Homura & Ziral: Ziral allowed Zess to lead them; he bounded across the earth gracefully, never stumbling or pausing. The flames of his tail swished and rippled in the current of air, embers drifting and vanishing into the air in a disappearing linear trail. Usually, the flaming fox would’ve kept his head still, creating a more aerodynamic effect to his running, but now, with bi-gender Atsuko hanging from his maw, he let his head be tossed to and fro in the sprint after Zess. Homura kept her hands woven into Ziral’s scruff with her feet wrapped around his thick neck; she was jostled by his erratic cranial roller coaster, but didn’t feel the effects as hard due to her positioning on him. Ziral rounded over a hill and gracefully jumped to the ground in an arc from its peak. They now faced Zess and Cecile’s cottage, a cute little thing. Lowering his head, Ziral released Atsuko and spat onto the ground in disgust to rid himself of the horrid taste left behind by the bi-gender’s shirt. Homura slid from his back and went over to meet the dazed he-she. “Did you have a good trip?” she asked, humor shining in her eyes to slightly contradict her concerned tone.
Mr. Fluffywovemitten: Hey Ziral~kun!!! you should put it down! You don’t know where it’s been!
Astuko: *Dizzy look* Ya… I’m-m okay...
Cecile: *Smiles* Well then. Here we are. *Arrives at a small cottage next to a lake* It's just our humble little cottage. *Chuckles* Welcome, make yourself at home. I'll got make some coffee and tea, Zess can you show them around? *Zess nods*
Zess: *Trots slowly over to the side of the cottage revealing a door, nudges and pushes the door open with his nose* Come on in, we'll have tea in the back. There's a nice lake as well, Mistress likes to spend her time besides the lake, enjoying the view. *Smiles warmly*
Homura & Ziral: Ziral gave Homura one last look with his ruby chiseled eyes before trotting over to meet Zess. He was hesitant to leave her behind with Atsuko, but figured that with their telepathic connection he would be able to sense when she was in trouble. With a silent gesture of his tail towards the turtle, he brushed past the wolf and entered the backyard. His moist nose twitched at the new scents rushing to meet him. “You’ve a nice place, Zess,” he commented absently, thoughts obstructed by the warm scent of sun warmed grass. Homura turned from watching Ziral and grabbed Atsuko’s wrist to help him to his feet. “Let’s go inside to have tea and coffee with Cecile.”
Atsuko: *Blushes* O-okay… Thank you.
Zess: Thank you, Lord Ziral. Mistress picked the place since she enjoyed the lonliness of the area. *Dips head slightly*
Cecile: *Walks out carrying a tray*
Homura & Ziral: “Why does she want to be alone? She has you, doesn’t she? Which means that she is in fact not alone,” Lord Ziral replied, meeting Zess’s gaze with his own blatant and curious one. Homura smiled as Cecile approached, meeting her halfway. Her tail wagged involuntarily, white fur swishing audibly. “This looks so good!” She looked back at Atsuko with an excited smile. The sunlight beaming into her eyes made them flash vibrantly emerald.
Zess: Mistress likes the lonley feeling of the place, she does not like to be bothered by others. It's true that I'm with her but, we like to have our place to ourself, and ourself only.
Atsuko: *Thinks to her/himself* Wow Homura looks pretty. <3
Cecile: *Grins* Homura! Well, I'm glad you think so. I had brew the coffee and tea myself, although I don't know if I should bring out plates for Ziral and Zess... Oh, and Homura, can you come help me with the cookies?
Homura & Ziral: He gave a convinced blink and turned away, speaking no more about the topic. The black nose of his went down to the ground again, flaring and snorting back out the dust that invaded his olfactory system along with the scents of the earth. Smells are a beautiful thing to a canine. Homura nodded enthusiastically at Cecile and giggled, shoulders scrunching up in the vocalized amusement. “I think Ziral and Zess should be fed dog treats.” The white ears upon her head twitched to follow in suit with her bubbly aura. She blinked open her eyes, which had closed in the giggling, to watch Ziral; the big fox was by the lake, nose buried in the reeds clustered by its shore.
