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Between the Doe-Taur & Her Lover

Part three of three

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Written by Arian Mabe (Amethyst Mare)

Commissioned by Adagiodajiang

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They trotted into town with Alyssa jogging ahead of him, teasing the fox with a flick of her tail, though the cool air helped dry her fur off even more, light and fluffy in her natural state once again.

"Come on, Sandor!" She teased. "Keep up! If I can run like this carrying everything, you should be able to too!"

The fox, however, was not as agile nor as light on his feet as she was, though that was one way in which their strengths complimented each other. Still, he gave chase with a laugh and a smile, batting her playfully on her rump every time the doe-taur allowed him to catch up to her.

The market bustled in the afternoon, the sun lower in the sky than it had been, considering that the longest day of the year (the time of the longest light) had already passed. Every day crept closer and closer to autumn and winter after that.

"Where shall we go first?" Sandor said, pausing as he surveyed the outdoor market, stalls set up with merchants buying and selling. "There's copper pans to sell... The blankets... The collectables..."

Those were not items that they were all that keen to give up, though some things from their travels and missions could not be kept. Magical knick-knacks quite often had a high re-sale value too, which they were keen to make use of. Some of the mage's tools were ones that Sandor had grown out of too, his studies and learning progressing far beyond the use of enchanted bowls for crushing and mixing herbs for potions. Now, he was more likely to use a cauldron while he cast spells over it, sometimes for healing and sometimes for protection. Where Sandor's focus in magic lay was still a little on the flighty side.

"Well..." Alyssa said gently, taking the list that she had written from his hands. "There's a lot of cloth weighing me down, first. The fabric merchant is not far from here, that is where we should start."

"Of course," he said with a smile. "I'm glad you know where you're going at least!"

She poked his side gently, tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth, though only briefly in her flirty play.

"Yes, well," she teased, "I know you'd be here all day wandering around in circles if not for me! However would you have managed without me here to help you?"

The fox's smile wavered a little at the thought of being without Alyssa, though he merely drew her in close to him for a hug, squeezing her gently. The doe-taur squeaked, eyes darting about. She still wasn't used to being so open and affectionate with him in public, though it was something that they had talked about and agreed first of all, so that both were okay with everything. It wasn't right to break the consent of any party, after all, even when it was not in the bedroom. Communication had to be present in all parts of their relationship.

"Oh, I'll never be without you," Sandor said, nuzzling her cheek and kissing her hair, his lightly damp nose tickling her. "I'll let you lead the way."

Her strength, after all, was in organisation and management, the running of things like that so Sandor did not have to think about them or bother himself with them. Confidently, Alyssa trotted up to the fabric merchant, greeting him and laying the blankets out for him first.

"We have come to sell!" The doe-taur said, as if it was something that she did every single day. "Give me a price for these. Here is the thread, stitched to a high-quality, a dense weave. And this is actual gold thread in the embroidery and hem detailing."

She listed the qualities of the blankets easily, though Sandor didn't think he would even have known half of them. One was blue with gold stitching - that was about all he could have said! And yet his love for her grew even as he watched her, something tightening inside him, though they had not long ago had their fun. Dreamily, he slipped away, imagining just what it would have been like to grab her and take her right there and then, perhaps even pinning her down over those very blankets and grinding into her, uncaring of anyone else or who was even there....

"Sandor... Sandor, Sandor, are you listening?"

Alyssa shook his arm gently and the fox started. It was his turn to blush, for he had been caught out daydreaming in public, even if no one around him could have possibly known what he was daydreaming about. It wasn't like him to drift away so quickly anymore, but the fox couldn't take back what had already happened.

"Um..." He floundered, trying to find the words that would help move things forward, recovering himself the best he could. "Yes... I think... That's a good price?"

Alyssa sighed, though there was still a smile on her lips.

"Oh, Sandor, you are drifting off again. Now, we've sold the blankets, there's the clothes though from my saddle bags to do next, along with the tablecloth."

He helped her with those, for that at least helped him get back to normal, to carry on with the flow of conversation without thinking about what he really wanted to be doing with Alyssa. They worked on it together, laying the cloth out for the merchant, though Sandor was struck a little uncomfortably by the notion that that, in a way, could have been his life if he hadn't gone into mage training.

He was happy with all the prices Alyssa negotiated, however, and they moved on to the collector, the one that would be able to take some of their rarer items, gathered during their missions and adventurers together during his training. Those were the heaviest and the most numerous, filling up the bulk of her saddlebags, though Alyssa held them confidently on her body, three leather bags slung on either side of her body.

The collector was in a small shop indoors and surprised to see her: a stallion with a line of spines down the back of his neck as if there was some reptilian or draconian heritage in his genes somewhere. Alyssa stepped confidently up to the desk.

"Hello! I am here to sell today, please. Here are our wares."

