Caius only opened one eye, even that was little more than a slit, "Hmm?" Caius asked lethargically, Aiya the sun had yet to rise, did these humans have something against his Little Snack sleeping? Caius blamed the prince for his unholy early attack yesterday. Aiya, how else was he supposed to surprise attack a bird who was so vigilant? Sabotage…
Neolani hesitated, "The Dolquist tribe is getting ready to leave, I was hoping Ashton would see them." Neolani informed as the foxes all shifted their curled bodies to watch her.
Caius stood up, careful to keep his tails steady as he stretched. He laid back down with a yawn bringing his tails forward. Caius stuffed his face into the sphere keeping his Little Snack warm.
Ashton woke up with a jolt smacking the giant, cold, wet nose that was suddenly pressing down on his exposed stomach.
Neolani leapt back as the tangled tails were thrust aside. Ashton in his soul form came leaping out ruthlessly pecking at Caius's nose. Caius had twisted and fell in his attempt to escape, Neolani had to keep jumping back as Caius started to run around, clearly taunting Ashton. Twice Ashton burst into silver flames only land on Caius's face. Each time he was in range, he continued to peck in clearly agitation.
Alexei was glad he'd stayed so far back… the ground was literally shaking as Ashton chased Caius around. Soon enough Caius just laid down hiding his face. Using his paws and tails for protection as Ashton stood atop his head. When Ashton stopped pecking, he started pulling out tufts of fur.
Neolani's mouth twitched… that was a way to wake up a beast of sin. Not sure if she would recommend it… but definitely an option. The commotion had woken everyone, even the Adarian's had scuttled out of their tents in bewildered panic.
Ashton leapt down, wings flapping as he collected his prize up. Ashton made sure not a single fur escaped as he hopped to his unfinished nest. As he continued to eye the giant fox, he dropped the tufts inside. Ashton put out his soul fire all the while giving the big fox a displeased side eye. "Not exactly the most pleasant waking up experience…" Ashton drawled wiping his stomach repeatedly.
Caius was still pretending to be dead, he even rolled onto his side letting his tongue hang out. Many of his kin were circling around his body. Nudging him, Littlest and his owl were also going through one of his tails looking for fur… was not one of his kin worried he might really be injured???
Ashton turned to Neolani, "Morning." Ashton greeted walking forward, stretching his arms over his head.
Neolani's lips twitched… half the tents had fallen from their little ruckus, most of the delegations had come running out, this time most were dressed as if they had expected such a wake-up call. There were a few with who were scrambling to pull coats on but… had she not already been awake her reaction may have been more… more severe.
Alexei had half crouched to keep his footing so he stood up straight, "Morning, that was quite… well maybe next time we set up just a bit further away." Alexei teased as he wiped dust from his shendyt and tapped his toes on the ground to remove pebbles from his sandals.
Ashton sent another side eye to the fox, "Chaos has been wrought, I expect it to be a common occurrence in the days to come."
Neolani really looked at Ashton… his mood was… brighter? Was that a word she could use here? There was also a bounce in his step she'd never seen before. Ashton also looked… a little taller? Hardly noticeable except she'd personally been checking the length of his shendyt which no longer reached his knees.
Ashton tilted his head as Neolani continued to size him up, he glanced down… he'd noticed the sudden changes in his soul form… though his physical body shouldn't be showing much change yet. "My Ember?"
Neolani snapped her attention back with a smile, "You're growing taller, how did you sleep? Are you hungry?" She asked quickly, then remembered she'd been hoping Ashton would see the Dolquist off. Breakfast wouldn't delay them much.
Ashton grinned as he pressed on his lower back to stretch his waist, "It was a good sleep, and food is always good. Fox will you continue to play dead or join us?" Ashton finally asked turning his head to look at the giant fox still on its side. An owl was even picking through his tails looking for loose fur…
Caius opened one eye, then closed it. Caius was sure the soft-hearted little bird would come coax him. Caius refused to budge even though Littlest was now really tugging on his tail… what a spoiled brat!
Ashton almost burst into laughter as the owl started flying with tufts of fur in both talons. Her efforts lifted the tail up in an effort to pull some fur loose. Her little fox accomplice was dangling in the air, jerking back and forth on a mouthful of fur. A snort of laughter escaped as Ashton quickly turned away.
Neolani's lips twitched… how brave those two were… "Yes, food, we made sure to grill keep our meat on a separate grill when we were preparing breakfast." That was the bravest owl she'd ever seen… at least the fox was one of Caius's people but that owl…
Ashton finally gave in, trotting back over to the fox, his head large enough that Ashton could just lean on, "Come on Fox, I'll share my breakfast with you." One giant eye opened, then shut again feigning death. Aston draped himself over the large snout, then poked the large canine tooth.
Caius held his breath as he continued to wait, but the tugging on his tail was starting to drag his body… he'd better warn Littlest to keep his mate in line, otherwise owl might join the menu.
Ashton gently flicked the large snout, "Come on Fox, are you going to pout here all day? No one will even notice the missing fur." Ashton snorted as the owl was starting to drag the giant fox in a jerky, but visible path. While it wasn't much, or even fast but the drag marks were proof of her efforts. The small fox had let go to circle beneath the owl chirping in encouragement.