Cecile: *Laughs* Yes, I have that too. *Walks through the door toward the kitchen*
Atsuko: *Looks at Zess & Ziral* … Hey Zess and Ziral…
Mr. Fluffywovemitten: *Jumps on Atsuko’s Head* Don’t talk to them Atsuko, they’ll catch your stupid.
Atsuko: *Looks up at fluffy* What did you say?
Mr. Fluffywovemitten: You heard me.
Homura & Ziral: Homura followed Cecile into her house, leaving Atsuko behind. Ziral turned his head to glare at Atsuko from afar. He stood by the lake, nose smeared with mud and eyes sharper than knives. “What do you want?” he snapped, lips threatening to curl.
Atsuko: *Looks at Ziral then turned away* Why do I bother?
Homura & Ziral: Narrowing his optics, he growled lowly and padded over to Atsuko. With each step, his claws sunk into the earth, leaving behind a trail of vertical crescents. This little bastard, Ziral cursed in his thoughts. When would he learn to leave him alone? “The hell do you want?” the flaming fox barked, ivory fangs gleaming with the movement of his maw.
Atsuko: *Turns back to Ziral* Nothing you can help me with.
Homura & Ziral: The nerve of this asshole! Unable to hold back any longer, Ziral’s crimson eyes flashed, emitting their own luminescence as he unleashed his power; flames dancing in his slitted pupils, he cast this fiery and sinister gaze upon Atsuko, instantaneously setting him alight with dancing flames of his own.
Atsuko: * Screams and runs into the lake* Damn that hurt!
Mr. Fluffywovemitten: *Sniffles and starts sobbing*
Atsuko: *Gently grabs Fluffy off his/her head* Fluffy! Are you okay?!
Mr. Fluffywovemitten: *Sobs more*
Atsuko: *Glares at Ziral and growls*
Cecile: *Walks out along with Homura, carrying cookies* Now now, what’s all this commotion about?
Homura & Ziral: Homura gasped and dropped the plate she had been helping Cecile carry out, hands going to cover her gaping mouth. Eyes widening with terror, she lost her breath letting out a scream. Not yet in his final form, the pyrofox lord vanished from where he had been a second earlier to where he hovered now, eye level with Atsuko and centimeters away. He was the size of a normal fox now, reverting from six feet to a meager two, though his expression was just as threatening this up close. His flaming pelt was exceedingly hot now, heat flowing out of him and scorching the air, turning the color of the atmosphere around him red; his body was rigid with muscular tension and the flames in his eyes had begun to seep out, dissipating into the air once they flowed past his ear. His fangs were bared and long, black claws hung from his tense paws. With a flick of his ear, he sent Atsuko flying away, plowing him into the ground on the other side of the lake. The anger in his eyes had been replaced with icy cold satisfaction. Floating to the ground, Lord Ziral made a gentle landing. In response to the upped temperature of his fur, the ground and anything around him burst into flame, soon withering in ashes. “Ziral, stop!” Homura cried from the cottage, though her plead went unnoticed with the fox.
Cecile: *Flits to Ziral’s side* Please, calm down. I want nothing unpleasant here. *Within a second, darts to Atsuko’s side, eyes gentle but demanding* I understand your anger. But do not let me see you provoke Ziral once more, at least not in my place. *To both Ziral and Atsuko* And understand that both your reckless actions upsets Homura.
Suddenly a huge cloud over Ziral started pouring rain on him...
Atsuko: * When he/she sees Zirals glare through the fog he/she sets Fluffy to the side*
Homura & Ziral: Under the aerial siege of rain, Ziral sizzled and was gone in a cloud of vapor. Seconds later, he appeared once more in full fiery suit and with another flick of his ear, sent Atsuko flying off into the distant background. Homura rushed towards them, eyes alight with more fire than Ziral’s pelt. She smacked Ziral on the head and, with an angry stomping of her foot, shouted, “you stupid dog! Why do you always have to be like this?! And you, Atsuko!” Rage bubbling up, she growled a feral sound of her own and bristled angrily. Ziral watched her impassively as his anger subsided and he returned to normal. “He was asking for it. That idiot knows I don’t like him.”