She laid everything out for him, though it took much longer in there, Sandor trying to keep up with everything, the barter back and forth, though he could, at least, chime in when he thought something was going too cheaply. When it came to the enchanted items, it helped that he was more experienced in that area and could tell more easily when the merchant was trying to get one over on them and make a bit of extra money from them.

Still, it was not the most interesting of things, even as they managed to lighten the load in her saddlebags considerably and move on to getting the few supplies they would need for the journey to the next town. Extra food that would not perish too quickly, but all things that they would need on the trip itself. Alyssa had to gently dissuade Sandor from buying too much on multiple occasions, putting things back on the merchant carts, stands and shelves, all with a light, knowing smile on her lips.

"We cannot sell so many things and then try to buy more, right now, to take with us," she said, explaining it to him. "We can buy more there, sweetheart, everything you want to make this place ours..."

Her smile grew wider. It seemed strange to her to think that it would be her place too, though Sandor had always been very clear about how he saw things, that the place that they lived was already intended to be theirs, together. It was one more sign that the fox meant for everything to be shared equally between them. And Alyssa was starting to feel more comfortable believing in it for herself too.

"I understand, sweetheart," he said, giving her a light hug from the side with his arm around her waist, the doe-taur squeaking as he drew her in against him. "You take the lead then, I trust you."

She did it admirably, setting the food carefully into her bags, from wrapped cheeses to dried meats, things that they would not need to keep cool overnight before they moved on. There were some fruits too, though Sandor preferred a more protein-rich diet than Alyssa, so she would have to persuade him a little more to eat more healthily. But that was a long-running battle for her and not all that much of a serious one, to be fair. There were a lot of other more pressing things in their life that took up their intention.

He was surprised that she bought items to clean their teeth and freshen their breath, along with small tubs of cleansing oils that could be used without the need for a bath. She said that there would most likely not be enough time for that, depending on how long it took them to travel. For the lack of comfort there, Sandor was, at the very least, more than a little disappointed.

"Oh!" He said with a yawn, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm famished! Is there anything more we need? Are we going to sleep at home tonight for one last night?"

Alyssa made a face at him.

"With the bed dismantled and already on its way? Sandor, I don't think you'd be comfortable with that!"

The fox perked his ears indignantly, folding his arms across his chest. In the last year or two, it had grown broader, though that was not enough to put Alyssa off. Others passing by cast them curious looks, perhaps wondering if there was a lover's quarrel brewing, but the doe-taur and the fox were not engaging in any such thing, not at all.

"I've camped with you before! I'm a mage, not a merchant!"

But Alyssa was only teasing as she flirted with a flick of her white tail, the fox rolling his eyes and taking a step back from her.

"Oh, I see, are you having fun at my expense?" He teased back at her, poking her side as the doe-taur squirmed away with a giggle, better able to do so now that her saddle bags were emptier than they had been. "Are you trying to say I'm too posh and well-dressed to rough it with you for a night, hm, Alyssa?"

Oh, how she loved hearing her name on his lips, though the doe-taur allowed herself to be drawn into his arms tightly, her own sliding around his waist in return. It felt like the right place to be, even embracing in public with more than a few judgemental eyes on them, nestling her nose into his shoulder with a soft sigh. The scent of him, and all the rest of him too, was everything she needed and more.

So, who cared what everyone else said? Who cared if they whispered about their relationship? Sandor's strength and power in magic had quelled most of them, for fear of upsetting him, though Alyssa bore more of the brunt of it, going about her daily tasks especially when she had to head out into the town.

"There's only some of the jewellery that we were given in trade before to sell on now," she said, though the sparkly jewels didn't appeal to her. "The jeweller, however, is near the tavern. Perhaps we should get a hot meal there tonight before we must carry on? There are still goodbyes to be had too, didn't you say something about the Elder coming to speak to you? How will you know if he's looking for you? Or how will he know where you are?"

Sandor mused, rubbing his snout as he considered the answer to that question.

"Hm... Well... I will send him a message. But are you not happy to sleep at home tonight, in that case?"

Alyssa smiled.

"We have more than enough spare for a night at the inn - more comfortable than the upstairs of Stanley's tavern though. That was where you were intending to eat, wasn't it?"

He nodded.

"Yes! Stanley always buys the best pork sausages!"

Alyssa wrinkled her nose. The fox always ate more meat than her, while she preferred things like eggs if she did need a protein source. Anthros and centaurs could eat meat without upsetting their digestive systems, but that did not mean that they always chose to. For some, it was a little too close to home for them, depending on their species.

"I don't know how you can eat so much of those, but I think you should definitely get them if you want them, sweetheart," she said, dropping a kiss on his cheek, still standing close to him. "They should give you the energy we need to carry on with everything we have to do, the travelling."

Her heart pulled for the town she was leaving behind, though the doe-taur fixed her attention ahead, ensuring that she was making it the best future that she could. With so much sadness hidden back right at the very beginning of her life, she couldn't linger in the past.

Better to look forward. Better to stay with Sandor, to love him and to be with him, forevermore.

