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Nervous was an understatement, admittedly. No, I'd go more for absolutely terrified. My mind was spinning as I tried to come to terms with everything that had happened. Being mocked, bullied, and injured by the likes of Vikhor was common occurrence for me. Breaking my crystal tablet was a bit much, but that's what I got for mouthing off to him really.

Then Ahrianis, the girl who'd been dominating my fantasies for years, punched him out. Her own date. Then she took me home to her mansion for medical aid and washing up. Then... everything got crazy. Pretty sure I passed out from blood loss or pain at some point, because this had to be a mixture of a dream and nightmare. Somehow, she was enlightened by everything that had happened and the pictures I got of her and realized my feelings. Then... actually decided she wanted to try returning them. While naked. Together. In the bath! That was right so far, right?! You're not crazy, are you, Kouta?!

Now, her father wanted to talk to both of us. And here I was, standing in a well-appointed study, on a rich yet subtle Akeerta rug, covering Elven hearthwood flooring. That's uh... a rug made_by Akeerta. Not... made _out of Akeerta. That used to horrify me when I was younger. Anyway! Here I was, standing in the well-furnished room, next to the most gorgeous Vulkus I'd ever known, with her father seated at a grand, three-side desk in front of a full-wall window. Breathtaking view of the mountains behind the estate. A wonderful image, as far as last-views went.

Yohkanis. The Silver-Eyed Lord. Right in front of me. I'd only met Ahri's father a few times, and that was just a passing thing as he gave me a nod, or glanced between the two of us. Always at a distance. I'd never had him actually _talk_to me. Or even truly acknowledge my presence! He was massive, for a normal Vulkus, and reclined back in his equally massive, though nicely cushioned and comfortable looking desk chair. His fur and hair were just as white as Ahri's, though truly only complimenting his most intimidating aspect. Piercing silver eyes glowed with fiery light as he looked the two of us over, the edge of a scar showing vertically over his right, and I tried to maintain control of my bodily functions. Peeing all over his rug would just expedite my horrible demise. His right arm lightly perched under his chin as he regarded us, even as his mechanical left lightly slid a few papers over in front of him on his desk.

His clan was the ones who were working with the Inaga to adapt the radical biomods they developed to other species. It was the backbone now of their entire clan, and dominating a lot of the new world with honor and prestige, as well as credits of course. They were one of the most powerful clans in Koramir, and he was known for both strictness, and honorable compassion. Of course, nobody had gotten... involved with his only daughter before. Regardless, he insisted on testing any mod he created before even considering it for civilian use. That... had cost him his left arm in a violent bout of rejection syndrome. Now, it was replaced with a silver and platinum plated prosthetic one instead.

Slowly, he lifted one menacing, fear-inducing eyebrow my way, and I froze, unable to swallow the feeling of a rock wedged in my throat. I was vaguely aware of my paws tightening on my puffed tail, with a little burst of black fur drifting into the air around me. My second tail was wrapped tightly around my arm as I shivered there, entire body shaking now in sheer terror from his presence. I was dead. He was one of the strongest Vulkus in the entire world, both personally and politically. And I'd kissed his daughter. Well, she sort of kissed me, but that didn't matter!

There was a heavy silence over the room. Surely, he was sizing me up and mentally deciding how many pieces to cut me into for proper mailing back to my clan. With the average size of a mailing package, I mentally did the math and considered the most cost-effective method perhaps being sixteen or seventeen boxes, assuming he didn't ship my tail separately. Could I get an easier death if I suggested this to him?

"Kouta... Right?" His voice was like a deep clap of thunder that shook through my body, and I jerked from the impact, only able to release a barely audible, sharp squeaking noise in return.

Another long pause, and Ahri lifted a paw to her muzzle, almost giving a... giggle before she coughed into her paw. Her father continued staring at me. Through me. Into my very soul. Before he turned and looked to her instead. I was all the more in admiration to her for being able to so easily withstand that blazing gaze.

"...right. Okay, let's start with you instead, Ahri. Perhaps that's more fitting regardless. A few members of the Guard paid me an interesting visit with a full report. You've already told your mother briefly what happened, but I'd like to hear it from your own mouth, of course." He leaned back after requesting it, and Ahri simply nodded. She was so... calm and collected. In front of who might as well be a god!

"It's pretty much like what I told Mom. I took a break to use the toilet after one of the dances and wash up. When I came back out, he was... in the middle of explaining how he wanted me as a breeding bitch and house tender only, not caring about my desire to be a guard. He was also threatening Kouta, had taken his crystal tablet by force, which cut Kouta's paw, and then broke it over his knee before giving it back. All because Kouta suggested that I should be allowed to be a guard." She... didn't even hesitate in her explanation. I was impressed yet again. Then I almost fainted as I saw Yohkanis' eyes narrow sharply as he processed it all. Oh Gods!

