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Theodore sighed in relief as Angelica rolled off and onto the bed beside him, releasing the pressure on his engorged knot. He let his paw trail through the fur of the wolf's stomach as she let out a contented groan. He ignored the fact that he hadn't come and cleared his throat to get her attention while she pressed her pelvis to his, apparently eager to go again. "You're staying the night, then?" Angelica chuckled, her green eyes shining humorously, causing the velvet of her vulva to tease the tip of Theodore's shaft; she reached her larger paw between them and gripped his slick knot, causing him to grunt between his teeth. "Unless you have another client, or think you could live with sending a lady into the streets of Nolten in search of refuge after dark, I think I'm quite comfortable where I am." Theodore leaned forward and slowly lapped at her neck, even as he pushed his length back into her depths impetuously; he almost laughed when she gasped. "You know as well as I that you are no lady, my dear." Angelica rolled him atop her, and Theodore was again reminded that despite her lupine status, this woman was not nobility by birth, with thickness and strength that surpassed his own. "I might not be, but you know as well as I how reckless the hyenas become when the moon is high and the alcohol cascades." "I'm afraid I must double your charge, dearest." The fox answered with a roll of his orange eyes. Between his deep thrusts, Angelica wrapped her legs around his waist, and he was sure that the ruination of his sheets was imminent. He busied his paws with caressing the thick fur that covered her soft midsection, carefully avoiding her breasts. "But of course, I will provide you shelter here. Mother will be welcoming enough, anyway. If you were my only customer, she'd be happy." Angelica gasped and she convulsed around Theodore, gripping him tightly inside her while he performed his duty. When she caught her breath, she looked at him through severe green eyes. The shadows cast by the small lamp on the side table complimented them like a shaded meadow in May. "I would have thought we were far beyond a provider-consumer relationship now, dear fox." Theodore gritted his teeth and leaned forward to lap consolingly over Angelica's red-furred neck. In response, Angelica reached between them to grip the bulb of his engorged knot and in the back of his mind he thought he might come from the pleasure even as his stomach dropped. At the same time, he was aware of the fact one of the fingers gripping his cock was fitted with a golden band, and his urgency faded. As his consort rumbled amiably, the fox lifted his head and gazed past her, eyes fixed on something in the space between his muzzle and the undecorated wall. "Of course, Angelica." He breathed, clenching his eyes shut as her grip on him tightened. With only a few more thrusts, his knot was once again lodged inside her, this time pulsing his seed deep into her depths. "You are, of course, an angel among wolves." Beneath him, Angelica was experiencing the sudden but familiarly arousing inability to form words around loud moans and trembling gasps that fought their way from her throat. Her legs trembled vigorously as they clenched around Theodore's waist, and she let out a high, keening moan as she released a torrent over his cock. While she convulsed with fingers knotting in the fur of Theodore's slim stomach, the fox grit his teeth and tugged his knot free to continuously drive himself inside her, causing her to spray over his pelvis and sheets. Angelica's moaning reached a peak when Theodore leaned forward and bit the base of her neck, tapering off after long moments of spurting against him. When she'd silenced and wrapped her arms around Theodore to clutch his lithe form against herself, he ceased his slow thrusting and released her of his bite. "Satisfied, dear Angel?" Theodore asked with a contented sigh. He looked down at the wolf who'd ruined his bed for the umpteenth time and smiled, rearing back onto his knees. Angelica flashed the teeth of a predator when she grinned, reaching down to bat playfully at his flagging erection. "I could never be satisfied with you, Foxy." The fox's mouth clamped shut with a click of his teeth, and he turned his head to glance out of the far window of his second-story room. "Unfortunately," he began, "I'm sure it's nearing midnight, and you ought to rest before your trip back to the city." When he'd turned back to her, Angelica's devilish grin had faded, and she looked at him through serious eyes while moving to sit