Ms. Oak looks down at the thing in her hand.

“What is this?”

“A box.”

She tosses the box from hand to hand as I sweat in concentration.

“Nice weight, and you’re able to keep it solid even when it’s in motion, nice.”

She then throws it at me and I throw up my arms in panic and get knocked down from the impact.

“Haha!”

“What was that for?”

“Well it was to see how you’d react and I honestly I didn’t expect you to get scared of your own illusion.”

I grit my teeth as I realize she was right. I stand back up and dust myself off.

“That will be enough training for today though. Good work Briana, but there is something I want to talk to you about first before you run off.”

“What would that be?”

“How do you plan to tell your family here about your situation?”

I fidget trying to avoid her eyes.

“I ... don’t know.”

“You know it would probably be better if they believed you died, and I mean with your illusion powers it would be easy enough to pull off.”

“NO! Why would I do that to them?”

“Why would you hide the fact that you aren’t even their son?”

I started to form a fist as anger starts to swell.

“I am their son! They raised me, took care of me, and treated me as their family. Even with everything that has happened, that hasn’t changed.”

“So you’re just going to watch as they and your sister die of old age. While you continue to live watching each succeeding generation die due to your longevity.”

“I don’t care about any of that! I don’t know how long they’ll live. I don’t even know how long I’ll live. That is why I’ll continue to cherish every minute of time I have with them. We might not get along perfectly, but we still care about each other and I won’t sever that connection with them just because it’s the easy thing to do.”

I stare deep into her eyes showing the conviction of my words. Her face showed no expression as she gauged my words. She then walks away and I stand there not sure how to respond.

“You may come to regret that decision, but it’s yours to make.”

She then disappears leaving only a gust of leaves in her place leaving me alone to contemplate our exchange.

I rub my ears in frustration trying to think about what to do next. But, my stomach answers that question for me.

‘Growl’

Guess I should get something to eat first.

Walking into the cafeteria I pick up a tray and walk over to an empty table. I poke at the food taking my time eating my meal.

I wish there was an easy way to fix my whole mess, but I just needed to take things one step at a time. The first step in that lay in that forest. I just hope that the queen was more friendly in our future meetings.

‘SIGH’

“What did you do to my dress?”

I turn to see Azalea standing next to me with a scowl on her face.

“What do you mean ….”

I then look at myself and realize what she meant. I had been so focused on training that I’d forgotten to take care of the loaner clothes I’d been borrowing from Azalea. I turn my head to the side failing to meet her eyes.

“I should’ve expected you to get it dirty. I’ll just have to make sure my future designs can withstand a bit more punishment.”

“Thank you Azalea.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you off the hook.”

She then grabs my tail causing me to squirm. I do my best to suppress my reactions as everyone is eating around us.

“Can you please not do that here.”

“Fine, but don’t think I’m done yet.”

She lets go and I try to calm myself as she takes her hands off. I really hate how everyone keeps messing with my tails.

“Look I’m sorry about the clothes. Was there anything else you needed?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Not really, I just wanted to know what you did today.”

“Just lots of training. I lost to Jack in some spars and then I did some illusion training with Ms. Oak. It just makes me realize how weak and inexperienced I am.”

“Well, I mean, you’ve only been training for one day what else did you expect?”

“I guess you’re right, but I need to be stronger.”

“Why’s that? You’re perfectly safe here.”

“You see, there is something I have to do, but right now I’m having doubts on if it’ll work out.”

“Well, that’s very vague.”

“Sorry, it’s just hard to properly explain.”

“Fine, just make sure you save some time to meet with me tomorrow. I want to make sure all the outfits will fit properly. Anyways, you free tonight?”

“I’ll make sure to come by tomorrow, but sorry I’m busy tonight. I made a promise to somebody I’d talk with them tonight.”

“Alright, have fun then.”

She waves me goodbye as I head for my room. Once inside I look at the clock and see that it’s only 7:00. So I still had some time before we were going to meet. I guess I can use this time to take a shower and get changed.

Ah, much better! I combed my tails fur enjoying some time to do some personal grooming. It was definitely a new experience having to deal with this much hair and fur. I’d never had long hair before as my mom always made me get it cut saying I looked too much like a bum.

It is definitely not easy to take care of it all as I notice a spot I missed showering still full of suds. Taking my towel I rub it out before brushing over it. Looking at the clock I see it’s 7:45 and decide to head in to see Blake.

(T) ‘So what is the plan lass?’

(B) ‘What do you mean. I sneak out to meet with Blake then we go investigate the forest.’