"Of course, then..." She mused. "We will go eat at the tavern, sell the jewellery beforehand, and...we will see where you want to spend the night. I'm afraid I did plan to spend the night away, but, honestly, Sandor, I'm really going to be comfortable anywhere."

She smiled, taking his hand as he settled in close to her, both knowing exactly where they were going. The town was not all that large, to be fair, and there were only so many places that they could go, the tavern one of Sandor's favourites for all the reasons that had to do with good food.

Selling the jewellery was a quick affair and more than enough to see them right: even Alyssa was a little surprised as to how much was offered for them and quick to negotiate up. Sometimes, it was even easier for her to barter with Sandor there, backing her up, even if fine jewels that were given in trade on one of their missions were not the forte of either of them.

Entering the tavern with Sandor, arm in arm, would forever remain one of her finest and proudest moments, however, just another couple.

"Oh, Sandor - there's a table over there!" The doe-taur exclaimed. "Let's sit!"

The place was packed, bustling with life, though it would be lit well into the night, both the main ground floor and the upper level, framed with a banister that many a drunken fool had toppled through during a wild night, illuminated with magical flames in lanterns. The lanterns would not burn dry until the magic that sustained them emptied out completely - however, the magic that kept them as they needed to be was quite simple and a small feat. So many anthros and even taurs too packed the place that it was hard to move between them, but the nook that Alyssa had spotted was tucked away with a high back to it that blocked out some of the noise.

They had not intended to find such a private corner, but, well, it suited them.

Sandor grinned, drawing a menu across the flat of the table to them and tapping on the table.

"Let's drink! To our success!"

Alyssa nodded, attention diverted.

"Ah, here's the waiter," she said. "Here, please! We're ready!"

It was not usual for taverns to offer table service, but it helped in their case and, she supposed, helped them avoid bottlenecks at the bar for those that weren't just drinking, plus fewer broken glasses.

"Oh!"

The waiter bustled up, a pine marten with her long, black hair tied away from her face, dressed in a smart, white blouse-shirt and a black skirt, which was modest even on her long legs. Her tail swung back and forth gently under it as she tapped a pencil on her notebook, ready to take their order.

"What can I get you this evening then, folks?"

She treated them just like any other couple, something for which Alyssa was very glad.

"Hm... Sandor," she said, pausing for only a moment to check in with him, "is it beer you want again? Yes? Two of those, please. And we'll need more later, if you can, please."

Sandor grinned and shook his head.

"What, for you?" He teased. "Don't you ever get really intoxicated?"

Alyssa laughed and brushed him off.

"Sometimes!" She had to say. "But I don't see the point in drinking frequently either, maybe if I knew more of the taurs around here I would have gone out, but that never happened. Now...about food..."

"Yes!" Sandor leapt in, keen to order. "Sausages and potatoes, fried, for me, please. Can you double the sausages?"

"Yes, of course," the pine marten waitress said with a smile. "We have some fresh ones in this morning, I'm sure they will be to your liking. Would you like your usual with the side of spiced tender stem broccoli too?"

Sandor had to catch himself in time from making a face, though, to be fair to him, he had started adding more "green things" to his diet. It had somehow become the most tolerable vegetable for the fox at that tavern and somehow his "usual".

"Um..." He didn't know how to say that he'd rather just have extra potatoes with Alyssa giggling at him from hind her hand. "Yeah... Yes, please, I'll have that too. Anything extra, please, I've got a big appetite today!"

Alyssa laughed.

"Yes, you always do..." The waitress caught Alyssa's attention, ready for her order too. "Oh, yes, me now... I'd like...a root vegetable roast with an extra side of potatoes too, please, like Sandor's will be fine if you have enough. Oh - and a pitcher of beer, maybe that would be better?"

The waitress smiled, scribbling it all down and stepping back to allow them space.

"Of course! I'll have that ready for you as soon as I can! Please just let me know if I can do anything else for you."

"She's friendly tonight," Alyssa chuckled, her ears perked as Sandor shifted a little closer to her around the table, sliding across the curved booth so that he didn't have to be so far away. "Do you think she remembers us from before, or just your order?"

Sandor laughed.

"Probably my order... And I don't think we cause any trouble here either, not like some of the anthros."

Alyssa grimaced.

"Well, yeah, the centaurs especially... I know what they can be like, but there's no harm in most of them, they're just a bit rowdier than most. But, yes, I know there have been more than a few scuffles here."

"Not always the taurs, or centaurs," Sandor said, quickly rushing in and taking her hand, all so that he could reassure her. "There are more than enough idiotic anthros around too, trust me! You should see some of the fights the mages have, those turn into real brawls. And they're meant to be more refined than others. I swear, I don't see it!"

Alyssa smiled.

"Oh, Sandor," she said. "You always know how to make me feel better. And I wasn't even feeling that bad at all!"

"I know," he said, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "But I always want to make sure you're happy and comfortable, Alyssa. Even when we're doing things that are a little...hm...naughtier."