up. "The sheets are ruined, dear. We can't possibly sleep in them." "You can sleep around the spot. Your husband will be sending for you, and it's three hours to the manor house." Theodore answered, not breaking her gaze. "You say 'you', as if there is only enough room for me. Where will you sleep if not with me?" The wolf's brows furrowed over her green eyes, and Theodore fought back a wistful sigh. The marble fox's mind raced to find words to explain the situation to Angelica without offending her. They'd had many conversations nearing the place this one was steadily heading, and he was not vying to explain it to her again. His aversion was not exactly to her, but to what they'd just done, and he needed to orient himself. In the end, he decided that the perfect excuse would be to finally pursue the task he'd been putting off for weeks. "I have to write a letter, dear." Theodore stated, putting on a smile. "It's of dire importance, and I have an appointment shortly after your departure tomorrow, so I won't have time to do it in the morning." "A letter?" Angelica frowned and one of her eyebrows betrayed her doubt as it shot upwards. "An appointment?" The fox crawled backwards off the bed to stand naked before her, his cock still not fully receded into its sheath. "Why yes, darling. I am quite a busy fox, and the letter and appointment both are of utmost importance." Angelica reached down to drag the blanket over her virtue all while dragging her eyes over Theodore's body. "If you don't want to sleep with me, Theo, you only have to say it." Theodore fought to keep his smile steady as he answered. "That is far from the truth, Angel. I'll join you when I've finished my letter, but you shouldn't wait up." The fox had explained his feelings to her numerous times, and for some reason that eluded him, she could not believe that he maintained it as a general policy with all his customers. Angelica nodded, laying back in the bed. "Good. I know better than to ask about your investments, so I'll be here. Hurry to bed." Theodore nodded, turning with a wide sweep of his ashen-tipped tail and made his way over to the desk on the far side of his sparsely-decorated room. Quietly, he flicked on the lamp beside his typewriter and behind him he heard Angelica switch off the one on the bedside. He took a moment to compose himself as he prepared the device he'd been using to practice his letters for years. This would be the second time he'd take it up as a weapon, and only after three months of patience. When he was satisfied that the carriage was properly calibrated and that his paper was situated, the fox began to type. To my Dearest Julius Welch, As a lion of humble nobility, I pride myself with the ability to take criticism with grace, if you'll pardon the pun. In addition to my own gracious acceptance of your words, I assure you that the article you published speaking out against my people has been well-received. Now, I hope not to find myself presumptuous in the assumption that the tall ears of you and your wolves of Siria can take criticism as well as your drooping tongues speak it, as I will address each of your misgivings with one of my own. In your publication, your assaulted my queen with the accusation of irresponsibility and gross disrespect to her own crown. To back your slander, you cited Sunan Fatimah Guntur's three bastard sons, all of whom are beloved by the kingdom, and the second of whom is heir to her throne. As retaliation to this I ask your feelings toward your own former king, Lord Antony Lupin; may his blessed soul rest in peace. Theodore paused to adjust his seating in the hard-wooden chair that pressed against his ass. While he did so, he took the time to read over the opening of the letter and the broad, round way of speaking his character had taken on. Of course, the fox had never met a lion, but the few felines he did know were often ostentatiously genteel one moment and overtly full of themselves the next. All in all, he was satisfied with how the lion he portrayed sounded. Lord Antony, as many, (surely his own people), know, fathered six pups, the youngest of which are as old as his only grandchildren! I claim to be no expert on your culture's Order, but I am under the faint suspicion that infidelity is frowned upon and punishable by the Church, unless I've been misled. I ask for no correction yet, though, as this will be followed up later in this address. Another thrust directed from your pen that I deflect with mine was aimed towards our culture. You accused us of barbarism because of our treatment of slaves within the kingdom, most notedly the