For those of you that read AN's, we're skipping them until chapter 30, because these next three chapters are getting released together.

When Folinic and Suzuran exited the room they had reserved in the Rathaus, everyone waiting stood up, save for the Schultz. The room remained silent and Folinic took a deep breath before saying, "She's stable. No signs of internal ruptures, bruised organs, or buried shrapnel. The only thing of worry is the broken arm, thankfully."

Everyone didn't hold back their sighs of relief and the Schultz released a long puff he had been holding, earning him a glare from Tatjana and Folinic once Evan started hacking at the overabundance of smoke.

"Uncle, please put that away."

Severin groaned in frustration before grinding the butt into the ashtray.

"Once we get back to the landship, we can treat her broken arm properly, until then, she's not using her arm."

"I-I'm so sorry, I-I shouldn't have-"

"It's not your fault," Folinic cut Tatjana off. "None of us knew that the sarkaz warrior was stalking us. Instead, I want to apologize. We should have been more careful, and I think…it was my treatment of that woman that turned the sarkaz against us before we even spoke."

"Yet, you still fought that devil, and all of you are alive to tell the tale, that alone is impressive," the Schultz praised, but instead of easing, Folinic's gaze only hardened.

"The term is sarkaz. I'm sure the meaning of the name 'devil' isn't lost on you," Folinic growled, only for the Schultz to ignore her. "Bitter old bastard…" she cursed in Ursine.

"Folinic!" Provence shouted while covering Suzuran's ears.

"What? It's true, first he refuses to tell us the truth, and now we know he's been sitting on Atro's corpse this whole time!"

Schultz Severin looked to Tatjana who wrung her hands nervously and looked away. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to wait for what he expected to be a verbal beatdown, only to open his eyes to see Folinic glaring at him silently. This little game of chicken lasted for a full three minutes before Severin sighed in defeat and caved.

"What is it you want?"

"To see the bodies. I don't care if they're charred beyond recognition, I just…want to see Atro, please."

"Very well…" the old gendarmerie agreed before standing up, much to Folinic's surprise. He then walked to the door before looking back. Instead of immediately following him, Folinic simply stood there, trying to silently muster the courage to follow.

As she stood there, she thought back to the last two days. Why did she want this so much? What would she get out of this? Did she really want this? That last question pierced a needle into her heart and paralyzed her. Did she dare risk looking upon Atro, as she was now?

It was then, in the darkness of her mind that a light appeared before her. This light gently took her hand and slowly wrapped it in its own, much smaller, hands. The light before her was gentle and it guided her back to the real world.

"Folinic onee-san…let's go together," she said with a small smile. No longer did she feel pain in her heart, for now it was at risk of melting. Of course, Lisa was there for her. She's been with her since the start of this journey and hasn't left her side, never wavering as the winds of conflict tried to extinguish the light that was Lisa.

Then, after pulling Folinic out of her trance, Suzuran turned to Evan and said, "I-I'm not sure why myself, but I believe Evan-san should see too."

"Sure, you've always had good intuition…" Folinic muttered before looking to her field captain and nodding to confirm that it was indeed alright for him to come with.

He sighed and stood up, while Provence gave him a small pat on the shoulder, just as a form of re-assurance before the three of them followed the Schultz, leaving her alone in the room with Tatjana and Reed, who hadn't moved an inch since hearing the news.

Deciding that the draco girl needed a little attention, Provence pushed herself up and walked over to sit next to Reed. The draco didn't even seem to acknowledge her presence, she just continued to stare into space, clearly deep in thought about something. Instead of calling out, Provence moved her tail to place it in Reed's lap, grabbing the draco's attention. The draco looked to Provence with a small bit of surprise, and Provence smiled in response.

Slowly, Reed placed her hands on the mass of fluff. She didn't say anything, but the tactile sense of the fluff was now at the forefront of her mind, she was no longer staring into space.

"It's softer than I thought…" Reed commented as she fluffed the tail. At this, Provence giggled.

"Yeah, no one has a tail fluffier than this, so I take good care of it."

Reed continued to caress the tail gently, as though her hands could light the appendage on fire if she wasn't careful. As she did though, Provence took a good look at the draco girl's expression. There was an innocent shine to her eyes that was rarely seen as she gently stroked the fluff. Provence didn't speak, she simply watched as the draco gently caressed the fluff. No, she wouldn't dare ruin this moment. Reed stared off into space too much anyways.

