For the first time, Fox resented Lapis. Being introduced point-blank to someone he assumed was his enemy, with no preparation, was something he could resent someone for. But this resentment lasted for only a moment. Here he was presented with a valuable opportunity for gaining intelligence, and the thing to do was take advantage of it. And the first piece of intelligence he gained—shown clearly in the hard look in Emerald's eyes—was that she was not happy to see him.
"So," said Emerald, glaring at Lapis. "In your never-ending quest to annoy me you brought an Offworlder to our city. I hope you are proud of yourself."
"Bold of you to assume I only brought Fox here to annoy you, Emerald. Though I must say it would not be out of character for me," said Lapis.
"You know it wouldn't be," said Emerald.
Fox eyed the two vixens. Their dynamic was interesting. All the animosity coming off Emerald was simply washing of Lapis's back. This was not the first argument the two ever had, nor would it be the last, and Fox had the feeling that almost every single disagreement they had followed a similar script; Emerald with her hard indignation and wielded dignity, and Lapis with her teasing easy-going nature, but unbending will. It all reminded him a little of some moments with Falco. At that thought a bittersweet sadness came over Fox, and his ears dipped slightly before he shook himself free of it.
"Why is he here?" said Emerald.
"Ask him yourself," said Lapis.
The withering look Emerald gave Lapis could've wilted a field of flowers. She turned her gaze to Fox. He did not flinch. Height difference aside, this was not his first rodeo with a politician in a bad mood.
"Why are you here, Offworlder?" said Emerald.
"I'm here as a bodyguard for Lapis's daughter," said Fox. His tone was flat, respectful but undaunted. "My name is Fox McCloud."
Emerald raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask for your name."
"I figured you should have it, so you can call me by it." He raised an eyebrow himself.
Emerald raised another eyebrow. She turned to Krystal. "Is this true? Your mother hired him?"
"Yes," said Krystal. To her credit, she wasn't flinching either.
"A waste, then," said Emerald. "We Cerinians have resources to protect our loved ones." She turned to Lapis. "Why him?"
"To annoy you, Emerald," said Lapis. She smiled easily, and her tail swished behind her.
Emerald's paw tightened around her cane, and Fox saw her fur and tail bristle.
"Don't play games with me, Lapis," said Emerald, practically spitting out Lapis's name.
"I brought him here to prove a point," said Lapis. "Look at him. A perfectly fine-looking young man. Cute too, I must say, perfectly huggable. You and your contemporaries speak much of Offworlders and their worlds with suspicion and even hatred, yet here is one right now. Don't you have anything to ask him, so you can say you really know an Offworlder?"
Emerald turned right around then and began to walk away. "I don't need to listen to this," she said. "Whatever political theatre you're putting on I will play no part in."
"He is the one who killed Andross," said Krystal, stepping forward to stand beside Fox.
Emerald stopped in her tracks.
Fox glanced at Krystal. He was not sure what to think. It was probably only a matter of time before someone besides Krystal and Lapis came to know that, but it probably would've been better to keep that close to their chests for now. Krystal's apologetic look told him she thought the same, and Fox eased up.
Emerald turned around. The look she gave Fox was not a dismissive look. In fact, Fox couldn't tell what the look meant. She looked at him with widened, searching eyes, and then her mouth opened once, then closed tightly. She looked him over once more, that searching look still in her eyes, and then she turned away.
Lapis sighed. "That woman," she said, "is too prideful for her own good."
"Sorry to blurt that out," said Krystal. "I just felt I needed to say something. You are my bodyguard, after all."
Fox couldn't help but smile a little at her. "I do appreciate that, although that isn't something we should blurt out." Then he looked at Lapis. "Lapis, why did you want me to meet her?"
"To prove a point, as I said," said Lapis. "I figured Emerald should actually meet an Offworlder. She doesn't think much of them, but she and her people haven't even seen one up close. What's the sense in suspecting a people you've never met?"
"Lapis?" said Fox.
"Yes?" said Lapis.
"Did you hire me just because I'm an Offworlder?" he said, his voice hardening.
