Falco stumbled over to the coffee machine rubbing the feathers on his forehead. They were standing astray, choosing their own directions as they sat on his head. He remembered how Fox used to joke that he gave new meaning to the term bed head. Falco struggled with pulling out a styrofoam cup out of the dispenser. When the hotel had said 'complementary breakfast' he didn't expect anything spectacular, but he was hoping at least for something a little more than the tiny cereal boxes and milk cartons on the long clothed table against the wall. Katt was still in her room getting dressed. He figured not to wait for her. The morning light was just hitting the palm trees outside the wall sized lobby windows as hot coffee stung his hand.
"Damn!"
"Well I'll be damned," came a young male's voice from behind him. It sounded awfully familiar to the avian. Falco turned around to see Bill in a white shirt and tropical style swim trunks, the usual sunglasses in the rightful place as well.
"Don't grin at me like that," muttered Falco as he licked coffee off his feathers.
"Man, someone sure is grumpy!" cooed Bill as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.
"How the hell did you find me anyway?" continued Falco in the same sharp tone as he buttered a bagel. "I'm here on a mission to escape from everyone and I have to run into you."
"Aw c'mon, you know you're happy to see me bud." He smiled and reached over Falco to get some sugar. Pulling open the small packet and pouring the powder into his orange juice.
Falco raised an eyebrow, "Well at least you got a chance to escape earlier than I did. All this annoying crap is happening on Corneria with the government transition and of course the terrorist attack."
Bill nodded and took a sip of his enriched orange juice, frowning at the taste. He reached for another sugar packet. "That's why you're here though. Katt's ambassador and you're the support."
"That seems to be my main purpose in this relationship. I'm support."
Bill laughed and sat down at the closest table before taking another sip of his drink, now smiling at the taste. "Sorry I missed out on the Lylat Unity meeting, but Elena and I had to get away. However we have learned a thing or two about this Tigrinian Federation."
Falco sat down and took a bite of his bagel. "Maybe the info can wait til Katt gets down here. She's the one with the duty." He blew on his coffee as a squirrel came up behind Bill. She was female, gray fur, her hands quickly found the canine's shoulders. He jumped from the touch, quickly relaxing into the massage. Falco looked up. "Hey," he greeted unintentionally sounding scornful.
Bill smiled, "You haven't forgotten who Elena is already have you?"
"Of course not!"
"Goodness, someone sure is grumpy!" she cooed, smiling at Falco. He quickly noticed they had matching tropical trunks.
"You two really have been enjoying your vacation haven't you?"
"Definitely." She sat down next to Bill taking a sip of his orange juice. She quickly gagged, glaring at him.
Falco nodded his head. "Yeah I know, the sugar..."
Elena frowned. "I know!" She reached for another packet. "There's hardly enough!" The white powder blended in with the orange juice as Falco found his head slowly shaking from side to side. "Sorry we missed out on all the partying at Corneria, but right after the planet was liberated Bill and I just decided to head straight to Zoness instead of home. We figured we deserved the break." Bill pulled his arm around her as his tail wagged through the spokes on the chair. "Give our regards to Olivia. She seems to be handling her leadership well. Lylat loves her. I haven't seen interplanetary enthusiasm like this since I was a cadet."
Falco smiled, the first smile of the morning as he sipped his coffee. "Well," he started. "She loves Lylat too."
Wolf opened his eyes feeling the sheets draped around him. His body felt stiff from just waking up, quickly finding himself stretching out his legs and yawning, showing off his sharper canine teeth. He was on the right side of the bed, finding the sheets to be a rich blue color. He couldn't see the rest of the bed to his left, a fault of his impaired peripheral vision, the one blind eye. He turned his head to see an empty spot. The sheets were disturbed and ruffled showing someone had been in them moments before. He ran his paw over the spot. It was warm. Orange hairs were sprinkled on the covers next to him. The fiery color caught the dim light well. They were Fox's. He was quickly reminded what had happened the night before. It was almost a blur to him now. He couldn't help but feel a pang of fear fill his stomach, the realization that what they had done was real and not some dream.