He only nodded, however, and she continued instead. "I lost my temper. I've always considered Kouta a valuable friend, and he's done nothing but encourage and support me. Even in front of possible violence, he stuck up for me. So, I walked up and punched Vikhor in the muzzle. He dropped, and one of his friends tried to grab me. That's when the two Illan that came with me attacked him too, and the guards rushed up to arrest the two males. I brought Kou here for medical aid, as well as Surri, Lethis, and Vitra. They're downstairs at the party still, I believe."

She just admitted that outright to her father?! That she'd punched him?! Yohkanis slowly nodded to that, but kept the unflinching stare on Ahri. A light flush danced onto her cheeks, and she nodded back after. "Then after, I couldn't stop thinking about my friendship with Kou, and... how many things I overlooked. How much I... valued his friendship and every time he supported me without asking for a single thing in return. With the revelation that he has... feelings for me, I propositioned him while washing up in the bathing room. Then we came here..." My heart stopped, then tried to curl up on itself and tear out of my chest as he slowly turned to look at me again. Ahri did too, and the room felt lighter suddenly, a thousand different scenarios of my shaming and demise drifting through my mind. All I could see was his eyes upon me, crushing down over me. She told him... The edge of my mind was blind terror as my vision lurched to the side at a thirty-degree angle.

---

I vaguely remember her reaching for me, suddenly looking surprised. There... seemed to be a... blank spot there. Why had...? Frowning slowly, my eyes opened, vision spinning gradually in place around me. Nolla smiled from half a meter away, and gave me a little nod, even as everything came back to my ears finally, a bit echo-y.

"Feeling okay, Kou? You have a mild sedative in you, and I chewed out my mate for using his typical business approach..." She giggled after, looking amused, and very sideways. No, wait, that was me. I was laying on a soft, cushiony surface, and a glance to my right showed it was the back of a couch. No, wait, the couch that was in... the study...

My eyes widened and snapped over to the desk... only to see it empty, and the big, comfortable desk chair slid all the way over to the couch! Dear Gods, it had wheels! Wait, no, it was filled with Ahri's terrifying father! Yeah, that was it! Actually, I felt a little light-headed, now that I considered it, which was a little silly feeling.

He had his lower paws propped up on the end of the couch, almost touching mine, and gave me a relaxed smile instead, to my shock. "Hmm, and I agreed she was right. Though admittedly, I should have heeded her concern before you passed out from an anxiety attack. You have my apologies." Eh? Eh?! Ahri peeked over me suddenly, causing me to look up at her, sideways and upside down. No, wait, she was at the end of the couch and looking down at me instead, with a softer smile.

"Relax, Kou. You're not in trouble. Quite the contrary. I am, and Daddy likes you..." Her assurance echoed a little, and I frowned, batting lightly at my right ear with my paw. I thought I'd been dreaming before. Or in some sort of specialized nightmare just for me. What happened when you passed out in your dream and woke up in an even weirder one? They were recursive now! Shit!

Yohkanis huffed at that, giving a stern scowl her way. "You're not in trouble, young lady. Not precisely. And I... okay, yes, I've become rather fond of him, after everything you've said about him so far. Good head on his shoulders, and I see a _big_future ahead for him..." He paused, then gave a more tired sigh, centering a neutral expression into place instead. "I just need you to understand your own strength, Ahri. Vikhor was hospitalized and needs his muzzle bone reconstructed. You have cutting edge enhancement modifications in you, and... you're only going to become stronger as you grow into an adult. You have to learn how to control yourself, both physically, and mentally..."

Ahri's ears lowered a bit at that, and she slowly nodded to him. "I... understand that, Father. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let my anger get to me like that. Especially if I want to be a guard. We're to deescalate situations instead."

She stopped when he held a paw up and slowly shook his head. "No, daughter. That's entirely correct, but in reality, things are rarely black and white such as that. You cannot always remain entirely passive, and sometimes initiative is_required. The key, however, is knowing how _much force is needed. I will never_tell you to yield to a _bully. In that, you did the right thing. You simply need to learn... control." Her eyes searched his own, and she slowly nodded again after. Right, because she was super strong and stuff, like he was. That made sense.

Idly, I wondered if I should warn them that the room was dangerously unstable, rotating around us as they spoke. They didn't seem to care though, and I wasn't about to interrupt them. Nolla perked down at me, then frowned before lifting up a little bottle she was apparently holding and squinting her eyes at the label of it. Huh?

