It was during breakfast the next day—served by Garnet, and absolutely mouthwatering—that Fox learned his first real encounter with Cerinian politics was on the horizon.
"A meeting?" said Fox, after taking his first bite and trying not to moan at the taste of the breakfast cakes.
"Yes," said Lapis. She smiled at Fox, and he had the impression she was eager to expose him to the political work that was tied to the job, tangentially at least. "It's a meeting of delegates at the meeting hall here, in the government sector. As Krystal will be making a speech, it's natural that you will be coming."
"It will be my first speech to the different parties," said Krystal, after taking a bite of her own cake. "So it's a milestone for me."
"Are you prepared?" said Fox.
"I'm nervous, but mother and father say that's natural," said Krystal. "I'm going to do my best."
"It would be stranger, Krystal, if you weren't nervous. Anyone who ever said public speaking never bothered them at all is either gifted beyond imagination or lying," said Azu. He sat beside his wife at the breakfast table. "Your mother, believe it or not, still gets nervous during speeches, occasionally. Fake it and make it, and all that."
"It comes down to practice, Krystal dear," said Garnet, sitting down at the head of the table now that everyone was served. "You'll do just fine."
"Thank you, auntie," said Krystal, smiling and wagging her tail. She turned to Fox. "And how do you feel about attending?"
"Just fine," said Fox. "It will be interesting see your work up close again, as long as my presence won't disturb anything. It will also help me get a better handle on all the other factions on the planet."
"You being there shouldn't hurt anything, and you're right, this will be a good time for you to learn," said Lapis. "My people will be more than happy to meet you, and Emerald's will likely leave you alone, now that she's told them you killed Andross. It's the Fortress and the Expanse delegates that I'm worried about. They would ostracize themselves more than they already have if they tried anything—in my territory, at that—but I've stopped underestimating their stupidity." She smiled kindly. "You'll be fine Fox, my people will help you."
"And thankfully, the meeting is in two days, so we have plenty of time to prepare," she added.
"Oh, with the time we have, I can show you more of Ca Jouja!" said Krystal. "Lovely. There's still some people and places I want you to see."
"That's a wonderful idea, Krystal," said Garnet.
"It would get Fox more familiar with the town," said Azu.
"I'd love too," said Fox. Krystal was a wonderful guide before, and the prospect of spending more time with her was…quite lovely, really.
"My, very willing to spend time with my daughter, hm?" said Lapis.
A blush appeared on Fox's face.
"Sister," said Garnet pointedly.
Lapis giggled. "I said I was going to keep getting him, after all~," she said.
"I can't help you too much, Fox," said Krystal. She shrugged. "Mother is relentless."
"I can manage," said Fox, stuffing another bite of cake down his mouth and trying to get the blush off his face.
"Aww," said Lapis. "Don't pout. C'mere."
Lapis was on her feet quick, and the hug was upon him just as quick. In the accompanying softness, Fox wondered if this sort of attention was going to keep happening.
Ca Jouja, in the morning as its people milled about the starts of their day, was even more charming than when Fox saw it last. As he and Krystal left the residential district and into the meat of the village with its stalls and businesses and folk hawking wares and announcing they were open, this was the impression he received: It was a lively town, filled with character.
"Our first stop is my favorite tea shop!" said Krystal. "Best place for something after breakfast." A curious look. "Do they have tea shops on Corneria?"
"We have coffee shops," said Fox. He explained what they were as Krystal listened carefully.
"Hmm," she said. "Tea shops are more relaxed. You could go to a tea shop with a friend in the morning and stay all day, talking about everything and nothing, and the owner would probably join in at some point and only throw you out if you both get unsufferable, and you have a pawful of second chances before that happens." She pointed. "There we are. The Landed Sailor! I know the name makes it sound like a tavern, but I promise it isn't."
The building in question was more a single, small structure where the tea was brewed, with some inside seating. The rest of the establishment was plenty of outside seating; cushions with firepits and small ponds and tables, and people were already there, lounging and drinking tea and talking. As with most anything else in Ca Jouja to this point, Fox was immediately charmed.
They chose two cushions by a small fountain, and the sound of trickling water brought more tranquility to the scene. It was enough that Fox barely noticed the curious glances other patrons were giving him, and even then those were just glances of interest.
