Spirits of the Earth

The carriage groaned as it bumped its way along through the narrow, cobble-stoned streets. Muddy puddles of the previous night's rainfall sloshed and sprayed away, creating rooster tails that delighted the youngest occupant within its plush confines.

Young Emma, only child of the Fiore estate, bounced excitedly in her seat, little legs swinging in the air as they were unable to touch the carpeted flooring. "Look mother, look! Did you see that one? It splashed all the way up to here!" she gleefully shouted, placing a finger on the glass window to demonstrate the murky water's height.

"Emma Fiore, keep your hands to yourself, quit fidgeting, and use your indoor voice when you absolutely must tell me something. How many times do I have to tell you? Your father and I thought we could bring you along to this very important dinner but if this is how you are going to behave we can have you sent straight home. Is that what you want?"

"No mother," the young girl replied, back now ramrod straight and body still as she stared demurely down.

Her mother awkwardly patted her head, murmuring a "good girl" before resuming final primping in anticipation of their arrival. "Now Eglington dear, remind me again why Garland requires we be dragged out in this atrocious weather to discuss this ludicrous business deal."

"Genevieve, my love, my angel you know perfectly well why Lord Horst has invited us to dinner. It would be of great benefit to us if we had his backing and I did not wish to insult him by inviting him to our home given its current state."

"Given its current state! I'll have you know there is nothing wrong with our home to be ashamed of. I run that household as good as any High Lord's wife! In fact I do better and with less to work with. You really ought to fire Emma's nanny, look at her. Those skirts are a disgrace," she huffed, her focus once more on the doll of a child and her copious amount of pink ruffled skirts. "This simply won't do!"

"Relax pet, all is well. Emma looks as darling as ever and you are still the most beautiful woman in all of Serendipity-all of the world," the gangly gentleman corrected himself after seeing his wife's glare. "Really there is no need to fuss. Lord Horst just wants a simple dinner affair and business can be conducted tomorrow or the next day. Now then, do your final adjustings and let's eat."

Scurrying to finish her preening, Genevieve made sure to give her daughter a second talking too, explaining in detail how and why she needed to remain on her best behavior to impress Lord Horst. If she did that then mother and father would both read her a bedtime story but only if she was good.

It took everything the six year old had not to start bouncing in her seat again just at the idea of having such a treat. 'I'll be on my bestest behavior ever, Mother. I promise, you'll see. Which Princess story should I have them read? The one with the pea or the one with the beast? The one with the missing shoe is longer though and Father despises the one about the mermaid which is the longest. Maybe H.B. can help me choose over dinner,' Emma thought, clutching the arm of her beloved toy bunny tightly as her the footman lifted her down from the carriage after her parents had exited in front of the manor's main entrance.

Lord Horst was seated comfortably at his desk in the study, going over yet more papers about imports and exports. His entire staff was abuzz with preparations for dinner, they were to have company and the company must always be impressed. Guests, both higher and lower in standing than himself received the utmost care and attention. Word spread and he liked all words to be positive when regarding his estate. However, he was much too busy managing businesses to worry about the preparations himself. That was why he had servants and slaves, after all.

The sprawling manor was like a stirred up hornet's nest for all the frenzy. At least, that was the best way that Ashlar could think to describe it. He wandered the halls aimlessly for a time, simply watching servants and slaves alike running to a fro as they cleaned. The dining hall would be made to shine, how pretty all the sparkling silverware would be! Most of the others ignored him, simply running past him or stepping around him. He was odd and they avoided him. It was preferable in most instances.

Skipping merely down towards the dining hall he found himself suddenly caught by the ear rather harshly. A soft yowl of pain was given before he sank down and wrapped his arms over his head defensively. The headmistress of the servants was glaring at him and shook him by the ear. "Now see here, you little mongrel, this dinner is important and I'm not gonna be having any trouble out of you. Everyone else is working and you're just a prancing about like a ninny. Go get cleaned up and dressed for dinner proper-like. The Master says there's important people a-coming and you're gonna be on a short leash, ya hear? Now get."

Ashlar rubbed his ear resentfully as he was let go, but sulking as he was, he swiftly retreated. As one of the very few non-humans in the employ/possession of the Lord, he found most of the other staff distrusted him. Silly humans, they would not be so insolent if he did not have his collar. There was nothing to be done about it for now, so he soon forgot all about the unpleasant encounter; although he did go bathe and dress for dinner.

He looked a sight, in black silk pants, finely woven with a red silk tunic embroidered with golden suns; his silk slippers matched his tunic perfectly. His ears twitched as he smoothed the tailored garments. It must be jealousy, he decided, that made the others hate him so. A gold silk sash around his waist completed the ensemble, and into that, he tucked Wallaby, with only his head and front paws poking out at his side. There was extra commotion now, so he assumed the important people were coming.

Scuttling through the halls to the main entrance he bounded energetically outside to greet the guests. Lord Horst was already there, standing tall, proud, and handsomely as the carriage halted in front of the steps leading up to the grand hall. Moving to stand behind his master and to the side, he did his best to stand up straight, hands tucked neatly behind his back and invisible inside the billowing sleeves of his tunic. His ears were perked forward, eagerly taking in all the sounds and his hair fell across his face, hiding his silver eye, so that only the dark crimson one was visible.

Horst ignored the slave behind him, not particularly worried about him. Of all his slaves and servants, it was Ashlar's loyalty and obedience he could be most sure of, though that had little to do with the demon himself. He put on a warm, welcoming smile as his guests stepped out of their carriage. "Welcome! It is so good that you could join us. Although, a great shame the weather could not be more agreeable. I do hope your trip went well?"

"It was hardly noticeable, thank you for asking though, milord," Eglington sweetly replied with a short bow, his hand clutched tightly on his wife's arm in an unspoken warning to keep her tongue curbed. "Might I introduce my wife, Genevieve," he paused to allow her to utter a sugary greeting and curtsey before seeming to remember the pink poofball of fabric at his feet and rushing her introduction, "and of course my child, Emma-"

"Say hello dearest," her mother cut in, before offering the lord an apologetic smile as if to say 'children, what can you do?'

Emma on the other hand, took it in stride. She pulled HoneyBlossom close to her chest, forcing his body into a gentleman bunny bow as she in turn flowed into a little curtsey. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mister Horst," her tiny pixie voice recited. The child never saw her mother's wince but she could tell from the hand on her shoulder she had messed up somehow and worriedly looked up. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of gold but ignored it in favor of concentrating on her Genevieve's stage whispered title correction.

"I mean Lord Horst. Sowwy sir," she apologized, curtseying again, eyes now completely riveted to the figure standing behind him though. Emma was too well trained to interrupt and ask but that did not stop her from sneaking peeks at him every chance she was going to get. The stories she wanted read to her tonight were long forgotten in place of childish curiosity that demanded her to discover more about the finally dressed man.

'Maybe he's a wampire from T'anatos! Or a pwince from Esswyni! That must be it! He's pwetty though. Maybe when Mother isn't looking I can say hello to him,' she imagined, completely oblivious to the proceedings and small talk going on around her.

Garland bowed his head slightly in greeting to both Eglington and Genevieve in turn. When Emma greeted him he smiled at her display with her little toy. He actually gave her a slight bow. He did not mind her mistake; she was only a little girl, after all. Still, he acknowledged her correction. "It's quite alright, my dear. Eglington, you have a very charming family. Please, come in, there has been a bit of a feast prepared in your honor."

He clapped his hands and Ashlar sprang into action, disappearing inside almost immediately. Garland led the way inside at a much more civilized pace. He waved a hand to show off the grand entrance hall. "Isn't it fabulous? I had the greatest architects and artists come from all over the kingdom to design and build my gilded halls. No expense spared, of course. Only the finest for my dear Jolene. Of course, she passed some years ago, but we mustn't dwell on such things. Here's the dining hall."

This hall was even finer than the last, it was where he hosted feasts and entertained guests, so of course it had to be grand, indeed. Ashlar was already waiting inside, his bushy tail swishing slightly as he pulled out the chair at the head of the table for his master. "The ladies, Ashlar, we must be polite to our guests." The kitsune murmured a soft apology before pulling out a chair to the right of his master, bowing as he did the same to the chair beside it.

Garland had noticed Emma's fascination with his exotic pet. "What do you think of him, Emma? Have you ever seen such a marvelous little creature?" It was obvious that the lord was rather proud of how unique his slave was.

Genevieve rolled her eyes in blatant disgust. It irked her that the slave who had disregarded proper etiquette was now serving her and instead of being severely reprimanded was now being discussed by Horst and with her child no less.

She sat down with a huff, tugging on her starry-eyed daughter's hand to get her to sit as well. "Emma," she coerced, "you need to sit down dear. Lord Horst is waiting for an answer," the mother further prompted.

The child nodded, still dazed that she was so close to him and in awe of the tail and ears she had failed to really notice on her first appraisal of him. 'I want one,' was the first thought to pop into her head followed by, 'have to be extra good to earn that though.'

"He is very intewesting, no intrewesting-inter-int...hmm." Small lips pouted as thin brows knit together in thought, trying to remember the correct pronunciation of the much sought after word. "I like him," Emma finally gave up, peeking back over her shoulder to catch one more look at the mysterious creature.

'Definitely not a wampire,' her mind concluded, mentally scratching out that option. 'What has a tail like that though? Wonder if I can pet him...looks really soft.'

If Garland noticed that he was annoying Genevieve, he didn't show it. Or perhaps he simply didn't care. It wasn't as if he was the one that needed them, and besides, all he was doing was speaking with the adorable little daughter. He and his wife had never had children of their own, a regrettable situation. Of course, they thought they'd have more time. He seemed delighted with her struggled answer, though.

When they were all seated, Ashlar disappeared again, returning a few moments later with a line of servants carrying covered plates. A plate was set before each of them and then uncovered to reveal a marvelously displayed salad for their appetizer. Ashlar had a platter with two silver pitchers. For his master, Eglington and Genevieve he poured from the first pitcher, a fine wine. With the second he filled Emma's glass with honey sweetened tea.  As soon as that was done he set the platter on a nearby table and stood with his back to the wall, observing, but remarkably silent.

"So Eglington, tell me about yourself and your family. I understand you're doing quite well for yourself, considering your more humble beginnings. Do you have many servants?" 

Emma relaxed as the attention was taken away from her and she could return to pretending. Whenever her mother and father would have company over and she was allowed to join them for a meal she liked to sit and pretend that she was a princess from a far away country where everything was backwards and they did not speak the language. She would observe the gathered guests and make up stories about why they were there and who was plotting what, who was good and who was bad. Then, once dinner was over and the dancing would begin, Emma would be sent to bed to tell her stories HoneyBlossom or if her nursemaid was one of the younger ones, she would share them with her.

Tonight though her tales would include the dark mystery leaning against the wall. Perhaps he was a lost prince, searching the world in order to reclaim his fortune before returning to his father the king with the answer to life. Or maybe he was a spy sent to find out information about the princess but falls in love with her and runs away with her to save her. 'Because,' she told herself, 'that's just how it's done.'

She listened with half an ear as her father rattled on about their numerous holdings and servants as well as the need to expand their family enterprises in order to better provide a dowry for her. 'Pwincesses need rather large ones right, H.B.?'

Trying for an air of royalty, she sat stiff-backed while trying to reach in front of her for her glass. Yet, even slouching was not allowing her to retrieve her desired drink for it was just an inch or two beyond the reach of her slim arms. A tip pink tongue slipped out from between rosebud lips while Emma continued to strain for the tea unnoticed by either of her parents. She did resist however the urge to pull on the tablecloth as that had gotten her in trouble once before when her drink had spilled on herself and the gentleman who had been sitting next to her at the time.

Ashlar's one visible eye glossed over slightly as his master began a conversation about business, houses, estates, and other rather boring subjects. He hated the fancy affairs of his master with a passion. They were just so boring. It took everything he had not to be bouncing and rocking on heels. Oh how he wished he could be somewhere else. The only interesting person at the table was the little pink ruffled child. In his years he'd seen some adorable children, including his own, but this little girl was in an entire different league.

After a few moments he noticed that she was struggling to reach her drink. Well that was terribly thoughtless of him, to pour her a drink and then forget to make sure she could actually reach it. Glancing at the adults at the table he realized not one of them seemed to notice the little girl's plight. Moving quietly he came up behind Emma's chair and reached over her shoulder, gently pulling the glass towards her enough to be within easy reach.

He smiled down at her, revealing a sparkling set of teeth, including his fangs. "Is that better, Miss Emma? Ashlar is always here to help. All the little Miss need do is ask." How he adored children. They were so cute and innocent and naïve. Also, he loved attention and Emma had seemed fascinated by him. He would be all too happy to indulge her curiosity. Playing with the child would be much more fun than waiting on the grown-ups.

She had been so concentrated on the task at hand that she never noticed the slave's approach until his hand suddenly flooded her field of vision. It startled her, forcing a quiet "meep" past her lips as her head lifted to gaze up at the smiling man behind her. Emma could only nod mutely, still reeling in shock that he had noticed and helped her.

