Ch 8: Feisty Kitty, Cute Bunny
By the evening, Autumn was feeling much better. Jangri had stepped out for a moment as the cousins were getting ready to brace the cold for a trip into town with the rabbit. While Autumn was excited, Azure was clearly still irritable. The red head watched the faunus getting dressed in warmer clothing, biting her lower lip. She wanted to ask, wanted to help, but Azure wasn't as open anymore as they were as children. Sitting down on the edge of one of the beds, Autumn watched the cat grumble as she checked her pack of cigarettes and found it was empty.
"What do you want, Autumn?" Azure asked with a sigh, not even glancing over.
"I just… are you ok? I mean… this is my fault…" the girl responded, fiddling with her fingers.
Azure groaned a bit but was mostly silent for a while. By the time she said anything, Autumn was staring down at her fingers. The faunus turned to glance at her, watching for a moment, "Autumn. I'm grown enough to decide if I want to go with you or not. I followed you because I wanted to. Let it go. Mother will be mad regardless of what I do, no need to feel bad about it."
The girl watched her and sighed, "Still… I know we ended up in a mess and you are bored out of your mind…"
"It's fine. I just have other things on my mind," Azure responded simply.
That was true of course. Her mind was preoccupied with the constant thoughts of Lux. Her brain wanted nothing but to think of him, her beast and body nothing but his presence. She was practically drowning in her misery when he wasn't near her now that she knew what his energy felt like. It was the real reason for her restlessness and agitation. Her beast hated being here because he wasn't here. It was just that simple really. Oh course, the twins weren't helping and neither was being cooped up in this hotel but all those things just added to the already irate itch in her soul to run towards him at full force.
Autumn still was unaware of Lux or his presence around Azure lately. She watched when Azure was done, about to speak when Jangri returned holding a small box of something, "Ah. You two are up and ready, good. But we have to help out the youngin first before we go. She can't go out as she is. Won't do mates."
They seemed confused, Azure flashing her teeth a moment as if warning the rabbit to back off her cousin but Jangri ignored her, smiling at Autumn who blushed in return. Autumn accepted the offer to join Jangri at the small table and the rabbit opened the box, "I got this in just in time it seems. I ordered it when I realized you were both stuck here with me. Little Autumn can't go around with us looking human all the time or we will run into issues fast. That's why we haven't gone out too much!"
Autumn was intrigued but confused as Jangri pulled out a small bottle of something and a bunch of black shapes within a container, "Now mate. Hands on the table for me please."
She obeyed and Jangri opened the container and began pulling out what appeared to be claw-like false nails. At first, Azure growled with a very annoyed expression but the faunus knew Jangri was right. They had struggled in the very beginning when joining Jangri around town because of Autumn being human. Many of Jangri's contacts refused to speak with them around autumn even. But still, Azure found it mildly offensive to fake a faunus out of a human. Either way, it was for the sake of the mission she supposed and swallowed down her own opinions on it.
Autumn was watching with some interest as Jangri got each proper fit glued into place and added a liquid at the edges to make them seem seamless. When the rabbit finished, she leaned close, hands patting down Autumn's thighs. It made Autumn turn a vibrant red and a hitched breath left her though she became incredibly embarrassed when tJangri pulled away holding her scroll, "There we are. Found it. Now, see if you can still use this. If you can't yet, it would be best to not try in public. Wouldn't want anyone to realize those are fake."
Autumn reached out with a shaky hand, hanging her head to hide her face though if Jangri was bothered the woman didn't show it, her beautiful smile still showing kindness towards the girl, "O-ok…"
It proved to be a near impossible task for Autumn who never even had nails to begin with, constantly keeping them trimmed back to avoid issues in her training. Azure smirked a bit, finding some satisfaction in watching autumn struggle but when the girl whined, Jangri patted her head, "It's alright mate. Even faunus learn to navigate the world with their inconvenient traits when they are young. But try to keep it in your pocket while we are out alright?"
With that figured out, the two followed Jangri out the inn and down a few streets until they came across a quaint little pet shop. The rabbit smiled even as Azure grumbled, "A pet store? What are we going to sell Autumn or something?"
The human girl whined, shoving Azure, "That's not funny!"