Now Wolf was a person of reason. He felt his thoughts drifting towards his memories, trying desperately to find the source of why this had happened. Why had this happened was a damn good question. Everything felt strange now. This wasn't supposed to have happened. He knew those kind of feelings were there but he never thought they'd be satisfied, not like this. Girls. Damn, he had to find girls that he had liked. Whoa wait, too late for that. We're way past trying to reconcile ourselves that way Wolf. His memories still sifted between one after another. He had never been intimate with anyone. His youth was spent mostly with Andross. There was never time to be close to anyone. Dammit I don't want to be this, cried Wolf in his thoughts. I don't want to be this! I don't want to be this!
"Hey." Fox stood in the doorway, wearing white shorts and a faded 'Corneria Rules!' t-shirt. Wolf quickly sat up, as though guilty from thinking what he had thought. A strange betrayal built up inside him. It was too late to fight his feelings now...way too late.
Before he knew it Fox was already sitting on the bed in front of him, his legs hanging over the side. He looked great, even in the morning with his fur ruffled, the fiery coat twisting around and sticking out aimlessly. His eyes met his. Fox quickly saw the fear in Wolf's face. He knew why he was afraid.
"What...happens now?" questioned Fox, trying to force a smile.
'What happens now? What happens now?!' screamed Wolf inside his head. You're supposed to know what to do. You're the great Fox McCloud, always the cunning bastard with answers, always with a plan.
"You don't regret any of this do you?" questioned Fox. He sounded unsure of himself, like maybe he regretted it himself. Wolf couldn't tell. There wasn't time to decipher the tone of voice. He was forced to think back again. It's time to listen to my feelings he finally deemed. And right now this felt right. It was weird. It was messed up, but it felt right strangely enough. The only thing that was holding him back was fear. Fear of being something that he was afraid to be. It seemed ridiculous now. Damn it. Damn me, he thought. Wait, the question was regret. Do I regret it? I loved what we did. I wouldn't think twice before doing it again. I'm just afraid of what happens now. I'm afraid.
"No," he finally said. "I don't."
Fox smiled. It was a truthful smile, powerful but fading as he motioned close to Wolf, slowly at first. Wolf slightly recoiled moving his head back but Fox pushed himself forward and his muzzle found his, tenderly planting itself against him. Wolf tensed up, unsure of what they were doing.
Fox pulled away carefully, looking at Wolf. "I don't know what to do Wolf. I want to do this. I want to like you. I want you to like me, but...you're afraid."
Wolf strained his face as Fox held him close. "I'm afraid of what being what...what doing this makes someone." That didn't make much sense out loud, but Fox knew what he was talking about.
"Being a tailraiser?"
"Don't say that!" shot Wolf. He hadn't meant for the sharp interjection, but it came out in reflex.
"I see now," Fox said carefully. "You're afraid of the appearance this could create."
"Could? They'll know Fox. They'll find out. We can't hide this."
Suddenly Fox didn't look so brazen, so courageous. A sudden twitch flitted through his left ear. "Uh...why not?" That sounded callous. Fox cringed inside his head. "No one has to know..." He didn't like saying that either. It was Fox's turn to feel guilty for his thoughts. He tried to shake off the feeling and keep composure, his eyes not leaving Wolf's. For a moment they were silent. Wolf's face stared in disbelief as though he had just seen a horrid train wreck unfold before him. Why not? Why not?! I don't want to be known as a tailraiser but I don't want to this to be a machination either. The alarm clock suddenly cried out.
"Time 7:30A.M!" the voice announced.
Wolf shook his head pressing a paw against the clock to silence it. He kept his good eye locked on him. "Fox...you know that won't work..."
"No." He said louder nodding his head as though starting a new mission. "It can if we try. I mean what do you want from this? We can't have both the positives."
Wolf pulled the sheets off of him and slid off the bed. His feet met the floor. The carpet was soft, meshing between his toes and comforting his padded paws. He stopped for a moment, sitting in the same position Fox was now. Suddenly it dawned on him.
"You're just as afraid aren't you?"
Fox's face twisted, his ears slicking back as well. "I'm not afraid of anything!"
"Something tells me otherwise..." Wolf said carefully.
"I saved a fucking planet!" Fox shouted, getting up from the bed and standing. He took a defensive stance to match his tone. "Twice! And I'm not afraid of a damn thing!"
"You're not afraid?! You lift my tail one moment, press your lips to mine, and the next moment you act like this is something bad!"