trade and treatment of thylacines. First, I suspect your specific citing of the only slave-exclusive caste in our kingdom is an accusation made of ignorance, and perhaps envy, so I will enlighten you. Thylacines are treated as the lowest caste as a result of their own ambition, caused by the rebellion they led against the crown seven generations ago. When the dust settled and Lord Ash Guntur, may his hunts be bountiful evermore, ended the persecution of his naysayers, thylacines numbers were in the hundreds. However, our wise king gave their kind a chance at redemption, and to this day they work in servitude to the crown, their numbers monitored and their trade limited. When the slave exchange treaties were enacted by Sunan Fatimah's father, a clause was included that stated the exclusivity of thylacines to your crown. Here Theodore paused and glanced around the dark room. In his bed, Angelica snored lightly; squinting at the window, the darkness gave him reason to suspect he'd been typing for at least a couple of hours. Looking back down at the page, he realized he was lucky enough that his next paragraph would start on a new page. When he'd finished replacing his page with a new sheet of paper, the marble fox frowned as he sat with his finger splayed over the keys of the typewriter. This was the section of the letter that he'd been most hesitant about writing; Angelica would eventually see the letter after it was published, just as she'd come to him to discuss the last one. With a sigh, he continued typing. The ending drew near, and he was doing this for her as much as for himself. Now I ask, how does a king come about having two pairs of children by different dames than his lawfully wedded wife? And now I answer, based on public knowledge, these women were slaves, well-treated and cared for beyond a doubt, but slaves nonetheless. Each of Lord Antony's four illegitimate children, that we are aware of, are treated as royalty in the family of the crown, and so I must ask another question of you. If these four pups of the king and slaves are royal, then why is a hypothetical wolf born to a noble and her slave also a slave? Your culture's answer to this is that she falls into her father's caste, but this forces her into slavery at the tender age of thirteen, after twelve years of a less-than-stellar upbringing. She works in ways that most wolves could not imagine sullying their paws. And then, upon coming of age, she is married off to a distant noble at the edge of the kingdom to settle a debt. I ask you once more, why is she any different than the Lord's lot? Why is she treated so unfairly simply because of who her father was? This is the problem with your Pack Mentality: not all that glitters to the eyes of wolves is gold to those of tigers. My words may come across harsh, as attacks upon you and your culture and crown, however, these are simply inquiries that I hope will have you look at your own culture before criticizing mine. I ask one more thing of you: What right have you to ask of the flaws in our system when I see so many in your own? Look on this, and reply in good faith; take criticism with Pride. Your Obedient Servant, Ash Candra Theodore's fingers rested on the keys of the typewriter for several long minutes after he finished. Ash Candra was to be the guise of his attacks on the Sirian castes, and he felt that he was already quite comfortable in the mindset of the lion. He sighed and carefully took the letter from its tray before placing it inside an envelope he withdrew from inside the desk before quietly replacing it. The fox glanced at a beaten and aged copy of the Order that lay unused inside the drawer but let his eyes lift away from it as he closed it and the envelope away. Pushing his seat away from the desk, Theodore looked at the sleeping form in his bed. Shame at putting her past in the letter burned briefly, but he squashed it down. She hadn't deserved what she'd gotten, even if her husband was kind and paid for their visits, in exchange for only three heirs. The few occasions on which Theodore had met Angelica's husband, he hadn't been impressed by the crone's stature, but rather the fond light with which he watched his wife. He sighed and stood, pushing Angelica's personal life from his mind as he crossed the room to join her. She snored lightly as he lifted the blanket and pressed against her, wrapping his arm over her midsection; she squirmed slightly but didn't wake. This time, as he drifted off, he allowed himself to cup her breast in his palm.

