Dad walks in front of me following Helia. Haux has once again returned to his original position. He looks at me as if not understanding.

Sensing this I feel some relief that I'm not the only one not understanding. Noticing a lot of people looking at me I quickly pick up my pace following dad.

After entering the private room behind the bar the loud atmosphere once again hits the lobby like a wave.

Focusing my ability on the private room I would describe it as cosy.

Two couches, three armchairs and a low wooden table. The window is facing the south so I guess the afternoon sun should be visible from here.

Outside the window is a garden with flowers resembling roses. Yet their size are bigger than sunflowers.

Sitting down on a leather armchair covered with somekind of animal fur I immediately feel the fatigue from the journey hit me.

Haux, noticing my wellbeing decides to do the same and lands in the armchair next to me. Wiggling a bit to get comfortable he practically fell asleep instantly.

Knowing that this isn't our final destination I bite my lower lip to keep myself from falling asleep.

Feeling that I've memorised the room I stop sending out electricity in my surroundings.

In the room there's a total of 12 living beings.

Me, Haux, Dad, Chappie, Helia, A squirrel, three girls whispering with each other and three baby foxes sniffing at the armchair Haux is sleeping in.

My dad is sitting on the last armchair with Chappie lying on his feet.

Helia sits on the coach facing him. The three girls are sitting to the left of her shooting glances at my dad every once in a while.

Me and Haux are occupying the armchairs to the left of dad. Haux is sleeping on the armchair closest to Helia.

"Jen can you go fetch us some tea. Oh and put on some coffee, you still drink coffee right Charles?"

Asks Helia. Her previously cold tone has disappeared leaving a mature motherly tone.

My dad smiles at Jen while answering.

"While yes I do, but aren't you going to introduce these three lovely girls first?"

Hearing this Helia's previously controlled heartbeats once again start racing.

"Oh.. yeah of course... girls introduce yourself to uncle Charles."

Hearing this the three girls stands up.

"Nice to meet you uncle Charles. My name is Jennifer. I'm 7 years old and my Spirit is the red fox named Cecil."

Says the tallest one of the three. Her voice is neither soft nor harsh but somewhere in the middle. Her posture is straight and her body is neither skinny nor obese. Everything about her nearly screams 'normal'. One of the foxes turned to look at her after hearing its name being called.

After finishing, the shortest of the three girls was about to clap her hands but the second tallest stopped her.

After stopping her younger sister she straightened her posture but her heart was clearly beating abnormally quickly.

"Nice to meet you uncle Charles. My name is Florence and I'm 6 years old. My Spirit is the white fox named Sylvia, she is a Frostbite Fox.

Her voice was a bit shaky but she didn't let it crack. The last part of the introduction was obviously filled with pride. But I can't blame her, I'm proud of Haux as well.

"Hihihhih my name is Sarah and my favourite hobby is drawing. Mama says that I can draw really pretty! Oh, and I'm 5 years old! My best friend is our neighbour Elin but my super best friend is Recka. The brown fox with a white spot on its head! Look the one looking at me right now! Her fur is reaaally soft and when I sleep she always warms my feet. But Charles why aren't you as cool as mama told us you would be she also said...*BAAM*"

"Ah, s-sorry Sarah I think we n-need to hurry. They are undoubtedly tired from their journey."

Helia interrupted her while accidentally kicking the table when standing up. Her heartbeat is basically audible from where I am. She avoided looking at dad as much as possible, who is grinning from ear to ear. His eyes are a glistening with tears.

*Cough*

Clearing his voice dad looks at the girls with a smile reaching his eyes.

"Nice to meet you all, to think Helia would have such pretty daughters! My name is Charles but you can continue calling me uncle Charles. Your mom and I made a pact when we where small to forever be as close as a brother and sister. That's why she is my little sister."

Turnings his eyes towards me he continues.

"And this is my son Nero! Introduce yourself will you?"

Hearing this I sensed Helia's face turn sour.

"Can't you see he has fallen asleep? You obviously nee.."

She stops talking when I opened my eyes staring at her as I stand up.

Turning my gaze towards the girls I smile.