"What?!" Fox growled. "You said it yourself Wolf! 'They'll know Fox! We can't hide this Fox!' If you want to hear it from me, I don't think it's bad at all! I love it! I'm not afraid of my feelings! I know who I am! But you know who will think it's bad?!" He stomped over to the curtains and threw them apart, the sudden burst of light making his eyes narrow. A magnificent view met Wolf as he stood up. Corneria City, the steeple topped skyscrapers of glass far in the valley's distance glistened in the early morning light. "They will think it's bad Wolf!" He pointed straight at the skyline. "They will think it! Not me!"
Wolf went silent still staring at the buildings. Fox's voice turned scratchy from shouting. "They will think it...I swear they will...It won't be me..." He was short of breath huffing now with stress.
Wolf found himself in Fox's arms again just hugging him, not thinking of anything else. He hated seeing Fox like this. Fox was the stronger one, and he needed him more than anything right now because he was lost, just lost without him. "Then they don't have to know. I want you to know Fox..." he started softly. "That I know who I am too." Fox had gone quiet during the embrace, just tightening his arms around the gray fur he held, not wanting to let go.
"Hey Olivia?" Max leaned against the bathroom door, giving it a few more knocks. He had been waiting for at least a good fifteen minutes. "Did I do something wrong? Because I mean, if I did...I'm sorry."
He heard the sound of objects clanging around from behind the door. Something was definitely up. "Olivia can you hear me?"
"Yes!" came a muffled shout from inside. "Just give me a minute...no you didn't do anything wrong!" Her voice sounded happier which made Max breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm just...doing women's things."
Max backed away from the door, "Oh..."
There was a sudden knock on the bedroom door. A pang of fear zipped straight to Max's tail. "Shit!" he gasped.
"Chancellor Cardus?" came a male voice. "Are you decent? I have your breakfast!" The voice sounded cheerful as the doorknob began to turn.
Max looked around, somewhere to hide. Dammit there was nothing. He swerved around, but the servant had already entered. It was a short robot, only up to Max's chest, holding a tray in both hands. He had highly formal attire, a white coat that came up to the neck with black slacks and large red boots. He had the form of a young rodent, except for his metallic features. They locked eyes for a moment, the robot's larger ones analyzing the feline carefully. They were a blue, very bright, almost glowing. "Mr. Deveron?" it asked curiously.
Max froze. "Er...yes!"
The robot ignored him for a moment and marched over toward a table shelf. It rigidly put the tray down and made a sharp movement to face him again. "Are you a visitor?" it inquired.
Max still had the same expression he held when the servant had entered, a sort of shell shocked eyes wide face. "Yes!" he quirked.
The robot shook his head. "You did not check in at security. All visitors must check in at the main gate entrance for security." It folded its arms. "Mr. Deveron, you might be a planetary hero but you should still respect the security establishments of this residence. Even Fox McCloud would have to do the same."
"You're absolutely right," broke Max, nodding his head. He raised his arms up playfully. "I don't know what I was thinking!"
The robot's eyes glinted happily. "It's perfectly ok, but we have to be safe you know." His head turned downward stiffly. "Especially because of recent events."
Just then the bathroom door flew open and Olivia came out wearing her bathrobe. Her eyes caught Max's, then the servant's. "Good morning Chancellor!" it chirped.
"Oh hell..." she groaned. "Hey Maximus." She smirked at him. It was definitely one of those awkward 'morning after' moments, but Olivia seemed to take it in stride.
The servant had the tray again and rotated around to face her. "I brought you breakfast! It's an egg omelet with cheese, a muffin, and ice tea!"
Max picked up his jacket off the floor and started putting it on uncomfortably. "With a lemon of course!" it finished.
Olivia grimaced, "Listen...which one are you? Nigel? Nebel?..."
"Nevel."
"Yeah Nevel, hey listen. We'd like some privacy right now. Perhaps you could leave?" She nodded toward the door.
The robot paused and looked at her carefully. Its head turned awkwardly toward the bed and scanned the messy sheets, then his eyes scanned backed to Max who was still struggling with his jacket. "Oh," it said softly. It noticed the moderate mess of the room, clothes tossed around, Olivia in her bathrobe...
"Ooooh!" it said more slowly with a slight curve in tone.
"OH WHAT?! I SAID GET OUT!"
The robot's eyes widened with a chirp of beeps. It quickly made its way to the door, marching out. Olivia was there to slam the door shut behind him.
"You think he suspected something?" Max asked with a grin behind his whiskers.
"I don't know," she said carefully, still looking at the door.