"I've been going to the Sailor for years. Best place to meet people," said Krystal, who stretched and got comfortable on a cushion. "No better atmosphere in Ca Jouja, I tell you."
"It is really nice," said Fox. He started to relax himself. "Why the name though? Seems rather…tough, for such a comfy establishment."
"Well-"
"Because the owner of this place—myself—is a landed sailor, certainly."
Standing by Fox and Krystal's table was a todd Fox instantly would've called a man of the sea even if he wasn't given hints ahead of time. Barrel-chested, the tattoo of a large anchor on his arm and what Fox guessed was a mermaid on the other, this was a man for whom the term "old salt" was invented for. His fur—fittingly—was a sea blue, and his eyes regarded the two of them curiously.
"Krystal, girl," said the man, "is this the Offworlder I've been hearin' about?"
"It is," said Krystal. "Fox, meet Kincaid, the owner of this place. Kincaid, meet Fox, my bodyguard."
Both men shook paws. Rough and calloused, as Fox expected his paws to be.
"You're a pilot, aren't ya?" said Kincaid.
"That obvious?" said Fox.
"As obvious as me being a former sailor," said Kincaid. "When I still made my ways on the seas I'd cross paths with a fair share of flyers, whenever they picked up supplies or talked. Though you certainly aren't a commercial flyer. Combat?"
"Yes," said Fox.
"I won't pry," said Kincaid. He smiled at Krystal. "I like 'em. No foolishness to him. Tell your wild child of a mother she picked a good one."
"I will," said Krystal, chuckling. She turned to Fox. "Kincaid is a vocal supporter of my mother."
"Planet needs to get its head out of its rear end if we're to survive," said Kincaid. "Closed Fists would have us do it slowly, Fortress not at all, and Expanse would have us makes records for the fastest species to become the most insufferable people in the galaxy." He shook his head. "Lapis' speaks sense, hence why I back her." A chuckle. "Now that I've talked your ears off, what would you kids like to drink?"
Krystal ordered two drinks—she covered for Fox, and he took her recommendation—and Kincaid walked off.
"Plenty in the town have Lapis's back, I see," said Fox.
"Mother is one of the town's favorite daughters," said Krystal. "She's always taken care of Ca Jouja, financially, politically, what have you." She smiled. "I love it here, and when it is my time to step up I will do the same thing."
Fox admired the vixen's resolve. So many expectations…some time ago, he knew similar feelings.
Kincaid came back, and placed the two cups of tea on the table. "By the way, Miss Krystal," he said. "Seems we might have a scene, soon."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Heard through talk among the tables that some Fortress folk are going to be hollerin' near the main square of town. Brazen of them, considering how cold reception to them in the past has been. Just something to watch." Then Kincaid walked away.
"We should check that out," said Fox. He took a sip of tea, and found it delicious.
"Scope out the enemy?" said Krystal.
"You can stay back if you want."
"And miss out?" said Krystal, waggling her eyebrows. "Not at all. The lady will accompany you." She sipped her tea.
She's got moxie, alright, thought Fox. I like that.
Ca Jouja's main square sat outside its largest temple to its patron goddess, Maira, goddess of hearth, home, and motherhood. When Fox and Krystal arrived, Krystal was in the middle of explaining the history of the square and the years it took to build the temple. The two vulpines stopped when they heard the commotion coming from the square, and they surveyed the scene.
Two foxes—one a vixen, the other a todd—were at the center of a small crowd. Both wore deep crimson robes with the design of a fortress encircling a planet Fox assumed was Cerinia. Their speech was animated, with wide sweeping gestures and oration. Notably, they were speaking in Cerinian only; odd, only because since arriving in Ca Jouja Fox heard a mix of Cerinian and Lylatian Common in the town. Krystal picked up on Fox's confusion, and quietly translated for him as the two vulpines spoke.
"My fellow Cerinians!" began the todd. "You don't understand! You are in the grips of a woman who would invite doom upon us all again, by allowing us to become entangled in the affairs of outsiders. Affairs that would bring upon us the same danger we faced before, in the great war!"
"It is not too late to turn to us," said the vixen, who held out her arms to the crowd. "And beware! Inevitably, your Lapis will stray into the arms of those mongrels of the Expanse." Here the vixen's face twisted into a snarl. "And they are the ultimate traitors. Your representatives live a lie! There can be no balance in this matter."