Meanwhile with the other three, four if the Schultz was counted, they were brought before a cooler door where the Schultz brought out a set of keys and flipped through them until he found the right one and moved to unlock the door.

With a metallic groan, the door was opened and a rush of cold air met them as the dark room came into view. Without hesitation, Folinic walked in, the remaining three following shortly after.

Laid out upon the floor, eight charred mannequins that were once people sat before them, frozen in time. Folinic didn't even give the other bodies a passing glance as she stepped around and over them to one sitting in the back of the room. She didn't entirely know how she knew herself, but looking at it she knew. She would never forget the shape of this body for as long as she lived.

"You really gave me quite the runaround, you stupid cat…" she spoke to the remains in a low and quivering voice.

"I think we should give them a moment…" Suzuran whispered. Severin simply left the room, but before Evan took his step out the door, he looked back to Folinic who was now knelt over the body, choking on her tears. He decided to heed Suzuran's advice.

He knew all too well that goodbyes were a deeply personal affair.

Outside, Severin decided to light another cigar and puffed it into the night air.

"Schultz, sir!" the little nine-tailed vulpo scolded. "How many times do Tatjana-san and I have to ask you to stop smoking?"

"I'm-" Severin tried to say before he started hacking harder than before. The fit lasted longer than some of his previous ones, and he even was forced to grab at his lower end to reset a muscle, which made Evan wince a little.

"Sir…you should take better care of yourself, otherwise you won't have much longer before-" Suzuran counseled. At this, the Schultz laughed.

"I can't seem to hide anything from you. You're a very perceptive child," he cut off. When he looked at her gaze though, he took a small gulp and rubbed the cigar on the wall. "Fine, if I last until the end of this crisis, I'll let you treat me."

"Ok…thank you for stopping," Suzuran replied without a smile as she continued to arch her eyebrows in worry at the Schultz.

"May I ask a question?" Evan prompted, looking at the Schultz. Severin nodded. "Why hide this from us?"

Severin instinctively reached for his lighter, only to be stopped when Suzuran stomped and puffed her cheeks, growling in childish frustration. He sighed and put the light away before looking to the crescent moon barely peeking through the clouds.

"Because we were scared. We were worried when the infected began blaming the council that Rhodes Island would seek reparations from us. Reparations we couldn't afford. I…had to collude with the councilors to wait for the right moment. I'm sure had they had their way, you wouldn't know of the bodies until it was too late for both of us. That's why I assigned Tatjana as your guide. I knew she would tell you the truth at the right time, and I trust her judgment."

"Even though we were coming to help?"

"You must understand, Wolumonde has been in conflict for a long time. Not with another nation or city, but with a group of radical locals known as the Winterwisps."

"The Winterwisps?" Suzuran asked curiously.

"Caprinae natives to the Winterwisp Mountains region. A radical and often violent group who have been trying to expunge Leithanien from the region for decades. When the Great Rift happened, they saw an opportunity and have been needlessly riling up the infected. I fear they plan to turn us upon each other this time…"

As this new information set in , the sound of the door opening caught their attention and Folinic walked out, wiping her eyes which were red and puffy from crying. Her gaze itself was more focused, but they still held the same burning light that that she had started the journey with.

"Are you OK, Folinic onee-san?"

"Yes," Folinic flatly said with very little emotion.

"To exhibit such resilience in the face of grief, especially at your age, is impressive indeed," the Schultz praised.

"Don't patronize me, we still have much to discuss."

"Indeed. Now, there is only one more piece of information to share with you."

The three of them followed the Schultz back to where Provence, Reed, and Tatjana were. When they walked in, Evan noticed Reed was peacefully fluffing Provence's tail and Tatjana was deep in thought. Tatjana stood up and looked at them, and the Schultz stepped forward to speak.

"I'm going to bring something. Please, remain here," he requested before leaving the room. When he returned, he brought an object wrapped in cloth and placed it on the table in a tray. When it was unwrapped, bits and pieces fell onto the tray to reveal a dark purple orb, hazy and cracked, both inside and out, with a sizable chunk missing. "This would be your murder weapon. The core of an L-44 Gramophone recovered from the campsite."

Everyone stared at the orb as it sat in the tray. No one could really make heads or tails of the purpose it held within the devices that were scattered around the city, but thankfully they didn't have to. This one was clearly used up and useless, aside from what it represented.

"Normally, civilians are not allowed to hold such destructive powers. The device, however, is not particularly hard to use. Any Leithanien with a moderate arts education could learn how to operate one in theory though."