"Oh... Uh, I think I accidentally used the adult dosage..." She coughed after admitting it, and Yohkanis gave her a concerned looking frown almost instantly, even as Ahri winced and quickly looked down at me. Oh... oh, the... the... anti-scary stuff?

"Is he going to be okay?!" Ahri shifted a paw down and brushed it gently along my cheek, and I shivered, looking up at her slowly. She was like... the prettiest Vulkus ever. I felt even more relaxed under her soft gaze.

Nolla sighed, then nodded. "Uh, yeah. Look, I'm just a little rusty after maternity leave. He'll be fine! Just... don't have him sign anything tonight. Or walk anywhere. At least unassisted." Walk? I could walk! I looked down at my legs and wiggled them a little, managing to stick the right paw into the air a bit and squirm the toes around. They felt extra stretchy, and I snickered to myself. The left leg wasn't quite responding yet, but I was sure it could get there!

Slowly, Yohkanis hung his head a bit, then chuckled out loud. "Staying here tonight it is. I'll send a message to his clan and let them know, along with everything that happened. And we can hold off on signing things until tomorrow, I suppose..." He grinned with that. Well, a sort of sideways grin. No, right, I was sideways. It still looked like a banana though.

"Sign things...?" Ahri asked, glancing curiously to the side at her father. Up at? To the left? I realized her perspective changed depending on if I rolled on my side or not, and suddenly I felt like vomiting as she slowly spun around in my vision. Ahri was pretty! Spinning Ahri was a bit disorienting! Worse yet, black hair got in my sight as I turned, and I frowned, trying to blow it out of the way with my breath.

He nodded to her at that. "It goes without saying that I'm withdrawing from discussions with Clan Rhagane, in light of recent actions by their heir, to my own. The terms of that possible alliance will need to be... reconsidered and renegotiated. But this has brought about... a fascinating consideration on my part of Clan Leizer instead." Oh! Oh! Wait, that was my clan! I knew that name! He glanced down at me with that, and Ahri widened her eyes, a pretty flush of red dancing over her cheeks as she joined him in staring at me. Uh, huh?

"Uh... my claaan?" I asked. My voice sounded funny as I finally used it, and was drawn out, sort of like ooze running downhill. Actually, I think I had an alchemy experiment that had done that.

He grinned, however, and nodded. "Exactly! I'm well aware that your clan used to specialize in alchemical transmutation and shaping. Given what our clan's specialty resides in, all it would take is some adjusting on both sides to get along swimmingly, I believe. After all the ill fortune that befell your clan, I think it's about time for some aid to come your way, as well..." I tried not to snicker at his description. Silly guy! It was weird to hear people shy away from it like that. My clan made sex toys, and sexy body mods. Really popular with the adults! ...less so with people my age, who tended to just assume I was some sort of sick, closet pervert shut in that masturbated all the time. Or maybe that was because we were mostly all dead now and pretty much dead last in political power? I could never tell... Why was it always so easy for them to pick on the weaker people?

My muzzle scrunched at that, but he was already looking up to Ahri instead. "Of course, it's flexible, but if you were considering Kou anyway, like you seem to be..." Considering me?

She looked up from me at that, still startled-looking and flushed. She hesitated after, then glanced back down to me, biting her lower lip. "I... want to seriously consider it, yeah. I've put less thought into it than I did with Vikhor, but... I've also known Kouta a lot longer than I have Vikhor. I feel... a lot stronger than I did with him already, I think. It... just makes me wish I'd started with Kouta instead..." She looked sad a moment later, and I frowned, at least until Nolla reached up and brushed her cheek.

"You can't change what's already happened, Dear. But you can be thankful for tonight instead. Because of what happened, Kou indirectly saved you from having to find out about Vikhor much later, and it being that much more painful. Plus, he's already said he's willing to wait for you to figure things out." I was starting to have trouble following their conversation, and slowly blinked. Too many pronouns, I think. Who were we talking about again?

Ahri frowned again at that. "He's waited for three years. He doesn't deserve to be told to wait longer while I get cold paws and commitment issues. I already know he's not an asshole, like Vikhor was..." Oh! Oh, I think they were talking about me!