Theodore's morning began with a fairly pleasant start, as Angelica woke him with one of her renowned farewell blowjobs. Even while his stomach squirmed with discomfort, Theodore managed to come for her after almost ten minutes, and she eagerly swallowed his seed before suggesting they bathe. Despite his reluctance, Theodore knew that he wouldn't have the time to return home to do it after escorting her to the bridge. Leaning back against Angelica, Theodore found himself more self-conscious than he could have ever expected as her fingers rubbed soap into his thin midsection. He quietly allowed her to wash him, and he dozed as the minutes passed. Theodore stood when her paw ventured down to cup his sheath, and he whispered an apology while water poured down his pelt. He did his best to ignore Angelica's forlorn expression as he climbed out of the bath and left her so that he could dress. When he had dried himself sufficiently enough to dress and subsequently clothed himself in casual town clothes, Theodore walked to his desk and withdrew the envelope containing his letter from the previous night. Satisfied with himself and running a paw through the grey fur that covered his head, he left the room and went down to the main floor of the house. Theodore was not surprised to hear his mother's sewing machine whirring the moment his paw stepped off of the stair. With a smile on his muzzle, he went through the house that was as sparsely decorated as his bedroom and found his mother in her customary position by the window; she smiled when she saw Theodore's approach and slowed her machine to a stop, standing to pull her slightly taller son into an embrace. "Ah, Theodore, how are you, dear?" The older fox asked, pulling away and taking her son's free paw into her own. "Is Angelica still upstairs?" Theodore nodded as he inspected his mother's pristine white fur, dissimilar to his own which was mostly patterned covered in grey or black markings. She was always sure to take care of it, no matter that she no longer pursued the same line of work that her son had taken up in her stead, but he knew she took great pride in it. "Yes, she ought to be down in a bit. I just finished my bath a little before her." Down the hall, he heard the stairs creaking, and the twitch of his mother's ears showed that she'd heard too. Fixing him with tired blue eyes, she took her seat and commented quietly, "You can't keep treating that girl like that, Theodore." Angelica's arrival prevented Theodore from protesting his mother's accusation, though it did not stop his ears from flattening in dismay. Instead of arguing, he smiled and looked upon the wolf who stood slightly behind him, red-streaked fur gleaming and body complimented by the form-fitting gown she wore. "Good morning, Angelica," his mother greeted her, turning back to the mound of fabric on the table in front of her. "I hope my darling son gave you a night worth remembering." "But of course, Camellia!" Angelica answered, cutting across Theodore's attempt at steering them away from the topic while giving him a playful smirk. "He's quite a way with the gifts he's been given, and I'm blessed that he is so eager to share!" "Please, can we not talk about-" A long, loud whir from his mother's sewing machine cut him off as he tried to speak again, and Theodore sighed. He turned to glare at her, and she grinned. "I'm glad to know his father was good for something." The white fox commented. "He's still gotta learn that there's more to do once the job is done. You sure seem to enjoy his company for more than personality." Angelica giggled softly, and Theodore sighed before taking her paw and leading her away. "Thank you for your matchmaking help, Mother. I'm going to walk Angelica to the bridge, and I'll be home in a few hours." "Be safe out there, Theodore!" Camellia called, starting up the sewing machine. "Of course, Mother." Theodore answered as he ushered Angelica out. "You be safe in here." Upon exiting the house, Theodore promptly attempted to release Angelica's paw as he led the way up the cobbled path but the red wolf held her grip on him and after a short moment, he gave in. The two walked in silence as they passed building after building, keeping away from traffic and making room for other pedestrians when necessary. While most other species ignored them, many of the canines they passed on their way to the bridge stared at their contact; Angelica's nonchalant attitude and purposeful stride swept them away before words could be exchanged. Theodore enjoyed the scent of the warm morning air, already filled with the clamor of low mid-ranked canines going about their Saturday morning activities. They walked for ten