Ignoring their banter, Jangri chuckled a bit, "I have a friend here. He has offered to open up his attic to help get Azure here out of the inn for a while. I told him you were getting stir crazy and he seemed to want to help ya."
She turned to the girls, Azure folding her arms but Autumn was already staring at little critters in the store front with stars of joy in her eyes. Jangri reached, turning the girl back to her attention, "Alright some rules before we go in ya? He is not one to take sides. So we don't discuss the mission here. Don't stare at all his scars, everyone has a past they rather forget. Do not cause trouble with other patrons. Lastly, be nice."
She was eying Azure. The faunus growled lightly and folded her arms. When they entered, a kind voice welcomed them. Autumn gasped, holding her cheeks, "ohmygosh! So many cute animals Azure!"
She rolled her eyes watching Autumn take off to go pet a pin of kittens mewling at her. Jangri was at the counter, Azure watching as she spoke to a dog faunus, "Heya Dakota! It's been a while! How are things?"
He smiled, gesturing around, "well enough. Friends of yours?"
Azure got distracted by Autumn holding up a runty black kitten, squirming and nibbling her fingers lightly, "look Azure! This one is just like you!"
The faunus growled, "Dammit Autumn put It down! Don't compare me to helpless baby animals!"
Autumn just chuckled, cuddling the kitten, giving it a boop to its pink nose, "She's great once you get past all her rugged fussing I promise."
She set the kitten down and was quickly distracted, headed to a pin of rabbits. Azure clicked her tongue, not even slightly surprised as Jangri and Dakota walked over, "Careful. She's bound to find one she thinks is you next."
The two chuckled, Dakota patting Jangri's shoulder, "Unlikely. No one is like her."
The rabbit just smiled, "Azure, this is Dakota. He owns the shop."
She just watched him for a while, glad he didn't offer a hand. The heeler was leaning in a bit though, nose twitching, "Hmm… you smell extremely familiar. A boy who comes by from time to time smelled like you recently I think."
Her face turned a bit red, her eyes catching the twitch in Jangri's ears at the information, her own ears folding in a warning, "You're mistaken old man."
Dakota made a pretend offended gesture, "Old? I'm not even thirty. Please… my nose knows you know."
Jangri reached, placing a hand on Dakota's arm, "She just doesn't want her cousin to hear mate. Best drop that for now. Anyway, why don't you introduce yourself at least before you get all spicy with our host yea?"
Azure rolled her eyes, watching Autumn plucking up a rabbit and cuddling it with her face before swapping for another one, "Azure Xiao Long. That over there is my cousin Autumn Rose. I'd say it's a pleasure but that would be a lie."
The look on Jangri's face was enough to satisfy Azure after the rabbit took a dig at her for smelling of Lux. The dog just chuckled though and even seemed to light up, "Ah! You know I was friends with your older sister Jin! You must come by your attitude naturally!"
Azure was about to retort but he was already making his way to Autumn. It confused her a bit but Jangri stopped her from following, "You need to be more friendly mate. He is friends with that silver wolf and you will be staying here for a few days to get out the hotel for a while. I'm sure your… friend will be around."
Azure could tell it was a warning, yanking her arm from Jangri a bit too roughly to be subtle, "I don't know what you are talking about. Either of you."
The rabbit was still grinning kindly as she leaned close, whispering, "You are a terrible liar. Or was that to convince yourself mate?"
It was infuriating to the feline how easily Jangri seemed to figure her out. As the two were exchanging warning stares, Dakota was standing next to Autumn, leaning on the edge of the pin and watching her excitedly trying to give every small bunny love, "You wouldn't happen to know a Sterling Rose would you?"
Autumn glanced his way, currently snuggling a brown rabbit with massive floppy ears to her chest and chin, "oh! That's my big brother! How did you know?"
The man smiled and reached out, petting the head of the bunny in her arms that was contently tucking into Autumn, "She likes you. Her name is Sugar. Jangri actually rescued her as a little baby."
That seemed to make Autumn elated, glowing with joy and she gave the little rabbit her affections, when she glanced back at him, he was holding out his scroll. There was a photo pulled up from his signal graduation with himself, Jin, and Sterling in the image. It took the girl a moment to realize they had met before that day when she was just a child, looking up at him. It had all been so brief to her, only there for Sterling's graduation really and Dakota looked so different with all his scars on his body, "He was my best friend though we haven't spoken in a long time."