My ears perked up at that, and I slowly shook my head up at her, vision swaying back and forth like a rowboat on the sea. "No, Ahri. I... If you're talking about me... I'm not entirely sure but... Waiting is fine. I've waited for you for soooo long. Years! Looking at the prettiest, most wonderful Vulkus girl I've ever seen from afar." I lifted my arms up and waved them outwards, as if trying to pantomime a great distance as my eyes widened too. Not that I told them to. Actually, it kind of felt like my pupils widened too, as everything got really bright for a moment. Her eyes widened too, and her cheeks shifted from pink to red as she looked down at me, but it was the truth.

"It... it's the truth! Gods, if this wasn't a dream inside a dream, I'd be terrified to tell you that. But don't tell your non-dream self, okay? You're easily the most gorgeous, beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I almost thought I died or was dreaming when you first asked for my help. You're amazing, and strong, and... I wanted to help you with everything I could, just to see how far you'd go and the amazing stuff you'd do." It felt nice to finally just get this all out to dream Ahri, and she was reacting just like dream Ahri usually did, with wide eyes and her entire face slowly going scarlet.

I smiled softly up at her and nodded. "It was... wonderful, and I wanted to be around you all the time and I loved hanging out with you. I... didn't even care that you didn't like me like I wanted. It was... enough just being with you. If I could just watch, and maybe take some pictures along the way as you did amazing things. My little dreams and fantasies of loving you, and you loving me back... and making love, and... raising pups and watching them do amazing things too... and... It was... enough to keep going..." Slowly, I frowned at that, looking back down at myself. I was just a skinny little Keld boy. This was... the part of the dream where things usually went dark instead, and I remembered I was alone still, then woke up in my bed, crying again like a big kitten. I couldn't... remember where I was going with all this. Had I been trying to convince dream Ahri that waiting a little longer was nothing at all?

My unbandaged paw wiped at my cheek, but a warm, gentle paw wiped the other side instead, and I glanced back up at Ahri, who looked a lot more flushed now. Or maybe just a lot closer. "Kouta... I'm so sorry you waited for so long while I was clueless. I... know you're fine waiting longer, but..." The dream was a mixture of dark and light now, as I felt her breath on my muzzle. I wanted it to be real so badly. She brushed my cheek again, then leaned down instead and gently kissed me on the muzzle. It was... warm, and nice. And a little wet, as her thumb stroked over my cheek.

She broke off the kiss, smiling softly down at me now, then perked as her dad gave a slow chuckle again. "I think we'd better get you two ready for bed, before I start liking him any more. Have a couple servants get him some pajamas and into the first guest suite. You should see to your other friends, Ahri..." I was a guest?! Whooo!

Ahri frowned, then pouted up at him at that. "Guest room? Dad!"

He snapped to a light glare instead and shook his head. "Waiting, remember? It'll give you some time to really think things over without boiling over in hormones..." He stood at that, and got a lot taller. I was even more impressed than I was with him before!

His daughter didn't seem to share that though, as she frowned deeper. "If I'd gone with Vikhor, I wouldn't be 'waiting' at all tonight... This still feels like we're... punishing Kouta..."

Sighing, Nolla stood as well and slowly shook her head down at Ahri. "If... that's anyone's fault, blame me for that, Dear. He couldn't consent even if he wanted to at the moment, Ahri. Now come on. Let's go see to your other guests..." Ahri sighed and looked away at that before slowly shaking her head and standing again, too.

"I... guess. Fine. Have... a good night's sleep, Kou. Hopefully we'll be able to talk more coherently in the morning..." She looked down to me me for a long moment, sad expression on her face, until her Mom brushed her shoulder and gave it a squeeze with her paw.

"You can say good night to him still, Ahri. Just give him some time to get ready for bed." I think she nodded at that, but they both distorted for a moment and were suddenly leaving the room through the door. Well, better than the wall, I guessed. Wait, was that good night or was I going to see her again?

Blinking, I looked back down at Yohkanis, only to find him leaning over me instead, oddly. Huh? Was there something on my face? Other than my hair and fur? He looked me over slowly before giving a little chuckle and nod. "I have to say, Kouta, you impress me. Takes some serious character to turn down a girl offering sex, in her best interest... She's right. I like you..."

Slowly, I blinked up at him, watching him gradually rotate to the side before frowning. "Sex? No, she just... kissed me. But she wasn't certain and I didn't want... her regretting anything. I don't... think she was offering... I mean, I'm terrible at guessing what people are thinking and want, so..."

He smirked at that, then slowly nodded. "Trust me, I know what she really wanted. It may come as a surprise to you, as I don't know how you were raised as a Keld, but... Females like sex too, and get just as horny as males do. Try to keep that in mind. If you, uh, remember any of this..." I felt his arm around my back, and wobbled about as he suddenly lifted me up into a vertical, sort of like standing position. Minus my paws pointing in opposite directions, anyway. Actually, the left one's angle kind of hurt, in a tingly way.

