A group of children kicked a ball around in a long open field. Nadia spotted a boy in a heavy knit cap was sitting underneath a nearby tree. He held a white ball that looked much like the one the other kids were using, only clean. His bright green eyes looked familiar, Sanguin? After watching him for a moment she couldn’t resist sitting beside him. Nadia set her wrapped Halibut between them. Awlena stood nearby with her hands behind her back.

“Hey there. Shouldn’t you be playing with the other kids?”

“I don’t have to if I don’t wanna.”

“But you do, I can tell. I was sort of shy like that when I was a boy, but once I said hi and started playing, I got over it.”

“I don’t wanna play! You’re a liar anyway, because you’re a lady, and there’s no way you could’ve ever been a boy.”

Now, Awlena giggled quietly.

“You wouldn’t be so miserable if you took off that hat. It can’t be comfortable; no wonder you’re such a hot head.”

“Go away lady!”

“Let me see that,” Nadia swiped the hat and held it out of reach.

“Give it back!”

The boy jumped for his hat. They noticed pointy, fur-lined, ears extending from his brilliantly red hair. Nadia knelt and gave one a pat, it smoothed down like a pad of velvet.

“You’ve got kitty ears!”

“That’s very disrespectful towards them,” Awlena said.

He grabbed his hat and pulled it over his hair tighter than ever, “They’re not kitty ears, lady. They’re fox ears. Now that you hate me, just go away, and don’t bother saying anything mean, cause I don’t care.”

Nadia laughed, “I don’t hate you. In fact, I’d be honored if you’d let me play ball a little bit. But if you don’t want to that’s fine too. I’ll just be on my way.”

“With me? But, you’re an adult.”

“Not really, I’m a teenager, but would it matter if I was?”

"I guess not? You don’t look like a bad person. It is day time. And there are people around. I’ll trust you a little bit. What do you want to play?”

“How good are you at two-man… umm… person soccer?”

“I’ll give it a try. Oh, I almost forgot, I’m Vestor. Don't forget it.”

“I’m Nadia, don’t forget it.”

“I won’t. Nadia’s a very pretty name.”

Nadia shook her head with a slight blush because she still wanted to say Nathan. This happened too many times before to bother her much.

“I’m really good at this kind of thing, so I’ll play with a handicap.”

“What’s that?”

“Something to make things easier on you, since I’m almost an adult. If you’re real good, I’ll remove the handicap and play you in an even game.”

“I guess it’s okay as long as you’re not letting me win. I want to take care of myself… without help.”

Nadia provided simple ground rules for the game while giving herself a tough handicap. Vestor’s goal was to defend the trunk of a thin tree. On the other side, Nadia had to defend the end of the entire playing field. Awlena would serve as the judge and keep track of points. Vestor served the ball first. He kicked it past the middle of the field. They competed for the first to ten points by kicking the ball into the other goal. To make things more interesting, Nadia told him that if she kicked the ball past Vestor’s tree; instead of hitting it, he would get the point. Once the game started, Vestor proved to be a decent challenge; he darted so fast that Nadia raced to keep up. She let him score the first point. The other kids gradually halted their game to watch the match. Vestor threw aside his heavy knit cap. A red and white tail appeared from the back of his pants. Sufficiently cooled, Vestor increased his speed and scored three more times. Nadia still won the match.

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“You’re really good for a lady. I don’t know how I can beat you.”

“You’re not bad yourself, kid. But I’m too powerful for a one-on-one match. Maybe you could get those guys to help?”

Nadia pointed to eight other children who eagerly watched. Vestor turned to the others and pumped his fists. Awlena clapped.

“Hey guys, are you going to help me beat this lady, or what?”

Most of the other guys joined Vestor right away. He explained the rules quickly before discussing strategy to defeat the lady. A little girl with wide hazel eyes and wavy brown hair stared wide-eyed as she tugged on Nadia’s robes.

“Can I be on your side?”

“Sorry, I only play solo. I’m too strong, so you have to help them beat me. Then you can form your own teams, make sure to pick Vestor, he’s good at all the games.”

“Okay! We’re gonna win.”

In the next game, Nadia managed to make her loss convincing as Vestor led his team. They celebrated their victory with laughs and cheers while Nadia rejoined Awlena and picked her wrapped fish back from the roots of the tree. Vestor’s ball was tucked in her arm, so she threw it back to him.

“You have potential. That was some quick footwork and you really kept your team organized. Anyone who plays against you is in for a challenge, no matter what the rules are.”

“I agree, it was fun watching you play.”

As they left, Awlena noticed a woman watching from the door of a derelict thatched-roof cottage. The woman signaled them with her hand and called softly.

“Excuse me. I’m Shikori, Vestor’s mother. Thank you for helping him. He’s been watching those kids for weeks, but wouldn’t dare approach them because he was scared they would be afraid.”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking,” Nadia said. “Where did he get those cute little ears, and that adorable tail?”

Awlena nudged Nadia with her elbow and coughed.

“His father had gorgeous ears, and the most noble tail of all the Foxlords. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if I had never met him, but then I wouldn’t have my Vestor. I wish every day that he’d be here to watch Vestor grow. I know it would have made him happy.”

“What happened to his father?”

Awlena’s elbow made Nadia wince.

“They punished him for his transgression.”

Nadia could see a small, unlit, corner-stove. A pail of water sat on it. A child’s sleeping mat was tucked in the other corner. Two sitting mats rested near the window. That was the extent of the paltry furnishings.

“Can you do me a favor?” Nadia asked. “Help me cook this fish before it goes bad, and I’ll share it with you. I bought it fresh a few hours ago.”

“But, we don’t have any wood for the stove.”

“No problem,” Nadia dropped the fish in the Shikori’s hands. “I’ll go chop- buy some. We’ll need some tea as well. I can buy some. Do you mind if my friend keeps you company?”

“I can’t let you do that.”

Nadia was already on her way.

“Thanks a lot, miss!” Nadia yelled back as she ran off, “You’re really helping me out big time. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

Awlena made herself comfortable on one of the sitting mats. Shikori looked outside but decided to join Awlena, “I- I’m sorry. I don’t have anything to serve you and your friend just ran off.”

Awlena nodded, “Yes, she tends to act on impulse. But I find that can be charming at times. It’s quite fine weather today. Why don’t we have a little chat and enjoy the ocean wind?”

Nadia returned an hour later with a pile of wood, some salt, some spices, a pan, and a bottle of cooking oil loaded in her arms. Shikori took the extra stuff off the top of the wood pile so Nadia could set the wood by the stove.

“Can I cook it?” Shikori asked as Nadia lit the stove.

“I don’t see why not. You would know better how Vestor likes it done.”

Shikori blushed, “I want to thank you again for everything, but why are you doing this for us?”

“You don’t need to thank me; I should be thanking you for helping me get rid of it. The only reason I had that fish was because the old man wouldn’t stop talking unless I bought something. It would have gone bad anyway.”

Awlena smiled, “Is that so?”

Shikori nimbly unwrapped the fish, then prepared it with salt, spices, and oil before sliding it in the pan. Once the fire was lit, Nadia brushed off her kimono and walked quietly to the door. Awlena stood as well, ready to leave. Shikori eyed them, looking vexed.

“Vestor might be rambunctious, but I know he would want you to dine with us tonight, please stay a bit longer.”

“Okay, but only for a little while. I am a bit hungry.”

It was one of the most delicious meals Nadia ever ate.