"Join us, brothers and sisters, join us!" said the todd.
Their oratory was, Fox mused, remarkably like any extremist group from Corneria. The gestures, wild oratory, and the venom directed at the opposite enemy were eerily similar. Next he looked over the crowd, and was happy to see their reception was skeptical and chilly. Bystanders crossed their arms, watched carefully, and grumbled amongst themselves. The references to Lapis were met with scowls of indignation.
"Chilly reception," said Fox.
"It's been chilly with every attempt," said Krystal. "They have few friends here. But they are persistent, I'll give them that, though they have little to show for it."
The two speakers went for a little while longer, and Krystal translated them dutifully. More sweeping words mixed with derision. Then the vixen caught sight of Fox, and gaped.
"Why," she began—surprisingly in Common—"If it isn't a source of so much danger themselves!"
The crowd turned. Fox was grateful the faces were mostly of curiosity or recognition. A gaggle of vixens talked among themselves, smiling and making glances at him.
"The Offworlder your beloved leader thought to bring to our planet to taint it! I will speak your blasted language, outsider, if only to make sure you never come here again." Then she marched up to Fox.
Fox tensed. Two objectives. One, protect Krystal. Two, don't make a scene, unless you have to.
"He and his ilk come as conquerors in disguise, my friends!" said the vixen. "Do you understand me, you filth?" Fox blinked as spittle flew on his face. "You will never take our planet. Never!"
Fox gave her a look. Steely, focused, and unimpressed. Engaging with her was pointless. She already hated him, and what she wanted as an excuse to paint him exactly what she believed him to be—an invader. Fox remembered times where he got to see Androssian fanatics up close, and the resemblance was uncanny and—for the Cerinians especially—darkly ironic.
The vixen just stared at him. Her angry look mixed with confusion.
"Answer me!" she screamed.
Fox said nothing.
"I think that's enough," said Krystal, walking up and standing beside Fox. "Clearly, he won't answer you."
"You," spat out the vixen. "Your harlot of a mother-"
"Choose your next words very carefully," said Krystal, snarling. "You aren't surrounded by friends. If you insult my mother like that again, you will find that out the hard way."
The vixen looked around. Her surroundings appeared to dawn on her.
"This isn't over," the vixen growled. Her and the todd walked off towards the entrance of the city, and the crowd—after a small applause and some happy glances at Krystal, who looked bashful at the attention—dispersed.
"Very good," said Fox, smiling at Krystal. "That sent them packing."
Krystal sighed. The stress flowing off her body was practically visible. "Just trying to channel the energy my mom has. She can be even scarier than that when she's serious. But do you really think I did well?"
"Yes, I do," said Fox. "You ought to have more confidence in yourself."
The way light came into Krystal' eyes right then made his heart flutter. She wagged her tail.
"We can tell mother about this little encounter later," said Krystal. She took Fox's paw and began to lead him again, with a bounce in her step. "C'mon, there's more I want to show you."
The next points of interest included all sorts of places, all of them Krystal's favorite spots. Her favorites shopping stalls, favorite places to hang out, etc. Along the way Fox met people she knew. These included friend's and former school mates, and friends made through her parents, and light acquaintances. Krystal was quite the extrovert, and well connected to the whole of Ca Jouja. He could understand why. She was fun to be around, her sunny disposition infectious.
They stopped at another jewelry stall, run by an older vixen named Peria, and Krystal made introductions. The vixen smiled at him.
"Pleased to meet you," said Fox.
"A well-mannered young man," said Mrs. Peria. "Excellent. Built proper too, so he can do his job."
"She's sharp as can be," said Krystal. "Underestimate her at your own peril, Fox."
While Krystal spoke with Peria, Fox surveyed the crowds walking through the market place. People watching was more fascinating on a new planet. And while Fox looked around, his eyes caught something.
He saw a todd, leaning on a wall a short distance away, wearing a simple toga. There was nothing physically odd about the todd. He looked to be a normal young man with an average build. No, what was odd about him was the way he kept glancing at Fox, and trying to hide the fact that he was glancing.
Fox looked away, mentally ear-marking the todd.