"I've never known a droid to gossip," started the calico. "But they make them so damn smart now."
"And damn annoying too," added Olivia. "One thing I need to do though."
"What would that be?" he asked curiously. She took him by the shoulders and slowly moved forward, her beak meeting his lips. For a moment he was stunned but he wrapped his arms around her uneasily, still surprised from the sudden gesture. He was reminded how she was slightly taller than him but he didn't mind. The feline soon started purring in contentment as she held the embrace. A panel on the wall just next to the bed began sounding off several alert beeps. It was her personal message indicator. She pulled away from Max breathing heavily. "Dammit," she gasped. She brushed past Max to get to it, immediately tripping on one of his boots. The cardinal caught herself and made it to the panel, activating it. An aged looking raccoon appeared. It was her chief advisor Akun. Max quickly ducked out of the panel's view throwing himself to the floor.
"Chancellor Cardus?"
"Yeah what is it," she chirped looking back to see if Max had disappeared. He was sprawled on his stomach, looking at her apprehensively from the floor. Her face jerked back to meet the raccoon's as she tightened her bath robe and straightened the taller red feathers on her head.
He frowned. "What was that? I heard a loud thump when you appeared."
"Oh that was...that was..." she frantically looked around. She saw the tray of food nearby. "My breakfast! Oh I...dropped my breakfast. Everything's fine though. I'll get it cleaned."
"I see..."
"Egg omelet." She shook her head, faking remorse. "It looked good too." Olivia looked down at the floor as though seeing a mess when in reality the breakfast was comfortably on its tray nearby. "I mean, people work so hard to make those things...for other people to eat...and then it just has to be ruined...like this...you know..." Max glared at her from the floor gesturing his hand around. "Wrap it up," he muttered under his breath. "Yes. It's fine," snapped Olivia. "What is it Akun?"
"Right...," he said slightly confused. "Anyways I just wanted to let you know that today your presence will be required at the planetary security briefing at 9 o'clock sharp. Please be ready to discuss serious matters Chancellor. The duty of our planet calls."
"Oh ok, well duty here I come." She smiled sarcastically.
The raccoon frowned again. "Chancellor I wish that you'd respect your position. Sometimes I think you don't know how important your job is. I await your presence. Akun out." The screen went blank as Olivia scowled at it.
She tilted her head mocking him while mouthing his words and grumbling. Max brushed himself off the floor. "You know, I'd really like to talk about what we did last night." This caught her off guard. She stopped and turned to look at him.
"What is there to talk about?" She asked curtly. The matter didn't seem that important to her. Max put his hands in his jacket pockets as though unsure where to put them. He was still a little frazzled from the kiss and sudden maneuver to hide.
"I see..," he finished. He was sort of catching the hint where he fit into the whole spectrum. She sounded busy even when she talked at 8:30 in the morning.
"Look Max," she put her hands on his shoulders which felt awkward to him, expecting another abrupt kiss. "We have a duty to this planet. We're not going to let this get caught up in all that are we? I really enjoyed what we did, and wouldn't mind doing it more...on say..." She looked around. "A regular basis?"
He nodded carefully not sure how to respond. "Well...uh yeah sure Olivia." He had wanted something with a little more meaning but she was right, they had careers, duty, jobs, whatever else they did in their lives. Olivia was definitely a bizarre woman. He had never met any lady in his whole life who would have offered this type of casual arrangement. It was definitely new territory for him, but it was alright he concluded. He couldn't fight the feeling though that he wanted it to mean just a little bit more. It felt so nonchalant, just sex and work, almost like a friend with benefits. Maybe that's what he was, a friend with benefits?
She was already dressed in a formal outfit by the time he had finished pondering. She approached him still zipping up her black coat to her neck. She smoothed her outfit and took his hand, "Care to escort me to the senate building?" she asked as though requesting a dance.
"Certainly," he smiled. "Can I get dressed first?" She looked him down. He was only wearing a jacket and a pair of boxers.