Lapis gave Fox a level stare. "And if I did?"
Krystal was looking at Fox and her mother with growing anxiety.
"I would say that's pretty cynical of you to do," said Fox. He crossed his arms. "And I would be disappointed."
Lapis stared at Fox until a smile slowly appeared on her face, which changed into a grin, and then bloomed into a peal of laughter.
"Oh, I knew we found the right one, Krystal," said Lapis.
"Mother?" said Krystal.
"From the start, yes, I wanted an Offworlder," she said. "My point was not cynical, however. I want to show Cerinia that Offworlders are nothing to be afraid of. That's a major part of my message. There's plenty of Cerinians that accept that message now without having seen one—the war put an understanding into many that Cerinia could no longer stand alone and be safe—but of course there are plenty that still harbor suspicions. I can't change everyone's mind, but I can at least put an Offworlder in front of them and invite them to face reality." She smiled. "So I asked Pepper. And so, my search led me to you."
"But let me state this clearly," she said, and she frowned. "If you, or if any other candidate was less than I wanted, I would've tossed you away without a second thought. This is my daughter we're talking about here. Sure I wanted to prove a point, but I'm not about to compromise Krystal's safety for good politics." She smiled again, and her tail wagged. "Lucky me that you're proving such a delight, Fox."
The vixen's words, and the conviction behind them, slowly erased whatever doubts Fox had about Lapis and her reasons. He was getting the sense that she was quite the judge of character. More than that, Krystal and Lapis had been incredibly welcoming to him. They just seemed to like him, which was just…it just felt good to be around people like that.
Pepper was being proven more right all the time. Maybe this planet was good for him.
"Alright," said Fox. "I believe you."
"Excellent," said Lapis, clapping her paws.
"Mother, you did give him a fright, you know," said Krystal, paws on her hips and frowning at her mother. "You should've told him about that sooner."
"I should have, but it would've been a difficult subject to introduce. The last thing I wanted to seem like in a first impression was a cynical politician," said Lapis. She shrugged. "Besides, darlings, it all worked out, didn't it?"
"I guess," said Krystal, rolling her eyes, and smiling.
"There's shades of you father," said Lapis, giggling into a paw. "Before long, I'll have both you and him teasing me like that, but I can match that." She clapped her paws together again. "Now then. I have another surprise engagement to spring on you, Fox. You as well, Krystal."
"Should I be nervous?" asked Fox.
"Not at all," said Lapis. "It's just a speaking engagement in town, something to show you a little example of Cerinian politics. Come now, both of you, we're going back into town!"
Not only was the speaking engagement back in town, it was inside one of Ca Jouja's largest and busiest inns. It also happened to be one of Lapis and Krystal's favorite places, and another excellent place to view Cerinian life. Lapis sanctioned this opportunity but letting Fox be a wallflower. He had no part in the speaking, and neither did Krystal, for that matter. She was standing beside him now, beside a wall of the inn, watching everyone around them.
There were already people gathered in the inn when they arrived, and as the appointed speaking time drew closer more and more people arrived and settled into sitting at one of the inn's many tables or walking about and socializing. Lapis moved from group to group, person to person, and pumped paws with vigor to match any Cornerian politician. Despite all the traveling and walking done throughout the day, the vixen's energy levels seemed infinite.
"Mother sure is something," said Krystal.
"She is," said Fox. "Are you nervous about taking up her work?"
"…yes," she said, sighing. "It's a tough act to follow, but I must." She put on a determined look. "Cerinia's future is at stake, and I want to serve my home."
Fox looked at Krystal, and felt shades of bittersweet memories creep back into his mind. "I can understand that feeling."
A questioning look from Krystal. "You can?"
"Yeah," he said. He sighed. He could feel Krystal's concerned gaze, and knew she was wondering about him. But he changed the subject. "I'm glad everyone—well, almost everyone—has been fairly welcoming to me."
"Hm?" Krystal hummed. Then she caught the change of subject, and took it gracefully, though not without one more worried glance. "Ah. Well, mother's influence is to thank for that, and our good hospitality." She winked at him. "I've caught more than a few women here whispering among themselves about how cute they think you are."