'Not a spy. Or maybe he's a WEALLY good one.' Clutching the glass with both hands, she took a small sip, her smile widening as the honey sweetened her tastebuds. Emma leaned down some to whisper in her toy's ear, reminding the rabbit to thank the nice man too before directing him into giving Ashlar a little wave and settling back to take an assisted sip from her glass.

"Good boy," she whispered softly, careful to keep her voice from being heard by the adults over her mother's horse-laugh. Every few minutes though, Emma kept finding herself stealing glances behind her, trying to ensure he was still there. The teeth she had seen did not frighten her but certainly were different enough for her childlike innocence to recognize as something off. It puzzled her to not know what he was and served to fuel her curiosity and story-telling even more as the soup and salad courses were brought forth.

To Ashlar the conversation seemed to drag on forever. Business, politics, couldn't they think of more interesting things to yammer about? He did his duty, however, keeping glasses full and signaling for each course to be served and taken away at the appropriate time. The main course was brought forth, roasted duck in a savory sauce. One of the master's favorite dishes, he knew. Nobles and their grand halls and feasts and politics. Ashlar knew something of it, from years of being a slave to such people, and from his childhood before he'd ever known the cursed collar around his neck.

Garland noticed Ashlar was practically hovering around the child. Things had been going well enough, he found Eglington to reasonable, his wife was a bit obnoxious, but his business wasn't really with her. A good mood had settled on him and he eyed the pair for a moment. "Ah, all this talk must be so boring for the little lady. How thoughtless of me. Eglington, if you don't mind, why don't we excuse Miss Emma and let her go explore a bit? My Ashlar will watch her for you. Won't you Ashlar?"

The kitsune bowed his head, smiling widely at the opportunity to escape. "Oh yes, Master. Ashlar will take very good care of the little Miss. He will keep her out of trouble and make her safe, he promises."

Emma continued with her fantasy musing all throughout the meal, expanding Ashlar's story as she went along feeding both herself and her little blue bunny. She was so wrapped up in it all that the mention of her name startled her into thinking she had done something wrong and she nearly dumped a mouthful of potatoes in her lap. Wide eyes surveyed the adults' end of the table in time to catch her father's appraising gaze.

"Go ahead," he finally relented much to his wife's chagrin. "You may be excused Emma. Just don't cause any trouble and don't go anywhere you shouldn't."

The child smiled at the idea of freedom but stubbornly kept her place as if waiting for something more. Under the table she could hear her mother's foot tapping impatiently in frustration. Although Emma could not tell whether it was from her own childish stubbornness or her father's choice to set her loose.

"Oh honestly Eglington! HoneyBlossom you're excused from the table as well," Genevieve huffed, staring at the ceiling in agitation even as she made her apologies to their host. Emma never heard them though, for the moment her beloved toy had been excused, she had hopped out of her seat, latched onto the mystery man's hand and raced off through the door, H.B. tucked tightly against her side under her other arm.

"Thank you!" her angelic voice piped up from the doorway as she passed through it, not once looking back to see her mother's mortified face or her father's hidden smile.

Ashlar had waited in eager anticipation for the permission of Mister Fiore, and as soon as it had been given he'd expected the adorable Emma to be as impatient to get away as he was. When at first she did not budge from the table he tilted his head in confusion, one ear perked up, the other flopping slightly over. Finally the harpy of a woman spoke up, excusing...the bunny? He could only assume it was the toy. Not that he had more than a fraction of a moment to consider it, because he was instantaneously being dragged away.

Not that he minded, and soon he was bounding beside the girl as they made a hasty retreat. What a grip she had! He giggled as they left the dining hall and were safely out of earshot. He had promised to keep her safe and out of trouble, and he could not lie to his master, so safe and trouble-free they would stay. That wouldn't keep him from having fun, though. There were a lot of things they could do that could be considered safe and not troublesome.

"So what does little Miss Emma wish to see first? Ashlar can show her so many things! There are the gardens, but it is a bit dark to properly see them, and the flowers are not blooming quite yet. Oh, there is the ballroom; it is very shiny and sparkly in there. There's the music room, the library, the stables...oh! And the kitchen where we can sneak desserts."

The moment Emma realized they were alone, her muteness returned. She did not wish to appear rude but she still could not believe he was talking to her. 'He even let me hold his hand,' she thought blushing warmly and fidgeting where she stood.

For a few more moments the child worried her lip in thought while staring at the floor before bringing her bunny up in front of her face. One chocolate eye peeked out over the toy's shoulder to observe Ashlar, believing that he could not see her behind H.B. "Hello, I'm HoneyBlossom," she made it say, setting it into another small bow. "But, you can call me H.B. Emmy does too."

HoneyBlossom scratched his head in thought while the child holding him tried to think of a proper answer to what they should do first. "Are there horsies in the stables? We like animals."

Ashlar was excited and hyper and plenty happy to talk enough for them both. The little girl didn't answer him right away on what she wanted to explore, and he tilted his head in puzzlement once again. What an odd child. She didn't seem frightened of him, so he knew that could not be why she seemed to have lost her voice in his presence. Perhaps he was simply overwhelming? Yes, that must be it, and who could blame her, he was rather magnificent.

When he was presented with the stuffed toy, being spoken to through it, Ashlar crouched down to be on the proper eye level. He grinned from ear to ear. "Ashlar is very pleased to meet the Mister H.B., yes he is. If it is stables you wish to see, then that is where Ashlar shall take you."

Wasn't this just the most precious child? Talking to him through her bunny, blushing and too shy to speak for herself. Well, he would play right along with it. After all, Wallaby was tucked carefully into the sash about his waist. With a smile he offered Emma his hand, beckoning her with the other. "This way to the stables, Mister H.B and Miss Emma."

She had not been expecting such a reaction from him. Most adults just ignored HoneyBlossom entirely and those that did not, considered him a necessary evil to contend with. Emma giggled giddily, wanting nothing more than to dance around in place for such a "victory." She got so excited that her shyness of before drained away enough for her to let the bunny dangle precariously from one hand while she hopped forward to wrap her little arms around Ashlar's neck in a warm hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Emma gave him one more squeeze and an excited kiss to his cheek before pulling back and placing her tiny hand in his much larger one. Pausing for a moment to look around nervously, she raised a finger of the hand still dangling H.B. to her lips and winked.

"Shh, Mother mustn't know or there'll be no bedtime story tonight, Mister Ashley Sir. Just our little secret right?" The child looked up at him hopefully, a conspiratorial gleam reflecting in her innocent chocolate brown eyes.

Ashlar was quite surprised by the sudden hug, it felt nice to have the arms of a child about his neck again; it had been a long time since he'd had such a hug. It stirred up within him maternal instincts. His eyes slid closed and a soft purr came from him as she gave him a light peck on the cheek before she pulled away. His arms twitched, they had become stiff at the hug to keep from wrapping the child up in his arms. This was not one of his babies; he was forced to remind himself.

His delicate fingers wrapped around her hand as he opened his eyes and chuckled at her insistence on keeping that little display of affection as their little secret. His one visible eye sparkled faintly, a soft glowing red. "No bedtime story? How dreadful! No, no, Ashlar will most certainly keep our secret Miss Emma."

With a grin he put his own finger to his lips in a hushing gesture, and then he winked playfully and stood up. Leading her carefully by the hand he took her out to the stables. It was a short walk and he made sure she did not trip or fall on any steps. There were a few groomers in the stables, which were fairly large, and the lamps were still lit. Ashlar pointed to a few stables near the back. "Miss Emma's carriage and horses are over there. Would she like to visit them? Or does Miss Emma want to see Master Horst's horses?"

Skipping along, Emma allowed their hands to swing back and forth on the journey to the stables. She would not remember most of it though as the act of hopping down steps and occasionally bumping into and away from Ashlar was far more interesting to her at the moment. He was a fascinating mystery for her to try and unravel.

When they at last arrived in the stables, the child stubbornly turned her back to her family's horses, arms crossed in front of her as a scowl formed on her face. "We don't like the Fiore horsies," she firmly informed the slave. "The big meanieheads tried to eat H.B., you see Mister Ashley sir. It was horrible."

The Fiore heir stared up wide-eyed with concern at her new friend, her little hands both clinging tightly to Ashlar's warm one. "Lord Horst's horsies aren't like that are they? H.B. will be safe? You can pwomise me they won't eat him?"

Ashlar's face became a mask of pure horror as Emma explained that her horses had tried to eat poor Mister H.B. His ears pinned back and his tail flicked in agitation. "Oh no! That's so awful! Poor, poor Mister H.B.! Those mean horses didn't hurt you, did they?"

When she asked about the other horses, Ashlar's demeanor changed immediately. He threw his shoulders back and puffed out his chest; face a mask of grim determination. It was actually a pretty comical sight. "Never fear, Miss Emma and Mister H.B.! No horses will be eating Mister H.B. on Ashlar's watch. Ashlar would not allow them to hurt poor Mister H.B.! Oh, nononono."

Breaking down into giggles he crouched back down to be of a height with Emma again, crimson eye sparkling in delight. "If one of them horses tries to bite Mister H.B. Ashlar will bop them right on the nose! Now come little Miss Emma, let's visit one of the horses!"

"No, no just poor H.B. It was a cwime enough I think." Emma hugged her precious toy close to her chest and rocked him side to side as if to console him. "But you'll really bop them? Like this," she asked reaching out her forefinger to lightly tap Ashlar on the nose. The act sent her into another fit of giggles and into turning a dark shade of rose that complimented her dress nicely.

A soft nicker from one of the older horses soon caught her attention, suddenly making her very intent to hold Ashlar's hand and press close into his side. The horse's dark brown head appeared from over the stall door and lowered to eye the pink human and her black-clad guardian.

Wide-eyed and silent, Emma nervously reached out the hand not holding her prized bunny, to pat the velvet nose. The horse snorted before moving his head to try and snuffle around her person for a treat, keeping a wary eye on Ashlar all the while.

Emma laughed joyfully, scrunching her shoulders up around her ears to stop the horse. "It tickles!" she squealed, finally running behind Ashlar to escape, her eyes bright with mirth. Some of the laughter faded though as she came face to with the tail that had been both fascinating and perplexing her all through dinner.

Placing her hands on her hips she stared at the fluffy appendage in thought. "So Mister Ashley Sir, I have to asks, why do you like wearing an animal tail? I mean what about the poor animal who is now missing a tail?!"

Ashlar grinned, his eyes closing and nose scrunching as she poked it with her adorable little finger. He almost squealed at just how cute she was. Instead he giggled, opening his red eye to observe her blushing. She blushed a lot, didn't she? "Yup! Ashlar will bop any mean horsies, just like that."

His ear flickered at the sound of one of the horses nickering at them. He smiled as Emma squeezed his hand and kept close to his side, he put his other arm around her protectively as he watched her reach up to pat the old horse on the nose. Her laughter at the horse's snuggling caused him to giggle again, she was so precious and he found himself wishing he could keep her.

A moment later she had run behind him to escape the horse and he looked over his shoulder at her. She's seemed to have noticed his tail, which swished slightly as she looked up at him and questioned it. He adored the way she talked! He found himself clutching his sides and losing his balance. Plopping down on the floor he was caught up in a fit of giggles, unable to answer right away.

After almost a full minute of laughter, he finally got ahold of himself. "But that is Ashlar's tail! No animals are missing their tails because of Ashlar. Look, his ears even match!" He wiggled both his ears and tail, as if to prove his point. "Ashlar swears they're real, and they're his. Would Miss Emma like to touch them and see for herself?"

Well that was certainly impolite. 'Why do the big people always do that? I wasn't trying to be funny! I'm sewious! Can't they see this is important and not a laughin' matter!'

Emma crossed her hands over her chest and glared down at the laughing form before her. Like most children of her age she was both curious and impatient for answers as evidenced by her tapping foot and the pouting, scowl that marred her elfin features.

Even as Ashlar explained the truth to her, her face did not soften nor did her foot stop tapping. She stared him down for several long moments, letting the silence hang between them before raising her little button nose up in the air.

"I believe you," she stated in an offended manner despite her childish curiosity begging her to pet his ears and tail anyway. "I find it ofwensive that you would doubt my beweif! Unwess you're lying to me. You wouldn't do that now Mister Ashley sir," Emma eyed him full on with her large brown eyes before continuing, "would you?"

Ashlar didn't mean to laugh, but to him the question truly was funny! And the way she asked was just so cute. Of course, not all humans were very familiar with non-human entities. Maybe she'd never seen someone with a tail before! Oh, but that was so sad. People with tails were so interesting. Like him!

His laughter died entirely at her overly serious expression and her tapping foot. Aw, he hadn't meant to make her upset with him! Having the little lady cross with him simply wouldn't do. As the silence dragged on Ashlar felt himself squirming a bit, his ears laid back and a pout came to his lips. He wanted a smiling, giggling little playmate! She was so much cuter when she was smiling.