Alyssa squeaked and pulled back a little, though only from surprise, heat rushing to her cheeks.

"Oh, Sandor!" The doe-taur admonished him gently, though it was hard for her to appear serious when there was a smile trying to insistently tug her lips up higher and higher. "You shouldn't say things like that out here, not in public! And we already did...that...earlier! You can't want to do it again yet, can you?"

The fox's tail swung lightly back and forth under the table, hidden from Alyssa's view.

"Mmm, well, I'm always thinking of you," he murmured, eyes downcast. "You're quite a distraction, Alyssa... I'm too often thinking of your lovely rump and the smooth line of your back, your strong legs..."

"Sandor!"

She sat up straight, wide-eyed, though not even the doe-taur could fully hide that she was flushed with pleasure at the compliments, even if they were bordering on obscene for that kind of place.

"You can't say stuff like that... Not here! People are looking!"

Sandor, however, didn't care about that, even if he wished he could shield Alyssa from the too-curious stares and looks that they were getting from those that really should have concerned themselves with their own business. The fox gave a subtle warning growl to a stoat who was looking a little too curiously at them, almost leering as his lips twitched.

"Hey, you," he snapped, back straight, even though he would swiftly revert to being the easy-going fox that he was truly soon enough. "Keep your nose to yourself! If you've got something to say, you can say it to my face - or aren't you brave enough to stand against me?"

The stoat snarled and glowered, though the message had well enough been received and he slunk away and back to his friends, clearly merely on his way through the tavern. Alyssa shivered, their attention diverted. She wasn't all that sure that having their attention shifted from dirtier things was a good thing, considering the topic that had come to light.

"Hm..." Alyssa frowned, sitting back, taking her hand from him and accepting a glass of beer from the waitress with a smile as she discreetly slid the drinks into place on the table. "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for me to join you here... Things have been quieter around town lately, so I didn't honestly think we would attract this much attention, you know?"

"No!" Sandor smiled and clapped his hands together, a sharp, startling sound that didn't really suit the environment, turning more heads than they had managed to get averting their eyes from them already. "None of that tonight! Everyone here can go chew on their own tail for all I care for their opinion. It's a problem that they hold, not us. Tonight, it's all about us and we don't have to worry about anyone else, not like that. We never do."

He smiled widely, taking both of her hands in his, though that did mean that, briefly, they didn't have a free hand with which to drink. Bringing her hand to his muzzle, he kissed her fingers gently and even Alyssa had to giggle at how the light whiskers of his foxish face tickled her skin.

"Sandor!"

But she couldn't stop him, not when he had already lightened the load hanging over her so easily, making it seem simple. He always had done that for her, taking away the worries that Alyssa had not even known or understood were not hers to carry.

"Oh, sweetheart..." She leaned in, eyes twinkling. "You are sweet... But I still don't think you're able to outdrink me! The mighty mage is so felled by a single flagon, or even a glass, of beer!"

Sandor half-yelped, indignant, snatching up his glass as if it had been forgotten.

"I'll have you know that I hold my drink a lot better than I used to!"

Alyssa laughed.

"Oh, that's a jest! I remember all the times that I had to tuck you into bed because you'd gotten carried away celebrating with the other young mages, drinking and drinking... They said you must have had a lot more than what they saw because you were "laid out", as they put it, but I know that it was one, maybe two glasses!"

Sandor blushed and pouted, slumping back into the booth as the chatter rose around them. Though the fox was secretly pleased that he had, at the very least, managed to distract Alyssa from the stares and strange looks they were getting still, eyes on them when they really could have done with a little more privacy. But he didn't want to always have Alyssa tucked away either.

That wasn't right for her. That wasn't right for either of them.

Alyssa downed her drink easily in a way that would have made a full-grown centaur stare, perhaps hungry for whatever else her mouth and tongue could do as she swallowed repeatedly, the glass dropping heavily back to the table. She refilled it quickly, not realising how parched she was. Grinning, Sandor licked his lips.

"You, on the other hand," he said, eyes dancing. "You can hold your liquor, Alyssa... Perhaps you should be the one getting into the drinking competitions with the other mages... They'd be spellbound by your, ah, abilities."

She rolled her eyes at him, draining half of her next glass too, while Sandor had only had a couple of mouthfuls of his.

"They wouldn't want to spend time with me," she said, half-shrugging. "Besides, is drinking really something to be proud of?"

Sandor thought about that question before answering, drinking more, eyes already sliding away, eagerly anticipating his food.

"Hm... Probably not," he said, agreeing with her. "It's a big socialising thing still. I was wondering about a spell to enchant it, in public places, not when it's a friendly competition thing... Then the mages wouldn't think that I was not drinking and I wouldn't get inebriated as swiftly."

"Hm, that is an idea, but I don't feel comfortable that it's something that you should have to do," Alyssa said slowly. "It's not right that you should feel forced, by a group, to consume more liquor than you are comfortable drinking."

Sandor shrugged.

