"Come on, it's ok." She smiled happily as the creature came into full view. "There that's better now I can see you."

She gasped just slightly as she realized exactly what it was she was seeing in front of her. "You are so beautiful!"

That speedy little streak ended up being the most beautiful fox she had ever seen. It had a sleek silky golden coat and a beautiful fluffy tail, almost the length of its entire body. It's eyes were a shining silver that looked as though the Earth's moon was held captive within them. It had a silver collar around it's neck that matched with it's eyes perfectly. Attached to the collar was a letter that only now caught her attention.

"Hey, what's this?" she inquired, more to herself then anyone.

The letter looked as though it was meant for someone of great importance. It was outlined in a very lovely silver vine pattern and had a wax seal with the image of a fox with wings on it.

"I suppose that the only way to get this to the person it belongs to is to read it... I hope they don't mind." She hesitated for a moment unsure if the fox would flee her extended hand. After a moment, when she was sure that the fox was entirely focused on it's meal she slowly extended her hand and gently removed the letter so as not to startle the fox. She cracked the wax seal and unfolded it to expose its contents.

Hello Andrea,

I've sent this fox to you to help you overcome any stress you may find along the path you have chosen. Adjusting to a new life is never simple. She will listen to you once you tell her who you are, if you haven't already that is. You can give her a name and don't be fooled she can understand everything you say. I think this fox will give you some well needed friendship in times to come. I have some advice for you as well, "listen to your heart." I won't steer you wrong, not here.
From,

The Guardian of Gaea

"So, that's where you came from." Andrea stated plainly. She was a little unnerved that a fox has managed to find her on a floating fortress and by accident no less... or was this all planed from the start? Pushing her thoughts aside she tended to the immediate matters at hand. "I'm Andrea. It is a pleasure to meet you. Well now, what do you want to be called... hmm...how about Goldie?"

The fox snarled almost viciously at the mere thought of a name like that.

Taking the hint she moved on to the next most obvious thing she could think of. "Ok then how about sunshine?"

The fox stuck its tongue out and shook it's head. It wasn't as bad as the first but still just wrong.

After a long pause as she thought more carefully about what to call the little fox she came up with another, less obvious one. "Well what do you think of Hope then since that's what you're bringing me."

The fox jumped up and licked Andrea's face in an obvious yes that made Andrea giggle and stroke the soft fur of her new friend.

"Ok then Hope. We had better go tell Folken about you though. He will definitely want to know... I don't even know if there are rules about pets in this place..." She grimaced slightly as the thought of being told she couldn't keep her.

Hope then ran back under the bed in an almost terrified fashion as Andrea merely looked at her in shock. After checking to make sure that she didn't run because of someone out side or in the hallways she sat back down and realized Hope was simply trying to tell her not to say anything.

"Alright already you can stay a secret. Happy now?" she said with a slight chuckle.

I'm sorry it's so short but I'll have the next chapter out as soon as I can, Ok? Please review!