Autumn wasn't sure why Dakota sounded so sad but she reached out, touching his hand lightly. She didn't really know what to say honestly but she could tell there was longing in his face, "He has an office in Anima. You should try to reconnect. I'm sure he wouldn't mind… I can get you the number and…"
Dakota stood up, waving her off kindly, "No that's alright. Besides, I don't want him to see me like this. I think he'd be a bit disappointed I up and quit school too. No it's better this way but thank you, you're very kind."
He leaned close, "Do you want to have that little rabbit?"
Autumn blushed and leaned back, pointing at Jangri, "I'd much rather that one. Any advice? I'm failing so miserably."
They glanced over at the other two, Jangri glancing back with a tilt to her head confused that caused the two to giggle, "Ah. Just don't give up, I'm sure she'll come around. She's quite lonely but she's never dated people really so you have to play the long game."
Autumn grinned and nodded, her hopes renewed. Jangri walked over bringing Azure, arms folding, "Dakota… don't give that sweet girl any ideas."
He played it off with a wave of his hand as Autumn set the bunny back in the pin. She nearly whined when the little animal was trying to get her to pick it back up, making Jangri chuckle, "Good with little animals aren't ya?"
Dakota and Autumn shared a look, the heeler winking before Autumn blushed lightly at Jangri, fidgeting, "mostly just with rabbits although I was beginning to think maybe I'd lost my touch."
If Jangri got the joke, she didn't show it but her smile didn't even flinch, a soft chuckle at Autumn but Azure was sliding her hand over her face at Autumn's attempts. Dakota patted the red head's shoulder to lift her drooping spirits as he turned to the cat, "I can show you to the room if you like while these two go grab some refreshments from the tavern across the street."
As Jangri and Autumn made their way across to the tavern, Dakota looked at the cat curiously. He watched her as he moved to shift some of the storefront blinds a bit, making it harder to see inside. Azure was tracking him out the corner of her eye as she lowered her fingers to the little kitten in the pin that Autumn thought was like her, the frisky spunky little runt sniffing her a moment before purring and rubbing on her hand. She could tell he was watching her as a wave of energy filled the room, making her swoon and dizzy, the bliss of it unmistakeable.
glancing up, she watched Lux walk in from the back rooms, glancing around. The heeler was walking towards the counter, "they are gone. You can come back out."
It was like pure magnetism. Lux went straight for Azure without a second thought, pressing close as she leaned into the acrylic walls of the pin, turned to him and quickly looped her hands around his neck, nuzzling into his chest without caring to wait, "Why are you here…"
He gently nipped a furry black ear, feeling her shiver against him as he growled pleasantly, "I was here already when she showed up with those two. Had to hide. It was so hard to make sure no one smelled me. Dakota had to block the bottom of the door with pet blankets."
She hummed, nipping along his neck, already lost to his scent and presence. He wasn't much better, hands roaming to find her hips and pulling her closer to him, teeth brushing across her neck. Dakota tucked himself away to give them privacy, "You two don't have long… they will be back fairly quickly. The tavern is pretty slow right now."
She hissed a bit but Lux's lips along her jaw calmed the angry kitty. She felt his energy wrapping her in a tight hold, her own pressing to meld into his like one beast as his lips found hers. Her nails dug into his jacket while lips pressed to lips, wet muscles finding each other in a tangled exchange. Her body was on fire with need. She hated to admit it but any day now her heat would come, she could tell and this wasn't helping her fight her body's nature but she didn't care. In a way, it made the most sense to her mind as if there was no other logical answer but for him to be there when it came. She wanted him there for it. No, she needed him there. She knew she would. She could feel the need down to her bones.
As they parted to breathe, she nipped at her favored spot on his neck. He had to apply pressure and move back some to avoid her teeth as they moved like they might sink in, "Azure… don't…"
A pathetic whine slipped from her lips, her body struggling to be closer, "but… why… is there… someone else?"
He let out a soft scoff, his own teeth itching with the ache to mark her neck as he kissed along the skin below her ear, "Only you."