After saying their goodbyes to Mrs. Peria, Fox and Krystal walked over to a bustling street lined with businesses—pharmacies and apothecaries, doctors, small grocery shopes, even a small bookshop. Krystal guided him through the thick crowds. People did notice him, and they acknowledged with a simple look, smile, or nod. After bumping into a vixen, she looked down at him, startled, and then gave him a kind look. She walked away, giggling into a paw.
"Admirers," said Krystal, raising an eyebrow and smiling. Fox rolled his eyes and tried not to blush.
Then he saw the todd from before, walking some ways behind them trying—very badly—to keep an eye on them without looking like he was keeping an eye on them.
He was both persistent, and very sloppy.
Fox was about tell Krystal when she pulled him towards a building.
"Ah, here we are!" she said. They went inside.
The building was a large, rectangular room, and Fox knew he was in the Cerinian equivalent of a tailor's workshop. Along the wall were many fabrics of different colors and make; some cotton, some silk, and some in-between. Spaced along the shop floor were wooden mannequins of todds and vixens, wearing robes, loincloths and brassieres, sarongs, or togas. The atmosphere was familiar to Fox. Fay and her friends had dragged him into many a boutique or tailors during a shopping trip, and Fox himself had developed something of a casual eye for style; he and Falco had certain tastes.
"Ordering some clothes?" said Fox.
"Yes! We're ordering some for you," said Krystal.
"Me?" said Fox.
"Of course," said Krystal. Her tail wagged. "If you're staying here for the long term, you should have a wardrobe that fits in." Then she looked over her shoulder. "Oh! There you are, Mrs. Thystia."
"Ah," said a serene voice. "Miss Krystal. And this must be…?"
Fox turned around.
There stood a vixen, with long hair and wearing a toga with a breast uncovered. Tall like the other vixens on the planet, though not as tall as Lapis or especially Garnet, she was quite elegant in her posture. She held a paw to her cheek while peering at the two of them.
"So this is the Offworlder I've heard so much about," said the vixen. "Hm. Stand still, please?"
Fox did so as the vixen walked around him, sizing him up.
"Very well-proportioned, handsome too. You take good care of yourself physically, and certainly your small size makes you endearing. Yes, a cutie, as my friends describe you."
"Huh?" said Fox.
"Me and some of my friends—you probably noticed us already, a group of vixens—peering at you. That's the little fan club you've gained." She swept her hair to the side. "It really is that height of yours, really. Makes a vixen want to put you in her pocket, as my friends say. For my part, I'm content to see you here." She smiled. "I hope you don't mind the attention?"
The fact that Thystia said this with perfect serenity made Fox blush harder. "A fan club? Already?" said Fox blankly.
"Less amorous admirers and more just doting fans," said Thystia.
Fox could've sworn he heard Krystal let out a sigh of relief. "Mrs. Thystia, it's all the more funny with the treatment he's already getting from my mom and aunt," she said.
"I'm not surprised that he's become a favorite in your household already," said Thystia. "I'm sorry if a did embarrass you, though, Mr…?"
"Fox," said Fox.
"Sorry to make you bashful, Fox, but I am upfront about feelings and information," she said. She stood tall and harumphed. "It's unseemly to hide too much, at least to me. Anywhoo, I'm guessing you need clothes if you're here?"
"Yes," said Krystal. "Fox needs clothes, as he will be staying on the planet for some time. He is my bodyguard."
"So that's what he's here for," said Thystia. "My friends will love that. Perfect. Alright, first let's do measurements. Disrobe, if you could?"
"Oh," said Fox. "I already know my measurements by heart."
"Perhaps in Cornerian you do, but here on Cerinia we have different units of measurement," said Thystia. She clapped her paws once. "Now, everything off."
Fox stammered. "Could I at least keep my briefs on? It's a little…sudden, sorry."
"Goodness, are Cornerians prudes by nature?" said Thystia.
She would love Katt and Falco, thought Fox. "No, this is just rather sudden, again. I hope it's fine?"
Thystia chuckled. "I can make it work, though Krystal, you'll have to get him acquainted to how we do things on this planet."
"All things take time," said Krystal, smiling.
Fox took off his shirt and pants, and Krystal turned around, gathering from Fox's shyness that he would be grateful for that. Thystia brought out some measuring tape and noted all of his measurements, in Cerinian units.
"Goodness, Mother Maira did build you proper," she said. "More good news for my friends."