Caius almost swatted Littlest away when he heard the brat cackling with laughter as he told the owl to twist and pull. Where was Talvi?
Ashton saw the owl twisting the fur, trying to spin as she continued to drag the much larger body. He collapsed onto the fox's face as he burst into laughter.
Caius launched himself around, snapping at the owl, deliberately missing but at least the little brat gave a yelp of surprise. Caius wrinkled his nose, small bird still clinging, and growled softly at the now circling owl who had the gall to hoot at him.
Ashton kept laughing as the owl circled above and the smaller fox circled below, pouncing on the large fox's tail clearly upset. "Hahaha, hahaha."
Caius gave one last snarl as he stared at the little bird still clinging to his nose, "Aiya! Does no one take me seriously? Your owl is corrupting Littlest! Where is the justice?" Caius demanded slapping his tails on the ground indignantly.
"Hahaha, haha, hahaha!" Ashton was starting to get used to his stomach aching from laughter. There were not many pains he enjoyed… but if he had to name one this would be it. "Don't, haha, don't turn black white! Your fox started it." Ashton denied as he was lowered to the ground.
Caius lay flat, making sure to keep his tails away from the cursed brats. "Aiya! He's never tried to take my fur before! You're all bullying me," Caius mourned as his kin started to surround him. If they were at least coming to comfort him that would be something, but they just nudged him repeatedly.
"Let's eat Fox, there will time enough to play." Ashton cajoled as the smaller foxes were… trying to flip the big fox over. Their solemn obedience yesterday like a forgotten dream. While it was obvious the big fox was being dramatic to please Ashton, the smaller ones weren't just playing along. The familial relations were quite close.
Caius almost agreed, but he still hadn't been coaxed properly. While the little one was clearly in a good mood, such banter could not be the foundation of their bond… perhaps he should start to slowly adjust. For now… it might still be too early to see if this was a complete loss, or his Little Snack was too proud to coax… Caius of course didn't mind giving in, but one-sided concessions would make the relationship unbalanced.
Ashton kept his smile as the big fox stood up shaking off the dirt, not to mention a small fox that had once again started trying to find loose tufts of fur. Clearly that small one was determined… or, Ashton glanced at the still circling owl, perhaps the owl wanted some. Hmmm, time would tell.
Neolani watched as Caius shrank down taking on his human form, then was ruffling his red hair as if more dirt would be shaken loose. "Please, this way." Neolani decidedly didn't mention the small fox still hanging on Caius's tail.
Caius glanced up at the owl as he followed the tribe to the tables, looks like only the tribes would be eating with them. Caius glanced around… none of these chairs were exactly… fitting of someone his stature. Caius measured the largest chair, while it looked like three could sit comfortably… the legs were still short enough he'd look like he was squatting if he sat properly…
Ashton walked right up to the largest chair then glanced at the big fox, then waited. The big fox sighed dramatically before sitting down, his knees raised over the table. Ashton smiled then squatted down to lift the right leg, then the left so the big fox was sitting more comfortably. With a nod, Ashton turned falling into his lap.
Caius shifted just enough so they would both be more comfortable, would… the little bird not coax him with words… but his actions? Or was the little bird just using him as a bed, chair, and table? Caius kept his smile as he wrapped one hand around the little bird's waist.
Ashton glanced up, "It would be nice, if I could brush your fur after the children leave for the day." Then Ashton turned to watch the food being brought out, several platters of meat, but more vegetables and fruit.
Neveu wasn't sure if he should sit, Neolani and the others had taken their seats but… he'd been hoping to speak to Ashton before their journey back. When Melia tugged on his shendyt Neveu sat down… Lord Caius was so big that Ashton looked like a small child sitting in his father's lap.
Ashton reached for a large kiwi, "Peace Neveu, you did not fail the Dolquist, your Great Tree and I are simply too incompatible for me to take accept the tribe. At best we will barter from a distance." Ashton decided to just get the elephant out of the way.
Neveu stiffened, then relaxed with a depreciating smile, "Lord Ashton… is there no way for us to join the coalition?" Neveu asked half hopefully, half resigned. They had been working so hard… training with the Inago, changing their laws, they way they lived…
Ashton locked eyes with Neveu, "You cannot have both Chief of the Dolquist, will you forsake the Great Tree for the possibility to one day be of the pride?"
Neveu flinched, "No…" He would not bet on such an uncertain future… nor could he even consider forsaking the Great Tree… it had been with them for generations… saved from disease, lived longer, were better mages than most humans thanks to the Great Tree. To abandon it… they would rather perish with it.
Nerium took a deep breath, "Then even without the Great Tree, you would still not have accepted us? Because… of how I ran away from the fight?" Nerium had not missed Ashton's statement about joining only being a possibility. Clearly the decision had been made well before their arrival. Though to have not informed Neolani was surprising… her hopes had been almost as great as their own.
Ashton used the fox's leg as an armrest for his elbow as he narrowed his eyes and rested his chin in his palm. "That is a contributing factor, logical as it was, abandoning children rubs my pride the wrong way. But, the deciding factor is that there is not a spark or ember I would claim as my own. My only claimed human is Neolani, my Ember. The rest are only claimed through her." Ashton stated bluntly.