"Either way, it's not going to be much of a problem anymore. Ah! Look - there's our food coming!"

The waitress laughed, a plate balanced on each hand, though Alyssa noted that she held both with a towel, likely from the kitchen, over each hand: the plates must have been hot.

"You have a good eye, sir - Sandor!" The pine marten quipped, setting the plates down smoothly, every bit the professional, even though it had taken her a moment to remember exactly how it was that Sandor preferred being addressed. "Here are your meals, please let me know if there is anything else at all that I can get for you. Would you like another pitcher, Alyssa? There's a dark ale in that I think you may enjoy."

"Oh!" Alyssa grinned widely, her ears twitching. "Yes, of course! If that's...okay, Sandor?"

The fox, of course, was already nodding and waving the waitress on - not to be rude or anything like that, but he was just more interested in his food. And Alyssa could _always_have everything and anything she wanted, he would never deny her. Making that commonplace was just another way he wanted to show her, every day, that she was his equal.

Regardless of what the rest of the town and even beyond too thought of that... It was none of their concern.

But he set that from his mind as he devoured his food, the succulent sausages and potatoes mixing wonderfully, all so that he didn't know where to start with his meal. Alyssa clearly enjoyed hers too, though after settling the starving pangs from their stomachs, they slowed down in their consumption.

"How is your meal, Alyssa?" He asked, smiling gently, his nose twitching. "It smells...almost... Is there chilli in there?"

Alyssa grinned.

"Yes! But I wouldn't have thought that you'd be interested in only veggies!"

Sandor wrinkled his nose.

"Yes, well... I said it smells nice, not that I'd want only that to eat myself! It could make a nice side though... But it's not these sausages. Do you think there's a way we can take them along with us?"

Alyssa considered that, though gave a slow shake of her head.

"Well, I guess... You could preserve them, but you'd have to think about that ahead of time, there's no time for that now, not with your magic. We don't know enough about how the magic of the...the tree works for now."

It was easier for Alyssa to talk about what had happened to them with the ancient evil of the tree, but still not comfortable. Sandor, however, tilted his head, a slice of sausage speared on his fork. Alyssa smirked behind her hand, covering her lips delicately with it so that her partner would not see. No wonder he liked the sausages so much when they were glistening with grease and fat, though if it helped the flavour even more for him she was not going to say anything. He only had to take the right steps to look after his health too.

"I guess that's right," he said, following her line of thought. "Maybe I could do more with that magic, because I don't just have fire and nature magic now, not only in my training... There's so much I just haven't had time to explore."

"And things are only going to get busier when we move," she said, taking his hand and rubbing her fingers over the back of it. "But we're going to make the time, sweetheart, for you to learn, to do everything you want to. I can be even more help around the house and with planning than before!"

Sandor grinned.

"You never fail to amaze me, Alyssa. How you have taken everything in your stride, as if it was totally normal for you! You've faced down so much that would have sent many, even other mages, running for the hills. How do you do it?"

She opened her mouth and tried to say something, but, well, the blush that spread across her cheeks, sending a prickling rise of heat down her neck too, told the tale for her.

"Oh!" She waved him off, trying to fan her face, though some of the looks that the doe-taur and the fox were getting were softening a little, almost becoming a little lighter and more romantic in nature. "You are mean to me, teasing me like that! You knew that would make me blush - and it's not true too!"

"Oh, but it is true, Alyssa," he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss, thankful that he had dabbed the grease from his lips only a moment before. "You are the most amazing person that I know. You've met everything so well, even your fears. And those would fell most others. You should know that, because you truly deserve to know how wonderful you are, day in and day out."

He paused, a touch of shyness pulling at him. Where were his crude words, his teases and his touches? All that went out the window when he looked deep into her eyes, when she made his heart flutter, when he spilt out all his admiration for her, how much he loved her, how the doe-taur had changed his life for the better.

He would tell her that, every day, for the rest of their lives. Together.

He let her take a moment to compose herself, mumbling something further under her breath about him embarrassing her. The doe-taur occupied herself with her dinner, though Sandor caught the pull of a smile on her lips.

She's so cute...

Sandor took in the changing looks around them, the sense of something shifting in the air of the tavern. In a way, it was as if those watching saw their connection more and more, rather than what or who Alyssa and Sandor were. It was something that the fox had been trying to convey especially to other anthros for too long, increasingly bluntly and directly, yet some were still too bone-headed to get it into their thick skulls that class differences were just manufactured by those that wanted to feel powerful. It was something, a notion, that had helped him advance in his magic training, but it was not all that easy to convey.

Maybe because not many have tried to show that power difference before, he thought. Not even how relinquishing it gives you the true power.

_ _

But that was a thought for another time and night as they drank and enjoyed their meal together, Sandor's tail flicking around to brush against Alyssa where she squirmed. The doe-taur had slid a little further into the booth in an attempt to get comfortable, though there were not many seating arrangements that suited taurs. It was only as she was so small that she could squeeze in there at all.