"I probably can't buy your silence?" said Fox, raising an eyebrow.
"No," said Thystia simply.
Fox thought he saw Krystal take a small peek. If she did…well, he found he didn't mind.
"Alright, all done. Put your clothes back on while I bring some fabrics out to choose from. The ones here on the walls only showcase some colors in each respective fabric, but feel free to use them to mentally put together what you want. That makes my job easier." Then she waltzed into the backroom.
Now was as good a time as Fox could ask for to mention that todd. "Hey, Krystal?" he said, as he finished putting his clothes back on.
Krystal turned around, with just the faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Yes, Fox?"
"There's someone following us."
Krystal blinked, looked shocked for second, and then narrowed her eyes.
"It's someone good at keeping their presence inconspicuous," said Krystal. "I couldn't sense anything suspicious, though it can be hard to narrow it down in crowds. Is it one of those Fortress clowns?"
"No, but whoever it is, they are an amateur at actually tailing someone," said Fox. "I'm guessing he thought that being in a crowd and masking his presence was enough."
"Do you have a plan?" said Krystal.
"I'm thinking of one," said Fox. "He's probably waiting somewhere, watching the front door, so…"
Just then, Thystia came back.
"Alright, which would you like?" she asked, setting down rolls of material. "Silk? Something a little more durable?"
"Before that," said Fox, "I have a question. Does that back door eventually lead outside?"
"…there is a back entrance, yes," said Thystia, raising an eyebrow. "If you're thinking of sneaking out before I can tell my friends you came here, I'll just tell them how to find you."
"Lovely," said Krystal.
"No, it's something else," said Fox. "I'll be back in a moment."
Thystia's back door led to a back ally, with the main street on Fox's left. Sure enough, there was his target, back to him, watching the front door of Thystia's shop. Fox looked right, and saw no one. The guy was entirely on his own, exposed.
I'd say this was too easy if it weren't for the fact this guy was too obviously nervous, thought Fox. He had the sense the guy had drawn the short straw in the lots, so to speak. Still, Fox kept his guard up as he snuck up to the todd.
The todd didn't notice him. In fact, he seemed to be fumbling with a piece of paper in his paws.
When Fox was close enough, he tapped the todd on his shoulder. To see the guy about jump out of his fur and look at him in shock was some good schadenfreude.
"Mind telling me what you're doing, following us?" said Fox. The todd looked to be about middle age, and average in build. If he resisted, Fox could take him. He didn't want this to come to blows, though. They were in a public place, surrounded by people, and any incident would reflect badly on him and Krystal's family.
The todd just stared, and his muzzle flopped open and closed.
"Well?" said Fox.
The guy bolted. Fox was about to sprint after him when saw something fall to the ground. He looked down, then back up, and cursed under his breath as he saw the guy vanish into the crowd. Trying to chase someone through a crowd in an unfamiliar setting would be foolish.
He looked back down at the piece of paper. He picked it up. It was shaped like a business card, white with a blue symbol. It showed a galaxy, encircled by a blue ring. Fox flipped it over, and there were some words in Cerinian characters.
If this looked a business card…in fact, with the symbol on the back, it almost reminded Fox of a membership card-
Fox's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Bingo," he whispered. He pocketed the card securely. He turned around, to walk back to the shop, only to walk into something soft.
"Oh!" said a gentle voice. Fox looked, blushed, and then looked up. The kindly face of Garnet looked down at him, a basket of produce in her right arm.
"Hi Garnet," said Fox, smiling at a friendly face.
"Fox? Ah, hello," said the matronly vixen. Her free arm pulled him into a gentle embrace. "Be careful when you turn around like that so quickly, you might hurt yourself."
"Sorry," said Fox. "Just…in something of a rush."
"There you are! Did you get him?"
It was Krystal, running up to the two of them.
"There you are, Krystal," said Garnet. She set down the basket she was carrying and pulled Krystal into her hug with her other arm. "Lovely to find you too. I was just grabbing some things for dinner later today, hoping to run into you both so I could tell you to hurry on home soon."
"Hi, auntie," said Krystal. She looked back at Fox. "Well? Did you find him?"
"I did," said Fox. "He got away, but he dropped something, and…actually, Garnet?"
"Yes, dear?" said Garnet.