Fox blushed. "Wait, really?"
"Yes," said Krystal, smiling. "I don't think you have much to worry about from the vixen population of the town." Her ears perked up, and she turned. "Oh, Juka! There you are."
Fox turned. Stopping in front of them was a Cerinian male, wearing a robe and regarding them kindly. He looked to be an older gentleman, with white hairs spotting his dark blue pelt. "Miss Krystal, how lovely to see you," he said. His was a deep and smooth voice. He turned to Fox. "You must be the Outworlder Lapis is talking about." He bowed. "A pleasure to meet you."
"Fox, this is Mr. Juka. He's one of our family friends, and he runs a spice stall near here. Some of the best in the city, believe me," said Krystal.
"She exaggerates," said Juka, chuckling.
Fox smiled. He liked the man's manner. "Nice to meet you. I'm Fox, Fox McCloud."
"Fox? A simple name, and easy to remember. Good," said Juka.
"Do you live in the city?" Fox asked.
"On the outskirts, growing what I sell," said Juka. "Just me, my wife, and young son. My boy is just getting over a little sickness, so my wife is tending to him. She told me sternly to pay close attention to everything Lady Lapis says, of course." He winked at Fox and Krystal. "We're both strong supporters of her message. Cerinia must join the wider universe, and I feel that I am doing my own small part just talking to you, Mr. McCloud."
"Just Fox is fine," said Fox. "Too much formalities never suited me much."
"I see," said Juka. "Ah, look! Miss Lapis is starting to speak."
Indeed, just as Juka said that, Fox saw Lapis ascend a small podium, look out over her supporters, and clear her throat. A hushed silence fell over the room, and all eyes were on her.
"My fellow Cerinians, brothers and sisters," she said, smiling brightly at all in attendance. "Thank you for coming today. I'm always thankful for you all coming to listen to me prattle on about the same thing over and over." She giggled. "If nothing else, I hope to be consistent."
There was laughter around the room. Except, Fox noticed, for the very back of the room, by the entrance. Standing there were a pocket of dour-faced Cerinians, standing around an equally dour Emerald. Fox's ears stood up, and his posture straightened. Krystal noticed his gaze, followed it, and her eyes narrowed.
"She won't start anything," she said. "Not here."
Fox gave Emerald's group another wary look, and hoped Krystal was right.
"Cerinia must join paws with the larger universe around it," said Lapis. "Before Andross's forces attacked us, we could continue to believe that our lack of interest in the galaxy would insulate us from interlopers, and it did not. It's time we faced that fact. And," and Lapis smiled gently, "that larger world isn't nearly as frightening as we might think."
Murmurs of approved could be heard around the room.
"I met and talked with at least one person of high standing from Corneria, and I would be pleased to continue relations with them. And as some of you already know, I brought with me today a Cornerian as my guest. He is a person of character, and I am incredibly pleased to have him."
Many sets of eyes turned to Fox. He nodded bashfully, and Lapis gave him a grateful—and apologetic—look.
"Of course, I cannot assume that that everyone on Corneria or other worlds will be as good to us as these two people. However," and her face became determined, "if we were to run from anyone who showed us the slightest hint of dislike, whether it be in interplanetary or personal relationships, we'd be running from too many people. We will—we must—learn to take the good with the bad."
More murmurs of approval.
"With good and firm diplomatic work, my brothers and sisters, mutual cooperation will bring a new age of peace to our planet. Whatever challenges it may bring us, I believe we can face all of them. Contrary to what my opponents may say," and Fox barely caught the quick glance at Emerald, "I have faith in Cerinia's people. I have faith that they can meet our new horizons. This I truly believe."
"And I understand," she added, "that we all don't see eye to eye, of course. But I will do my utmost to see we better understand one another, and show all that opening Cerinia up to the galaxy is in the best interest of all. And when she assumes my place, my daughter will do the same as well."
Now many sets of eyes turned to Krystal, and it was her turn to be bashful. She smiled and waved, and the blush on her cheeks was pretty.