As he was admonished for thinking she wouldn't believe him his expression fell further, looking not unlike a kicked puppy. The question of if he would lie to her certainly made his expression turn into something absolutely pitiful. His voice became a soft whine. "Of course not, Ashlar could not lie to the little Miss Emma! Ashlar is sorry; he did not mean to upset the little Miss Emma. Please forgive Ashlar!"

Her bottom lip wobbled, seeing him so upset completely depleted her anger. She had tried acting all grown up and found that it was not to her liking if she ended making someone look so sad and brokenhearted. Forgetting for the moment how horrified her mother would be, Emma raced into Ashlar's arms to hug him tightly, wishing fervently to erase the past few moments that led them here.

"I'm sowwy," she cried pitifully, still clinging desperately to him. "You did nothing wrong. It was all my fault. Miss Emma was bad. She hurt your feelings and she's very sorry. Can you forgive her?"

The little body began to shake with chocked back tears as Emma let her mind chastise her more and more, exaggerating the hurt she had seen in the other man's face until she felt like nothing more than a monster. If this is what being an adult meant then she was never growing up.

She buried her face in Ashlar's shoulder, wailing repeated "sowwies," and still not feeling any better about it.

Ashlar had really done it now! He'd somehow managed to accidentally make the poor child so very upset. Her let her little arms wrap around him and he returned her hug, stroking her hair soothingly. Here he was supposed to be the adult and he'd gone and sent the poor dear into a fit. The poor kitsune felt pretty low about himself. Always ruining everything, yep, that was Ashlar, always messing everything up.

Well, Ashlar was a mommy and he knew how to soothe upset little ones. At least, he'd been a fairly good mommy as far as he was concerned. Sure, all his babies were boys, but little girls couldn't be that different. "Shh, shh. There, there, little Miss Emma. Ashlar did not mean to make you cry. He's okay, there's nothing to forgive. Please don't cry Miss Emma, if Miss Emma cries, then poor Ashlar will cry!"

The kitsune wasn't actually all that much larger than the child in his arms, but he lifted her anyway, hugging her to his chest and patting her back softly. "Come on, enough horsies for now. Let's go to the kitchen and get Miss Emma a tasty pastry. How does that sound? Ashlar and Miss Emma will eat a sweet and then see something else fun, if Miss Emma's parents are still busy."

Emma quickly wiped her eyes, afraid that even the sight of drying tears would send her friend into a fit. When she at last felt that she could control herself, the little girl leaned back to view Ashlar's face. A small hand reached up to pat his cheeks gently, checking to see if she had in fact made him cry.

"No tears? Please, pleaes no cwying. I'm not, see!" She batted her eyelashes to prove the fact before leaning in to give one more hug to the slave. Emma did not want to have to get up and leave. She found it quite comfortable in her guardian's arms and so did HoneyBlossom, for that matter. They both agreed they would rather Ashlar as a nanny than any of the other nursemaids they had had previously. He was kind and funny and best of he gave the best hugs. They were possibly even better than her mother's or father's ones but that was something she was not going to admit until she had further proof on that matter.

She sighed softly, finally able to relax some. Emma even attempted a small smile before standing up and holding out a hand to help him up as well. "Will it weally be alright if we have a treat? Mother won't mind? Or Lord Horst? It isn't right to steal, you know."

Ashlar purred softly as Emma began to calm down. He gave the child a few more comforting pats on the back before she leaned back to pat at his cheeks. How adorable was she? So worried about making poor Ashlar cry! Thankfully, his cheeks were dry. That should please the little Miss. Hopefully she would be satisfied that she had not made him cry. Already he forgot all about being upset.

"No tears! Ashlar is glad that the Miss Emma is not crying. It would make him sad for the little Miss to be so sad. Happy Miss makes Ashlar happy." She leaned in to hug him again and he squeezed her lightly against his chest. Emma was such an adorable child, how he missed having babies of his own to snuggle. Being a mommy was the best. He'd always wanted a daughter, but true females were so very rare among his bloodline. If he'd thought about it, Ashlar would have become depressed again, because Emma would not be staying for very long. For now his mind was only on keeping the little girl happy and in good spirits.

He was quite reluctant to let her go, but he released his hold on her as she stood up on her own again. Ashlar took her little hand in his when she offered it to him and stood up, smiling brightly once again. "Oh of course stealing is bad! Ashlar knows this, Lord Horst will not mind at all. Ashlar gets treats all the time. Although, Ashlar does not know about Miss Emma's mother, but Ashlar is good at keeping secrets!" He winked his red eye at her again, a mischievous grin on his features. What momma didn't know wouldn't hurt her, right?

"You're the bestest!" she declared, hopping up and down in excitement. "I wish my nannies were as fun as you. No one else pwomises to keep thing from Mother. Well e'cept Nanny Annalee but she weft 'cause Father caught her doin' bad things. But, I don't know what she did. They wouldn't tell me. No one eber tells me anything! Do they tell you things Mister Ashley Sir?"

Ashlar had won Emma's heart in record time. She was talking almost nonstop the entire time back up the steps. The girl told him about home a little and her nursemaids. But, she mostly talked about H.B. and the adventures he would go on while she was sleeping. He had tamed a dragon, had tea with the king and queen, the little bunny had even single-pawed convinced the "king of thiewes" to give back all his gold and turn to a life of humbleness.

But, as they neared the kitchen, her steps slowed and she looked up to her new friend in curiosity. "Can I asks you something Mister Ashley Sir? I don' wanna seem rude or anything. It's just..." Emma trailed off, not knowing what to say to him. If she insulted him then there would be no treat and worst of all, no more fun with him. She really did like him. Him being cross with her would make her so sad.

Emma's excitement was infectious and Ashlar quickly found himself rather hyper again as well. He beamed at the praise the little girl gave him. Being considered fun was much more of a compliment than something silly like being smart. Not that he couldn't be cunning, just he preferred his child-like enthusiasm to being serious. Being serious was no fun at all. "What they don't tell Ashlar, Ashlar finds out for himself! Ashlar is good at keeping secrets, but he's good at discovering secrets too!"

On the trip to the kitchen he listened to Emma's stories of H.B.'s adventures with obvious delight. Making all the appropriate exclamations and commentations. Some adults would have dismissed it all as childish fantasy, but not Ashlar. Emma obviously had a vivid imagination, and that was a good thing. Imaginative people were the most fun. Besides, if it was real to the child, who was he to say it was impossible?

Ashlar's tail flicked as the neared the kitchen and his little companion slowed down. He gazed down at her with his red eye, the silver one still thoroughly covered by the hair falling over that half of his face. His ears perked up and his head tilted with curiosity at her. "Little Miss Emma can ask Ashlar anything. Little Miss Emma has nothing to fear! Ashlar won't get offended, he promises."

Emma gave his hand a tight squeeze and a beaming smile in thanks. "You know you make a awful lot o' pwomises for a gwowned up," she commented, looking up at him in awed wonder. "But, that's not my questions. I wanted to asks why you always hide your eye. Do you not have anuzzer one? And is your eye always wed or did it get hurt? If your eye is wed does that mean everything you see is wed?!"

She fired off questions, her excitement and curiosity making her louder and more interested as she went along until she was at last out of breath. Chest heaving and hand tugging on Ashlar's sleeve, the child looked up at him in complete adoration. Emma hung on his every word, loving that he was willing to spend time with her and not out of obligation as others had in the past.

Learning about him too helped to fuel her tales about the "mystery man." Currently she was going with him being a pwince from the "Cushion Jungle" who had tried to help the local people but been captured and forced into slavery due to his magical powers that allowed him to become an animal. They caught him mid-transformation and that's why he was forever stuck with fluffy ears and a tail.

Ashlar grinned widely as she told him he made a lot of promises for a grown-up. Well he wasn't like other grown-ups, was he? A soft giggle was given as she quickly asked a series of questions about his eyes. Wasn't she a doll? Grinning even wider he knelt down again so that he could look her in the eye and reached up with one hand to push the hair out of his face. His silver eye was revealed, the pupil immediately contracting into a small point, distinctly separate from his red eye, which did not change at all.

"Ashlar has two eyes, see? Ashlar can see all the colors, his eye is not hurt, it just always is." He let the hair fall back over his silver eye. The light pained it so, but a brief moment of discomfort to satisfy the child's curiosity was well worth it. "Does the little Miss have more questions for Ashlar? Or is she ready for that pastry?"

"They're difwent!" Emma exclaimed in surprise before hastily continuing. "But pwetty! Wish I had pwetty eyes like yours. Mine are jus' ugly bwown, like mud. Not'in' pwetty about them. Did your parwents have difwent eyes too, Mister Ashley Sir?"

'Definitely magical! Maybe Mother and Father will let me wescue him. Then, when I set him fwee he'll be my best fwiend and play wiff me all the time! Can't bewieve you thought he was a spy H.B. You're so silly!'

She snuggled her bunny happily, perfectly content listening to Ashlar talk and being with him. The child found him to be great fun and in their short time together forgotten that come the night's end they would have to be parted once more as he did not belong to her or her family. For now though Emma laughed and listened with rapt attention, happier than she had been in her short life thus far.

Ashlar couldn't help it. Just having Emma around seemed to put a permanent grin on his face. He was still crouched down so he could look at the adorable little girl. "They're very different. Ashlar's daddy had silver eyes, and Ashlar's momma had red eyes. Light hurts Ashlar's silver eye, it is very sensitive, but Ashlar can see very, very good in the dark with it! Ashlar's red eye likes the sunlight though and doesn't see so good in the dark."

Straightening up and keeping a hold on her hand he led her to the kitchen, speaking as they went. "Also, Miss Emma should not say such things about herself. Ashlar thinks Miss Emma's eyes are just perfect, they remind him of chocolate!" As they entered the kitchen he snapped the fingers of his free hand to get the attention of a servant and quickly ordered that a tray of desert be brought to them.

He led Emma to a small table and pulled out one of the chairs for her. "Here we are Miss Emma. As Ashlar promised, Miss Emma will get a tasty treat. Miss Emma can choose any she likes." A platter was brought shortly after that with an assortment of fruit pastries. Ashlar crinkled his nose slightly before picking up one with blueberry filling and taking a big bite, humming happily.

'He thinks they look like chocolate! Did you hear that H.B.? He called them PERFECT! Isn't he nice? We should dwaw a picture for him later. A weally big one wiff lots o' colors! Oh but what should we dwaw? What's that H.B.? You say a picture of him? Weally? We would have to work weally hard on it. Has to be perfect!'

She followed eagerly, a bounce in her step as her mind raced with childish thoughts of the perfect way to thank Ashlar for his compliments and kindness. Why she felt like a perfect little princess with the way he treated her and spoke to her. It made her feel so bubbly inside that Emma really had begun to think long and hard about talking to her father about buying Ashlar so she could release him from his indentured servitude.

"Thank you Mister Ashley Sir! You're such a gentleman," she chirped, perusing the available pastries. Tiny fingers finally selected a small strawberry shortcake decorated with pink miniature sugar roses. Then, following Ashlar's initiative she took a small nibble, humming appreciatively as the sweetness pervaded her tongue.

Emma took another delicate bite before breaking off a piece and "feeding it to HoneyBlossom," who in turn also made pleased sounds of enjoyment. Together, bunny and girl thanked their new friend, H.B. with a small bow and a squeaky "thank you" and Emma with a large grin and her own softer "thanks."

She was just about to take another bite of the delightful cake when something peeking over the edge of the table from Ashlar's waist. Changing her mind, Emma broke off a small piece and held it out to him.

"Are you going to share with your fwiend Mister Ashley Sir? He looks like he would like some sweets too."

Ashlar ate much less daintily than his adorable companion, and soon found his pasty was gone, which left him licking the crumbs off his fingers and eyeing the rest of the treats with an appraising eye. For all his small size, he had a very healthy appetite, although he usually craved something much more sinister than fruit tarts. As Emma and H.B. thanked him, he grinned widely.

"Miss Emma is very, very welcome! Ashlar loves to make the Miss Emma happy." Which was true! He adored his new little friend. It wasn't often that humans were so enthralled with him, so friends among the other servants and slaves weren't common. Plus, Emma was an adorable little child. He couldn't ask for a better playmate.

"Hmm?" At first Ashlar looked confused when she mentioned his friend, but he followed her eyes down to his waist, where Wallaby's head was poked out of his sash. Wallaby was always in the back of the kitsune's mind, but he hadn't thought of him all evening. Generally, anyone noticing Wallaby made him terribly uncomfortable, but he didn't feel at all threatened by Emma. Grinning he pulled the ragged stuffed puppy from his sash and hugged it.

"Miss Emma, this is Wallaby. Ashlar has had him since he was a little baby. Ashlar's daddy gave him Wallaby. Ashlar is sure Wallaby would love some sweets!" He extended the puppy so that Emma could "feed" him too, although he kept a firm grip on the plush toy.