"Uh... right, try moving your left leg forward and... no, that's your tail... No, don't wrap it around... Right! Leg! No, keep your toes from curling under... tch..." I got my tails wrapped up under me somehow as he tried to walk me to the door. Instead, I flailed, then wobbled as he just lifted me entirely. The world violently spun, hurling itself upwards as reality seemed to crush up into my head, then flop me down over the edge of a waterfall! For a moment, I thought I was honestly staring at her dad's rear, tail swaying lightly with the movement of him walking, me dangling upside down. Then reality rushed forwards, and I spasmed, choking for a moment before my stomach decided to go 'wheee!' and slide down my throat.

"No, don't you dare-!" Yohkanis started to warn. It was sort of like a waterslide, though, and I felt my supper gurgling up and gushing forth, aimed right at his rear and tail.

There was a flurry of shouting, movement, yanking sensation, and projectile vomit spewing upwards like a glorious fountain! My tails and hair blew in the wind, brown and gray droplets descending around me... before everything went crashing down surprisingly painfully. The world jarred, and I yelped, more brown and gray splatters everywhere as I spun. Then things spun on my stomach sideways, with burning sensations all around me before I crashed over onto my back, and everything went black.

---

Ow. Second time waking up today. Was it today? My head hurt, and sunlight glittered through the blinds across from me. I didn't recognize them. They were an off-white in color and looked like alchemic plastic. Remarkably sterile for one of their guest suites. Wait, was that where they'd been taking me? Now I couldn't remember what had been a dream and what hadn't. Actually, everything sort of seemed like a dream, now that I thought about it. There was a black lag though, and I had no sense of time passing.

I glanced to the left, then right. Medical equipment to both sides of me, and the dull beeping of a heart monitor somewhere to my right, behind me. Clinically sterile, whitewashed walls matching the blinds to all sides, and a plain, wooden door completed the hospital room look. Oh. Okay. Maybe it was all a dream then. Clearly, Vikhor had simply beat the shit out of me, and now I was hospitalized. That... made a lot more sense than anything in my more recent memories.

Wincing, I slowly took measure of my extremities. Paws and fingers worked well. I popped my claws out slowly on each and felt them flex. Raising my arms up, I looked them over and discovered them capable of movement fine enough, with no pain...

Glancing further down, my head hurt again a bit, but I saw that my legs seemed fine too. I wiggled each toe, then popped their claws out too, counting each. The correct amount, and everything seemed in order. I wasn't missing anything. On that note, I didn't have anything additional either, which may have been more disconcerting.

My paws instead slid up and felt at my head, then winced again. Well, I winced, not my paws. There was a bandage wrapped around my head, and I felt some sort of alchemical patch stuck to the side of my temple. Oh, lovely. My muzzle seemed fine, so at least he hadn't hit me in the face too many times. Movement distracted me after, and I glanced to the right as a Jakatar male nurse came in, then perked as he saw me awake.

"Oh! Mister Kouta, you're awake! Good. You've been out for, well, at least nine hours. It's ten fifty, and a fine morning, now. How are you feeling?" he asked, giving me a warmer smile after. He kept walking, and was soon right next to me, looking at some floating illusionary monitors as he waited.

"Uh... my head hurts, and I'm a little confused..." Or a lot confused. By the looks of things, I was in a hospital inpatient room. The furnishings were medical equipment only, so I assumed that I wasn't going to be kept for long-term.

Slowly, he nodded. "Yes, you had a concussion, and some swelling issues we had to deal with. We also patched up your arm nicely. Thankfully it was a pretty clean fracture, and we repaired it smoothly." Oh, so I slept through the broken bones. Well, that much was pleasant.

He sighed after that however, then coughed lightly. "Right, due to your incident, there will be a case worker from the Guard in to see you in a few minutes. According to witness accounts, you were dropped down a flight of stairs by accident while in a drugged stupor. By rights, you're entitled some pretty significant compensation, and justice if you push the issue. Talk it over with the case worker. Your parents will also be coming in at the same time to speak to you..." Uh... what? That meant... My mind whirled through the wobbly, spinny dream I'd had, and slowly pieced together the mixed-up events leading to me going over to Ahri's mansion... Wait, shit! All that actually happened?!

"That... actually happened...? ...it wasn't Vikhor that beat me up...?" I asked, staring up at him with wide eyes now.