"Are you going to slip off, Alyssa?" He teased, even as the doe-taur squeaked. "Maybe you should have stood this time... If we were staying, we could have had a seat left here that would fit your legs more comfortably."

"And you think you're teasing me even when you're saying really sweet things to me," Alyssa quipped back, the doe-taur better placed to give as good as she got with the fox than she had been before. "You don't have to do that. If you want to say nice things about me, you can."

She shot him a flirty look, though, in Alyssa's case, that sudden boldness probably came in a sense from the alcohol she had consumed. The fox tried to grin, but his body didn't want to obey him all that much anymore, laughing, swaying, tipping back and forth in his seat.

Leaning in closer to him, Alyssa rested a hand on his arm, steadying him.

"Sandor... You finished your glass too quickly," she said, shaking her head. "Come on, eat your food."

She treated him as if she really was there looking after him, but she was his partner too. He leaned heavily on her, even though he managed to clear his plate. Dimly, the fox was aware that he shouldn't have drunk so quickly, but he had been thirsty! Was that such a bad thing?

Not really, but he should have thought about what they were going to do that night, especially when their sleeping arrangements were still so up in the air, nothing quite decided.

"Mmm... Alyssa..."

He leaned heavily on her, not realising that the doe-taur had gotten him up and out of the booth and that she had paid the waitress.

"Hush now, sweetheart, don't worry. Just stand, that's okay, breathe slowly and evenly."

He didn't realise that she was telling him to breathe like that because he was drunk, but, well, there was only so much that he could do about that. The time to worry about being drunk had passed.

Shoot, he perhaps had drunk it too quickly...

"Sandor... Can you hear me?"

She prodded him, though the fox groaned in reply. It was hard to raise her voice naturally loud enough in the tavern, the doe-taur sighing.

Outside, fresh air. That would help.

"Come on, Sandor, we're walking now, you're doing well."

At least they had had a nice meal out of it and, honestly, Alyssa could not help but giggle as she drew him outside with her into the fresh air. Honestly, the fox really did need to think ahead a little more! But they were still young and there was nothing to worry about there, not truly.

"Now... I can't get you to ride me, not with my saddle bags in place still, hm..."

Alyssa talked out loud to herself, as if that was how she better worked things out. There were, after all, some logistical problems to be dealt with that night. An inn would be more comfortable and they should have enough to last them the night with what she had bought for their travels...but was that the most practical thing anymore?

Alyssa sighed, drawing his arm more tightly over her shoulder. She didn't know where to take him, whether she would even be able to get him up the stairs to a room at the inn - and she doubted there would be any lower-floor ones left after everything. Did that mean that there was only the house remaining for her to stop by at?

"Mm... Alyssa..."

"Yes, Sandor?"

She leaned in close to him, putting her ear close to his mouth, which was difficult with how much the fox was slumping forward, more than half a dead weight on her. It was a good thing that she was strong.

"Mmm... Sent message..."

Had he? When had the fox done that? Perhaps when she used the lavatory behind the tavern. Oh, dear...

"To Elder Ron... Yes... Meeting at home..."

Alyssa sighed.

"Okay, Sandor, no problem."

That meant that she couldn't go to the inn, making her decision. If he had to meet Elder Ron at home, that was where she had to be. It didn't matter too much to her, to be honest, as she could easily sleep standing up against the wall, even if it might leave her still with a crick in her neck (the head was quite a bit heavier than many gave it credit for, after all). Sandor, on the other hand, might be quite sore. She would have to check if there were some old camping supplies, which might be enough to make sure that he was comfortable enough for the night, a pillow and something soft to lie on.

"Mmhm... It's...mmm...want..."

"What?"

She tried to listen, ears pricking. But the fox's tongue must have been so thick in his mouth that he could barely get the words out.

Still, coming in close to him made it clear enough as he mumbled.

"Mm... Want...doe... Mm...so furry, so warm... Dick deep...inside her... Mmph... Yes... Mmm..."

Alyssa scoffed and rolled her eyes. That fox!

"Sandor! Are you always thinking about sex?"

She might have meant to chide him, but, really, who wouldn't have been flattered in a strange way to know that their partner wanted him like that? The doe-taur shrugged helplessly at his one-track mind, but secretly was pleased that she was enticing and alluring to him still. That was all she wanted, well, at least when it came to the bedroom and attraction, and was something that she had so very desperately had hoped would not fade. On the contrary, things between them had become even more erotic than before, the fox more and more forceful in a way that made her legs bow and quiver deliciously.

That, however, was something to be explored at another time.

At home, stumbling up the short path, at last, she fumbled with the key and dragged the only semi-conscious fox through the door.

"Honestly, Sandor..." She couldn't help but chuckle, even if his slurring had long gone past coherent. "You've got to...unff...watch what you drink."

That he didn't drink that often, to be fair, was a good thing though. No one wanted a partner that was completely inebriated all the time, after all. It wouldn't have been something that would have drawn her to him in the first place too, to be fair.