"Hello Mister Wallaby," she greeted, stressing the first vowel as she struggled to properly pronounce his name. "Would you like a little bite of cake? HoneyBlossom says the roses are the best part. Oh and I'm Emma by the by. It is a pleasure to meet you Miser Wallaby. Please feel fwee to have anuzzer, both of you. Miss Emma doesn't mind sharwing. She can't eat all this. And H.B. can be a weal hog about sweets."

Sucking on her lower lip, the child evaluated the rest of the pastries trying to decide what would be her second one. "It's weally otay if I has anuzzer, Mister Ainsley Sir? You don't mind?" Emma did not wait for an answer though, her fingers already dancing above the decorated sweets. "Was the boobewwy good? I liked the stwawbewwy, you should twy some," she excitedly chattered, trying to decided in her head between a flat pastry swimming with honey and jelly-filled shortbread cookies.

"Oh I just don't know which to choose!"

Ashlar grinned as he watched Emma greet Wallaby, never had anyone so spoken with him. As if he were alive and real, except of course for Ashlar himself. Then again, he didn't like it when people paid attention to Wallaby. That he felt so at ease letting Emma interact with the stuffed animal was a testament to just how much he was enjoying the little girl's company. Yes, he would be most displeased to be separated from the child.

A look of surprise came over Ashlar's face as he blinked and brought Wallaby's face to his large, fluffy ear. "What's that Wallaby? Oh Miss Emma, he says that he is so very happy to meet you and Mister H.B. He says you're the nicest little Miss he has ever met and wants to thank you for sharing with him." By the time he was done speaking a grin was back on his face, he did so love to play along with her. Her reactions were so cute.

"Oh yes, it is quite alright with Ashlar if Miss Emma has all the sweets she wants! The blueberry is delicious, Miss Emma should try one sometime. If Miss Emma finds it so hard to choose, let Ashlar make a recommendation!" He plucked up one of the raspberry jelly cookies she'd been eyeing and held it out for her. "Ashlar finds these ones quite tasty."

Emma took the cookie and nibbled on it tentatively, her eyes never leaving Ashlar's as she did so. The moment the sweet filling countered the dry crumbliness of the cookie, the child's whole face lit up with joy. It was not going to be her favorite treat but it was very good all the same. The fact that the kind man had taken the time to pick one specially for her just made it all the sweeter.

She gave an excited "thank you," while wiping her mouth and trying to hide the small yawn that widened her jaw and made her eyes droop. Emma hugged HoneyBlossom close and leaned back in her chair to look up at her temporary guardian.

There was just something about him that she could not place her finger on yet. He was too nice to be a spy and too fun to be a prince. The child always imagined that the heroes in her fairy-tales were bit too stuffy and Ashlar was certainly far from being that. He was fun! Therefore that had to point to something else. If only she could figure it out.

Her nose crinkled in thought right before an idea popped into her head. "Mister Ashley Sir, would you like to sweepovers at my house tonight? It would be fun. We could tell sto-wies," she tried to cajole him with a two-eyed wink.

Ashlar's crimson eye lit up happily at the look of delight on Emma's face as she tasted the sweet jelly of the cookie he'd given her. It pleased him to know that he'd made a good choice and that she approved. He beamed at her thanks, he so loved to be praised. This had truly been a great evening for him, he'd made a new friend, and she not only didn't fear him because he was different, but she seemed to really be fascinated because of his strange appearance.

When Emma yawned, Ashlar perked up his ears. It seemed his new little playmate was becoming sleepy. No wonder, surely it had been a long and tiring day. He wondered how far she'd had to ride in the carriage. The kitsune had no idea when her parents would be leaving, so maybe he should find her a nice place to take a nap.

Then he froze completely. She wanted him to stay the night with her? A sleepover? Ashlar had not been thinking about the fact that he would eventually be separated from Emma, but now it was shoved right in his face. "Oh, Ashlar would so love to have a sleepover with Miss Emma, but Ashlar is a slave and his master would not let him, and neither would Miss Emma's momma."

His ears drooped and a dejected look came over his face. Ashlar didn't want Emma to go!

She clapped her hands excitedly until the "but" registered in her mind and she suddenly stopped, confused as to what Ashlar was trying to tell her. "But Mister Ashley sir can't we just asks them nicely? It's only one ni-ight. Not foweber!"

Emma pouted and squirmed in her chair. To her child's mind it all made no sense. The servants at her house were allowed to come and go with permission, why could Ashlar not do the same? What made a slave any different? He was still a person. And what about what she wanted? Mother and father had always let her have anything she wanted if she was good and aside from what they did not know of her evening activities, Emma had been on her absolute "bestest" behavior.

When she looked at Ashlar though her chest ached and she felt like crying. His face looked so sad and she could not help but feel it was all her fault. 'I'm making him wanna cwy again. Bad Emma. So mean to your fwiends!'

Sliding out of her chair quickly, Emma rushed to Ashlar's side and hugged him tightly. "No cwying Mister Ashley Sir. Emma's sowwy she hurt yous. If Mister Ashlar Sir can't come to her then she'll stay wit' Mister Ashley Sir. Don' wanna leabe!" she cried, pulling back enough to look up at him with worry.

"Pwease?" Emma lifted her arms up in an unspoken demand to be picked up. She had gotten it into her mind she was not giving him up and she was determined to uphold that, whatever it would take. Her parents would not deny her this, of that she was sure.

Ashlar's ears laid back farther, poor Emma, she was so sweet and innocent; he could tell she just didn't understand. How did you explain to a little child about what it meant to be a slave? How did could he explain to her that it was impossible for him to simply ask? Ashlar felt horrible, he was making Emma sad, but he didn't know what to do.  "Ashlar wishes it were so simple, Miss Emma, but Ashlar cannot go, Master would never allow Ashlar to just leave like that."

Helplessly he watched her squirm in her chair, watched how her face turned from the previous joy to something sorrowful and perhaps confused. Ashlar wished he could better explain it to her. He hated making her feel bad, for any reason. She was such an adorable little child; he wished he could keep her. Masters always took his babies away from him too soon, and they never stayed babies long enough.

As she slid from her chair and ran to him, Ashlar's arms were waiting to wrap her up in a warm hug. Clinging to her his tail swished in aggravation. He didn't like not knowing what to do, and he'd only made things worse. "Oh Miss Emma, they would not let you stay with Ashlar. Your momma would never let you stay, Master wouldn't let you stay. Ashlar is so sorry; he didn't mean to make you sad. Don't be sad!"

Without hesitation Ashlar pulled Emma into his lap and hugged her tightly, nuzzling his head against hers. It felt good to be so wanted. Masters wanted him for certain things, but this was entirely different. This child looked up to him, and he liked that. Ashlar wanted to take care of her. "Miss Emma, don't let them take Ashlar away. Miss Emma needs to be Ashlar's Master."

"I won' I won' I won'!" Emma chanted over and over, her face firmly buried in Ashlar's shoulder. Her small hands clung tightly to his clothes, wrinkling the dark fabric in her iron-grip while silent sobs shook her petite frame. Hot tears flooded her cheeks and the fabric beneath them as the child struggled futilely to contain it. All she managed to do was make herself cherry red in the face and cry harder.

HoneyBlossom was squeezed so tightly between the two that his neck was squished completely flat, angling his head in what could only be described as the most uncomfortable position ever conceived. His presence proved to be little comfort to his owner though for Emma was inconsolable.

She had latched onto her temporary guardian like she had no other and now she found it impossible to let go. Like every child her age the concept that things could not remain was foreign to her. She wanted him near and he wanted her near, therefore why could it not be so? To be told that even her determination and desire would not be enough frightened her. Emma had been told that the world was hers and yet when she finally found something she wanted, she was told she would be denied it.

Exhausted and worn out from a long day and the effort of crying, her protests slowed and quieted until only a few faint mumbles tumbled past her lips. Her eyes felt sore and her breathing came in wet, rasping hiccups which she fought to keep quiet. She felt ashamed for crying. Ashlar was sad enough to begin with and now she had ruined his clothes and probably embarrassed him too while she was at it.

She sniffled and apologized brokenly only to start crying all over again. "I's sowwy!"

Ashlar held Emma close as she clung to him and cried. He let one hand slide soothingly up and down her back and made soft, comforting croons as he let the child cry. Sometimes you just needed to cry, he figured right now that was just what Emma needed. Let her cry herself out and then maybe he could think of a way to explain to her why they would be parted. Or try to come up with a way so that they could stay together. He liked that second plan better.

Finally she began to quiet and Ashlar slowly rocked with her. Her crying made him sad, but he was already beginning to cheer up. His mind had been made up, no matter what it took; he was going home with Emma. She was the perfect Master for him, and who better to take care of her than him? In his twisted mind there wasn't an answer to that, because there was no better arrangement. He could have his baby, and Emma could have a doting care-giver that did not ignore her, like he felt her parents did.

"Hush now, Miss Emma. Don't cry anymore. Ashlar isn't crying, see? Whatever it takes, Ashlar is going home with Miss Emma. Ashlar will take care of Miss Emma forever." The kitsune put on a smile for her and reached one hand up to lightly wipe away the tears from Emma's cheeks. "Shall we go tell Miss Emma's momma the good news?"

Emma's grip loosened enough so that she could sit back in Ashlar's lap and look him in the eye. He was so good with her and she just did not understand. Her guardian certainly did not seem as upset as she imagined him being. Sure enough there was not a single tear on his face or glistening in his beautiful eye. She still reached up to pat his dry cheeks just in case her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Still no tears.

"But Mister Ashley Sir," she whispered sadly to him, "you said you canna go. You said Lord Horst would not lets you. And I don' know 'ow to be your mastah. I don' know 'ow to keep you. 'Ow can you come 'ome wit' me if they say no? I don' wanna go. Don' wanna tell. They'll take me 'way, take H.B. 'way. Neber see 'gain. Don' wanna, don' wanna!"

The child shook her bowed head fiercely, clinging tightly once more. She feared leaving and seeing the adults for she believed that they would separate her from her precious guardian. The longer they stayed hidden in the kitchen, the longer she would have with Ashlar. Emma hoped with all her being that she would be forgotten and she would end up spending forever with the slave. All she needed to do was stay there in the kitchen in his lap. As long as they stayed the magic would hold and nothing would tear her away from the prince turned slave. If only she knew the reality that is understood with age. But, Emma was only six and therefore she hoped.

Ashlar couldn't help but grin as Emma patted his cheeks to check for tears. Such an adorable and sweet child she was! Already he couldn't help but adore her, his heart swelling with parental warmth. Who wouldn't want such a darling child to call their own? Well, from now on she would be his, as far as his own mind was concerned. He would have to lay her fears to rest; the poor thing was still so worried about being separated from him! It was quite evident as she had another small outburst.

The kitsune hugged her, allowing her to cling to him. There was no reason to hide; he had to make her understand that. Why on earth would he hide the fact that he was going to be staying with his Miss Emma? He made another soft crooning sound. "There. There. Miss Emma will see, everything will be alright. Ashlar will go home with Miss Emma and be hers. Ashlar will make sure of it! Miss Emma and Ashlar will make Miss Emma's momma understand, and make Master Horst understand that Ashlar belongs with Miss Emma."

He patted her back reassuringly once more, smiling encouragement. "Besides, Miss Emma is getting tired and the hour is growing late. Miss Emma's momma will surely come for her soon, and Miss Emma will need her rest. It will all be okay, you'll see. You'll see." He carefully lifted her and set her back on the floor, holding out his hand to her as he stood up. "Does Miss Emma trust Ashlar enough to come see?"

She found comfort in his embrace. His kind words soothed her tears and at last the young Fiore heiress was able to settle down from her crying jag. Everything that Ashlar did to comfort her was new to her. No one as of yet had ever really taken the time to hold her and love her the way he did. In the past nannies were far more concerned with either keeping her placated so she did not cry or in the event that she did, shutting her up as fast as possible and for the worst of them, in the cruelest manner possible. No one had just held the young girl and whispered soothing words into her ears until she found herself both too tired to cry in her cocoon of warmth and safety.

At last she was put down to rub vigorously at her drying eyes. Those same orbs looked up at Ashlar with such hopeful and naive innocence as she hung on his every word, hoping with bated breath that he was right and that it really was possible.

Her little hand latched back onto the slave's with a fearsome grip for Emma still greatly feared the loss of her dear friend. "I twust you," she solemnly stated, giving his hand a squeeze. "You pwomise though?"

Ashlar lightly returned the squeeze, crimson eye bright as he looked down at Emma with a wide smile. "Ashlar promises."

With a bit of a spring in his step, one hand holding onto Emma's hand, and Wallaby stuffed under his other arm, Ashlar led his small charge through back through the manor, passing the dining hall without a glance and making his way to the parlor, where he knew his Master was probably smoking his pipe and discussing business with the Fiore people. Stopping at the large oaken doors, he smiled down at Emma.

"Is Miss Emma ready? Ashlar will make everyone alright, trust Ashlar. Miss Emma should knock when she is ready to see." He gave her little hand another light squeeze, trying to reassure her and give her courage. He was there, he would not let anything go wrong.