(M) ‘Did you forget that we got separated? I second I reappear she is bound to fetch you.’

Oh yeah, I did forget about that physco.

(B) ‘I’ll just wing it don’t worry about it.’

(M) ‘That’s the worst thing we could do! You saw how she gets when she’s mad!’

(B) ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll figure something out.’

(E) ‘Is it me or are you acting like a fox right now.’

(B) ‘Well I am one so it makes sense.’

I put on the helmet and lie on the bed as I take a deep breath as I log back in.

I find myself back in the tent we were ‘escorted’ to when I had left. Elizabeth stood there pouting at me.

“What?”

I raise my hands not sure what I did wrong. As soon as I speak though two guards enter the tent.

“The Queen requests your presence.”

I guess I should have come up with a better plan than just winging it.

After they ‘escort’ us to another room I find myself in the same room we were in yesterday. Matt is seated uncomfortably next to Tana while Teage and Matt are both bound and gagged on the floor to the side. Elizabeth seemed appalled again by the queen’s actions.

“Why did you do that to them?”

“Shut it dragon I need to talk to the fox right now.”

“No! I want to-“

“Do you want to shut up or should I make the guards make you.”

I’ve had enough let's just get this over with.

“What do you want Tana.”

I feel a kick to the back of my knee and I fall to the floor.

“That’s queen Tana you brat.”

“My apologies, why are we graced with your majesty’s fine presence today. Surely you don’t want to meet with filth such as us.”

I feel a smack to my head and topple to the floor in pain. Guess they don’t like sarcasm.

“Enough!”

Calling off the guards she strides over to me and pulls my face up to look me in the eyes.

“Next time you’re about to disappear like that. I want to know. You so rudely interrupted my conversation with my brother the other day, and I DON’T want you to repeat the same mistake again. Am I clear?”

She stares down at me with her one good eye and I wisely decide to not make another joke.

“Yes ma’am.”

She continues to stare me down to cement her authority before letting me go and taking her spot again.

“Now, you four run off now. Once I’m done, your merry band may frolic through the woods. That’s it for now though. Guards, escort them out.”

I feel myself being picked up and soon we are all thrown out except for Elizabeth who was treated with a more respect. As soon as we’re out I take Elizabeth’s dagger and cut Teage and John free from their bindings before handing Elizabeth back her knife.

“I’ve got a friend to meet. So you guys stay out of trouble and get ready to investigate this forest.”

Teage looks like he isn’t having any of it and grunts as he rubs his wrists.

“And why should we explore this forest for that Bitch.”

“Because it might just explain our situation.”

He still doesn’t look pleased and I roll my eyes. I don’t have time for this.

“Look if it makes you feel any better I’m telling you guys we’re investigating this forest. We’re just going to steal anything we can from these guys while they’re offering it. Now I’ve got to go, so stay out of trouble!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about lass. You’re the one who has been creating trouble for us.”

I don’t respond as I make my way to the bar to meet with Blake. Once there I look around, but it doesn’t look like he’s made it here yet so I take a seat at a table in the corner and wait.

A waiter comes over and asks what I want to drink. I then realize I have no money and decide to tell him I’ll order when my friend arrives. He grunts as he moves on to another table.

It isn’t long before Blake enters the bar and I wave him over to my table. He walks over as the others laugh at us. I try to ignore it as Blake sits down.

“I got to say, I know certain people like to play as different races, but you’re the first to play as both a different gender and a different age. So, I guess you’re a legal loli now?”

“Neither of us are of age. So I’m still not legal either way. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

A waiter walked over to us as I gathered my thoughts.

“Anything I can get for you two lovebirds?”

“Dude, don’t even joke about that crap. Just get us a bottle and leave us alone man.”

“One bottle coming right up for you boss.”

He walks away as we continue to sit in silence. I wish there was some easy way to tell it, but there isn’t.

“What’s wrong man? This clearly isn’t easy for you whatever it is, but I can’t help if you don’t tell me.”

“It’s one hell of a story. One I’m still not sure of. I’ve met with people I never thought were real. I still don’t know what to think, but I guess we can start at the beginning. Just know that everything I’m about to say is 100% true. No matter how strange it sounds.”

The waiter hands Blake an open bottle and two glasses.

“Then let’s hear it. If anything else I bet it’s going to be one hell of a story.”

Taking them he pours us two glasses of the stuff.

“And that’s the perfect thing to go with this swill.”

“Then boy oh boy do I have a story for you.”