"We have to find the murderer…" Folinic muttered as she stared at it. Her eyebrows then narrowed dangerously as she finished, "And then he'll pay."

"How about that," the Schultz quipped, turning the room's attention back to him. "You move past restlessness and sorrow, and you choose revenge."

"Uncle!"

"Folinic onee-san…"

"No, he's right, I should know better. I'm a student of Professor Kal'tsit, and I'm a Rhodes Island combat medic. I should know better than anyone…" Folinic spoke, half to herself. Then, her eyes ignited in a cleaner flame as she took a breath and then said, "But that sarkaz was right. The murderer must face justice, but only the murderer. After all, Atro was a good person. She was just helping people in need, treating the infected. What did she do to deserve this? At least…let me ask them. I need to know why…why they killed her."

"Very well…" Severin agreed. "Until aid arrives, we will do what we can to assist you. This murder, it happened under my watch. It wouldn't sit well with me to further deny you the closure you deserve, that Wolumonde deserves."

"Thank you…Schultz Severin…and apologies for my…erm…attitude."

"I can't say I didn't deserve it."

"...So…you initiated the fight, despite a call for peace…" a voice muffled by heavy blast-resistant armor said to the injured sarkaz as they sat in a makeshift treatment facility with their arm in a crude cast. The sarkaz, damasked and vulnerable, looked away, unable to find an excuse. "I see…you're forbidden from leaving the camp until we leave."

"B-But they-"

A hammer slammed into the earth, creating a cracking sound and the sarkaz warrior scooted back a little.

"Sorry…" the heavily armored juggernaut calmly apologized. " It brings me no joy, but you disobeyed orders to not start fights. I know you were simply trying to help, but what you did will only make it harder to go into town now, making it riskier to gather supplies for winter."

The sarkaz warrior had nothing to say as he lowered his head.

"The others will watch over you, I will go and return with supplies to treat your injuries. After I find flowers to give to the fallen, to apologize for the blood that was further shed from their deaths."

"Be safe, Mudrock."

Footsteps slammed onto the forest floor as they ran. Just as suddenly as they started, they stopped and the owner of the steps uttered one word, "...What…?"

Greythroat gazed around the camp and looked at the remains. Soon, two other footsteps of varying sizes came up beside her.

"W-What happened here?!" Click exclaimed before using her drone to snap photos. "Everything's burned down!"

"We've only been gone a few days…" Greythroat muttered as she strolled through the campsite and looked for evidence.

"Maybe not, had the little rodent not gotten lost in the mountains."

"Hey, quit wounding my pride!" Click shouted, giving a weak punch to Ayerscape's elbow, which he pointedly ignored. "Besides, I got some good footage up there."

"And how will the footage help us now?" Greythroat prompted.

"W-Well, we can bring it to Severin…and…"

"Regardless of what we found in the mountains, it doesn't change the outcome. We were needed here, and look what happened without us…"

"Maybe we were lucky," Ayerscape said before looking at the steel bar that was snapped and the crate with a perfectly rectangular clean spot on it. "Something powerful did this, and someone was here to investigate it before we came back."

"Still…" Greythroat quietly said to herself as she looked at the rubble. It was then that a loud snap echoed through the forest and the crunching of leaves sounded. Greythroat looked to her operators and gave a hand signal to scatter and hide, which they did.

Click for her part chose a nearby bush and peaked out through the leaves to watch as a large, hulking figure walked up to the tent's remains. In a moment of awe, she took out her camera and peaked it out to take a picture, forgetting that the shutter sound would alert the one she was hiding from. Greythroat groaned silently from a tree and pinched her nose, shaking her head at the pathetic display.

"...Who's there…" the armored juggernaut muttered before turning to the bush where Click walked out with her hands up.

"S-Sorry, couldn't help myself."

"...It's fine. Who are you?"

"I'm-" Click started before a hand covered her mouth.

"Don't," Ayerscape's voice sharply whispered before his harsh gaze turned to Mudrock. "Would you mind telling us who you are first?"

"...Very well…" the figure agreed. "You may call me Mudrock."

"Can I introduce myself now?" Click whispered to Ayerscape, and received a flick to the nose in response. "Ow!"

"You don't seem to be from Wolumonde…" Mudrock observed.

"Freeze!" a new voice sounded. Mudrock silently turned their head to Greythroat who had come out of hiding with a crossbow trained on the juggernaut. "Why are you here?"

"I've simply come to pay respects…" Mudrock said before pointing to the flowers in their arms. At this, Greythroat's aim faltered before she pushed her focus back up and the look of surprise was replaced by her stoney glare once more. "I've also come to find supplies left behind to treat one of the wounded of my squad Rhodes Island fought."