His smile and confidence strengthened her resolve. Emma stood taller, shoulders back and head held high before raising a small hand to rap lightly on the door. Inside she could just barely make out the sound of her mother's horse-like laughter and her father's nervous throat-clearing.

The doors swung open silently to reveal a servant's head peering around the edge before stepping back and allowing the little girl and her temporary guardian inside. Her father ignored her entrance as he continued to press the final matters of his transaction with the Lord of the house.

Genevieve on the other hand watched the pair with the eyes of a hawk. A finely arched brow raised as she sat up straighter to stare down her nose at the conjoined hands of slave and heiress. That simply would not do. She had to rectify the situation as soon as possible and therefore called to her daughter softly and enticingly, arms open for a welcoming hug.

"Come give mother a hug, little one. Did you enjoy the manor, Emma dear?"

Emma hung back, still clinging tightly to Ashlar's hand. Instead she smiled and curtsied to Lord Horst. "Thank you, Lord Horst. Mister Ashley Sir and I had a bery agweeable time," she beamed, leaning into Ashlar to hug his arm and unknowingly infuriating her mother further.

The woman rose from her chair, a smile on her lips that held so little warmth that even seasoned nomads of the Sionad Tundra would have found it unbearable. "Come dearest," she called stiffly. "You must be tired. Your father was just finishing. I think you've taken quite enough of Lord Horst's time by depriving him of his slave for the evening."

The child bit her lip and shook her head slightly. She did not want to go. She was right where she wanted to be and wished there was a way she could tell her mother that. Emma wondered who should break the "wonderful news" as Ashlar called it, to her parents. Ashlar was hers now and not even hell or high water would tear him away from her. Emma tugged on his hand slightly, hoping he would get the message and talk for her. Who knows maybe one of his princely gifts was the art of convincing people.

Lord Horst had fixated Ashlar with a stern look the moment the kitsune had entered the parlor. How close the pair seemed was not lost on him at all, and neither was Genevieve's displeasure. At Emma's curtsey and proclamation that she'd had a good time, he inclined his head to the girl, but fixed Ashlar with a harsher stare. "Miss Emma, you should listen when your mother tells you to do something. Although please, Mrs. Fiore, it was no inconvenience."

Ashlar squeezed the little girl's hand one more time, before looking down at her with a smile. "Master is right, Miss Emma, Miss Emma's momma told her to do something." He gently pulled his hand away from her before looking to Lord Horst. "Ashlar needs to speak with Master alone, please. Ashlar will be right back." He didn't wait for an agreement; he simply turned and strode out into the hall. His leaving would likely upset Emma, but he would need to speak with Horst in order to get what he and Emma wanted.

Horst quickly excused himself and followed Ashlar into the hall. The door shut behind him and the family was left alone for several long minutes. Occasionally muffled sounds would be heard, but for the most part it remained very quiet within the parlor. When at last Horst reappeared his face was very pale, and Ashlar was grinning as he bounced back into the room behind his master. Horst opened his mouth to speak a few times, but each time shook his head and reclosed his mouth. 

Finally stealing a glance at Ashlar, who looked to be growing impatient, he licked his lips and spoke up. "Fiore, I'm quite glad we could do business together, I look forward to future profitable interactions. I have a gift for your daughter; Ashlar and Emma seem quite taken with each other, so I'm giving him to her. He would make a fine nanny."

The engraved words on the collar shimmered with a pale silver light for a few seconds before they faded back into obscurity. Ashlar grinned widely. He was Emma's now; the transfer of ownership had been recognized by the magic of the collar.

Emma Fiore had been too well trained already at this point in her life to throw the temper tantrum she wanted to. All the adults were out to get her! Even her special Ashlar was telling her she was being bad and had to go to her mother. And while she knew he was going to tell Lord Horst he was going home with her, she still felt like his leaving was a bit of betrayal. He had left her to deal with her mother which right now the child considered the greater of two evils with the way her mother was staring her down.

Head lowered and feet shuffling, the little girl came to at last stand before her mother. She could feel the stern gaze and just imagine the thin line her mother's lips were forming. Emma had certainly done something big this time. As much as she craved her parents' attention, she also knew that gaining it in public in the form of a reprimand meant not seeing them for a long time afterwards and possibly the loss of HoneyBlossom as well.

Remembering her beloved toy again, Emma pulled him tight against her chest as if to ward off the worst of her scolding. Surprisingly for her at least, it went rather quickly. A few hissed words about disobedience and associating with slaves and then it was all over. Emma was scooped up into her mother's lap and locked in place with her mother's arms around her waist.

"You will behave now," were the last words Genevieve growled into her child's ear before the door opened once more and her sweet mask of apology slid back in place. "Oh really now my Lord," she called out sweetly, "I hardly believe that Emma deserves a gift and certainly not your own personal slave. She is but a child! Eglington please say something. It is simply too much!"

The Fiore patriarch rose to his feet, his hands playing with the end of his vest as he did so. It was obvious by his posturing that he was very excited with the prospect of a contract with Lord Horst but was also battling with how to not lose that contract due to his wife's demands. The look of hopefulness on his own child's face was completely ignored though.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with my wife sir. You are being far too generous. We could not even hope at this time to be able to support such a valuable item. Please, I beg of you to reconsider. This is not something that, I mean to say Emma already had a nanny and I think that it is better suited for other tasks than caring for an errant child. My lord," he added quickly dipping into a slight bow.

Horst looked between Emma's parents with annoyance. Of course they didn't understand. Well, it was far too complicated and aggravating to try to explain everything about how Ashlar's slavery had worked. No one had ever explained it to him; he'd just had to figure it out on his own. They would too. "Ashlar is a slave, you do not have to pay him, and he will feed himself. Not to mention we have just entered into a profitable business arrangement. I'm sure affording him will not be a problem. As for Emma just being a child, well pets are wonderful tools for teaching responsibility."

There was so much more to it than that, but it would be hard to make them understand, if they would even believe him. "Besides," Horst remarked, waving a hand dismissively. "It is already done. Ashlar no longer belongs to me, he belongs to Emma. My commands would mean nothing to him, only Emma will he obey. Please stress to her the importance of never removing his collar. It keeps him properly manageable." Except still he'd found himself terrified of the demon and eager to get rid of him. Ashlar could destroy everything he had ever worked for. He didn't doubt the threats the kitsune had made.

Ashlar grinned and bounced happily. "Horst is correct! Ashlar obeys only Miss Emma now. He will follow Miss Emma to the ends of the world if he must."

Eglington bowed his head respectfully to the nobleman, much to his wife's horror and disgust for he knew he had been beat. Horst was right about everything especially their new contract. It would be highly unfavorable to further insult the man by refusing when so much of the Fiore future relied on this charter.

"Many thanks then Lord Horst. It was not our intention to insult your great gift to our little one. We just worry that it would not be given the proper care and respect. But, you raise a good point, a child must learn responsibility at some point. A pet would be good for our Emma. Thank you again," he stated once more before beginning to make his apologies. "I am afraid though it has been a long evening and our little one really should be getting to bed. I fear she will be quite a terror come morning should she not get her precious beauty sleep."

From her place beside him, Genevieve twittered at the joke and made a big deal about lifting Emma from her lap and holding her close while petting her hair, much to the child's disgruntlement. "Poor dear is all worn out. It was quite lovely to share dinner with you my Lord. Perhaps we will have more opportunities in the future as business continues to thrive."

Emma though, bored with the formalities, was squirming under her mother's attentions and eying Ashlar with a look of growing aggravation and impatience. She was not comfortable where she was and wanted to be back with him. In her mind there was still a chance this could all go wrong and she would never see him again. Emma did not fully understand the meaning of Ashlar's ownership being passed onto her or that it meant he would never be made to leave her now unless she herself commanded him gone.

So she pouted and waited while the adults talked until her mother let go of her to offer her hand to Lord Horst and then the child was off in shot. Before Genevieve could grab her back, Emma was back to pressing close into Ashlar's side where she clung to him, happy at the warm and safe feeling he gave her.

"Thank you Mister Ashley Sir," she whispered quietly for only him to hear. "Thank you."

As far as she was concerned now, all was right in her world. All they had to do now was head home. 'And it will be 'appily hever af'er!'

"He is a rather expensive gift, so I expect he'll be well cared for, but I am not insulted, it is not exactly a regular present, is it? I think Emma will be quite pleased with him, at any rate. He'll make a wonderful companion, considering he acts like a child half the time anyway." Horst gave his farewells to Eglington and Genevieve, even nodding curtly to Emma as she rushed to Ashlar. "I'll keep in touch with regular correspondence, of course, but shall I show you out?"

Ashlar immediately knelt down and hugged Emma as she darted back to his side. He had not liked Emma's mother and her fussing over the child. It had seemed so fake, an act to make herself look good and his poor Miss Emma hadn't seemed to enjoy it at all. That's okay, she was by his side now and he would take good care of her.  The prospect of getting to be Emma's companion was wonderful. It would be a good life, and he would have his darling little Master to dote upon. There were only a few concerns to block their happiness, but he would take care of it when the time came.

"Ashlar will show them out, Lord Horst, no need for the Lord to trouble himself. Come along, Miss Emma! Miss Emma gets to take Ashlar home." He stood back up and took her little hand in his again to gently lead her along back to the front entrance where their carriage was waiting. He hadn't really waited on Emma's parents; he didn't care about them in the slightest. All that mattered was making his Miss Emma happy.

The Fiores continued to say their goodbyes and wrap up loose ends as their daughter was led away by the newest addition to their party. Emma smiled happily as she swung their hands back and forth, enjoying the freedom to be with her Ashlar. He had actually done it. He had convinced Lord Horst to let him come home with her just as he promised. Though she did not know it yet, he even gifted her with his company for the rest of her life if she so desired it. The slave had taken a wish and delivered ten times the child's expectations. In her eyes he was the most wonderful man in the world.

Tiredness kept her relatively quiet and sedate as they walked outside. She gave him no trouble at all and for now was content to just hold his hand instead of ask question after question as she had done before. He would be there for her later tonight and even come morning to ask those kinds of things. In the mind of a child, she had all the time in the world.

The moment was ruined though as her parents approached them from behind. Emma heard her mother's skirts ruffling moments before Ashlar was being rudely yanked away from her, his ear firmly grasped between her mother's fingers. She cried out and moved to stop her when she felt her father's staying hand on her shoulder as he dropped down to be at her level.

"It's alright Emma. Mother just wishes to have a talk with it. It needs to know how precious you are to us and how important it is take care of you." He smiled at her reassuringly until the creases of worry were washed away from her face. Eglington was not oblivious to the concern that darkened her eyes though as she continued to watch the way her mother hissed darkly at her new friend, out of her earshot.

Her father moved Emma until she had nowhere to look but at him and gently clasped his hands on her little shoulders, holding her in place. "Now Emma I need you to listen to me carefully. This is very important. Are you listening to me?"

The child nodded her head slowly, wide eyes completely trained on those of her father. Again he smiled trying to keep the moment light even as he prepared to command something very serious of his only child. Despite the lack of time he did manage to spend with his offspring, he truly did love her in his own way.

"You must promise me, Emma. You must promise never under any circumstances," he grimaced at her questioning face before rephrasing, "that no matter what happens, you will never ever remove the collar from around your slave's neck. No matter what he tells you or what he asks, no matter what happens in the house or with your mother and I and must never take it off. If you do, bad things will happen Emma."

"Bad things?"

Eglington, wishing to drive the point home preyed on his daughter's fears. It was like any other business deal he had ever done. He used manipulation and in this case fear tactics to get her to obey. The fact that it was his only child meant nothing when it came to the safety of his entire family.

"Very bad things, Emma. He'll leave you."

Her eyes widened in fear as she shot a glance over her father's shoulder towards Ashlar. It seemed that the discussion between the two was winding down and her mother looked highly displeased, judging by the scowl gracing her face. She was drawn back to her father again though as he shook her slightly.

"Do you promise me Emma? You must! It is the only way he'll stay and bad things won't happen to us. You must promise Emma. Or I'll force Lord Horst to keep him."

"No no! I pwomise Father. I pwomise I won't take the colla' off him! Please don' take him 'way Father. Please!"

The father smiled and awkwardly patted her on the head before standing up once more. "Thank you Emma. He can stay now."

Ashlar gave a soft yelp of pain and surprise as his ear was grabbed unexpectedly and he was dragged away from Emma. He realized it was the mother, shouldn't have surprised him, he knew she was going to give him problems. Not really consciously, but inside him, a darker part of him had known. His crimson eye looked up at her owlishly as she informed him of how much she hated him, did not trust him, and how he had better behave. Now that was just uncalled for, Ashlar had been extremely well behaved so far.

Something clicked inside his head; the happy child was swept away and the slumbering evil emerged. The red eye gleamed as it leered up at Genevieve. A twisted grin came over his features and his voice changed into something lower and darker. "Since you're new, I'll be gentle, but let me make a few things clear to you. I don't care if you're Emma's mother, only Emma can command me, only her orders will be obeyed. I do not answer to you or your husband; I answer to Emma and Emma alone. Because of my slavery, her protection is guaranteed, yours is not. Get in my way, threaten me, or lay your filthy hands on me again, and I will rip out your entrails and hang you with them."