The reporter stepped out his car making sure to tighten his tie one more time. He shut the door behind him and locked it as usual. Turning around, his eyes met the hillside house. It was large, had a contemporary design, whitewash stone, large windows and a flat roof, obviously designed for someone rich or famous. This house belonged to Fox McCloud. He checked his notes again making sure the address was correct. '2242 McCloud Ln.' Hell, they had named the entire private drive after him. How's that for indulgence. He had a simple plan in mind. All he was going to do was go up to the door and ask for a few questions about the terrorist attack and see what his thoughts were on it. It wasn't complicated. He started walking up the dirt path to the gate passing under some trees. He glanced to his left to see the city in the distance. The house certainly had a nice location overlooking the valley. He couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. Sure he was the biggest name in Lylatian media, Daniel Karona, but he didn't have roads named after him. The squirrel ran a paw through his oddly shaggy green hair. It was sort of his trademark, something that had gained him a unique recognition.
Before he knew it he was at the door. He tried to look through the door's window but the glass was ribbed, distorting his view. He pressed the bell hearing the soft chime from inside the obviously spacious foyer. Trying to maintain patience he glanced around at the taller trees surrounding him. Fox certainly liked his privacy, he mused, noticing the secluded setting come together now, the only sound being the birds chirping.
Suddenly the door came open. However the person who stood there wasn't Fox. It was a smoky colored wolf with a gray eye patch, Wolf O'Donnell, standing there wearing nothing but a towel. Not who or what he was expecting. Daniel blinked as Wolf gave him a 'who the hell are you' expression while still holding the door open. He eyed the squirrel up and down noticing his formal coat and tie. The reporter composed himself and extended a hand.
"Wolf! Great to meet you at last! I'm Daniel Karona, broadcast journalist from CLN news!"
"Yeah, the green hair guy," finished Wolf uninterested. He took his hand.
The squirrel tried to look around Wolf who was still blocking the doorway. "I actually came here to talk to Fox, but..." He glanced down Wolf's figure noticing his bare white chest fur and towel again. He raised an eyebrow. "Is this a bad time?"
Wolf suddenly looked down noticing the towel as well. He became uneasy still not letting the squirrel in which is obviously what he wanted to do.
"Yeah...we're really busy." Wolf's ear twitched, a small spasm. That was the stupidest thing he could have possibly said. He had to think of some other response fast.
"Busy?" questioned Daniel raising his eyebrow even more.
"No...not busy. I just...Yes it's a bad time Mr. Karona." He was flustered now.
The squirrel nodded but took out a digital tablet and pen, "If I could just come in and ask a few questions..." Wolf kept his arm leaned against the doorway blocking him.
"No I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? I mean surely Fox would love to say a few words to the people of Corneria and of course the people would love to hear." Daniel smiled a bit trying to coerce Wolf, but the lupine stayed firm.
"Uh...Fox is not able to come to the door..."
"Do you usually spend the night at Fox's residence?" Daniel interrupted. It caught Wolf off guard.
"Excuse me?"
The squirrel looked around the garden then back at Wolf. "Here. Do you usually stay the night with Fox?"
Wolf stayed silent staring into the reporter that stood before. He knew what he was hinting at, and he knew he was catching on. He could have lashed out right there and struck him with his fists. He could feel the anger balling up inside, anger he hadn't felt in years. Or maybe it was in his head; maybe it was just an innocent question. Nah, a reporter from the media? There was nothing sacred with those people. Yeah he was enjoying this, but he wasn't going to give him what he wanted. He was going to stay cool. Wolf pulled off his eye patch. This made him more intimidating, the reporter unable to take his sight off the foggy scarred eye. "Listen Mr. Karona," Wolf started. "Fox and I are friends. We've been through a lot together. The reasons I'm here are simply out of circumstance." He hadn't realized it but he was much closer to the reporter now, his muzzle inches from the squirrel's face. Daniel took a step back to regain his personal space.
"I understand Mr. O'Donnell..." Just as he finished, two orange furred arms wrapped around Wolf's stomach and suddenly there he was, Fox McCloud, standing behind him, embracing him. Fox's eyes locked with the reporter from behind Wolf's shoulder and instantly he froze, Wolf doing the same. For a moment there was silence the only sound being the birds chirping again. Both of the reporter's eyebrows were raised as were Fox and Wolf's. Fox felt a sudden warmth flooding around his head as he slowly withdrew his arms. It was like some nightmare where you make a ridiculous mistake. He had made a mistake, a huge one. There was no waking up. He didn't know, Hell, he didn't know he was there. Wolf suddenly said something catching him by surprise.
"Mr. Karona you may leave."
The squirrel opened his mouth to speak. "Fox McCloud, if I could just ask..."