"Nice to meet you Aunt Helia, Jennifer, Florence and Sarah. As my father said, my name is Nero Black and I'm 6 years old. My Spirit is called Haux, the birdie sleeping over there."

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I say while pointing at the armchair beside me.

"His feathers are also really soft! And he loves when people massage them."

I finish before nodding towards the wide open mouthed Helia and the girls, especially Sarah who is looking at Haux with stars in her eyes.

After finishing I turn my face towards dad who thankfully understands my expression.

"Yeah, as your mother said we are both really tired so we will continue catching up tomorrow. Helia I presume you have a room for us?"

"I-I e-eh, yes.. Yes of course! Jen my darling can you lead them to room number 34. The keys should be in the third box."

Helia pulled from her daze completely lost her composure. Looking at me with an apologetic expression. I smiled at her before she continued talking with dad.

...

Jen led us towards room 34 occasionally taking a glance my way with a curious expression.

After arriving we thanked her for the trouble and dad gave her a silver coin to buy some sweets for her and her sisters.

Jen, almost crying tears of happiness quickly dashed off towards her sisters.

...

While preparing for bed, dad complimented me on my introduction but I didn't take it to heart. Answering that it was because they where his friends and that he was there with me...

Dad just smiled and told me I just need to imagine him always being there.

In my pyjamas I quickly fell asleep while sharing my bed with Haux.

-----------

(Florence's perspective)

After finishing my introduction I mentally sighed with relief. Mother told me that the first impression is really important so I'm glad I didn't mess it up.

Looking at Charles I can't figure out what makes him so special, the way mom described him is completely different from what is in front of me. He has wrinkles covering his face and his black hair has a few strands of white. Sure he was probably handsome when he was younger but now he only looks like an old man..

When Sarah started giggling her first few words I immediately did a mental facepalm. She is always too energetic...

And then I understood it. Why mom likes this man.

His smile.

When he heard about how mom has mentioned him as cool I immediately became entranced. 

A smile so bright it almost left me blinded... even his wrinkles perfectly fitted his smiling face.

When he started talking about how he and mom made a pact when they were smaller I tried to seem curious... but after hearing it from my mom so many times it has gotten somewhat old.

"And this is my son Nero! Introduce yourself will you?"

Turning my gaze towards the boy addressed as Nero I see a young boy sleeping in my armchair. His chaotic white hair has somehow found a neat order in all those strands sticking out.

"Can't you see he has fallen asleep? You obviously nee.."

Mom, saying what's on our my minds suddenly stop.

I didn't see it at first, the boy just stood up in a calm manner while looking calmly at mom. Then he turned his gaze towards us and I saw them.

His eyes.

Two sky blue eyes without any pupils... Yet looking into his imperfect eyes, his calm demeanour and dignified posture making him seem older than he is I unconsciously blush profoundly.

Only when he starts talking about his Spirit's soft feathers do I snap out of my daze.

'Heh, seems like Sarah's found a new toy...'

I think while looking at the sleeping bird. But then I saw something that made me sharpen my gaze.

'Was that a spark?'

Turning my attention on the calmly smiling Nero my face turns a shade redder.

'He's a Chosen? Like me??'

Then his dad tells us that they are tired. And I reluctantly watch them walk away. Seeing big sis shooting glances at Nero while blushing I feel... jealous?

'No way!'

Signaling for Sylvia I sit down on my armchair.. Feeling the lingering warmth left behind by Nero my ears turns hot.

Embarrassed I quickly lift up Silva. Burying my face in her fur...

'.. his hair also looked like this.'

I think while not knowing why I'm smiling.

...hugging Sylvia I curl up in the armchair. Savouring the last bit of warmth still left...

While hugging Sylvia I failed to notice my mom looking at me with a nostalgic yet somewhat sad smile on her face.

Author's Note:

Got my first negative review today! Feels kind of sad but I guess everyone can't like my work.

I'm currently pondering over if I should stop posting chapters until I've found a proof reader. As it clearly is a problem.

I also accidentally deleted this chapter before posting today... (I'm writing on a smartphone) I was originally planning on posting two chapters today as this one is more a introduction of Florence.

So sadly I'm too tired to post another one.

Peace out every!