As quickly as the flicker of darkness overcame him, it left again. Ashlar blinked up at Genevieve once more and cowered down before her, putting his hands over his head and giving a wail, his voice rising and keening.  "What did Ashlar do? Why is Miss Emma's mother so mean to poor Ashlar? All Ashlar wants is to be Miss Emma's friend!" That should get everyone's attention.

Having extracted the desired promise from his daughter, Eglington therefore did nothing to stop the little sprite from racing off to mother and slave as soon as they heard the first wails coming from the creature. He followed slowly, wishing to avoid the brunt of his wife's displeasure for as long as possible. His child was safe now; he had done his duty as a parent. Genevieve could handle the rest as the mother.

Emma on the other hand was incredibly distraught. Her tiny body collided with that of Ashlar's as she rushed to his side, her arms encircling his leg tightly as she tried her best to glare angrily over at her mother.

"You huwts him!" she cried out, stomping her foot. "You big meaniehead! He's my fwiend and you huwts him! 'Ow coulds you?!"

Her mother froze, shocked at how quickly her sweet child had turned on her. The expression soon flashed to hatred before resignation. The slave was certainly a bad influence and somehow would just have to go. The sooner, the better too!

"Now, Emma dear," she began, voice soft yet stern. "That is a slave and should be treated as such. Slaves are not friends, for friends do not order each other around and that is what you will have to do with it. Now please dear, let go. You are being quite unruly."

"No! 'pologize! You huwts him! If you don't then I'll..." Emma paused as she tried in her six-year old mind to come up with a good threat until a mischievous light sparked within, "I'll wun 'way and you'll neber see us 'gain!"

Genevieve sighed, shooting a hateful glare towards the slave before lowering her gaze to that of her only child. "I will apologize Emma only after you make him promise not to hurt me." A smirk curled her lips, believing that she had won this round. If Ashlar were to attempt his threats he would be stopped by Emma's command. She loved that even now she still had the creature in her command for Genevieve still had control of her child, at the moment at least.

Big brown eyes looked up at Ashlar glistening with tears. "Please Mister Ashley Sir, don't be mad at Mother. She sowwy. Please don't huwt her because she huwt you. It isn't wight. Teacher says so too."

Clinging tighter she added in a whisper, "I don' wanna lose you."

Her father shifted nervously behind the trio, unwilling to interfere and uncomfortable with staying. The look of triumph on his wife's face was certainly disconcerting but the look of horror on his daughter's face at losing her "fwiend," was equally disturbing.

"We should be going my dears," he finally stated, clearing his throat as he watched Emma cling tighter.

"Not until that thing agrees," his wife cut in, not even trying to hide her delight.

Ashlar maintained his cowering position even as Emma collided with his leg and began clinging to him tightly. Some part of his mind felt a thrill of satisfaction as Emma scolded her mother. Yes, this was exactly how he would work things. His little would love him and care for him, and her mother would fade from the child's mind and heart. Perhaps her father too, the man seemed easily enough to simply coerce, but it was hard to say. He didn't seem to really deserve Emma either. All in good time, for now he would work on riding himself of the harpy at hand.

He continued his act, although he felt a flicker of annoyance when Genevieve demanded that Emma make him promise not to hurt her. He could not disobey Emma, even if Ashlar wanted to disobey he couldn't. Well, he seemed to be in luck as Emma looked up at him with her big brown eyes and asked him not to hurt her because he hurt him. The wording was both just vague enough and specific enough for him to wiggle it within his mind however he pleased.

With another whine he sank down to Emma's level and clung to her, as if seeking her protection from Genevieve. "Why would Ashlar hurt Miss Emma's momma? Ashlar promises he won't hurt her because she hurt him. Ashlar would never do such a thing! Never!" He dropped his head to Emma's little shoulder and cried some more. "Make her stop hurting Ashlar, Miss Emma! Oh please make her stop! Why is she so mean to poor Ashlar? It! Thing! So cruel the words. Ashlar is not an it. Ashlar thinks, he feels, Ashlar is not a thing."

Genevieve sneered in disgust at the way the creature pawed her precious property. How dare he maul her perfect little girl like that. "You're a slave. Of course you're a thing. You are property. You belong to my daughter and you will obey her." The unspoken 'and therefore me,' hung silently in the air.

From her place currently trying to comfort Ashlar with her arms wrapped around his head and neck, cuddling him close, Emma shot a fiery look of betrayal towards her mother. She did not understand in all her innocence why what her mother said hurt so much, she only knew that it was not right. The concept of slavery was not one the child understood. A person was a person and people deserved respect, something her mother was denying Ashlar. It angered the child so much so that she reflexively tightened her protective grip on the kitsune, wishing there was more of a way she could fix this for him.

Tears raced down her cheeks unbidden from the sorrow of seeing her new and only friend cry. Standing on her tip-toes, Emma leaned forward and gave Ashlar's previously abused ear a tender kiss before very gently rubbing it like she would a cat's ear, being ever so careful not to squeeze or pinch it.

"I'm sowwy Mister Ashley Sir. Emma's sowwy you gots huwts. Pwease don' cwy. Pwease, Emma's sad too. I'm sowwy," she whispered into his hair, feeling as if her world had ended. Her parents were not supposed to treat him like this. He was not supposed to be hurt and crying. She should have been stronger, she should have protected him. She had betrayed him. He was going to hate her and it was all her fault.

Neither parent saw the tears their child shed but Eglington did catch the scorching looks of burning hatred that Genevieve was sending the pair and was just in time to catch her before she tore child and slave apart once more.

"Perhaps we should be going now dearest. The promise was made," he stated lowly, gripping the furious woman's arm firmly. He nearly shuddered under the intensity of her gaze as it passed over him but somehow managed to hold his ground even as cold sweats broke out along his spine. "You're making a scene," he added in a nervous hiss that stopped her in her tracks. The merchant knew he would pay for his interference tonight. There was no mistaking his wife's look after all. But, at least this way it could all be handled out of site of their newest patron.

The carriage had arrived and he impatiently waved for it to be opened before helping his wife inside and following after. A curt call for child and slave to follow was soon forthcoming, tailed by the irate mutterings and insults of the Fiore matriarch.

Ashlar hissed softly, but quickly turned the sound into another wail. "A slave Ashlar may be, but he is still not a thing! Of course Ashlar will obey his Miss Emma. Ashlar is being a good Ashlar, why is it mean to him?" Oh yes, he was laying it on thick. Then again, that was the idea, pit Emma against her mother and draw her closer to him. The more loyal Emma's love to him was, the easier it would be to rid himself of Genevieve.

The kitsune could see all of Genevieve's hatred for him, at the way Emma clung to him, and so he clung to his new little Master even tighter. He sniffled and nuzzled into Emma's hand as she so tenderly rubbed his ear to make it feel better, making a great show of getting his crying under control. It only upset him that he was upsetting Emma, but it couldn't be helped right now. He would make up for the transgression later.

It was a bit of a surprise when the father stepped in, and a temporary reprieve was granted, but he knew it would last only until they were in the relative privacy of the carriage. As the parents climbed into the carriage, Ashlar clung all the tighter to Emma. He whispered quietly for Emma's ears alone. "Miss Emma's mother is going to try to take Ashlar away from Miss Emma, he knows it! She is going to hurt him, Miss Emma. Poor, poor Ashlar, she scares Ashlar, she does. Please don't let her hurt poor Ashlar. Please don't let her take Ashlar away."

They were called into the carriage, and with another sniffle Ashlar tried to help Emma into the carriage. Emma needed to go home and sleep; she was just a little one and would need her rest. It just wouldn't do for him not to take good care of her.

The things that Ashlar told her struck a fearful chord within her little heart. Emma's mother just could not be allowed to take him from her. She loved Ashlar and he loved her. If mother took him away then it would break her heart. She could not bear the idea of losing her only friend especially so close to the victory that he could come home with her and stay with her forever.

Emma tried to keep a smile on her trembling lips as she continued to comfort Ashlar. She did not wish to upset him further by being the one needing the comforting. So when her father called her to the carriage, she squeezed the slave's hand tightly in reassurance while hurriedly whispering that she would not let it happen, that Ashlar should not worry.

Soon after they both settled into their own seat bench across from her parents. The child made sure to slip herself tight against the kitsune's side with his arm wrapped firmly about her while her own curled around her stuffed bunny. She was not going to be coaxed from his side if she could help it.

But, no sooner had the carriage begun its movements away from the manor before her mother was running at the mouth again. It seemed there would be no stopping her at the moment as she chastised her daughter for embarrassing them all at the manor with Emma's childish disobedience and demands. Eglington meanwhile sat silently refusing to acknowledge any of the carriage's other occupants, trusting his wife's judgement when it came to their child.

Emma on the other hand was forced to be silent during her mother's rapid fire demeaning criticisms and chastisements. She was able to bear the brunt of it until her mother happened upon threatening Ashlar's place in the child's life.

"...really Emma it is completely despicable. Why I ought to take that thing away from you as punishment for your behavior this evening. You don't deserve such a fine gift is that."

Ashlar's words of not long before ranging hauntingly true with in the child's mind causing her to tremble slightly in fear. She could not let that happen. Emma had promised Ashlar! She could not go back on her word, especially since he had kept his. She would just have to be a good girl, she would just have to make sure mother did not find a reason to take him away.

Unconsciously Emma leaned in closer to her friend, letting her head rest against his chest and his heart to beat against her ear. Even as her mother spoke to her, she murmured softly into his shirt that she would not let it happen. Ashlar was safe. She promised.

Ashlar followed Emma into the carriage, taking the seat next to her and settling in as his young Master snuggled close to his side, his arm wrapped protectively around her. Almost immediately the harpy began screeching again. He had known she would, and other than cling to Emma, he did and said nothing. Normally he wouldn't allow anyone to speak to his Master that way, but in this case, with the person in question being his Master's mother; he kept his mouth shut; mostly because this was going to be too easy. Ashlar didn't need to drive a wedge between child and mother; the mother was going to do it for him!

His ears folded as Genevieve threatened yet again to take him away from Emma. As much as he wanted to put the hateful witch in her place, to make it clear that she didn't hold the power to take Ashlar away from Emma, he knew that fear was going to help him. If Emma was afraid of having him taken away, then it would only make it that much easier to pull child away from parent. His red eye was burning in hatred as he looked at Genevieve, but he quickly lowered his head and looked away. Let her think she had gained some ground, would make it that much sweeter when he destroyed her. That silly promise not to hurt her had meant nothing in the end, and here she thought herself so clever.

Emma was pressed even tighter against him now, and Ashlar put his other arm around her, hugging her against his side. She was so precious, telling him how he was safe. Maybe in some ways she would protect him, but he knew that for now, it was he who was the true protector, even if he didn't seem like it. Only fools underestimated him. Usually they became dead fools. Emma's mother would be one such fool. When the time was right. "Don't worry, Ashlar will keep Miss Emma safe, too."

She trusted him, believed in him, and felt comforted by him. He said he would protect her and therefore Emma knew he would. It was a child's perspective on the entire matter yet, regardless to the child it was the truth.

Even as her parents continued to converse with each other, effectively ignoring their daughter and her new "friend," the little girl began to doze against Ashlar's side while the carriage bumped its way along towards home.

By the time they reached Fiore manor it was long after Emma's bedtime. The jolt of the carriage coming to a stop startled her some out of her nap but not for long as she attempted to go back to sleep on her self-made "pillow." Her parents quickly exited the carriage, Genevieve muttering about Ashlar as they went.

Soon it was quiet once more with the sleepy child sighing softly, oblivious to being home and her bed so close.

Ashlar rode in silence for a long while, content to have his little Master snuggled up to his side, occasionally his red eye would gaze down at Emma adoringly. She was so precious, who could resist an adorable child? He certainly couldn't. At least he found peace in being ignored by Emma's parents. They had been unbearably annoying so far, the mother a hateful harpy that he would take pleasure in destroying, and the father was a timid weakling.

Almost asleep himself by the time the carriage pulled up to the Fiore home, he stretched and rubbed his eyes as he watched the Fiore's exit first, leaving their daughter alone with him in the carriage. What inattentive and horrible parent's they were. Oh well, Ashlar was there now, Emma would have all the love and care she could possibly need, Genevieve and Eglington were now pointless to have around, but he would take care of that soon enough.

With the gentle care of a mother, Ashlar lifted Emma into his arms, holding her to his chest as he carried her out of the carriage and looked around, blinking his crimson eye. Where was he to go? Being new he had no idea where Emma's room was located. He found a servant and asked them, getting some funny looks, but he was directed to the proper room. As soon as the door closed behind him he gently nudged his sleeping Master.

"Wake-up Miss Emma, time to get ready for bed, and then Ashlar can tuck Miss Emma in."

