a Problematic Fox

Tracey stood still, a little worried that the other's predominantly jet back dagger was in the Foxy-woman's tight grip, as its sharp metallic edge glinted some of the rooms candle light.

"I was told to deal with you... and so I shall..."

Her dagger was promptly returned to her hip.

"I will hereby hear what your wishes and needs are, and then we may come to some kind of mutual understanding."

Tracey relaxed, and got an odd look from the assassin, before feeling the need to explain.

"It's just that... I thought... with your dagger..."

"Oh - that was just to give me some better grip... I was waiting up there for a little while you know..."

"Are you alright then?"

"I am rather tired, thank-you for asking."

She leant back against the small chair, sitting before the narrow desk, across from the bed in the room and gently rocked on her heels.

"You leapt out to protect that farmer well."

"You saw that huh?"

"Yes... I said I'd be watching."

She smiled sharply again, before getting slightly more serious.

"It's why I've come to my decision, that you - the 'Silver maiden' as the locals are calling you now, are far too important for a hastily ordered execution."

She steadied on her feet as she returned to step before Tracey.

"I will apologise on behalf of those who gave me my orders, as you are not the vile monster they led me to believe you'd be."

Her fox-ears twitched, and Shizuka suddenly backed up a couple steeps.

"You may enter..."

The door burst open, revealing Amanda, Natalia and a couple more behind them, all at the ready to tackle or engage the slippery assassin.

"I'm not a threat to anyone."

Shizuka held her palms open to show she wasn't armed, anymore, but Amanda and the others still proceeded with extra caution.

"Are you content that your plan to catch me worked?"

Amanda went still, not too pleased already.

"I would have preferred pinning you down... before you got near Tracey again."

"Well... you'll be happy to know that I've made my mind up, and Tracey here is free to do as she likes - without any interference from me at all."

Amanda didn't break her tight watch of the small Fox-girl, as she brought forward her hand.

"I'll need your weapon."

"But you Human's are still carrying yours...?"

The orange and white furred one didn't look happy as she considered her request, but Amanda wasn't really giving her an option.

"Hand the weapon over... please."

Shizuka complied, by lightly throwing it over to her, not that it eased the tension in the little room.

"So what now - I'd like to have a nice nap, if you don't mind..."

"I want you to come with us now..."

"But I let you hold onto my blade... and I haven't indulged in a wink for three whole days, since I started watching..."

"I don't really care that much -"

"You'd deny me a basic right?"

She cut off Amanda with shock and apprehension.

"No that's not what I'm saying...!"

Tracey could see that her good friend was getting stirred up by the cheeky fox, so she intervened.

"I can sleep elsewhere - and in here you can keep tabs on her."

She waved for the others to back out, while heading for the door herself, while lightly pushing Amanda away too.

Shizuka flopped on the soft bed with delight as Amanda backed out with a displeased grunt.

She only slightly relaxed when the door was closed.

"That's your room..."

She grumbled loudly.

"I know, but she's safely stuck in there now, and I'm safe too..."

"But..."

"It'll be fine - she said I was too important to be bumped off, so I'm perfectly fine... alright."

Amanda wasn't too pleased at Tracey's attitude about her situation either, but let that slide.

"So... Let me see..."

She shook her dark-blue hair with a thought she didn't like.

"Come along with me..."

She switched to mothering-mode.

Hard to believe she's only ten years older than me...

Natalia was left behind to make sure the Fox was secure, while Amanda found another unoccupied room for Tracey.

"Did you sleep alright?"

Amanda hurried over to the teen, who had already woken and finished breakfast.

"I know how set in your ways you can get when it comes to where you sleep..."

Perhaps her rest hadn't been so good, as she crankily replied.

"Dial back the fussing please... what are you my mum?"

"Is she not your mother?"

Amanda only then noticed the Fox-girl; sitting on the round wood table across from Tracey.

"No I'm not... wait...!"

She'd caught sight of something she didn't like.

"When did you get that back?! How'd you even...?"

The older woman pointed at the Foxes returned weapon, that Tracey hadn't actually noticed its return, before opening her hand for it back again.

"Oowho, I'll play your game then... You hide my blade somewhere... different - and I just need to find it by first light, does that sound like enough of a challenge?"

The fox slipped it out of her holster and spun the metal freely on her hand.

"I'd rather you not go snooping about at night..."

Amanda was very reluctant to take it then, as Shizuka presented the all black blade.

"I won't 'go snooping about' if I have no reason to do so."

"Fine then, you can keep it."

Shizuka clunked it back into its holster and brushed her tails on the table top briefly.

Maybe the old rumours that Foxes liked to play games and tease people were true... or this one just never takes anything seriously...

"Well I'm going for a little walk."

Tracey got up and went for the doors, eager to sneak in a little extra tasty treat, as she was now a frequent customer to a little, out of the way, bakery that had a sweet selection.

"And where are you going?"

Tracey turned back to give a little white lie, but saw Amanda wasn't directing that question to her, as the Fox-girl had bounded from the table to follow.

"I'm still watching - as three days are hardly enough time to really determine someone's true intent."

"Uh... I'd rather go without someone... watching."

"Oh, but I do insist."

She had a sly smile, like she knew something, and as it was only a slight annoyance to have Shizuka trail her, Tracey didn't object anymore.

"Well I'm coming too..."

Amanda came beside Tracey, who attempted to shake her too.

"But your breakfast..."

"It can wait."

She stood next to her, adamant to be between the Hero and the Assassin.

Uh... now I'll never get that treat...

Tracey still went on her walk, with Todd and Lilly too, who usually gave her plenty of leeway, and secrecy about her snacking, but with the other two in close step today, Tracey decided to go check out the market that was happening today instead.

Many of the locals gave the small group a wide birth, as apart from those who made semi-regular contact with the Humans, most still skittered clear of them.

But today; many froze and watched, rather than get away, and Tracey could see that her new companion was drawing their eyes for a change, instead of her and her followers.

Arriving at the busy market-place, despite it being early morning, a good gathering was doing their usual shopping, while a regular hush and lingering stares hung about the passing-by group, until one lone, and little figure approached them.

The small child suddenly hurried over, getting free from his supervising parent, before slipping between the then halted escort, with his little hands holding something close to his chest.