What followed the speech was something of a meet and greet. Various citizens shook hands with each other, and Lapis seemed to make time for everyone in the room. Plenty of people came up to Krystal as well, and she did her best to be as poised as her mother, though she still seemed a bit bashful. And still plenty of those same people came up to Fox, to introduce themselves. Some could speak Basic, others couldn't. All the same Fox smiled and shook paws, doing his best to also remain poised. It had been some time since he received such attention, and he tried to keep in mind these people were only curious. They were also just nice. It was refreshing.
"I can't stand it any longer!"
The edge to that voice cut through the jovial atmosphere. All talking ceased. A single todd, walking through the masses from the direction of Emerald's party, wore an angry face and was stomping right for Krystal. Emerald blinked, looked horrified, and began to follow quickly behind the todd.
All of Fox's old instincts came right back. He stepped closer to Krystal and sized the young man up in an instant. He looked to be about his age, sturdy looking, but with anger on his face that looked reckless rather than dangerous. He only wore a loincloth, which meant little for concealing weapons. Fox clenched a paw and set his jaw. Hopefully this didn't have to get ugly.
The todd stopped right in front of him. Krystal looked shocked, and drew close to Fox.
"Inviting Offworlders to Cerinia is exactly what got us into that war in the first place," the young man yelled. "How dare you? The future of my planet will not belong to a mongrel like—"
Fox stepped in front of Krystal and gave the todd a look. It was an old look, one he gave enemies or any other major annoyance he encountered back in the old days. It was a simple hardening of the eyes with a blank stare, and it had the intended effect. The young man stopped cold in his rage, and looked at Fox and blinked uncomprehendingly.
A second passed.
"You…" the todd gritted out. "How dare you?"
"I think you should leave," said Fox.
The todd was struck dumb.
"Toren."
It was Emerald. She was given the todd—Toren—a reproachful, angry look. Fox was immensely grateful she wasn't egging the kid on.
"Come here," she said. "Now."
Toren looked at her, then back at Fox.
"We can't just let them get away with this, can we?" he said, sounded desperate. "You said Cerinia can never belong to Outworlders! Look! They're already here!"
"Toren," she said. "I know what I said. And we are still leaving."
Toren looked hopelessly at Emerald. Fox had the impression the young man wanted to do something, anything, to vent what he was feeling. And that meant there was still enough of that feeling in him to do something stupid.
The kid looked like he was about to leave. He eyed Fox one more time—hatefully—and turned to follow Emerald. Then he whipped around and lunged at Fox with a raised fist.
Fox heard the air rush out of the room. It was like he could hear every single Cerinian in the room take a breath. Most pointedly he heard Krystal hiss out his name in a single, worried breath, and he knew—without looking—that she tensed up.
All of this was reassuring for Fox. Time was slowing down and he picked up the kids movements easily. Time on Sauria had done nothing to his edge.
Faster than the kid could react, he shot a paw out and deflected the strike. With the other paw, he dealt a bodyblow—hard, but now aiming to kill—right into the todd's gut.
The kid buckled, the wind knocked out of him. He fell back, bending over, and Fox watched him try to get his breath back. He looked shocked, like he honestly didn't expect Fox to hit back. And when those eyes looked back at his, Fox saw disbelief mingled with growing hatred.
Fox sighed.
"Kid," he said. "That was dumb."
Nobody moved for a moment. Then, Emerald walked up, and wrenched the kid up by his arm. Fox half-expected her to look at him with similar hatred, but was surprised to see her look only at Toren with sheer anger. When she looked up at him, Emerald looked…apologetic? Embarrassed?
"You have my apologies," she said. It sounded like an effort to say it, but there it was.
Without waiting for Fox's answer, she turned away, pulling Toren along so hard Fox figured she would pull his arm out of its socket.
To say that pleasantries had a hard time starting up after the incident was an understatement.
Immediately after Emerald and her group left, Krystal and Lapis were upon him, asking him if he was alright. The other Cerinians looked just as concerned, and there were much assurances by Fox—communicated with Krystal and Lapis's help—that he was alright, and that the event could continue. Fox politely excused himself afterword, wanting to be alone. He stood by the front door to the inn as the event went on inside, staring at the evening sky and thinking.