The moment was almost unbearable to her, breathless and squirming to not be held back, "than… please… Lux please…"
He held her in place even as he whined and her energy shifted, trying to dominate his will. It took everything in him to keep his beast from slipping to hers and submitting as nature intended, feeling the anxious, agitated squirming of his own energy inside as he resisted her was practically painful, "We can't… I'm so sorry…"
The emotional whimper that left her as her mind raced trying to figure out what could be the problem made his heart ache so painfully he also whimpered into her skin, trembling on the edge of his resolve, "Please Azure… don't do this right now… can I hold you while I can?"
She curled into him, sinking her teeth into his jacket instead, desperate to soothe the pain in them as he held her, his lips brushing a cat ear sweetly. Dakota cleared his throat and pointed at the two figures making their way back. Lux sighed but it made Azure squirm in desperation, not willing to let go but knowing she had to. He leaned and kissed her deeply, her hands grasping his face and their ears folding in the tender exchange.
Jangri was holding drinks and laughing at a silly joke Autumn had told. She didn't see the exchange but Autumn was just short enough to view it under the blinds. Azure wrapped in that strange wolf, lips against his. She could make out the sorrow on her cousin's expression but she was greatly confused. She had no faunus sense of smell or anything so she was the last to realize that anything was afoot with Azure. Still, she hadn't expected anything like what she was seeing. Torn now on if she should say she could see the wolf at all but she didn't, remembering the rules Jangri had laid out. No mission business at the shop.
She did her best to not be obvious in her surprise though she could tell Jangri had noticed her slight gasp of surprise, "Everything alright mate?"
Quickly, Autumn stepped in front of the rabbit, trying her best to detour everything, "O-oh you know! Just noticed a little animal doing something cute in the window! That's all!"
Inside, he pulled away, Azure becoming more and more a mess the more he stepped away, pulling painfully from her grasp with lowered ears and a whine, "I'll come back soon… I promise… I have to go…"
She was trying her best but he pried her off, quickly slipping from the room out the back door. She stood there for a moment, holding her face, trying to stay standing as she leaned back into the pin behind her, her body shaking as her energy raged inside her like a storm, desperate for him and feeling the fast drop as he was out of reach of her beast, the sadness swirling into a suffocating drowning feeling she could hardly take. Dakota was quick to walk over, watching her carefully, "There there dear. He's a good boy, he'll come back for you. Try to breathe. Everything will be alright. I promise."
She snarled for a moment before the whimper heavily took her, rubbing her wet face to try to pull herself together fast. She forced herself to focus on the room, the baby critters and the dog speaking to her. Forced herself to believe in Lux, probably the easiest feat of all really. Before the store's door opened, she managed to clear herself enough of the waves of pain and misery to seem fine, turning to watch the kittens again to distract herself as the two walked in with drinks. Jangri's nose twitched at the smell of him in the air but she avoided saying anything, knowing very well the safe space rules in the shop.
Autumn was just watching Azure, nibbling her lip, as she handed a soda over to Azure, "Hey… I got you a strawberry one. I know you like them…"
Azure took it, anything to distract herself, focusing on drinking it to avoid having to speak as her voice would surely fail her. It was sweeter than she liked but it kept her mouth busy. Jangri watched the cat for a while before moving to chat with Dakota. While the two cousins were alone, Azure started to move away, nervous about being with her blunt cousin at that moment alone. She got Dakota to point out the stairs and she moved to the attic to find where she would be staying, Autumn in toe.
She had a feeling they were actually trying to find somewhere comfortable for Azure for when her heat came. Autumn knew when she had them and so did the twins. She wouldn't be surprised if someone said something to Jangri but she was glad in the back of her mind that Autumn got to have a good day out. Even if Autumn was able to be more comfortable in such situations she was sure the girl was also getting a bit bored too. As the cat observed the room, moving around it and sipping at her drink, Autumn leaned against the wall by the door. She knew she needed to say something but she was worried about setting Azure off, "Um… Azure?"
The cat just hummed a response, at this moment really wishing she had bought a new pack of her cigarettes to deal with her stress. Her cousin sighed, "Um… you know… um… he is a criminal right?"