Emma slept peacefully in the arms of her guardian, blissfully unaware of her parents neglectful behavior or the journey to her room. She woke slowly to herself pressed closely against a warm body and a gentle voice calling her to wakefulness.

The child let out a long, sleepy sigh before peeking one eye open. "Bed? Don' wanna," she protested groggily while clinging tighter to the front of Ashlar's clothes. "Pwaytime and-," a mighty yawn interrupted her but did nothing to deter her as she continued, "sweepober wit' Misser Ash," another yawn, "-wey Sir."

She nuzzled her head against his chest and readjusted her grip to firmly hug her blue bunny, As far as she was concerned, bedtime was a long way off and there was a lot she would have to show and do with Ashlar before she allowed him to put her to bed.

Ashlar smiled adoringly down at the little girl in his arms as she protested to getting ready for bed. Ah, how similar children could be, even across different species and races. He hummed softly to her, red eye bright and amused. "But my Miss Emma, Ashlar is so tired from the long journey." He carried her over to her bed and sat down, cuddling her in his lap. She was adorable, but he could see how sleepy she was. Poor little darling needed her rest.

"Surely Miss Emma will let poor Ashlar rest. In the morning, when Ashlar is all rested, it will make everything all the more fun! Ashlar will have the energy to play with Miss Emma to her hearts content. For now, can't poor little Ashlar go to bed?" The kitsune had raised many children and was no stranger to trying to talk them into doing things they should do but didn't want to do. Such as going to bed!

Barely fighting the sleepiness that was trying to drag her back down, Emma blinked blearily up at Ashlar before nodding. "Sweep Mister Ashley Sir," she murmured, waving her hand to try and pat the bed they were sitting on as she struggled to pull herself from his embrace so he could rest.

"I'll dwess for bed, then we'll go sweepies." Her attempts to escape him and reach her nightgown at the bottom of the bed were weak as her limbs were heavy with exhaustion. "Sweep," Emma yawned, nearly falling asleep where she sat again.

Ashlar couldn't help but giggle softly at Emma's attempts to escape his grasp. Oh but wasn't she adorable! The poor thing was struggling just to stay awake long enough to get ready for bed. He reached over and pulled the nightgown from its place at the foot of the bed to offer it to his young owner. "Here, let Ashlar help Miss Emma and then Miss Emma can cuddle with Ashlar while he falls asleep."

He picked the girl up and set her beside him on the bed before standing up and kneeling down to start working on getting her little shoes off. His red eye gleamed softly as he began humming a lullaby softly to Emma. The little kitsune was happy as could be. This was the kind of life he wanted, sort of anyway. He had an adorable child to faun over, would be adored by said child, and it wouldn't take long at all to be rid of any obstacles to his complete entrenchment in Emma's life.

Emma's head kept lolling forward as sleep fought to overcome her. With fumbling fingers that often strayed from their mark, she attempted to undo the bows in her hair, not wanting Ashlar to do all the work. From time to time she would pause to yawn or rub her eyes before remembering what she was trying to accomplish and sluggishly move to continue on with it, doing her best not to resist or interfere with what the slave was doing.

"Mister Ashley Sir?" she queried softly, unable to keep her eyes open. "Will yous stay the whole night?"

With the practiced care of a parent who had done this many times before, Ashlar had Emma's shoes off and neatly placed beside the bed in no time at all. When he finished with that he reached up and began helping his little owner take the pretty bows out of her hair. She had such pretty hair, maybe in the morning she would let him play with it. Wouldn't she look darling in pigtails? Oh, or braids. He couldn't decide which would be more adorable.

Giggling at the thought, he pulled the last bow gently from her head and gathered them all up to put on a nearby dresser. He returned to Emma's side and pulled off his shoes, putting them next to Emma's under the bed before crawling up and wiggling under the blankets. Lifting them up he made a place for her to wiggle in beside him. "Ashlar promises to stay with his Miss Emma all night, if Miss Emma wants him to."

While he worked to put her ribbons away, Emma struggled to pull on her nightgown before letting her dress land in a pile on the floor near the foot of her bed. "Always," she told him as she crawled on all fours into the cave of covers he was offering her.

Once she was settled beneath them, the little girl pulled her stuffed bunny close to her chest and wormed her way as close to Ashlar as she could get until her head rested against his chest. "Don't eber weave," Emma sighed.

"Neber, eber."

Ashlar let Emma get snuggled in next to him before putting his arm and the blanket around her, hugging the little girl to his chest as his tail flickered in a soft, wagging motion. He always hated to sleep alone. With his new little darling, he would never have to. Of course, the girl's mother was going to be livid when she found out about this, but he would take care of that problem all in good time. For tonight he was just happy that he had a soft, warm place to sleep with a very cuddly little friend.

"Miss Emma should never worry. Ashlar would never, ever leave his Miss Emma. Oh no he wouldn't. Nope. Nope!" His voice was a soft, almost sing-songy ring as he cuddled up to her all the more before sighing contently and closing his mis-matched eyes.

She sighed and cooed happily to be all snuggled up and warm. It brought her great pleasure to hear though that her new friend would not be leaving her and quickly set her mind at ease. She would never have to be alone again, of that she was certain.

A tiny hand latched onto a bit of Ashlar's shirt as heavy eyelids lowered sleepily. Yet just before sleep claimed her and right after a mighty yawn, Emma murmured a wish for pleasant dreams for her dear friend and promptly began her sweet slumber.

"Sleep sweet, Miss Emma." Ashlar was as content as he had been in a long time. Having Emma snuggled up against him was a wonderful feeling. He wasn't just a slave to her. She seemed to genuinely adore him and the feeling was mutual. He loved having someone to take care of; it was part of being a mom. Of course, this wasn't really the same, but it was a nice substitute. 

He drifted to sleep with dreams of just what he was going to do to destroy Emma's parents and claim everything they had, including Emma, as his very own. It would be the best night of sleep Ashlar would enjoy in a long, long time.

With the warming rays of the sun upon her face, Emma awoke slowly and quietly. For a single moment she was surprised at there being another in her bed. She had never had to share it before with anyone besides HoneyBlossom and he certainly did not take up much room. Yet, once she remembered the night before and her new friend Ashlar she found herself brimming with delight. She would not be so lonely anymore as she would always have someone to play with now. Ashlar had promised after all.

Flinging the covers off them, Emma realized that her new friend was still sleeping and therefore tried her best to be quiet. But the sight of his very soft and enticing tail quickly engaged her childish curiosity. Perhaps if she touched it just once that would be enough.

Tentatively the little girl scooted down to sit near Ashlar's waist so that she could reach over him and pet it. It delighted her beyond imagination to find that is was very warm and soft. Forgetting her need to be still, Emma began to gently play with the furry appendage that she had now pulled over his hip and into her lap.

First she would ruffle it up and then she would smooth it back down over and over. From there she moved onto making spikes in his tail. When she grew bored of that she allowed the tip to tickle her nose and cheeks making her laugh quite boisterously, the need for quiet long since forgotten.

Ashlar slept soundly all through the night, never stirring even a hair as his young Master cuddled against his chest. The morning light did nothing to disturb his restful slumber, nor did the movements and noises of Emma – at least not at first. His eyes slowly peeked open as he peered down at the adorable girl that was taking such delight in playing with his tail. Dreams of his brother Tempt had not plagued him, as they so often did.

As the little girl uses the tip of his tail to tickle her face, he grinned and wiggled the tip of his tail to brush across her nose again. "Does Miss Emma like Ashlar's tail? She looks as if she is having lots of fun. Silly Miss Emma." He let out a soft giggle, his tail still squirming.

At first, Emma was shocked into wide-eyed silence that her homemade furry tickler was moving all on its own. Once she realized though that Ashlar was awake and doing it himself, she squealed loudly in delight, launching herself at her new friend to give him an enormous hug.

"Good morning Mister Ashley Sir! Did you sleeps well? Emma is sowwy for waking youse. She just got soooooo bored. But now you're weally awakes now wight? We can plays now? You, me, HB, and Mister Wallaby can all plays?"

Ashlar welcomed the child with open arms as she leaped at him. Wrapping her up in a tight hug he nuzzled his head against her in a warm greeting as she spoke excitedly about playing. Of course she would want to play, and he would happily play with her, no matter the game. It was still hard to believe how he had lucked out. Having Emma for a master was going to make his life a breeze.


"Of course Miss Emma! Ashlar will be happy to play with his Miss Emma forever and ever." While speaking he snuggled his sweet little master closer.

She felt so loved in Ashlar's arms as he held her close and snuggled her. It was vastly different than anything she had ever experienced before as her parents had never been the overly affectionate type. To have him not only willing but wanting to shower her in such attention was overwhelming for little Emma. For the first time in her short life she realized that this was something she had been craving without even knowing she was missing out on it.

Savoring the closeness and security of his embrace, the small child nuzzled back, humming softly in pleasure, her eyes closing as she smiled. The moment was not meant to last though as her bedroom door unlocked and was thrown open.

Emma peeked out from Ashlar's arms in time to see the bright smile on her mother's face morph into a sneer moments before her shrill voice was screeching at them both. "You loathsome little beast!" her mother howled, rushing towards the bed. "Keep your grimy paws off my daughter! How dare you invade her bed and touch her!"

Insult upon insult was hurled at the slave as Genevieve moved to try and add her fists to the mix. Her daughter cried and buried herself deeper in her companion's chest and arms, fearful for what her mother would do and what would become of her only breathing friend. Her sobs only became louder, turning into pitiful wails as a missed strike caught her head instead of Ashlar's own.

Ashlar was in a state of pure bliss as he snuggled there with his cuddly young master. The girl was adorable and delightful. It had been some time since Ashlar had been the object of such innocent adoration. Only had his babies ever looked to him as Emma looked to him now. As a mother, it made his heart swell with love and joy. That their moment of adorableness would be broken was unthinkable, to have it shattered in such a way was enraging.

As Genevieve came at him, Ashlar wrapped his arms more protectively around his little charge, trying to shield her from the vicious(although somewhat pathetic) assault. The blows did hurt a little, but honestly, he was an immortal being and this woman was just some silly human. Still...

At first Ashlar grit his teeth and bore it, thinking of his revenge, which would be exacted painfully and slowly. Then a stray strike caught Emma, on the head of all places, causing his little master to wail pitifully, the young girl's sobs were enough to set the kitsune's blood on fire, but that was the last straw.

With a snarl he was up and out of that bed in the blink of an eye, tackling Genevieve to the ground with his clawed hands around her throat. His red eye burned with a deadly rage, his hair falling over his silver eye, concealing it from the harsh morning light that filtered into the room.

Her cries stopped as Emma was shocked by seeing her mother on the ground with Ashlar at her throat. She had not even seen him move, he had been so fast. Once the child realized that her mother was pitted against her new friend, Emma knew she needed to be the one to do something about it. She could not afford to have them fight with each other when she loved them both so dearly.

Emma hopped off her bad and flew to their sides. A tiny handed landed softly on Ashlar's shoulder as she tried to get his attention. Tears still raced down her cheeks as her lips quivered. "Mister Ashley Sir, Mister Ashley sir! Pwease stop! You're scawing me! Pwease leave mommy alone. She won't hit you again like that. Emma pwomises, just pwease stop," she begged, barely able to keep from sobbing.

The demon's actions had been impulsive and fueled by rage this was not how he wished to kill this woman, not with his hands clamped around her throat and his sweet, innocent Emma watching. It wasn't fair to the poor child to see her mother die like this. Somewhere, deep inside, Ashlar knew this, but it was so hard to remember that when he was so angry. How dare this insect lay a hand on his Emma.

Ashlar was on top of Genevieve for probably only ten or fifteen seconds, feeling a tiny hand on his shoulder sent a jolt through him, then a stab of pain seared through his stomach and head. With a yowl he practically leaped off of Emma's mother, then dropped to the floor and writhed, whimpering and curling into a ball, trying to clutch both stomach and head at once.

"Ashlar is sorry. So sorry. He didn't means it! He didn't!" The kitsune broke down into hysterical sobs as he whispered those last two words over and over again.

Genevieve clutched at her throat as she dragged herself away from the pair. Her eyes were wide with shock and disgust as she watched Ashlar writhe on the floor. Emma though could not bear to see her playmate in pain and rushed to his side, kneeling on the rug as soon as she reached him.

"It's okay. Emma's sowwy Mister Ashley Sir. Bery sowwy! Pwease forgibe Emma. Pwease?" She petted his head, trying to be comforting as she watched on with her own set of tears. Her poor friend looked like he was in terrible pain. While she did not know why Emma suspected it was her fault and felt even more terrible. "Emma's sowwy!"

Oh sweet, precious, naive Emma. She had no idea what was going on. How could he explain the collar to a sweet little girl? Damn the enchantments that bound him! DAMN THEM! Ashlar howled in agony as the pain intensified with the dark thoughts. Forcing himself to not only repeat the words over and over in his head, but he had to force himself to believe that he hadn't meant to disobey Emma and that he would never, ever do so again.