The Jakatar made a clicking noise with his tongue, then slowly nodded. "Right! They want to talk to you about that too. Vikhor's on clan house arrest. They wanted a statement from you, too. But no, Mister Yohkanis confessed to accidentally dropping you down the stairs last night. After accidentally overdoing a sedative dose for your anxiety attack..." It actually happened! That meant Ahri... How much of that had actually happened?!

I swallowed, nervousness spiking through me. How much had I told her?! "Uh, r-right! Thank you, um... t-thanks..." I managed. Smiling, the Jakatar nodded to me again, then swept the panel aside afterwards.

"You're quite alright, Kouta. You're fully healed now and your cranial pressure has lowered fully to normal levels. You've maintained it for hours now, so you should be cleared to go. Your parents will be in shortly..." I nodded to him with that, then shivered. Were they going to be upset with everything that happened? I... honestly had no idea how they were going to react now.

Checking the equipment one last time, he slid another dial and gave me a nod. "Small dosage of pain medication given. It should counteract your headache soon enough. Your parents will be in in a bit, okay?" He gave a warm smile after, and I relaxed again, nodding to him. Well, at least he seemed positive about the situation. And was well informed. The nurse assigned to me, maybe?

I watched him leave the room before settling back onto the pillow again. Other than the headache, I felt fine. Instead, I tried to slowly piece together my memories again of everything that happened. The overdosage of sedatives and concussion had... jumbled my thoughts a bit, it seemed.

My lenses were still in, thankfully, and my clock read ten minutes having passed just about before the door opened once again. By then, I'd at least pieced together an orderly sequence of events in my head, no matter... how crazy they seemed. My mother, Vivira, came in first. A gorgeous and meticulously groomed Keld female with entirely black fur and hair, and piercingly bright purple eyes. She walked with confident poise, and her hair was done up into a braided ponytail, with two braided bangs framing her face. I'd... always looked up to her for her confidence and absolute control she conducted herself with, admittedly. Wearing a simple yet crisp dark gray business suit, she had a thick folder tucked under her right arm, and I winced, anticipating I may have generated a lot of paperwork.

Dad was right behind her, following with more of a relaxed pose and his paws in the pockets of his suit slacks as he hopped. People were sometimes surprised to see that Perix was an Illan, but it hardly bothered me in the slightest. Mixed species families had been a thing for hundreds of years, and really it was only the hard line, crusty nobles that sometimes got picky about 'bloodline'. Mom said that our clan was part of the old Queensguard nobility before the Shattering. We supported the Queen, and welcomed change, so long as it was noble and honorable. It seemed the world back then was in dire need of integrity, unfortunately. It was strange, realizing the apocalypse brought about everyone living in a _better_place.

His brown fur, with tan splotches, is where I got mine from. The gray-blue was a dormant Essence trait unique to me, however. I also acquired his dark blue eyes. He sported black hair as well, which had all but sealed my fate there. Where Mom slipped forward and stood beside the bed, he didn't shy away and instead hopped upwards, lightly landing on the bed itself, level with my waist, then shot me a warm smile.

The third and final person entering the room, I didn't recognize. A Jakatar female, in brown and cream colors, sporting a gray business suit with, surprisingly, a bit of underarmor padding. The badge on her left breast cleared that mystery right up a moment later, and I gave a little shiver, at least until she gave me a surprisingly pleasant smile, then stood next to my mother.

Dad shook his head, then waved a paw to me. "Don't mind her. She's the case worker from the Guard. It turns out, Mister Yohkanis and Miss Ahri both provided mind scans, and this is basically just for the record."

The Jakatar gave a little smile and half bow at that. "Yup. My name is Fynia, and this is just to get your take on things. I'll be taking some notes while you talk to your parents..." She was... polite, anyway. I got nervous whenever I thought I might be in trouble, but... She was also an adult, and I found them much easier to talk to usually.

Mom finally gave a smile after looking up from the now open folder stuffed full of papers. "How are you feeling, first and foremost, Dear? The medical mage who treated you briefed us on your injuries, but..."

Exhaling, I slowly nodded. "My head aches a little, but the medicine's helping there. Otherwise, I feel... fine. My memories are a little jumbled up, but I think I've pieced most of it back together..."

That, Dad grinned to. "I'll bet! It's been a pretty long evening, then morning for us, admittedly. It's not every day you manage to deliver not one, but two Guard Incident Reports to us. Then a Hospitalization Notice, and a Clan Negotiation Request! Here I thought you'd just be returning with photos and a bit of extra credits!" My muzzle scrunched at that, then I snorted, and his grin widened. I couldn't help it, and snickered after, which got Mom and Fynia to both smile too.