Azure froze, staring at the small bed with her back to Autumn. Her brain didn't need to be told, she knew Autumn had seen something though unsure how much. A growl left her at Autumn but she otherwise said nothing. The red head nibbled on her finger, the false claws and filler itchy against her skin, "Azure… I… um… when we were walking back…"
"Don't you have a rabbit to go bother? Why are you talking to me right now? Isn't the point of all this to get me away from you two for a while?" Azure's voice was stark and cold, making the girl flinch.
She couldn't help feeling hurt by it, face falling sadly. Her cousin was clearly dealing with something but Autumn hated how Azure mostly pushed her away these days. With a sad nod, Autumn pushed from the wall, "S-sorry… I just… I'm always here for you Azure you know? Um… I'll leave you alone then…"
The cat sighed, staring at the cup in her hand as she heard the door open and close with Autumn leaving. With an unsatisfying thud she hurled the cup at the wall and growled deeply, panting some and sinking to the floor, hugging her knees, "Dammit…"
She was so frustrated, her inner beast so confused and desperate for his love, that she could hardly breathe again, annoyed that Autumn was hurt because of her but unwilling to try to explain something she hardly understood herself. Really Autumn didn't know much about Azure's love life in general except that the cat had made some interesting choices. Over the years, she had of course tried to be in sexual interactions with a few boys, if at the least to annoy Yang, but anytime anyone ever got close enough to actually having sex with her, her beast would flare up angrily and she would leave, unable to accept them. She was becoming more and more sure it was because of the silver wolf who had bonded with her on some strange level as kids. Her beast would accept no one else.
How she got into this mess almost felt like a joke really. A curious child became a trapped adult, dependent on a wolf she barely knew to bring her beast to life and light her heart and soul on fire. What was she going to do about any of this? Autumn was right and she knew that. Lux was a member of a criminal organization and had contributed to their activity. There was no way this was ever going to end like a happily ever after sort of story. It only made her more annoyed, knowing she was going to lose again in life at something.
Downstairs, Jangri was with Dakota, "I can smell he was here. What are you up to pup?"
He said nothing, watching Autumn coming back from the stairs with a sad expression, "Nothing at all. This is a safe space. I let all walks of life here. What he was doing here is his business and I'm not telling you more than that. Those are the rules 'Gri."
She sighed but nodded. When she also spotted Autumn, her ears dropped, "What's wrong little flower? Was she snippy again?"
Autumn just fiddled with her fingers, lightly rubbing the itchy sealant, "She's just being Azure. No need to worry about her."
She forced a smile though her mind was still wondering. Jangri checked a new message from the twins and frowned, gathering Autumn, "Just got some bad news mate. We should head back to the inn. Dakota, Azure good to stay with you like we discussed?"
He nodded, waving her off, "Of course. If she ends up satisfied with the arrangements I'm more than happy to house her for her heat. Now you two go on. No business in here."
Autumn weakly smiled at the bunny wanting her attention in the pin on the way out and walked with Jangri. The rabbit sighed. Nothing was said between them on the walk back but they both kept stealing glances at each other. Jangri was concerned at the happy girl's mood and Autumn just curious as usual about the rabbit and whatever the bad news was, still worried about Azure.
When they got back to the room, she shed her coat in the silence, spooked as Jangri broke it, realizing the rabbit was standing quite close, "Hey… I wasn't worried about Azure back there yea? I was worried about you. You doing ok mate?"
Autumn's cheeks turned crimson and she tried to laugh it off, flustered, "I-I-I'm fine! She just sometimes is kinda harsh heh. I'll be ok!"
Relief washed on Jangri's face, "Oh good, I'm glad. Well, now that we are back, the twins messaged and said their recruiter wants to put their process on hold for now. Something about a questionable bit of background information the recruiter found that she needs to look further into first."
That was bad news for sure Autumn had to agree. The two settled in, Autumn showering first as Jangri handled some work calls to her agency. When Autumn was done and Jangri jumped in, all Autumn could do was think about everything today from the talk with Dakota to the stuff with Azure. She nibbled her new features and called her brother anyway. At first she didn't reach him but then he called her back.
She could see Indi in the background on a couch with a mug, a cup in Sterling's hand, "Hey you need something? You hardly call out the blue anymore."
She smiled at him, waving at Indi behind him who waved back, "Sorry to interrupt movie night! But I wanted to tell you about something today."