minutes before Angelica began to chatter aimlessly. Theodore scarcely kept up with her, but attempted to maintain conversation even while his own mind wandered towards the upcoming activities for his day. As they crossed streets and turned corners, the bridge eventually came into view with the glimmering river across from them. Angelica's grip on Theodore's paw tightened, and he grinned up at her as their destination drew closer. "You eager to get back home, Angel?" "Are you kidding me?" Angelica laughed as she looked down at Theodore. "I have two daughters and a husband waiting for me; you're the most fun I ever get to have outside of visits to the capital." "And how are the pups?" Theodore chuckled softly and his tail wagged behind him, coming to a halt at the usual spot carriages turned off the bridge; from where they stood now, he and Angelica would be impossible for her driver to miss. Around them, the sounds of traffic and life continued. "They're doing fine, eternally eating and crying, but growing all the same." The wolf answered with a smile and waving tail. Theodore knew she adored the pups, who if he remembered correctly would be going on three years soon. "They're lovely." "They're just as beautiful of their mother, Angel." Theodore commented. Angelica gave him a surprised look before she laughed. "You really are a smooth fox, Theo. Your mother's taught you well." "My mother's teaching aside, she also adores the photographs you bring of those rascals." Theodore answered as his pelt warmed, looking back to the bridge. If he wasn't mistaken, he recognized the dappled pelt of Angelica's favorite horse. "She wants me to have pups. But I can't, not where I am in rank." Theodore watched Angelica turn to the bridge from his peripheral vision. "You don't have a rank, Theodore. But that's the issue, isn't it?" The marble fox did not answer her for a long moment, seconds passing as the carriage drew closer. His tail had stilled its swaying when he finally spoke, ignoring her question. "In a few months, you might be seeing another one of those articles like the one that attacked Sunatra's monarchy...." "What makes you assume that, Theo?" She asked, turning back to him with an eyebrow raised. "It's been silent for too long. The felines tend to be open in their thoughts, don't they, Angelica? Isn't that why our prince is on his way to their capital?" After a second, the wolf nodded and a warm breeze swept through their fur. "Just... just be wary and openminded." Theodore said quietly. Beside them, Angelica's carriage stopped and the driver began to step out of the coach box. The fox waved the driver off, and the slave wolf narrowed his blue eyes in response before complying and returning to his seat. "Things might escalate soon, okay?" Now Angelica's eyes narrowed as well, but she nodded. "Is that all, Theodore?" "Yes." The fox sighed and nodded. He hadn't told Angelica as much as he should have, but he knew that as much as he wrote to protest for her or his mother, he wrote to protest for himself. He couldn't argue with her about that. "Good, now help me up here, Theo." Angelica replied, opening the carriage door and stepping up onto the footboard and using the fox's shoulders to brace herself. Once she was inside, she turned and smiled at Theodore once more. "I left your dues on your pillow." "You made my bed, didn't you?" The fox asked with a roll of his eyes. Angelica laughed and waved him back as she prepared to close the door. "Of course I did. I pulled out clean sheets from your dresser." "Those girls are making you quite the mother, Angel." "Of course, it's my job. You be well now, Theo." Theodore nodded and took a few more steps back. Angelica shut her door, and after a short moment, the carriage was pulling off up the road. He stood in place to wait, and wasn't disappointed to follow as the carriage came by again to turn back onto the bridge; he waved goodbye to the wolf he briefly caught watching him from inside the coach. With a sigh, the fox turned and began to make his way to the general store. The One-eyed Den was Theodore's most frequented barely-legal establishment within Nolten. Due to the town's population being seventy percent hyena, and the hyenas' status of being not quite canine and still not entirely feline, the community lived mostly outside the civil laws of other towns within Siria, if the Church and Order were abided by. In certain cases, those rules were often ignored as well, social piety notwithstanding. Walking into the darkened shop released a puff of wood smoke into the street, and Theodore had to narrow his eyes against