"Do you recognize this symbol?" He handed the card to the tall vixen.
Garnet stared at the symbol. Her eyes narrowed, and she clutched Fox and Krystal tighter.
"This is a party membership card," said Garnet. "For the Order of the Expanse."
Fox didn't have to tell Garnet twice that they were heading home. When they arrived and briefed Lapis and Azu on everything that happened with the strange todd that followed them, they grew pensive. Lapis in particular was crossed. The way she examined that party membership card, Fox thought it was going to burst into flames.
"This," said Lapis, "is in character for them. Expanse members are the quietest in assembly, but now I know they would prefer to insult me quietly than meet me face-to-face."
"To explain, methods like this are an affront to this family, as you are a guest in this household," said Azu.
"I'm guessing that Expanse policy is to stay in the shadows and watch?" said Fox. "Non-confrontational to the point of being clandestine. Charming."
"Certainly the opposite of those Fortress clowns," said Krystal. "We had a run in with them in the town square."
"So I heard," said Lapis. "Lovely people, aren't they?"
"Especially when they screamed at me and Fox's faces."
"What?" said Garnet, her voice hardening. "How dare they?"
"But you both handled yourselves well, also from what I heard?" said Lapis.
"I gave them a hard talking-to, and they weren't going to try anything with all those towns people there," said Krystal, crossing her arms. "They deflated quickly. Fox got more venom than I did."
Everyone looked at Fox.
"I stonewalled them," said Fox. "Like Krystal said, they deflated. Once it became clear they weren't getting the rise from me they wanted, they realized how isolated they were in this town."
Fox felt two arms wrap around him and pull him close. It was Garnet, and she sighed.
"All the same," said Garnet, giving him a squeeze. "Inexcusable."
"You're spoiling him, sister," said Lapis, smiling.
"Hush," said Garnet.
"But I'm wondering more about the guy who followed us," said Fox.
"Likely spying on my daughter," said Azu. "Though the Expanse is technically on the same side of the policy spectrum as the Horizon, there is no communication between us, and I would venture they don't feel any desire to open up channels between us. So they resort to peering into my daughter's life to get a better idea of the successor to Lapis."
"…no," said Fox. "I have a better guess."
"What do you think?" said Lapis, raising her eyebrow.
"They're spying on me," said Fox.
Lapis stared at him, and then crossed her arms and gave him an even look. "Why say that?"
"Think about it," said Fox. "What separates the Expanse and the Fortress in their extreme views, at least to me, is their attitude towards the outside world. The Fortress people want nothing to do with it. It's why they were so venomous to me today. Despite the fact that I don't want to hurt their planet or even get them involved in anything beyond what their leaders want, they immediately assume that a foreigner means doom for them all. Contrast that with the Expanse. They are quite interested in the outside world, and would even like to rule it. But I'm gathering very few of them have ever had a chance to actually meet someone from offworld. Meanwhile, everyone in Ca Jouja knows I'm around. And I'm close to you all, which means they can't just walk up and ask me things without having to go through you or getting involved with you." Fox nodded. "See what I mean?"
"So they resort to spying to prevent from having to awkwardly shake my paw," said Lapis. She thought about this for a moment, and then…snorted.
"What?" said Fox.
"It displeases me immensely that they would be so stuck up as to resort to this," said Lapis. "Spying on you and my daughter!"
"And I'm gathering that they probably don't think much of me enough to actually send someone good at tailing to do the job." Fox scowled. "And I'll be honest, it's not the Fortress people that worry me. It's them."
"Why?" said Krystal. "Shady though they may be, they aren't accosting us in the street."
"Their ideology reminds me of Andorss's."
That name about rushed the air out of the room. Azu, Lapis, and Krystal looked at him sharply, and Fox felt Garnet hug him tighter.
"…how?" said Lapis.
"Andross believed everyone in Lylat, but for his closest followers, was beneath him. Only he had the right to rule Lylat, only he had the intellect for it, and everyone was better off just turning their brains off and being led by him. Not surprisingly, people told him no. And he went over the edge." Fox's eyes darkened. "He about murdered all life in Lylat over that."
"Life across an entire system?" Azu said, in disbelief.
"He was a gifted weapons scientist," said Fox tiredly. "Some of the most extensive weapon's regulation legislation in Lylat's history was passed after the war."