"I didn't... exactly mean to. It's all... really hard for me to believe still. It feels like it was all a dream..." Had Ahri really... kissed me?

Mom gave a nod to that, then relaxed to the side and sat down at the end of the bed. "I'll bet it was. Well, start from the top then. We know you got the pictures, and quite a few nice solo shots of Ahri..." Eh?! My eyes widened at that, but Fynia nodded instead, drawing my gaze to her as she reached to the side and slid an alchemically sealed bag from her case there. The two halves of my crystal tablet were sealed together in it, and I winced lightly.

"I... I'm sorry about the tablet! I didn't..." Mom lifted her paw at that, then slowly shook her head.

"No, Kou. Ahri's mind record already showed exactly what happened to it, and it's not your fault at all. You'll be getting a new one, and I suspect Clan Rhagane will be paying for it." Her eyes narrowed a little at the last bit, and I shivered lightly before nodding. Mom was scary when she was upset... and I was glad it at least wasn't directed at me.

Fynia slipped the tablet back into her case before nodding. "Vikhor's already been released from the hospital, and is under house arrest pending this meeting and an official court judgement. He'll probably get hours of community service, and they'll definitely replace the damaged tablet. We also had to look through your memory stick. All of the pictures we found corelate exactly with what the memory scans indicated..." Eh?! They'd looked through the memory stick?!

I outright cringed at that, and Dad chuckled before sliding his paw into his pocket and withdrawing the stick in question, sliding it forward and placing it on my chest. "Relax, Son! We actually turned in all the pictures you took already, with your usual offer to touch up ones they request and pay a bit extra for. Your account's over a hundred credits richer now. Mmm, and the secret of all those lovely clandestine panty shots you got of Ahri are also safe with us..." Aaaaaah!

My cheeks blazed as I sank down again and worriedly looked to Fynia instead, who just smirked and nodded. Tch! I... didn't really care if my parents knew about it. I'd gotten the full sexual education from a young age, given what we specialized in, and there wasn't really much that was taboo with them... but... the guards knowing about them...

Mom snickered softly, then held a paw up again. "Just tell us what you remember though, Kouta. Relax. Everything will be fine..."

Sighing at that, I went into what happened at the dance, yet again. The argument between Ahri and Vikhor, the bullying, the tablet getting broken and my paw getting cut open, and Ahri, Lethis, and Vitra laying waste to the two bullies before the guards cut in. All three of them listened intently once I started, with Fynia taking notes as I went.

We paused after, as the Jakatar finished up her notes, then slowly nodded. "Everything fits so far. As for the girls, neither clan or family of the boys are pressing anything. Pathon's family has grudgingly accepted that he antagonized Ahrianis first, and aren't willing to tackle Clan Trilian. Clan Rhagane has expressed... immense displeasure in the acts of Vikhor as well, and assure that he'll be fully disciplined. I can't give the details of either statement, but I figured you had a personal stake at least in Ahrianis' involvement..." I perked at that, and nodded to her, but Dad grinned again and I winced.

"Personal stake indeed. I have to hear this next bit!" he exclaimed, tuft tail swishing excitedly behind him now. Mom rolled her eyes but smirked, then nodded to me. Ugh. He was insatiable when he smelled juicy or lewd details... And this was after he and Mom went at it at least twice a day! Sheesh... And that was just the times I heard or blundered into them.

Sighing, I explained how the five of us had gone back to Clan Trilian's main mansion after, and them treating my paw. His eyes were practically shimmering as I relayed how Ahri and I had then danced for almost two hours after, with me intent on giving her the good time she missed out on from leaving the school dance early. Though, even Mom visibly approved of that, with a double nod. Ahri had been a staple visitor of our small manor too over the years. I was pretty sure my parents considered her the daughter they never had at this point.

Flushed, I then relayed the part with the bath, how we talked about our relationship, and then how she'd confessed and kissed me. Dad actually squeaked then, and even Mom looked... startled. Oddly, she checked her stack of papers a few times after, even as Dad wiggled next to me on the bed.

"Hah! I knew it! I knew it! Didn't I tell you? I knew Ahri would change her mind..." he chirped, then grinned back at Mom, who was reading a paper about halfway back in the stack she had. I tilted my head to her, but she held a paw up, frowning slightly now.

"I... admittedly wasn't expecting this. Especially this... request to negotiate. I know our clans have somewhat similar portfolios, but I never expected Clan Trilian to become interested in us. But... if Ahri is interested in you, that... actually explains a lot." She looked up finally from the stack and locked eyes with me as I frowned.

"Interested in us? What do you mean?" I didn't... really fully understand clan politics. Just that we were basically dead last and pathetic.