the cloud that hung in the air of the building. Looking around, he was relieved to find the establishment mostly empty with only a group of hyenas playing cards at a table in the far corner; a catcall from the cackle of lowlifes meant that at least one of them recognized him. Ignoring the snickering group of hyenas, he made his way to the front desk, behind which stood a pair of Airedale terriers. "'If it isn't my favorite Winchester goose!" The younger of the two greeted him, leaning against the counter with a paw on his hip. "To what do I owe this visit, Theodore: business or pleasure?" Theodore chuckled quietly, but before he could answer, the elder brother glanced over from where he stood to his brother's left, his back to the counter while he carefully dusted glass figurines in their case. "Thomas, don't let him barter with you, he's behind on payments as it is." The tan-and-black canine rolled his brown eyes and stood up straight; Theodore could see his tail begin to wag in eagerness. "So, what's up, foxy? Got something you need or you here to pay your tab?" Theodore grinned, but kept his eyes on Thomas' grey-furred elder brother who was finishing his dusting; he raised a paw to signal Tom to wait. "I'm just here to make a deal, Ariel. How's Seth doing?" "Seth is well. Curious and troublesome, as eight-year-olds tend to be." The older canine answered quietly. Now that he was facing Theodore, the fox saw that he was wearing a new, ebony leather eyepatch. "I'm going to go clean out the back. Tom, don't let him get out of paying for anything." Now Theodore leaned against the counter, tail beginning to sway slowly. "Don't leave yet, I've got business for you. I just need to talk to Thomas for a moment." His name mentioned, Tom bounced on his toes and leaned closer to Theodore, leaving a paw's width of space between their faces. "Whatcha need, fox? Whatever it is, I'm sure I can get it for you legally." "I just need a tuxedo, at a negotiable price." Theodore answered, glancing up at the canine who glared at them through his pale blue eye. "I've got a date soon." Thomas gasped, backing away from the counter at the scandalous news. "A date? Old Camellia finally got you to settle down, eh?" "Not yet, Tom. It's business, and not the usual kind. I just need a tux." "What are you willing to offer?" Tom asked, cradling his chin with his elbow on the table. Theodore didn't miss how the dog's tail had stilled while he ignored the glowering being directed from his brother; for as long as Ariel didn't intervene, the barter was on. Theodore spoke quickly, his offer a shot in the dark. "A night." "A day." Tom replied dagger-quick. "A weekend." The fox tried. From the corner of his eye, he watched Ariel fold his arms. Thomas laughed and Ariel sighed. "No jacket." "Too warm for jackets anyway." Theodore said amiably. "Deal?" "Deal." With that, the pair shook paws, and smiled. Theodore watched as Thomas excused himself to one of the back rooms to find the garments he'd requested, and after a short moment, he turned to Tom's elder brother. "I need to get another letter published, Ariel." The older canine nodded his head, as if this wasn't unexpected. "I had a feeling you weren't done meddling yet." Theodore's large ears twitched, and he retrieved the letter from his pocket. Sliding the envelope over the counter to Ariel, he spoke quietly. "This one needs to be published in Sunatra." "No." Ariel dismissed him immediately, pushing the envelope back to Theodore. "I'm not getting involved in sedition." "It isn't sedition if it's not coming from our country, Ariel." The fox explained, his large tail beginning to lash. "Besides, I know you agree with it." "Agreeing quietly isn't illegal, Theodore. Get out of my store." Ariel instructed, his gruff voice deepening. "Those figurines back there are illegal," Theodore pointed out, nodding to the cabinet full of imported goods. "And you were going to sell them, which makes it dirty money. Come on, what do I have to offer?" "Unlike my brother and the buffoons like him," Ariel began to growl, and Theodore almost took a step away from the counter. "I have no hunger for the touch of a man. You have nothing to offer me!" Theodore sighed and did his best not look around; the cackling of the hyenas had died as the eavesdropped from their place in the corner. "Ariel, if no one speaks out, Seth is going to grow up in the same world that left you here with him alone. The terrier inhaled sharply. "Don't you dare bring him into this, fox." "People just like the ones who took your eye will take his rights just because he's a mutt," Theodore