"Here you go, Sandor, come on now..."

She settled him down in the living area where the furniture had been mostly cleared out, not trusting herself to be able to get him up the stairs without bumping him far too uncomfortably. No, best to bring items down there and, well, there was that old sofa still that they had not been able to get rid of. They were going to work out something with his magic to get that outside to a safe distance in the morning (possibly by growing vines so that it could be moved from one location to another, using his nature magic), so that it could be burned. If no one wanted it, after all, there was little that either of them felt they could do with it. It could be a fitting end to their time there.

She settled him onto it, though muttered her apologies to him as she was forced to heft and heave the fox onto the last piece of furniture.

"Mmhm... Al...Alyssa..."

Alyssa leaned in close to him, dropping a gentle kiss on his nose. Oh, her sweet fox... He was so silly to have drunk a full glass when he knew he couldn't handle it, but it was not that bad, no, not that bad at all. It could not be helped, not even then, and she was not all that concerned about it, not all that concerned about him. One glass of beer, a pint or so... It was not something that could not be slept off.

And yet she was still struck with the urge to take care of him, to look after him, to care for him, all as he had done for her for so very long, all in his own way. She knew that he tried to keep up a cheerful front and face, despite the difficulties that their relationship posed when it came to his relationships with the rest of the world. People judged him for being with her, even though it was quite clear, even to her, by then that they were together for the long haul - and that their relationship had been going on for much longer than anyone had suspected in the public eye. And yet his only thought was of her, of her comfort.

He was a special fox indeed. Alyssa only hoped that she would be able to do right by him, all in time.

"Yes, you're okay, Sandor, I'm taking care of everything, don't worry. Just go to sleep, honey."

She brushed the fur on his face tenderly, leaving him on his back, muttering in his sleep to himself. Oh, the fox was by no means awake and her casting a blanket from the camping gear and cupboard - they needed that on their travels anyway, even though it would not have been her first choice of something to sleep on at home - over him only sent him deeper down. Gently, the doe-taur slipped off his trousers, though did not reach his shirt before there was a gentle knock on the door.

Oh, dear...

_ _

That had to be Elder Ron, though at least she would be able to sleep soon if she dealt with whatever that business was. It was just something that he was dropping off, right? He had been strange with Sandor since her relationship with the fox had become public and, well... It was hard for Alyssa to face him, her stomach clenching, twisting up into knots while she trotted lightly to the door. Even after everything that she had drunk, she only felt a little sleepy. That was about as inebriated as she got, for which she was thankful.

"Ah, h-hello, Elder Ron. Sandor said that you would be coming by."

Elder Ron seemed a little surprised to see her, pulling back slightly, though the anthro wolf with muted, purple fur was wizened from age, a little stooped. And yet there was power in him too as his sharp eyes locked onto hers. His grey gape swung around his shoulders, covering him from the cool of the night.

"Ah, the doe-taur..." He said slowly, as if he was choosing his words with exceeding care. "Now, yes... I did not expect you."

"I am sorry, sir, but Sandor is asleep," she said, "and the house has been emptied before our move. But I can help with whatever is needed, of course."

She smiled as brightly as she could, hoping that she didn't come off as too nervous. Anyone that knew Alyssa well, however, would have seen how furtively her white tail twitched and twitched, unable to keep itself still.

"Actually... Alyssa, was it? I think it is prudent that we speak, however briefly. I am considerate of the hour being as late as it is, but I evidently had to make delivery of the gift before Sandor's departure. In a sense, it is you that I came to see."

Alyssa started, eyes wide and ears perked.

"Me? Whatever for? Sir..."

It was hard to be respectful when she was surprised. The elder sighed and shook his head.

"There seem to have been some mistaken impressions, for which I can only apologise. Training young mages, promising students... It takes a lot out of an elder, a teacher, and sometimes my focus was not always where it should have been. I wonder if the treatment of you and he, as a couple, is one of the reasons that he is so keen to leave this town, despite the fruits that he has brought to it. Oh, no, dear," he added when Alyssa tried to rush to reassure him. "That's nothing to worry you. What I wanted to convey to you, however, was that I was never against you two being together. A class system... What a waste. My focus is on magic. Why, you could have been a wonderful mage's aide to any in training, do not think that your growing skills have gone without notice too. We would have done well to bring you on board. And yet we did not see what was under our noses, not even then."

"Oh..."

Alyssa didn't know what to say, clasping her hands to her chest. Bowing her head gently, she tried to consider her words carefully as she faced the wolf.

"Sir, that is very kind of you to say," she began. "Our difficulties...well... I am glad that we were strong enough to overcome them. I would have adored assisting at the academy though! Perhaps I could offer my services in that respect when we return for Sandor to train other mages further? I am sure I heard something said about that..."

The elder smiled. It was the first time that Alyssa had seen a genuine look of lightness on his face.