"Go!" barked Wolf a sudden rage coming out of him.
Daniel's hover car zoomed toward the city passing by moderate tall condos and other buildings. He pulled out his phone. "Janet, Daniel Karona here. Change of plans." He fumbled through his coat getting his tablet out. He began scribbling notes down. "I need you to get me a meeting with a representative from the largest tabloid on Corneria, either the Solar or the Planetary Enquirer...whichever is good. I'll tell you what this is all about later. Can you do that?" He paused waiting for a response. "Great, thanks. I'll be at the station in time for the 9am news." He snapped the phone closed as a soft smirk built at the side of his lips.
Akun put the computer tablet down on the meeting table. "The statistics are in. 12 dead, 53 injured," he stated heavily. The room was somewhat empty only a few other advisors on the far end of the table. Suddenly the doors came open at the head of the room, Olivia's red feathers suddenly catching his eye.
"I'm here," she wheezed, throwing her coat around the largest chair at the head of the table. Max was right at her side looking around awkwardly. His presence at the meeting wasn't really necessary since he was just the commander of a fleet ship and not a real voice in government matters. However Akun wasn't thinking of that, instead he noticed the cardinal let go of Max's hand. He gave her a disapproving frown as she took her seat. She caught it instantly.
"Is there something wrong Akun?" Her tone had a bite of sarcasm.
He folded his arms. "Chancellor Cardus you are ten minutes late, and Mr. Deveron's presence isn't quite de rigueur for this occasion."
"Ok. One," she raised her pointer finger counting off. "We were stuck in traffic on the skyway. Two, I will decide what is de riguer for these meetings."
"But I will decide what is appropriate," he finished.
"And three, this is my middle finger." She raised it, one of the advisors gasping at the other end of the long table. Max's ears popped straight up as he tried to stifle a laugh. The raccoon, clearly insulted, raised his chin.
"Chancellor...we have a serious situation on our hands and this type of conduct is highly unnecessary." He made a deep sigh and picked up the data tablet off the table. "I suggest we continue our work. We must contact Ambassador Monroe immediately and let her know the situation."
Olivia lowered her finger and grinned with a taste of saccharine. "Oh now he wants to work instead of insult me. Alright then, let's get to work." She grinned at Max who was sitting on a corner seat next to her, then at everyone else, then at the tablet in front of her.
"Do you think he suspected anything?" Wolf continued to stare into his mug of coffee while sitting on a stool. He had his elbow propped on the island counter in the kitchen. Fox was padding around the linoleum tiles with one hand rubbing his forehead.
"I screwed up. I really screwed up this time. I mean I've messed up before but not like this. This is bad."
Wolf shook his head, "Don't make a big deal out of this. Let's just go over exactly what happened step by step. It might not have looked that...bad."
Fox looked at him like he was an idiot. "Ok," Wolf said carefully, "Maybe it was a little bad."
Fox made a tired sigh, "I mean...ok first, you answer the door in a towel."
"Sorry about that."
"Then I come up behind you and I put my arms around you...like this." Suddenly he was behind Wolf, wrapping his arms around him moving his muzzle close to him as well. The tension of the situation rapidly disappeared.
"What would you have done if no one was at the door?" Wolf questioned softly feeling the hot breath puff into the back of his neck.
Fox paused for a moment and tightened his arms pulling him closer. He brought his lips to Wolf's fur nuzzling his neck and placing a kiss. Wolf smiled. "I see."
Fox pulled away, "You know what I think?" Wolf turned around, looking at him curiously with his good eye. "I think that he won't be able to do anything. I mean what's he going to do? Announce something that was merely a suggestion in front of him? Daniel Karona is a big network honcho and he has to consult his network to do anything. He wouldn't be able to break a story as shoddy as this. And besides all the news networks are reporting on the terrorist threat right now."
Wolf nodded carefully. "I suppose this is true." He nodded some more. "Yes...I think you're right."
Fox smiled but it was drained with stress, "I hope I'm right."
"And that's how I saved the Great Fox from a missile attack in Sector Z," Katt finished taking another sip from her coffee. Elena's face brightened.
"Wow! You really are something else!"
Falco frowned, "Oh come on! You took out one missile! The team had to take out the other four.
"Well," she smirked. "I was support."
"Hey speaking of support!" Bill started, "What are your plans here on Zoness Ambassador?"