continued, holding the taller dog's gaze. "He's a mutt, just like his dad. And he won't understand why he's treated differently since he's special, will he? He still doesn't get why only Tom works the front dealings?" "My son ain't special, fox. He's just different." Ariel mumbled. The tall, lithe canine slumped forward and gripped the counter, blue eye locked onto Theodore's orange. While he knew he was pushing boundaries, Theodore knew he couldn't stop until Ariel had agreed to help. "It's not too different that he wants to be just like his dad when he grows up. Nothing wrong there, since he has one. But you know what it's like to be a bastard, don't you?" One of Ariel's claws broke with a click, flying off behind Theodore. Neither of them blinked. "This is about you, isn't it?" "This is about us, Ariel." Theodore answered, breaking the older man's gaze. The mutt across from him wasn't entirely wrong, though Theodore couldn't acknowledge it here. It was about his mother, who'd been forced into prostitution to survive. It was about Angelica, who'd borne two daughters and no sons yet for a husband who was seventy-three. It was about Ariel, who'd been torn from the love of his life because of his mixed breeding and punished when it was learned that she was pregnant. But most of all, it was about him, who could no longer have sex without nausea assaulting his stomach before, during, or after. Theodore swallowed hard before he returned his gaze to Ariel's. "This is about our people." The smoky room was silent for several minutes before Ariel picked up the envelope from the counter and put it away in his dingy vest. "It'll take a few weeks before it's published. A bit longer, perhaps, before it's made its rounds." "I can deal with that." Theodore said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Where is Seth, anyway?" "With my mother." Ariel answered, preparing to turn and go about his business. Theodore halted him, raising a paw. "Hey, Ariel?" "Yes, Theodore?" The grey canine asked, raising an eyebrow. "Read it before you send it off." Ariel frowned, but eventually gave Theodore a brief nod. As he turned away, rummaging from behind the door to the back space announced Thomas' return, and he came through the door bearing fruits of his search. "All right, foxy, here we go." Tom greeted him, placing the wrapped package onto the counter. "This good? I already dumped the blazer." "Yeah, that's good, Tom." Theodore answered with a smile. Drumming his fingers on the countertop slowly, he posed an inquiry that he was already sure of the answer to. "Do you mind if I change here? I might need a little bit of help." Thomas grinned widely and nodded his head. "This doesn't count towards your weekend debt." "I'm paying my tab." Theodore answered, leaping over the countertop with practiced ease and letting the taller canine lead him into the brightly lit back rooms. Riding the high of his small victory, he shoved his paw eagerly into Tom's pants before the door was even shut and seconds later the fox was pressed against the wall with the terrier's mouth against his.

Theodore fiddled with his bowtie as he approached the cathedral; the collar of his dress shirt restricted his neck, making him uncomfortably warm in the midday sun. Packs of canines made their way to and from the large doors of the church, and he was glad for the One-eyed Den's soap and running water to wash away any scent of his activities with the younger co-owner. Even so, the fox did his best not to make eye contact with any passerby, keeping his gaze locked onto the stained-glass windows of the building. Climbing the stairs of the grand building was an exercise that Theodore did not often subject himself to. As such, it was a surprise to him when he recognized his name being called from near the colossal doors of the building. Narrowing his eyes, the fox picked up his pace as he fought to make out the black-robed figure that hailed him. When he'd made it to the crest of the flight of stairs and doubled over to catch his breath, Theodore was relieved to recognize the fox who'd called to him. "H-hello, Friar Solomon," Theodore addressed the grey fox while he panted for breath. "Long time, no see, eh?" "Perhaps if you came to church with your mother more often, you wouldn't be asphyxiating, Theo." The taller fox reached out a paw to Theodore and helped him to his feet with a smile. Shielding his green eyes from the midday sun with a paw, he looked out over the town and continued. "As it is, something must have lit a fire under that tail of yours to get you here." Theodore chuckled and turned to look