Atsuko: *Gets up and looks at Homura* Homura I’m sorry, but all I did was say ‘hi’ to him and he got all pissy so I just asked him why I even bother, that’s all.
Homura & Ziral: Giving them both a glare, she stormed off back to the cottage, white hair whipping in the wind behind her. She couldn’t believe Ziral. Why was he always getting into fights with Atsuko? Feeling Ziral’s mind brush her own, she shoved him away and entered the cottage. He flared his nose in response to her coldness. Ziral gave his pelt a shake and looked up at Cecile, not minding his small stature at the current point. Size did not handicap him. “I’m sorry. I won’t fight on your land again. As long as that dumbshit over there isn’t present, at least.”
Atsuko: *Looks at Cecile with ears folded down apologetically* Yeah, it’s probably best that I just leave. *Starts to walk away*
Cecile: It's alright, Ziral. *Hovers to the front of Atsuko stopping him* I invited you all here for a reason. Please. Stay, but leave if you really feel that it's the best.
Atsuko: *Looks up at her* Could you take care of Fluffy, okay?
Zess: *Walks slowly over to their side* Atsuko-sama, you don't seem to know how to control your powers yet.
Atsuko: *Looks down to Zess* What do you mean Zess?
Zess: Did you notice how a certain rain cloud formed over Ziral as you two were busily shouting at each other? I'm quite certain your powers are the control over water. Like Mistress Cecile here, her ability to control lightning. Yours are similar but you can't seem to control it yet.
Atsuko: … *Has moment of realization* So I’m like…. *Smiles* A wizard!
Cecile: *Smirks* Sure. I could help you train to control them Atsuko. As you know, lightning and water are perfect together.
Atsuko: *Smiles at Cecile* Really?! You’ll help me?
Cecile: *Smiles sweetly* Of course, right after we have tea. Come along now. *Walks back toward the cottage*
Atsuko: *Follows Cecile and Zess only stopping to pick up Fluffy who was sound asleep*
Homura & Ziral: Finding a chance to slip away, Ziral vanished into thin air, leaving only embers behind. He appeared in the cottage, where Homura was sitting on the ground, knotting her shirt angrily. Silently, he padded up to her and slid under her arm, crawling into her lap with puppy-like tail wagging. She hesitated a moment before scratching him behind the ears with both of her hands. I can’t stay mad at him, she thought in surrender. He is my companion, after all. She began to feel less angry as she ran her fingers through Ziral’s warm and silky fur. He grunted and closed his eyes, limp and relaxed in her lap; his head rested on her thigh while the rest of his body was draped over her lap, his tail resting on the floor. “Please don’t fight anymore,” Homura murmured gently to the fox, caressing him gingerly as she welcomed him into her mind. He rolled over and looked at her, his chiseled eyes meeting her sparkling emerald ones. “I won’t fight if you won’t stop touching me with those blessed hands of yours. You’re the only one who’s ever touched me in such a way.” Ziral wagged his tail and closed his eyes, pure ectasy washing over him as Homura pet him. How long had it been since he had been pet in such a way? Never? He never wanted it to end. Anger completely fading into the past, Homura giggled and picked him up by the arms, bringing him close to her face so that she could give his wet nose a kiss. “That’s right, your fur is fire. I promise to scratch behind your ears more often.” In return, Ziral licked her nose, pupils swelling with affection. He whimpered happily and began to lick her face wildly, exposing his playful soft side to her. If anyone else had been in the cottage, Lord Ziral would not have acted in such a domesticated way.