Fox let the stunned silence sit in the room for a moment before continuing.
"The Expanse's belief that they have the right to rule all of Lylat as its 'benevolent' leaders rubs me the wrong way, just as Andross's politics did. Never underestimate people with god complexes."
Garnet gave him another squeeze.
"Lapis," she said. "We must heed Fox's words."
"I will," said Lapis. Her eyes were flinty. "All of this, including their lovely attempt at spying, will be brought up in the upcoming meeting." Then, she blinked, and seemed to step out of that role as leader of her faction, and back into the vivacious, lovely role as Krystal's mom, and his employer. She smiled. "You can let him down, Garnet, by the way."
Garnet sighed, and then indeed did put Fox down. But she put his paws on his shoulder and crossed her large tail around him.
"Should either of those radicals try something to him, Krystal, or my family again," she said, her voice stern, "I will be having words with them."
Fox blinked. Yes, in fact, that was the voice of a matriarch.
"That goes for me," said Azu.
"Don't worry, I intend to take good care of my adorable guest," said Lapis. She winked at him.
Fox blushed, and noticed Krystal beaming at him.
The rest of the day was uneventful but for two things. One was another lovely dinner, followed by another bath. The second event was Azu offering to tutor Fox on the Cerinian language. A valuable skill, and an offer that he gratefully accepted. It was another reminder of how much this family had just pulled him close over the last few days.
That evening, he was sitting by the beach, watching the sun sink over the horizon. A content feeling was in his heart. He heard pawsteps behind him in the sand. It was Krystal, and she sat down beside him.
"An eventful day, hm?" she said.
"Yeah, said Fox. "Lot's of intrigue."
"You can't say this is a boring assignment," she said, giggling—it sounded heavenly. "I'm glad we can keep things interesting on Cerinia. Being tailed! Proper spy story bit, there."
"I know, right?" said Fox. He chuckled. "Say, Krystal? Thank you for defending me back there in the square. I appreciate that."
"Don't mention it, it was the right thing to do," she said. "Though, it looked like you were handling it."
"I was, but it was nice to have…" he looked out to the ocean, sudden overcome with a bittersweet feeling, "…backup, you know?"
Krystal looked at Fox with concern, catching his changed tone.
"Fox?" she said.
"…could I ask a question, Krystal?" he asked.
"Absolutely," said Krystal.
"Why are you and your family so nice to me?"
Krystal blinked.
"I mean," said Fox, trying to find the words. "I'm glad you all are, and it's so nice being in a place so welcoming. But you guys are acting like you've known me for weeks, rather than just two days. I haven't felt hospitality like this in…sometime, actually."
Krystal looked at him, and then stared off to sea.
"Auras," said Krystal.
"Huh?" said Fox.
"Part of our powers," said Krystal, "is the sensing of not just feelings, but also the general sense of someone. How you are. And you, Fox, are warm."
"Warm?"
"Warm. Inviting. And needing some company," she said, looking at him with a small smile. "It's common to see auras described in colors, and yours is something like a warm orange. Earthy. I'm sure you've been described as dependable?"
"Many times," said Fox. "Is that associated with the color?"
"It is. You are very upfront and honest, determined, with a gentle and welcoming shine to you, though it is often buried by a solid exterior. However, such people can be…closed off, even when hurting. I have to guess that you tend to bury pains down, and focus on what you need to do, right?"
Fox looked away. "Yeah," he said.
"Such earthy people can be lonely," said Krystal. "So, your aura lets people know you might need some people right now. It certainly helps, with my mother and aunt in particular, that your small stature makes it easier to dote on you." Another giggle. "Auntie Garnet would keep you forever if you let her." Then she was silent for a moment. "Fox, can I be honest with you?"
"Of course."
"I'm worried about you, too."
She blushed, looking at him with honest worry. "Will you be okay?"
Fox just stared at her, feeling a warmth in his chest. He considered the question.
"I feel better than I have in a long time," he said.
"Really?" said Krystal, her tail wagging. "All the atmosphere is a good for you, then!"
Fox looked into her eyes, and a thought that had occurred to him before, in certain moments with the vixen, came to him again. She was so beautiful. And…well, it was rather obvious that he was feeling so much better as of late. Better than he expected to feel.
He looked back out to the ocean.
"Yeah," he said. "It is."