He nodded, Indi waving her off as she got up in the background and disappeared into another room. Sterling just gave a gentle smile, "It's alright. I always have time for you. So what's up?"
She told him all about running into Dakota and the photo the dog shared. Sterling's face seemed to shift at the information, an expression on it strange as she mentioned the scars and his worry of Sterling finding him, "I… had no idea anything had ever happened to him… To be honest… I could've done better to keep in touch over the years when we went off to different school but… well, we don't need to discuss any of that. You said he has a shop in Mistral?"
She nodded, "yup! This cute rabbit we are working with brought me and Azure there today to get us out for a bit! It was so fun there were kitties and bunnies! He was going to give me one! But I know Mom would have a fit!"
Sterling laughed at her excitement, "A rabbit faunus you say? We have one working out there actually from our agency. You know it's not a safe place Autumn, be careful ok? For me?"
She huffed and nodded, "Sterlinggggg. I'm not a little kid anymore you know!"
Indio leaned into his shoulder suddenly, smiling, "Give big brother a break ok Autumn? He just loves you."
They shared a laugh at Sterling's expense, the man frowning before they said their goodbyes. Jangri was walking from the bathroom in shorts and a tank top, toweling her hair and long ears, "That sounded like my boss. How do you know her?"
Autumn blushed, unable to avoid looking Jangri over. The rabbit's long toned legs were a sight to die for and her arms as well on flawless skin, the white rabbit ears stretching after each one was dried before she swept them back over her hair, tucking the towel around her neck, "Fu… so hot… I mean! UM! Well she lives with my brother! I think they are dating? I'm not really sure it's weird over there!"
Jangri blinked at the girl with wide eyes before she smiled sweetly, deciding to ignore the comment, "Ah! You are that Rose! Well, small world getting smaller yea?"
She just nodded, trying to think of anything but the gorgeous woman before her so she could get her cheeks to clear up. Jangri was ever the polite rabbit not picking on her or bothering to draw attention to it as she sat on the chair at the table, shuffling cards, "Care to play?"
Autumn licked her lips a bit, shushing her mind of any inappropriate response and getting up, walking over and taking a chance, wrapping arms around the rabbit's shoulders from behind, causing those ears to twitch her way as she whispered, her voice weak, "I'd rather play with you…"
Jangri sat there for a moment quietly, just listening. She slowly reached a hand up and gave a sympathetic pat to Autumn's arm, "Now Autumn, that's not a game I am willing to play. Come on, why don't you sit down and I'll deal out cards mate? I told you, you're too young."
Autumn sighed, the fur bristling on the ear as breath flowed past it, "I'm not that young…"
But Jangri made no other sign she was even paying attention to any of Autumn's advances and the girl gave up, sliding across from Jangri into the chair and motioning for a hand of cards. The rabbit watched her and reached, patting her hand kindly before dealing the cards, "You'll be fine. Trust me mate. Besides, I'm working."
—-
River knew Lux had been to see the dog today. So when he came back smelling of the cat and seemed to be harboring a deep sorrow, she grinned. She canceled their outing saying she had a change of plans and headed for the little shop as darkness for the evening fell. Dakota wasn't particularly pleased to have her there but he let her in, "What are you doing here River?"
She shrugged, sniffing out the cat, "Just looking to talk to the girl Dakota. mind your business."
He frowned but River was already on her way up the stairs. She had Lux's jacket in her clutches as she opened the door to peer at the huddle of the black cat, amber eyes peering up at her and quickly bleeding to red, "Who the hell are y…"
River held up Lux's jacket as she stepped inside and closed the door, "Tut tut little kitty. Let's talk."
Azure's eyes locked onto the jacket and her ears folded. River had her attention. She didn't have a weapon here and she had no semblance. Outmatched in the situation, she forced herself to be calm, glaring at the lizard, "I'm listening."
River smirked, "What if I told you, you could be with him freely and never have to worry about what anyone else thinks?"
She tossed the jacket to Azure who caught it, holding it tightly to herself and taking in a deep breath of morning dew and cold air that was Lux's scent signature. It made her eyes glaze with how badly she needed him, "Tell me."
The smirk grew on the iguana as she pulled over a chair from the side, "Let me tell you all about what Ouroboros is actually about."