Are You My Mother? [Zero][Moonspear]

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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."

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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!

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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.

[GoblinFae]

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?"

[Zero]

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."

[GoblinFae]

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."

[Zero]

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.

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

"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.

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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.

[GoblinFae]

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?"

[Zero]

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.

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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.

[GoblinFae]

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.

[Zero]

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.