"That sounds excellent, Alyssa, quite excellent. I am glad that we are able to move past this. But I shall not keep you any longer - you should though expect a letter coming from me very soon. Here, please."

He held out an item to her, something in black leather, and she smiled, nodding politely as she took it.

"Thank you, Elder Ron, this is a wonderful gift. Sandor sends his thanks and I will show it to him as soon as he wakes."

"Oh, no - that is for you, actually. Keep it. I am confident it will serve you well."

That prompted her, in the light of the moon and stars, to peer a little more closely at it. A saddle? But not quite, it was not something that she was familiar with, though she would surely become more familiar with such things over time.

"Thank you, Elder," she said with a smile, bowing her head respectfully, wanting Elder Ron to know just how much she truly, absolutely, appreciated the gift - even if she was not entirely clear on its purpose by that time. "This is a magnificent gift... I do not think myself worthy..."

"Oh, hush now, young one," Elder Ron said, clicking his tongue disapprovingly against the roof of his mouth with a shake of his head. "That is not talk for now, no. All is worthy, though the idea itself is a term that we ourselves have come up with. It is not the way of magic."

Not knowing what to say, Alyssa merely nodded, though the doe-taur thought, at the very least, it all sounded quite positive.

Bidding farewell to the elder, she promised him that she would keep an eye out for his letters to follow them, for it seemed that Sandor's services would still be needed. He was becoming a highly skilled mage, after all, and the training academy there, as small as it was (still growing as word of his prowess spread), would be hard-pressed to lose him. Yet, one way or the other, the two of them had decided that they'd had to move on in life, as sad and as joyful as it was. Alyssa just had not thought that there would be so many mixed emotions wrapped up in saying goodbye to people and to the town.

She set the gift near the door so that they would not forget it the next morning, making her way back to Sandor on the sofa. The fox, at least, looked like he was comfortable, but there was something strange on his mouth, like his lips were twitching. The doe-taur leaned in closer, frowning a little. Was he...smirking? That didn't seem right!

"Mmm... Alyssa... Mmmm..."

She drew back, eyes wide. Oh, he was dreaming... Perhaps he was dreaming about her? And that smirk on his lips. The doe-taur suppressed a groan, for the hour was too late. Oh, that _naughty_fox! Though Alyssa supposed that even Sandor could not fully be held accountable for what he was doing in his sleep. There was not a soul alive that could control that, after all, even with what Alyssa knew of the range and reach of magic.

She didn't want to wake him up and her idea of sleeping standing still held. She didn't want to lock her legs, however, so keeping her torso lightly balanced against the end of the sofa, so she could stay as close to Sandor as possible, she folded her legs under her body to lie down. It was something that her deer body was designed for, though the support for her upper body and the human part of her was much appreciated. The old sofa too, the soft mustiness of it and the scent of fox emanating from it from all the time they had spent relaxing on it - it was comforting in a way that Alyssa had not even realised that she'd needed that night.

Her eyes, sleepily, scanned the dim room, a smile flickering on her lips. It may have been bare, the house being made available, on a hiring agreement, to mage training students that wanted to come live there to train, but it had still been her first real home. It had been the first place where she had been able to learn what it meant to be herself, outside Sandor's childhood home and the overbearing claw of his mother, the head of the household. Of course, back then, she had only been a servant - but without others in her group to socialise with, expected to be Sandor's playmate in his younger years, she had not grown as many other taurs had.

But that was okay. Her start in life had been comfortable, at least, always with a bed to sleep in and fresh food to eat. That was a lot more than what many other taurs and centaurs across the land got. She was grateful, more so than anything else, for the path that her life had taken. For, otherwise, she might never have met Sandor. And he was more important to her than anything else.

Kastalia, Sandor's staff, leaned against the wall, and she eyed it curiously. She had not realised that he had left it there when they went to the market and the tavern. The staff had been crowned as "mana spring" and she carefully took it in her hands, turning it over, the wood warm to the touch even though the rest of the room was pleasantly cool. Alyssa shivered.

"Hm..."

The surface glowed in the moonlight, though the doe-taur paused when a line that had not been there before caught her attention: "S LUV A". It was not an inscription that she understood, the capital letters coming with a sense of solid finality to them, something that was set in stone and not merely the wood that it was inscribed into.

Perhaps it had been inscribed after the incident with the tree. Either way, it was something that she could ask Sandor about in the morning.

Perhaps it is not for me to know either, she thought. But I want to know. I am like you now, Sandor, in a way. I love him. Sandor... Her eyes grazed him, sleepy, heavy and lidded as she stifled a yawn. Sandor... I love you...

_ _

Only when she was dropping off to sleep did Alyssa realise just what those letters meant, her lips breaking into a soft, parted smile.

"Oh..."

Sandor...loves...Alyssa. That was what it read, though the fox had changed the inscription and wording, only slightly.

What a silly fox. What a clever fox.

_ _

I'll keep him with me forever.

_ _

The rest of their lives together, after all, stretched out before them, hand in hand, always together.