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A Tale of Two Foxes copyright comidacomida 2020

Sidney had done very little traveling in his life and, as such, all new surroundings left him feeling uneasy. The strange stone building, complete with large, wall-sized glass windows revealing a cheerfully lit interior was so alien that his anxiety was twice as bad. The Fox stepped out of the way to avoid blocking the entrance, but also the keep more than an arm's length away from what were apparently patrons to what looked like a business storefront.

He was still fidgeting with his collar when a voice spoke up behind him. "Looks like someone's out of place."

The tone was friendly, but with a hint of 'something else' to it; Sidney's fur stood on end immediately. Spinning around to face the speaker, he came face to face with a fellow Fox. Unlike the slave, who was dressed only in a collar, vest, and loin cloth, the newcomer had a fine robe with such intricate weaving and patterns that Sidney could only marvel at the artistry. The other Fox was also wearing a pair of sandals with thick bases or, as Sidney took a closer look, saw that they had had little stilts built into them.

When Sidney didn't reply, the other Fox cocked his head to the side, his initial statements coming out cute at first, before turning more insistent as Sidney continued to stare. "Konichiwa. Alo? Ohayo! Konbanwa! Oi! Kutsune!"

Stil not sure on how to respond, Sidney said the first thing that came to mind: a question. "Is that... Laranian you're speaking?"

The displeased expression on the other Fox's muzzle disappeared immediately and he made an immediate one-eighty in attitude, his lips quirking upward happily as the little black lines that were his squinted eyes peaked angularly upward in a huge grin. "Oh no... it's the language of my homeland... why? Does it sound similar?"

Sidney shrugged, not completely sure where he stood with regard to the stranger. While the other Fox was dressed easily well enough to be mistaken for a Lord, he certainly didn't carry himself like one and the way he addressed Sidney almost felt like there was an air of familiarity, which no free man would willingly extend to a slave without some kind of ulterior motive. Regardless of their disparate social status, Sidney knew he was obliged to answer the question. "Um... no. I just-- I haven't heard Laranian and I didn't recognize it."

The robe-wearing Fox still maintained his impeccable smile, turning to fully face Sidney. Without missing a beat he stepped forward, going so far as to wrap an arm around the slave. Sidney was suddenly swept up in the other Fox's presence and drawn with him toward the door to the establishment before them. "Well... as exciting as it is to learn about new places and new cultures, I think it'd be a lot more enjoyable to do inside with a nice cup of something warm in front of you, wouldn't you agree? Yes-- of course you would."

Despite how casual the robed Fox was in his interaction, he was obviously used to being obeyed, further reinforcing Sidney's impression that he was dealing with at least a free man, if not a Lord. "O-of course... if you--"

The other Fox led him to a table and plopped him right down into a chair. "Now you just let your Oniisan take care of everything. You won't be disappointed."

With movements as fluid as a dancer, the strange vulpine, apparently named 'Oniisan', had set him down and moved away in a single, circular motion; it was just as graceful or perhaps even more finely executed than anything Sidney's dance instructors could have performed. Like a force of nature, Oniisan swept across the room to a counter where several uniformed workers were busily serving the numerous patrons of the establishment.

Sidney watched the exchange, trying to understand what was being said but failing miserably. The only words he was able to catch were ones at the very end: 'aisukohi' and 'matcha', but he was at a loss as to their meanings. The robed Fox then dropped a few coins on the counter and 'flowed' right back to the table, cascading down into the seat across from him with the impeccable smile still on his muzzle. "You are a very cute Fox, Sidney. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Far too well-trained to show any surprise as to how the stranger knew his name, Sidney responded by answering the question instead. "Yes, sir."

The other Fox's smile evaporated immediately and a pouting expression that practically shouted boredom replaced it. "Hmm... I was under the impression that you'd be much more fun..."

Sidney immediately bowed his head. "I apologize, sir... my master... um... my master didn't tell me--"

He recoiled when a black-furred paw appeared in his field of view, and then jumped in surprise when its index finger flicked him on the nose, causing him to sit up straight once again. His tablemate cocked his head to the side, smile returning in a flash. "Don't call me 'sir'. My name is Kon."

The slave was about to respond but he fell silent as one of the laborers of the business approached, setting down two drinks in front of them. Sidney recognized one of the drinks as the Tenvierian drink 'coffee', but it was in a tall glass and had ice in it. The second looked like some kind of tea, only it was a stark green color. The server bowed, offering "Maido arigatou gozaimasu, Kon-sama."

Kon waved the server away with a casual "Doumo doumo."

Once the two of them were alone, the other Fox slid the glass full of the dark, pungent coffee to Sidney. "Here. This is for you."

Despite not being a fan of coffee, the slave bowed his head again. "Yes. Of course. Thank you, Lord Kon."

Kon's face suddenly lit up as he interrupted Sidney. "Oh! No... wait! Call me Oniisan."

Ears raised, Sidney tried the word out. "Onii... san?"

The other Fox squealed as emphatically as a kit. "Oh, Sidney-kun... we are going to have SO much fun!"

Sidney was earnestly concerned that their perception of 'fun' would differ greatly. He wasn't wrong.