Katt scowled, "Don't call me that or I'll start calling you Commander!" They all laughed. "Well we're here to look into...," suddenly a chime of beeps in a cute carnival tune interrupted her. They were coming from her PDA. Other people in the now crowded hotel café were turning around to see where it was coming from. "One sec I gotta take this."
"Nice ring tone too," commented Elena nodding her head and taking another sip of her mocha latte. Katt walked some distance over to the windows. She looked out at the ocean and palm trees.
"Katt? It's Olivia."
"Yeah I'm here."
"Change of plans," she looked stressed in the small screen. "Xavier Zan is behind all this terrorist mess. There are possibly more cells hidden on Corneria so things aren't looking good. I'm losing my power fast Katt. My chief advisor is going to move to the senate to override my decision to abstain from military conflict. If he gets senatorial power he could order a fleet to be sent to Zoness to destabilize the Tigrinian Islands."
"Wow," muttered Katt. "What can I do to help?"
"Max and I are coming up with a new plan. It's a little sketchy but we're going to try and set up a meeting of delegates and representatives from each populated Lylatian planet to build support for my cause instead."
Katt shook her head. "I don't know Olivia, this does sound sketchy. Are you sure it's a good idea to stir up the government on Corneria?"
"I don't have a choice. I have to stand up for what I believe in. You don't want any more military conflict do you? This whole system has seen enough."
Katt was able to answer that quickly. "No." She remembered back to the destruction of the Zonessian capital, her home. She shook her head, "No of course not."
"Good," Olivia nodded. "Head to Macbeth. Get into contact with Maclar Prole the Viceroy of the planet. Let him know of our plans but don't tell him that the leader of Corneria is conflicting her own senate. That'll make him uneasy about it. I have another meeting in ten minutes so I have to go. Good luck alright?"
"Olivia wait!" Katt belted. The cardinal paused and returned attention. "What exactly are your plans for the Tigrinian Islands under your cause?"
The Chancellor paused and answered carefully, "We're going to do this with diplomacy Katt. Zan will be a patron to this meeting of delegates as well. We have to use peace. I'll fill you in when you get to Macbeth. Duty calls. Good luck Katt. Cardus out." The screen went blank.
Katt closed the PDA with a quick snapping motion. "I hope you know what you're doing Olivia. Good luck." She added toward the device in her hand.
The doorbell rang again, the chime echoing through the foyer. "Who the hell could that be?!" snapped Wolf. Fox let go of him and padded towards the door carefully trying to look through the rippled glass, merely seeing a distorted green blob. Wolf checked himself out. He was decent this time, no towel, instead a blue shirt and some of Fox's green cargo pants. They looked good on him he thought. Fox looked back at Wolf, checking him out as well. He glanced over the monitor screen on the wall. It was Slippy.
"Great, now what." Fox muttered. He opened the door.
"Fox!" The green amphibian had a digital tablet in hand with schematics and other design pictures on it. "Am I glad to see you!"
"Hey Slip! Working on the Great Fox?"
"You bet! However I have to share the effort with Arspace which is currently a pain in the ass."
Fox raised an eyebrow but Slippy shrugged and smiled. "Don't worry, it's all politics. Uh...mind if I come in?"
Fox hadn't noticed it but he was blocking the doorway. He was protective of his home now, almost subconsciously. He chastised himself and quickly let the toad pass.
"Um...who's that?" Slippy questioned pointing at the kitchen which connected openly to the right of the foyer. There were a pair of gray ears peeking over the island counter. Wolf slowly rose smiling sheepishly. "Oh it's you."
Slippy gave a confused smile. "Okaaay," he shrugged it off though. "Cool that you're here though. Want to see some of the Great Fox designs?"
Wolf, who suddenly felt really stupid, tried to shake off the feeling of embarrassment. He padded over and looked at the tablet gesturing for it. Slippy recoiled the tablet playfully. "Na ah! You're going to see it with your own eyes! At the Arspace center we have the prototype hull already constructed. I'd like for both of you!" He grinned wildly and gestured with his arms to the two in front of him, pausing dramatically, "To come and see it yourselves!"
Fox looked over at Wolf. "I'm not doing anything. Are you?" He had wanted to spend the day alone with him but that would be way too awkward if he told Slippy that.
Wolf frowned and rubbed his chin. "I'd like to go but I have to call Cecilia and tell her I'm not going to be in the office again." Slippy raised an eyebrow.