Mudrock then turned back to the tent and the trigger was pulled. The bolt whizzed from Greythroat's crossbow. Click's eyes turned red, but before she could act, Ayerscape used his hand to stop her, but he did prepare his blades just in case.

Mud rose from the ground and formed a ball that the arrow struck instead of Mudrock.

"I asked you to freeze."

Mudrock silently gazed at Greythroat, but this time they didn't move. After moments of painful silence, Mudrock's muffled voice spoke through the armor.

"That was a demonstration, apologies if it scared any of you. You couldn't hurt me if you wanted to. If you value your lives, don't wind up a second, please. I would rather more blood not be spilled here."

Greythroat inhaled sharply before lowering her crossbow. "Fine, but don't touch the supplies. I also want an explanation."

"Very well…and thank you…" Mudrock said before kneeling in front of the tent's remains and using their hand to dig a hole they placed the flowers in. "It's cold in the winter, but my friends speak of these flowers. They're like the children of the snowy mountain, cold, but enduring. Rest in peace…"

Mudrock gently covered the flowers and then used their ancient earthen arts to raise the ground under the flowers and make sure the soil wasn't tight enough to suffocate them.

"Now, what happened here?"

"...A murder. Someone used arts to light the camp on fire and murder all those in this tent, including some of our own. I can still hear them…they speak of the burning, the malice. They say it happened so fast, that they didn't have time to know what was happening. A shame, they were all good people…save for the one who murdered them."

"And who murdered them?" Greythroat asked.

"I don't know, they don't tell their names or features, just that they were here."

"And who are 'they'?" Ayerscape asked.

"...The soil, the rocks, and the earth. They speak to me."

"And how do we know you're telling the truth? You do wear the symbol of the reunion movement," Greythroat pointed out. "Are you a Leithanien follower…or did you come from the frozen tundra?"

"Our aimless journey began in Kazdel, as so many sarkaz's do. We left reunion and the tundra, together with Bob, to find a new life…"

"And what life is that?"

"A peaceful one, a comfortable life. Now? We simply desire justice, an explanation for the murder."

"So you set up camp outside Wolumonde? How do we know you're not camping around the city for a chance to plunder it?"

"No, I will not allow my people to plunder Wolumonde. The newcomers wouldn't allow it either."

"Newcomers?"

Mudrock hummed in affirmation before explaining further. "Many Leithaniens, divided by the Great Rift, have joined us. We will also help them, for they are fellow infected."

"You could come to Rhodes Island!" Click cheerfully suggested, earning another hand on the mouth from Ayerscape.

"That is very kind, but now is not the right time. Many are suspicious of Rhodes Island, hateful even, ever since more came and began helping the Schultz. They would never allow us to join you as they are now. Perhaps another time."

Mudrock stood up and Greythroat raised her crossbow once more.

"You're not leaving. We need more from you."

A sigh rumbled from the helmet and Mudrock didn't even bother turning to Greythroat when they asked, "Can you make me?"

Greythroat didn't move a single muscle, yet somehow Mudrock gained a conclusion from this.

"I thought not. Good day, Rhodes Island, I wish you luck in finding the murderer."

With that, the juggernaut disappeared into the fog of the forest, not once did Greythroat falter in aiming at the enigmatic sarkaz, not until the sounds of crunching leaves vanished into mere echoes.

"That was really scary…" Click commented with a shudder. "They're scarier than Blaze."

"Blaze isn't scary, you're just small," Ayerscape verbally poked.

"Enough," Greythroat ordered before they could start arguing, again. "Click, follow Mudrock and scout out their camp. Ayerscape, with me. We'll make contact with our fellow operators."

Both nodded their heads and they proceeded to their assigned tasks.

Dur'nar awoke in the inn, and when she looked around she noticed Evan in a chair, reading a book. He noticed her movements and their gaze met.

"Good evening."

"It's already evening? I slept like a rock then," she said with a stretch. "So, whatcha reading?"

"Some of the local history. Trying to find mentions of the Winterwisps."

"Winterwisps?"

"Caprinae natives who seem to be in conflict with Leithanien," he said before openly sighing. "I guess I should've expected this, but it seems all mentions of conflicts past are gone, erased, or censored. That worries me."

"Yeah, that usually is a recipe for trouble. Most nations have come into conflict with natives. Even in Columbia, history books and classes like to avoid the subject if possible. Some events were too big to hide, but I fear most get the treatment you're seeing."

