby was! Aiya! His Little Snack slowly blinked at the remaining fruit as if willing it to be in his belly, but also knowing better than to eat until he was too full. Caius wanted to scratch at the ground, or roll around and whip his tails excitedly, but he might startle his baby bird! Aiya! So cute!

Neolani had watched as Ashton ate the fruit, slowly relaxing into the nest of tails. Neolani was almost overwhelmed by the waves of contentment from Ashton's heart. Neolani honestly just wanted to melt into a puddle from how warm and comfortable she had been feeling. Her heart clenched with the realization that Caius had brought more comfort to Ashton in less than a week… than her twenty years of holding his heart. 

Ashton felt his eye lids grow so heavy he thought there might be large foxes hanging from them. Ashton blinked slowly, then placed the remaining bit of fruit on the platter. Just as Ashton was getting ready to roll on his stomach a giant tongue licked up everything on the platter. Ashton blinked once, then let the tails roll him up.

Caius grinned as he stood up, Aiya, so close, poor baby! Anyway, time for his own meal. "Make sure they stay quiet." Caius whispered happily licking his lips, he'd slept all day so wasn't tired, but someone had to keep his Little Snack warm.

Talvi shifted to her fox form as a dozen human males were led over, yes, it wouldn't be good if anyone woke their baby bird. Wouldn't be good at all. Talvi quickly cleaned the males so father Caius could just swallow them down. After Caius settled in for the night, Talvi trotted toward the palace.