"Shame shame O'Donnell. Skipping days at a job you just got!" The amphibian folded his arms still grinning.
"Do you want me to go or not? Better yet, do you even know what I do at my job?" Slippy shrugged. Suddenly the doorbell rang again.
Fox growled and stomped over to the door and swung it open. An orange tabby in a bright yellow blouse suddenly greeted his eyes. "Cecilia?"
"Fox!" she squealed making his ears ring. "I'm looking for Wolf!" The lupine backed out of view and glanced around the kitchen for somewhere to hide. "He didn't show up at the office, he wasn't at his house and his phone is directing me to the message service! Where is he!?"
"I guess as his secretary you'd like to know?" he asked painfully as though trying to get out of the question.
"Yes!" she squealed in the same pitch she had earlier. Fox cringed.
Slippy suddenly stepped forward moving Fox aside and taking her hand. "Why hello...I'm Slippy Toad."
"Oh..." She brushed a strand of orange hair out of her face and smiled sheepishly at him. She was blushing under her fur too, taking his hand gently and allowing him to guide her into the foyer. Fox stood aside and stared with an eyebrow raised. He closed the door after she entered and continued to watch Slippy walk her in.
"I'm sure you'd like your mystery solved correct?" He asked in a suave tone.
"Oh..." she replied dumbfounded running a paw through her hair giving him another shy smile. "Yes..." Suddenly she sounded soft, not the squeaky braces lisping Cecilia Fox had known. What the hell was going on?
Slippy took her hand again and pointed at the kitchen where a large fuzzy gray tail was sticking out from behind the island counter. "Mystery solved."
Wolf leapt up and smiled at the orange tabby brightly. "Cecilia!" His smile died for a brief second when he glared at Slippy but returned as Cecilia approached.
"Where were you?! Why aren't you in your office being a Chairman of Extraplanetary Affairs?!" She questioned harshly. It was still playful in tone. Wolf figured she wasn't capable of sounding seriously harsh.
Slippy laughed and folded his arms still holding his digital tablet. "Looks like someone's getting the third degree."
"Well...I would be in the office...but..." he paused trying to think of an excuse. Fox's face didn't give him one, but then he glanced at Slippy. "Arspace!"
"What?" she asked. "Fox and I were invited to see the new Great Fox design, so we were..."
"OOH!" she suddenly squealed in excitement cutting him off. "We're going to see the Great Fox! OH! This will be fun!" Wolf's face was still frozen in mid sentence. Fox rubbed his forehead again, the high pitched noise making his head hurt just a little bit more. Slippy didn't seem to mind.
"Well, I don't know we were originally..."
Slippy stepped forward and took Cecilia's paw yet again. "Nonsense. She's invited as well." She kept her eyes locked on the toad's face her whiskers sticking straight out from a smile. Wolf glanced at Fox with a 'what the hell' expression. "Then it's a date," the toad suavely stated. Well it was an attempt to sound suave Wolf thought. He still sounded like an idiot but it appeared Cecilia was won over anyway.
Fox stepped from the foyer into the kitchen, "Well I had sort of wanted to spend time..." Everyone went silent and looked at him. He was looking at Wolf who blinked once or twice. "A date it is," he finished defeated. So much for being alone with Wolf.
"Great!" Cecilia chimed. "And I have the most awesome news!"
Wolf rolled his eyes "I can only imagine..."
The tabby dug into her small colorful purse, "I was at the DHV last week and I finally got my license!" She pulled out an ID card and waved it around with a pair of keys. "And I got a car too! And now we all have to ride together in it to test drive it!"
"Oh..." Fox paused unsure how to respond. "Great!" He smiled.
"Oh..." Wolf paused too, desperately searching for the right word. "Shit." And there it was.
"C'mon! Let's go!" The tabby's tail was flailing around like a helicopter as she pounced toward the door brushing past Fox. Slippy was right behind her with his tablet. Fox glanced over at Wolf who was staring like he had just seen Satan himself.
"Can she drive?" He asked carefully watching Cecilia outside the window deactivate her car alarm as though shooting a phaser. Slippy was laughing and checking out the hovercar's features.
Wolf shook his head. "We're about to find out."
Sorry about the delay. Bill and Elena FINALLY appeared in the story too. They were a big part of Tyrant's Grip so it was about time. Thanks for reading!