Mom's muzzle scrunched, and she slowly looked down to the papers again before sighing. "Yohkanis, the head of Clan Trillian, has personally requested negotiations with our clan. Me. Most of the missive he sent is just generic, formal request of communications between clans, but the topic does mention a cooperative alliance or merger. If he suspects his daughter is forming a relationship with you, he may be doing this to roll it into an alliance, potentially..." Uh... oh. Like he had been with Vikhor before... uh... she punched his lights out at the dance.

Slowly, I nodded at that. "I... think he mentioned something about... something like that last night. My memory's a little... spotty after I had the anxiety attack and got sedated, though..." I frowned at that, straining to try to remember what was said about it, if I could help, but Dad gave a more relaxed smile and shook his head, putting his paw on my chest.

"Relax, Kou. It's entirely understandable that you're having trouble remembering. You had another attack, though?" I met his gaze for a moment, and relaxed as he stroked my chest with his thumb. Right...

I nodded. "Yeah. I was... so worked up being called in by Ahri's father. All I could think of was how he was going to be upset that I, uh... kissed his daughter. Plus, he was upset with her at the time and looked... really stern and..."

Mom placed her paw on my leg and nodded gently to me. "He mentioned that when he confessed to what happened. He didn't know about your anxiety condition. But... I think we should talk to the therapist about increasing your dosage a bit. It's seemed to help so far..." Slowly, I nodded to that. It was probably wise. The medicine had helped me relax so far. I'd been in therapy for a year now to manage my anxiety and depression, and the talking and medicine helped really. I... was far from the only kid getting bullied, and my therapist really knew what she was doing involving it. She considered it an unfortunate side effect of the sort of melting pot Koramir had become after the Shattering, with everyone being forced to learn how to work together.

Fynia slowly nodded after that. "Everything about his mind scan checked out with what he said. You were accidentally given too much sedatives. Not a dangerous amount, but enough to impair you. Then he made the mistake of trying to move you by himself. You vomited, and he accidentally, reactively dropped you. Unfortunately, you were passing by the main stairs down into the great hall, and fell down a flight before coming to a stop at the halfway rest..." Ah. I had zero memories of that, and I was thankful in this case.

Sighing, Mom nodded again. "He seems to sincerely feel badly for it all, and willingly confessed and volunteered the mind scan. That puts the decision on us, as to what to do about it, but I wanted to talk to you, first..."

My ears and eyes lowered at that, and I exhaled softly. It was just a stupid accident. My first instinct was to jump right to me not being worth pressing formal charges against him, but I bit that back fast. Slowly, I shrugged, then shook my head. "It was a legit accident. I don't... really want to get him in trouble. He's Ahri's father, and... he just made a mistake is all. I don't think he should be punished for it."

Mom locked eyes with me for a long moment, but then gave a single, slow nod. "Yes, I suppose forgiveness is important. Especially if he's suggesting an alliance or merger. Perhaps... I can even get a more favorable deal out of him instead." She smirked at that, and I chuckled and shook my head. I knew she was keen on getting the best deal possible, but I also knew when she was teasing me.

Giving a smile herself, Fynia glanced to Mom with that, then asked, "So no pressing for any charges? This doesn't preclude any recompense he wishes to give you or Kouta, of course." That was... compensation? The line between punishment and compensation confused me sometimes.

"Yes. We won't be pressing anything. A mistake is a mistake, and no permanent harm was done." Mom wrote down something towards the back of the paper stacks, then looked up and nodded to Fynia with that, who in turn, wrote more down on her notepad.

"Alright, then! Thanks for your time! If we need anything else, we'll be in touch, but that's unlikely at this point. It's all pretty clear cut, really. Have a good day, you three!" She gave a smile and wave at that, then headed for the door. I waved back, and she tossed me another smile before leaving finally. Sagging at that, I finally relaxed fully again and looked back to Mom and Dad.

She was looking over the papers still, but Dad gave me a grin. "You've had quite the busy, eventful time then! Well, you're clear to go by the hospital, so how about we go get some late breakfast? Or early lunch?" My answer was in the form of my stomach violently growling, and he burst into snickers again. Even Mom's ears perked at that, and she looked up from the folder, shifting to a smile herself.

"Well, that settles it then. I'm sure that Heights' eatery house is still serving breakfast pancakes..." My ears perked at her suggestion, and she grinned. Yes! Absolute favorite breakfast item, ever! Tucking the folder away, she slid forward and helped me carefully out of the hospital bed, as Dad dropped down to the floor again with a little hop. Well, this day was starting to look up!