Evan lowered the book and placed it on the nightstand in silence then looked out the window to the room and into the fog.

"Do you need something? Don't tell anyone, but I hid a few sweets and other snacks among my supplies, so don't hesitate to go digging through my stuff."

He chuckled a little then looked to Dur'nar, especially at the cast she now wore, and his face fell before speaking.

"Am I…really cut out to lead? I mean, I let Folinic lead us around and look at what happened. Maybe we should've stayed in town and helped Severin out with what needs to be done for Wolumonde now…"

Dur'nar hummed in thought then crossed her one arm as she leaned against the bedrest and wall.

"Personally, I don't think you're doing too bad. Sure, you've let Folinic wrap us up in her quest for closure, but think of it this way: At least we were there to help her. Imagine if we weren't there when she encountered the sarkaz warrior, do you really think she would be in a state to try and negotiate like you did?"

He blinked in surprise a little at that.

"Also, you're new to this. I mean, I've made mistakes. You could say I'm at Rhodes because I made a mistake, but that's one mistake I don't regret making. Being a leader is tough, I won't lie. You're always wondering whether you did the right thing, whether you made the best outcome. You second guess yourself and then the anxiety sets in. Just, do what your gut tells you, and everything might work out. Maybe you'll grow into these shoes, but you can't grow without proper nutrition, even I have to admit that."

"I didn't know you had a way with words," he said which made Dur'nar chuckle a little, then she playfully told him to 'stuff it' and they shared a short laugh. When they stopped, Dur'nar's expression changed to a thoughtful one.

"Hey, do you know how Reed's holding up?"

Evan thought back then explained how Reed had seemed pretty shaken up about the whole thing. How she had waited with them in silence, but a small smile graced Dur'nar's lips when she heard about his observation of Reed fluffing Provence's tail.

"That thing's fluffier than it looks too. Honestly, I'm kind of jealous."

"What? Your tail's plenty fluffy."

"Mine's average size, imagine if it was fluffier."

The image hit his head and he gave a snort of amusement.

"Hey, no laughing. You'd love it if I had a tail that fluffy, don't think nobody notices how you oggle Provence's."

"It's almost as big as her! Of course I'm going to stare."

A slam sounded from the wall and they jumped a little before a voice spoke through the thin walls.

"Quit gossiping about my tail, or I'll use it to suffocate the two of you!"

"Yeah? I'm sure Evan would love that! Maybe I'll beat you to the punch!"

"Please, you wish you had this much fluff!"

"You heard him, I have plenty of fluff! Right Evan?"

Dur'nar then turned her head and brought her tail before Evan. "Come on, time to judge it. Is mine fluffy enough for you!"

"Oh, it's a contest now?! You just wait until I get over there and you won't be the only one in a bed!"

His diaphragm nearly popped as he struggled to hold back his laughter. Needless to say his anxiety was gone. He just waited while vibrating with silent laughter with Dur'nar until the door swung open. Only, the one to open the door wasn't Provence. Instead it was a gray-haired liberi girl with a crossbow strapped to her back. Out of surprise, Dur'nar gave a small 'eep' before withdrawing her tail and Greythroat squinted in suspicion at the two.

"Operator Dur'nar, I presume you're the commander of this unit."

"Funny enough, no. This is technically a field operation, Evan here is technically in charge."

Greythroat's gaze turned to him and he suddenly felt insecure for some reason he couldn't exactly pin. That was answered when she spoke.

"So you're telling me, a field operator with no codename is the one in charge of your unit?"

"By request of the Doctor, yes," Dur'nar affirmed. Greythroat took a deep breath then looked to Evan. It was clear she was trying to gauge him off sight alone. Feeling uncomfortable he stood up and walked over.

"Maybe we can take this downstairs, we should let Dur'nar rest."

"Good, bring your other operators with you if you wish, I'll meet you downstairs."

Greythroat turned to leave, and soon after Provence was peeking her head in the door with an awkward smile.

Downstairs, in the lobby of the inn, Evan told Greythroat everything. How they had come as emergency first responders and themselves learned of Atro's fate on only their second day, which was today. He also spoke of how Folinic and Suzuran were currently out and about looking for clues as to who the murderer could be, and how he was searching for clues in the town's literature of the Winterwisps.

"Actually, that's what Click went into the mountains to find out. We couldn't find many clues of the Winterwisps ourselves…" Greythroat added. "But I'm more concerned about the sarkaz from Reunion. If what you said about the lone warrior is true, they may have been stoking the infected's rage before the Winterwisps, before the Great Rift."

