I awoke in Larten's coffin..
I had made a den for myself out of his blanket and pillow.
I was cuddling a small shiny marble I had found in Larten's things. I missed my hoshi but I was holding it.
Larten came in and leaned down. "Lady Fox, you simply must tell me what you like to eat."
I looked up at him and leaned over his food stores, sniffing. I found some star candies and ate them up.
"That will not do." Larten said. "You cannot always eat sweets."
But still, Larten gave me more star candies. He was a sucker for the fox pout.
I leaned up and swiped at my hoshi around his neck.
"I will return it to you later," Larten said. "I cannot have you running away when you are injured now can I?"
"Nyah. Nyah."
Xxx
Larten didn't normally spend time looking after other creatures; even if she was an adorable fox.
But this fox was special. The way she looked at him; the way her eyes sparkled with mischief—he wanted her to be happy.
And for that she had to eat. So Larten went around the Cirque. He got exotic foreign food from every part of the world and brought it back to her.
The proud fox turned up her nose at it all.
At this point Larten himself was getting rather hungry.
So, frustrated, he went to the fire and made himself a meal. The fox came to his side and sniffed appreciatively.
She ate tidbits from his hand, and he finally finished cooking and placed the plate in front of her.
She ate it all!
"I see, you stubborn vixen!" Larten exclaimed. "You will only eat from my hand.
He didn't know if he should feel this flattered.