at the crowds with him. "Yeah, I'm meeting someone important here soon." "Someone who isn't your confessor, I assume." "I haven't seen that old fart since you gave me that copy of the Order, Solomon." Theodore confirmed. The geezer in question was a sheepdog who practically lived in the cathedral, as the land it was built on was a gift from his family. At least one of the family had lived in the cathedral since it was built generations ago. The churchman sighed and nudged the younger fox with his elbow. "And I assume you haven't looked at that since then, either." Theodore's ear twitched. "I've been busy." "Too busy for Our Highest?" Solomon asked, turning to look at the younger fox. "I wasn't lucky enough to be born a noble, Sol." Theodore retorted. His eyes continued to follow the floods of people leaving and entering the cathedral. "I have other things to worry about, like helping Mother cover bills." The grey fox's tail waved lazily from side to side. "You could have joined the Church. You could be a priest, or a friar." "I'm not really holy-man material, Solomon." Theodore answered with sigh. "I have to get going now, I can't leave my date waiting." "If I were as dull as my fur, I'd think you were hoping to settle, Theo." Solomon chuckled. "But whatever it is you're up to, be safe." "Of course, Sol." Theodore turned and began to walk toward the large wooden door that stood open to the flood of churchgoers, but was stopped by Solomon's voice once again. "I'll be visiting your mother this evening, Theodore. Perhaps you can join us for prayer?" Theodore paused, looking into the taller fox's serious eyes before he shook his head. "I have an appointment across town. I don't think I'll be able to make it." He walked into the cathedral before Solomon could reply. The high-ceilinged cathedral smelled lightly of burning incense, and Theodore was glad for the open doors that let fresh air circulate through the huge building since none of the decorated windows could open. Around him, canines of all breeds knelt in groups to pray to His Righteousness. Candles burned in intervals around the room, and Theodore's eyes were briefly drawn to the grand fresco upon the ceiling depicting His Righteousness' descent to Earth to imbue wolves with Superiority. Theodore snorted and looked around the large room for his correspondent. Few people sat in the velvet-seated pews, and that made finding the fox he sought easier than he had expected. From behind, her features beyond the coal streaks of her neck and head were indistinguishable, but the fact that she sat alone coupled with the rarity of selectively-bred foxes in Nolten made him sure it was her; the plain blouse she wore was pristine, and only singled her out more in the cathedral. Theodore quietly made his way towards her from across the room, navigating it so that he could sit in the pew behind her. Her silvery ears twitched as he sat, causing the hooped earrings she wore to glimmer in the candlelight; her back visibly straightened with tension. He didn't have to wait long before she spoke. "It's not often a man graces me with his presence so unannounced." She said, voice clear and melodic. Theodore's answer was quick and well-practiced. His stomach knotted itself with tension as he thought of all the ways this meeting could go wrong. "But an arrangement has been made and approved, my dear. Only a cow of callous upbringing would greet a woman unannounced." "Dear sir, I await a man of breeding as well as upbringing.... But perhaps you might know of him." The silver fox turned her head just enough that Theodore could see her laurel-green eye, and through it he watched the gears turn in her head. "Could you perchance direct me to a Sir Julius Welch?" "Aye, my dear, I know of him." Theodore nodded, not breaking the lady's gaze for fear she might flee. "He is said to be a jackal of fairest pedigree and highest taste. He has thoughts he wishes to share with the world." She stood and faced him, the clack of her heels on the polished wood floor echoing. Her black tail swayed behind her, and he watched as her paws clenched to fists before relaxing again at her sides when she sighed. "My question was if you could direct me to him. I have an appointment with him, and if he's come into something more important, I'd like you to relay a message to him." "There's no need for that, Ophelia Ayergrove." He almost smirked when her eyes widened slightly in surprise. Theodore breathed slowly and again cursed the bowtie he wore before standing and giving her a slight incline of his head. "I am Julius Welch, and it is an honor to meet you."