"Did Mudrock tell you why they were here?"

"...No, but I believe they were simply following the city as the catastrophe loomed. When the Great Rift happened, I believe they were stranded here, like everyone else. Atro chose to grant them aid anyways, along with any other wanderers roaming outside the town. I…" Greythroat swallowed, her eyes closed as a painful expression sat across her face. "...I can't help but feel responsible…we were assigned to protect Atro as she wandered Leithanien. Perhaps the murderer struck because we were away…"

"Or perhaps the murderer was biding their time, and we wouldn't have noticed anyways…" Ayerscape noted. "You saw how thorough they were. It might be for the best that we weren't there."

"I still can't help but feel we could have done something…" Greythroat noted before gazing at Evan once more, but with a softer stare than the one she had greeted him with. "Evan, I may not trust you to lead, but I will defer to your judgment, as per the Doctor's wish. If you so desire, I am willing to accept command of your unit whenever you see fit. What are your orders?"

"For now, get some rest. I'll think over what we're supposed to do next, and we'll discuss possibilities with the Schultz tomorrow."

"Very well, we will take up vacant rooms and rest, do you have a plan as to who will keep watch overnight?"

"Erm…"

"I'll handle that," Provence volunteered.

"Very well. See you later."

With that goodbye, Greythroat stood up and went to go find a vacant room, and Ayerscape nodded to them before following. This left Evan alone with Provence, since Folinic and Suzuran had decided long ago to retire early on account of learning of their friend's death. Folinic hadn't liked the idea, and her gaze to Evan when he suggested it showed that she would rather be out there, looking for clues. After all that happened, he would rather not have anyone go of their own volition. Then, there was the fact Reed had holed herself up in her room and hadn't been out since they returned to the inn.

It was then, as he thought about the troubles ahead of him, did a feathery weight plop itself on his lap. He looked to see a massive mound of fluff was now in his care, and he looked to its owner, who was smiling smugly at him.

"Go on, touch it. See for yourself how fluffy it is," she invited. "I'm confident my fluff is superior to Dur'nar's."

Remembering their friendly spat from earlier, he couldn't help but chortle before placing his hand on the tail. Once he did, he felt a soft, fuzzy sensation superior to that of the puffiest of puppies, superior in silkiness to the finest mustelid furs, and a softness that any bedding manufacturer would kill for. Indeed, it was far fluffier than it looked, and as he combed his hands through it, he couldn't help but feel enraptured.

"Well we have a winner it seems," Provence chimed as she watched him fluff her tail like an innocent child.

"Well, not exactly fair when I haven't touched Dur'nar's tail, but I doubt anything could come close to this."

"Thank you, I work very hard to maintain this gift. Even if it is just an oripathy mutation."

His hands froze in place. Evan had heard of oripathy mutations before, but he hadn't thought that Provence's tail was the result of one. Hell, he had no idea she was even infected until just now.

"Don't act so surprised, I'm a catastrophe messenger after all. Oripathy comes with the job you could say."

"Well, I imagine you got the luck of the draw for symptoms."

"I know, I was rather surprised when the mutation first took full effect. Most are ugly or make people self conscious, but I imagine plenty would kill for a tail like mine for theirs. So I choose to embrace it."

"Well, I'm certainly enjoying it, now, is there a sweet spot on this tail?"

"Why don't you find out…" Provence teased as she squinted her eyes and gave a wider smile. Evan simply shrugged and then began probing the tail, pushing his hands deep inside until he found the actual spinal extension and began probing. "Wow you're really going for it aren't-"

It was then, a squeal of surprise sounded from Provence and she covered her mouth in embarrassment. With a grin, he began gently scratching and caressing the spot, and soon he had found the sweet spot on the tail. To his mild surprise, and expectation, she swiftly retreated the tail, face beet red.

"I-I think that's enough, I don't think I'm ready for…that…" Provence admitted defeat. Hell, he could see her ears start to flush. "How did you come across such…technique? Any longer and I think I would've made some ungraceful sounds and given people the wrong idea."

"Would you believe me if I said pets?"

"Geez, I'm not a domestic animal…" she said with a light elbow and a playful pout.

"Hey, you asked. I just gave an answer."

They shared one last laugh before he went up to prepare for bed himself. Provence just rubbed her tail back into shape as well as tried to eliminate the wondrous sensation from her mind of someone having found a sweet spot on her tail.