He really wished that kid didn't try that. It attracted too much attention to himself. What's more, while it was clear Toren was the aggressor there, certain people on the planet would love to use that moment as a reason to think ill of him. That would be bothersome.
"Fox?"
Krystal came walking out of the building, holding two glasses of water. She offered one to him, and he accepted it gratefully.
"I just wanted to check in on you," she said. "That…everything back there was mortifying."
"You and Lapis didn't get hurt, and that's the important thing," said Fox. He took a sip of water.
"Yes, but I'm still thinking of you," she said. Her tail twitched. "You took care of yourself, but, I keep on thinking of what could've happened if things got worse."
"I used to do that," he said.
"Hm?"
"Think too much about worst case scenarios. It's a habit I had when I first started doing my…old job." He frowned. "It's a bad habit. It just takes time and effort to get over."
"I just keep thinking about how I'll soon be the leader of mother's movement, and there may be plenty more situations like that back there," said Krystal. "I'm just glad you're alright, Fox."
"I'm the bodyguard, you know. I'm supposed to have a few near-misses like that," said Fox, smirking.
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," said Krystal. She crossed her arms. "I order you to keep being careful, Fox. There. My first command as your boss."
He blushed a bit at the concern. He couldn't help it. "I'll do my best," he said. "I'm sure your mother deals with close calls like that every so often?"
"Mother's had enemies approach her like that before, and she's learned to deal with them. Turn the other cheek, smile and nod, tease back, or let her guards do the work if someone tries to get violent. But this was the first time it's happened to me, and…I keep thinking, I'm going to have to get used to that sort of thing, aren't I?"
Fox wondered how to answer. The blunt answer was yes, and his own experience taught him that. But he wanted a better approach here than just being blunt.
"It will come with time," said Fox. "Being a public figure is pretty nerve-wracking to anybody at first." Then he surprised himself. "That's how I was at first."
Krystal looked at him in surprise.
"I was something of a…celebrity, with my old job. It was hard getting used to that at first when I started that work. So I know a bit of where you're coming from."
"You think I can get used to it?" said Krystal.
Fox cocked his head to the side. "I've only known you for a bit so far, but…you know, I think you can. You seem eager to do it, so I'm going to think it's possible."
Krystal's smile was radiant, and Fox couldn't help but stare. It made him happy, too, to know that he brought that smile about.
Krystal winked at him. "I do have you in a pinch too, of course."
"Well, that is my job," said Fox.
"And you did great," said Krystal. "I mean that. Thank you, Fox."
"There you two are! Not having too much fun I hope?"
There was Lapis, walking out of the front door. She joined the three of them. "Well, the event's over. Everyone else in there is wrapping up for the time being, but we're finished for now." She gave a concerned look to her daughter and put a paw on her shoulder. "Are you alright, love?"
"I am, mother," said Krystal. "Thanks to Fox, mostly."
"Oh, really?" said Lapis. She beamed at Fox. "You did a great job of it, back there. I tend to stray away from violence, but you did what you had to do, in your and Krystal's defense."
"Do other people see it that way?" said Fox.
"Yes," said Lapis. "After talking to virtually everyone in the room, they think the same thing. And Emerald herself apologized, not to mention she looked furious at that boy, Toren. She knows it makes her look bad. Emerald wants her followers to behave, if only to make sure her side always looks more dignified than mine." She smirked. "I won't lord this over her, though. That would be a bit much. Though I know she's probably ringing that boy's neck right now."
"I just hope this doesn't come back to bite me," said Fox. "That would complicate things."
"Well, if so, you have my support," said Lapis, pinching Fox's cheek. "Wouldn't want anything to happen to my daughter's bodyguard, after all." She clapped her paws. "Anyway! Our next destination is a more comfortable one. It's time for us to take you home, Fox."
"Huh?" said Fox.
"Our family estate," said Krystal. She was smiling and wagging her tail. "Father and Auntie Garnet will be quite eager to meet you, you know."