Cecile: *Chuckles* Am I interrupting something here? *Smiles and winks at Homura before reentering the house, comes out carrying a tray of cookies* Certainly a good thing that I baked more cookies.
Homura & Ziral: Ziral jumped away from Homura in shock, bristling with embarrassment and returning his eyes to their cold hostility. He sat beside Homura at a comfortable distance. Homura smiled at Cecile. “Ziral was apologizing to me,” she giggled, patting the fox’s head. Flames firing up momentarily, he turned his face away from the two girls to glower in seclusion.
Cecile: *Smiles* That's very sweet of him to do so. Well, we're finally ready. Would you prefer coffee or tea, Homura? And you, Ziral?
Homura & Ziral: Ziral made a quiet noise and gave his answer to Homura, whose eyes sparkled with amusement at his whiskers twitching indignantly. “I’ll have coffee. Ziral will have tea. Thank you!” Now that things had been settled with Ziral, she felt like a brick had been lifted from her heart, where she had felt a frightening amount of anger weighing her down. I’ll have to make sure I keep my anger in check next time Ziral does something, she noted in her head.
Cecile: *Pours tea and coffee along with a plate of cookies, setting it down on Zess' back letting him take it over to Homura and Ziral* What about you Atsuko and Fluffy?
Atsuko: I’ll have tea and Fluffy is sleeping so I think she’s fine for now. Thank You.
Cecile: Alright then. *Brings a cup of tea and a plate of cookies and sets it in front of Atsuko*
Atsuko: *Shyly looks at Homura, gulps and sets Fluffy down and takes a step towards Homura* Homura, I’m really sorry for all the trouble I always cause. *Get on hands and knees and bows to to her* And to you as well Ziral.
Homura & Ziral: Homura blushed and raised her hands up, surprised at the sudden apology from her friend. “No, no! It’s fine! It’s really Ziral who should be apologizing to you!” As she spoke these words, Ziral shot Atsuko an icy glare, though he restrained himself from doing nothing. His canine instincts put loving pets far beyond the need to bite someone. Homura smiled at Atsuko. “There’s no need to be so dramatic with your apologies. You don’t always cause trouble,” she reassured him, giving a bright smile to lighten up the mood.
Atsuko: *Looks up at them* Homura, it really was not his fault, please don’t blame him. *Turns to Ziral and bows to him*
Homura & Ziral: He gave a grunt of reluctant satisfaction and turned away, dipping his head to consume his tea. Dumbass. Homura sighed and figured she’d “forgive” Atsuko, just so that he would stop bowing. Poor kid. “I forgive you, Atsuko. It’s okay. We can still be friends.”
Atsuko: *Stands up and smiles* Thank you I promise it won’t happen again. *Turns to Cecile and Zess* I also must apologize to you two as well.
Cecile: *Smiles and walks over to Atsuko, pats his head* Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Zess: *Come up from behind Atsuko, nudges him* Don’t anger Mistress Cecile. It’s frightening when she gets infuriated.
Homura & Ziral: Homura lifted her mug of coffee and patted the ground beside her. “Come sit by me, Atsuko, and let’s have a drink. The coffee tastes really good.”
Atsuko: *Blushes then smiles* Okay. *Walks over to Homura with her/his tea*
Homura & Ziral: Homura smiled up at him before taking a sip of her scalding coffee. Ziral said nothing, but glared harshly over at Atsuko. “Why have you invited him here? This is our spot.” Homura reached over with her other hand to stroke Ziral’s head. “Bear with him, please. You might not like him, but I do.” He huffed and licked the residue from the tea from the cup. Her petting appeased his angry and protective heart, but his mind lingered on the two words that plagued his mind. “I do”.
Atsuko: *He/She ignored his glare and just sat down next to Homura*
Cecile: *Grins and lays on top of Zess’ back* Well, after this, we’ll have to start your ‘training’, Atsu-Chan. *Winks and smiles darkly*
Atsuko: *Fear floods to Atsuko* *Thinks to him/herself* Oh god! She’s gonna kill me!
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