Slowly the painful cramps in his stomach calmed and finally stopped. Laying in a quivering ball, the kitsune continued to mewl and whimper pitifully. "Ashlar is so sorry. He won't disobey his Miss Emma ever again. He promises."

"But you didn't!" the little girl cried out, not understanding what he meant. "You didn't disobee! You stowpped when Emma said stowp! Emma's the one who's sowwy!" Emma really was sorry. She felt heartbroken for reasons she did not understand. All she knew was that friends did not hurt friends and she had hurt Ashlar badly.

Crying for his pain, her fear, and the thought that she may lose him forever because he would hate her drove her to hug him gently. Emma was afraid of causing him more pain and did her best to try and treat him with care, not knowing where the pain was only that he had been trying to hold his head as he curled in around himself.

"Emma's sowwy," she murmured again against his neck even as her mother looked on in rage. To hear the child speak in third person and to see her weep over such a pathetic creature turned her stomach to oil. Shock alone kept the grown woman in her place on the floor.

Ashlar was grateful for the gentle hug and sweet attention the little girl lavished on him. He didn't like pain when it was happening to him. Not at all. His little master was quite the comfort to him. The kitsune wrapped his arms around her, clinging to her pitifully as the last waves of pain ebbed away. "Not Miss Emma's fault. Ashlar was bad. Never Miss Emma's fault."

The words were murmured softly as he nuzzled her hair, now trying to comfort the child, realizing that she'd been quite traumatized by what had just happened. Curse that witch for what she had made him do. He had never wanted his sweet, innocent Miss Emma to see such a side of him. Oh well, the harpy would pay with her life for this day.

Not that she hadn't already been on his list to destroy, but she'd just been put in the express lane. There wouldn't be long, deliberate planning, oh no, she would suffer sooner rather than later.

Genevieve stood slowly, still rubbing her throat while sneering. She was saved from hurling insults that would have ensured her death that very moment by the appearance of her concerned husband. Eglington's eyes darted between wife and daughter before he swiftly moved to his wife's elbow.

"Are you alright, dearest?" he asked worriedly, his gaze darting towards his daughter whom he looked at with a great deal of concern.

"That monster," the woman croaked hoarsely, "attacked me when I tried to stop him from mauling Emma."

"Not twue, not twue!" Emma shouted, jumping to her feet. "Mister Ashley Sir did no such thing!"

Eglington quickly interjected before Genevieve could, seeing that there was about to be a confrontation that he rathered they did not have. "Come dearest, let's have the doctor have a look at you," he murmured, tugging the older woman away. "Emma," he added calling over his shoulder. "Stay in your room and think about what you've done until I come back." The adults hurried out, the door closing with a click and a snap as the lock fell into place.

The small child stomped her foot angrily before kicking her discarded clothes from the night before, viciously. "I didn't do anything! She hurt Mister Ashley Sir," she grumbled sadly before moving back to kneel next to Ashlar. "Emma's sowwy."

The hateful woman was lucky she was still alive to sneer. Ashlar remained on the floor, passive as he clung tightly to his little charge. The kitsune's ears were laid back as Genevieve lied about what had happened. Yes, he had attacked her, but she hadn't been trying to stop him from mauling Emma. He couldn't hurt Emma even if he wanted to - which he didn't want to.

It was hard for him to let Emma go as she jumped up to confront her lying mother, but he did, cowering on the floor and making sure he looked as pitiful as possible, though his red eye gleamed with the promise of evil to come.

Ashlar watched as they left the room, pondering his next move regarding that horrible woman. Obviously she needed to go. Soon. Very soon. Today. Method was going to be tricky. How long would he be locked in here with Emma? How was he going to pry himself away from Emma long enough to do the deed out of her view?

She came back over to kneel beside him, interrupting and scattering his thoughts like leaves in the wind. "Ashlar doesn't blame his Miss Emma. Miss Emma has nothing to be sorry about. It is all that mean Miss Emma's mommy's fault. Evil, evil woman hurts poor, sweet Ashlar."

The small child still felt horrible for her part in the morning's events even if her dear friend reassured her otherwise. To try and make up for it, Emma reached up and very gently petted and rubbed the Kitsune's ears in apology.

"Ashlar?" she asked, sounding quite pitiful. "Can we run 'way? I don' wanna be here anymore. Mother doesn't wuv me and Father didn't wisten to me. Only you wisten." Emma sniffled and rubbed at her eye before patting Ashlar's cheek. "And I got you huwt." Heavy tears raced down her cheeks as she lowered her head to lower them in chocolate locks. "I'm a bad fwiend!"

Ashlar figured that the poor child was going to feel guilty and responsible for what had happened no matter what he said. As she pet and rubbed his ears, he made a soft sound, almost like purring. It always felt so nice when someone paid attention to his ears.

His red eye peered at her as she spoke of running away and her parents. Running away wouldn't do, not at all. There was a big house and plenty of money right where they were and it all belonged to Emma when her parents were dead. That would be soon. Not that she knew it.

"Oh Miss Emma is right, Miss Emma's mommy doesn't love her, and that makes poor Ashlar so sad. Miss Emma's father doesn't love her either. If Miss Emma's father loved Miss Emma, he would listen and believe. Ashlar loves Miss Emma, he listens. Miss Emma mustn't think she is a bad friend, though. Miss Emma is the bestest friend Ashlar has had."

Perhaps a it of a stretch. Tempt had been his best friend. Still, whatever it took to appease the child. "Miss Emma cannot run. Cannot. This is Miss Emma's home. How dare they treat her this way. Ashlar will make them see how wonderful Miss Emma is and how wrong they are not to love her like she deserves. Ashlar will make them see..."

"Weally?" she asked, sniffling. "The bestest?" Emma gave Ashlar a little kiss to his cheek before trying to work on a smile. "But they're my Mother and Father. That's how it's supposed to be, isn't it? How can you make it any diffwent? What's Mister Ashley gonna do?"

Her face was filled with a child's hope and complete trust in someone she deemed much wiser than she was. Ashlar had to know more than her. After all, he was older and had lived longer than her short few years.

Ashlar couldn't possibly tell Emma what he was going to do. That would ruin everything. Instead the kitsune gave her a smile and patted her softly on her sweet little head. "Miss Emma should just leave everything to Ashlar. Ashlar will take care of everything. Miss Emma will never have to worry about Ashlar ever not loving her."

Shifting slightly, he was starting to feel much better now. The pain from his collar was fading into a fuzzy and distant memory within the haze that was his mind. "Ashlar thinks Miss Emma had wanted to play. Miss Emma should play with Ashlar now and not worry anymore."

It was answer enough for the little girl. Instead of arguing, she smiled and gave him a quick hug before bouncing off to get a very specific toy. When she returned to stand in front of Ashlar, Emma was holding a ball between her two hands, with the biggest smile on her face.

"I've neber had anyone to play this wit' before. HB doesn't weally play bery well, he's a ball-hog you see. Is this okay Mister Ashley Sir? Can we play wit' the ball or would you rather pway something else? I'm afraid I mostly have dolls and I'm not sure you'd like pwaying with them."

She looked at him unsure, her toe tracing the pattern on her rug nervously as she waited for his answer. It was the truth she had spoken, when Emma said that no one had played with her. Genevieve had not liked the idea of grimy brats ruining and corrupting her child with their foul games and dirty hands. Emma had always been alone.

Ashlar cooed softly as Emma hugged him before the adorable child ran off to retrieve a toy for them to play together. Her childish innocence was just what the kitsune needed. They would feed off of each other's immaturity and Ashlar's clever mind would keep his young lady ignorant of the less pleasant things that would go on in this house as he took over.

"A ball? Miss Emma is so smart! Ashlar would love to play with Miss Emma with the pretty ball. If Miss Emma wanted to play with dolls Ashlar would still be happy to play with his Miss Emma. Ashlar only wishes to make his Miss Emma happy!"

"Smart?" she asked, tilting her head to the side as her nose wrinkled in confusion. "Why?" Her confusion turned to laughter though and she was forced to drop the ball as she covered her mouth with her hands. It rolled to Ashlar's knee even as she continued to giggle and shake her head.

"Silly Mister Ashley, dollies are for girlies. You're not a girlie like Emma." Giving pause she looked at him again, her head tilting in the other direction as she did. "Are you?"

Ashlar tilted his head to the side as his Miss Emma laughed at him. He didn't understand what he'd said that was so funny. Until she said that dolls were for girls. The kitsune's face scrunched up at that thought. "Boys can like dollies too! Ashlar is a boy, Ashlar doesn't mind playing with dollies with Miss Emma."

He pouted and picked up the ball that had rolled to his knee, holding it between his two hands he waved it at her. "Ashlar will roll the ball to Miss Emma and Miss Emma rolls it back?" He wanted to make sure he knew what was expected of him in this little game with his sweet little master.

"Aww pwease don't be sad Mister Ashley sir. We can play with dollies later if you wants." Emma plopped down heavily on the ground, crossing her legs like a pretzel as she clapped her hands in excitement.

"Yes, yes," she cried excitedly. "Mister Ashley Sir rolls to Emma and Emma rolls to Mister Ashley Sir and we has fun! Fun fun fun!" The small child cheered and bounced up and down, already having forgotten her mother's abrupt and harsh invasion into her room and assault upon her friend and self.

"Ashlar is not sad. How can Ashlar be sad as long as Ashlar has his Miss Emma?" The kitsune chirped happily as he could. Another part of his mind was working on just how to rid himself of his little master's annoying parents. They had to die today. After what that harpy of a woman had done this morning he couldn't allow her to live another day.

Smiling he rolled the ball to Emma, his fluffy tail flickering beside him as he began this little game. Ashlar would roll the ball back and forth with Emma for as long as she wanted. It was easy work and if it made her happy then it made him happy too.

Emma played happily though she grew bored easily as there was always the constant distraction of Ashlar's large fluffy appendage dancing about as if calling her to touch it. She kept missing the ball even as it rolled straight to her and she would forget to roll it back. The novelty of such cute ears and a tail still had not worn off on her and if anything it made her desire her own set.

With a sigh, the little girl rolled the ball aside and crawled over to give Ashlar a big hug. "I wuv you Mister Ashley Sir," she told him honestly, snuggling in close. "You're the best fwiend, Emma's eber had. But don't tell H.B. that, he'd be bery sad and we don't want that, now do we?"

Ashlar was confused when Emma stopped the game, but when she crawled to him he pulled her into a hug and purred happily, tail wiggling. There were few things that the kitsune liked more than snuggling.

"Miss Emma's secret is safe with Ashlar, Ashlar won't tell H.B. that Emma said Ashlar was bestest. Emma is Ashlar's bestest friend too. Ashlar loves his Miss Emma. Miss Emma is kindest master for Ashlar."

The little girl gasped in surprise and glanced down at Ashlar's hip briefly before leaning up to whisper in his ear. "Bester than Mister Wallabing?! Weally? You mean it?" Without waiting for an answer, Emma hugged Ashlar tighter, burying her face against his chest and humming softly in pleasure.

Ashlar snuggled the child again as she buried herself against his chest. His red eye peered down at his stuffed puppy before looking down at the little girl's dark hair. Letting his voice drop into a secrative tone he answered her. "Even bester than Wallaby."

She was in awe at his declaration and with all the innocence and heart of the child she was, Emma reached up on her tippy-toes to place a quick kiss on Ahslar's cheek. "Emma wuvs Miser Ashley Sir. Emma wan'a you to stay foreber and eber."

"Ashlar will never leave his Miss Emma. Not ever." The kitsune assured her softly, his arms still hugging her lightly as he smiled at the kiss on his cheek. Such innocence, perhaps from both of them. After all, half of Ashlar's mind was innocent chaos, was it not?

"Mister Ashley Sir is Emma's bestest fwiend," the little girl reiterated softly in her baby voice. "Even if he's her only fwiend," she added even softer, not realizing it had even been said aloud or could be heard by the demon holding her so lovingly and close. "Emma's sowwy, Mommy is mean to Mister Ashley Sir. Emma won't let it happen again, pwomise."

"Ashlar will protect his Miss Emma. Ashlar will try not to make Miss Emma's mommy so angry again. Maybe if Ashlar is very good Miss Emma's mommy will not hurt poor Ashlar." He gently pet the young girl's hair. The demon had always wanted a daughter, and for now, this naive human child would do quite nicely. Once her parents were out of his way, of course.

Emma clung tighter, burying her face against Ashlar's neck and taking comfort in someone's loving embrace. It felt so nice if only it wasn't for such sad reasons. She would love many more hugs like this in the future. Maybe if she was better behaved then mommy and daddy would give her more hugs and come to see her more. She could that. She was sure of it. She just had to be their darling angel and not make noises or messes. That wasn't so hard. Right?

"We can do it Mister Ashley Sir! We can both be good and mommy will be so happy! I know we can if we try really hard together."

She pulled back then and offered her fist with her tiny pinky extended. "Pinky promise we're on our best behaviour for mommy and daddy?"