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Chapter 4: Playing Doctor

Geoff and the others arrived at school ten minutes early and walked in to see Ms. Paul, the homeroom teacher. All through the halls they heard people whispering and saw people staring at them. Nathanial shrank in on himself, ears back and tail curled. Geoff noticed, but he wasn't sure what the whispering was about. It might actually make things worse to put his arm around the distraught Akita. A glance at Faelen told him that his friend had no trouble hearing what they were saying. His ears were back and a silent snarl lurked along his muzzle. He was opening and closing his paws as they hung by his sides, causing the muscles along his arms to flex, straining the fabric of his coat.

As they neared their lockers Geoff saw Betty Chan, the Pekinese who waylaid him yesterday, and heard the snarl escape from Faelen's lips. The hall fell silent around them. Faelen stared at Betty, his eyes full of hate. She looked up and saw them, met Faelen's eyes for a second, and ran. Faelen was about to give chase when Geoff said softly, "Faelen, stay with me." Faelen stopped, but he growled deep in his chest, a rumble that Geoff swore he could feel rattling his bones. He smiled sadly. 'This is not going to help Nathanial get over his fear of Faelen. I guess it can't really be helped.'

They put their things in their respective lockers. Faelen pulled his phone out for a second and sent a quick text to his father. When Geoff asked what it was he just gave a quick shake of his head and said he wanted to ask his father something. Nathanial kept the grimoire on him as they went to the staff room.

At the door, Geoff knocked. A teacher none of them recognised, a Panther, opened the door slightly, keeping the staff room mostly hidden. "Hello sir, is Ms. Paul available?"

He looked at Nathanial's arm and back at Geoff. "Mr. McDougal, you had best hope these rumours are false. We take a dim view of extortion and sexual exploitation at this school. Mr. Marks, coming on to male students in the school washrooms is a very stupid thing to do, and I dare say you got what you deserved. I hope you find the desks quite uncomfortable for the rest of the week." He turned and briskly walked into the room. "Margaret Anne, some of your students wish to speak to you. I trust you will ensure they don't sully the name of Dalhousie any further with their godless ways."

Ms. Paul was still out of sight, but they could almost see her fur bristling, her voice was that cutting. "Joseph Harper! These rumours have no corroborating evidence, and unless Nathanial steps forward to lay charges they are nothing more than vicious rumours. I suggest you review our policy on such matters before you tarnish the reputations of Dalhousie Collegiate's faculty and the school at large." They heard her claws click on the tile as she walked briskly to the door. She slipped out into the hall, closing the door behind her. Her fur was indeed bristling, her fangs poked past her lips in a silent snarl, and her claws were unsheathed and flexing. Her words were clipped, tone sharp. "Is this about the rumours or Nathanial's arm?"

Nathanial stuttered, "W-We d-d-didn't hear anything a-about the rumours, till now. What a-are they saying?"

Liam strode up to them. "Greetings, Ms. Paul. Marks, O'Conall, McDougal. I apologise for the interruption, but the rumours are false. I am a witness and will give testimony if needed." He turned to Nathanial. "You are rumoured to have flirted with McDougal in the men's washroom at lunch yesterday. He is rumoured to have taken exception to this, yet for some reason raped you. Other rumours say he threatened to tell the whole school you were gay unless you let him have anal intercourse with you, you relented, and he roughly took you. For either rumour to have any validity it would have required a witness in that washroom. I left the washroom in question just before you entered, and it was empty. No one else entered except McDougal and O'Conall. While I cannot say what occurred in there, I can say there were no witnesses to have begun the rumours, nor were you in there long enough to have sex."

He turned to Ms. Paul again. "As these rumours are of such a malicious nature, I suggest the school take action. Promptly. An investigation into these rumours is also recommended. I suggest starting with the Facebook and Twitter accounts of Betty Chan, of Class 10-A. She has both means and motive for such action. She is the only one in school that does, that I am aware of."

"Good day, Smith. Thank you, I will pass this matter on to the principal and councillor. As for the arm, Nathanial, what happened?"

Nathanial looked like he was trying to sink into the floor. He stared at the shorter dog in horror. "Geoff did what? He'd never force himself on me. I-I-I'm sorry Geoff. I'm just making everyone's life miserable, aren't I?"

"Hey pup, not at all." Geoff put his arm around Nathanial's neck and pulled him into a quick hug. "Betty is making life difficult, not you. I'm really glad I got to meet you, and some stupid gossip isn't going to chase me off."

Ms. Paul smiled. "While I will forgo the hug and heartfelt comfort, Geoff is right about the gossip. It is a rumour, and in a few days, or at most a few weeks, it will pass. Pay it as little heed as you can, and if it bothers you too much, talk to someone about it. Mr. Ryhorski is a great councillor, and he is here to listen. I will also make time to listen, if need be. Most of the staff is here to help our students, and most of us accept our students for who they are. Now we need to get to class, so what about your arm?"

Nathanial was still trying to make himself small, but smiled at Geoff before turning to Ms. Paul. "I hurt it by my pool yesterday. I cut it on a piece of metal and I can't move it at all today. I won't be able to take notes, so I thought I should let you know. If it isn't better after school, I'm going to see the nurse."

Liam put his paw on Nathanial's right arm and then raised his eyebrows, his eyes searching the Akita's face.

Ms. Paul's face was full of concern. "I can't force you to go to the nurse or, better yet, the hospital, but I strongly recommend it. Cutting your arm shouldn't stop you from being able to move it unless you severed something. You need to get it looked at as soon as possible -- you should have gone to Emergency right after cutting it. But, class now. Nathanial, if you want to go see the nurse at any point, go."

---

The morning passed almost uneventfully.

Betty Chan initially appeared scared off by the murder in Geoff's and Faelen's eyes, but she quickly passed into smugness. She winked at them at every opportunity, and once as they walked by she said in a stage whisper to a male friend she was talking to, "Careful, Dave. Jeffrey may be looking for another tail-hole to plug. But you might be safe for today; he has his little boy-toy with him to rape."

Fortunately, Liam was there and he caught Faelen before he attacked Betty. Geoff was struggling to keep from pummelling her himself, and didn't catch Faelen in time.

Betty was startled and scared for a moment, but quickly laughed. "I guess I shouldn't call Nathan a boy-toy, when Felon has a real child as a toy there."

Liam appeared to miss what she said and dragged Faelen off to the next class.

At lunch Nathanial was sitting at "his" table in the cafeteria, waiting for Geoff and Faelen to join him, when Liam walked up to the table and gave a short bow. He was holding a blue lunch bag and a thermos. "Greetings, Marks. May I join you?"

Nathanial had just taken a big bite of chicken from today's special: roasted potatoes, stuffed chicken breasts, and mixed vegetables. He nodded and waved at the seat to his left.

"I believe you are waiting for McDougal and O'Conall to join you?" Liam asked.

Nathanial nodded, washing the chicken down his a gulp of milk. "Konichiwa, Smith-san." Nathanial still found it amusing to use the Japanese phrases he learned from the manga he read when talking to Liam. "Yes, I am. I hope they'll be here soon; it feels like everyone is talking about me. I was hoping for the distraction."

Liam swivelled his head slightly for a moment. "Take comfort in that most of the conversations have tired of you and moved onto other subjects. I am suffering through these crowds because I need to talk to you. Neither the hospital nor the nurse will be able to help your arm." He passed Nathanial a business card. "I need to see you at my office to help; your energies have been disrupted by the Demon that attacked you, and require the use of less...conventional medicine to bring them back in order. Though, in terms of accuracy, when I said conventional, I should have said modern Western medicine. If you do not get your arm treated, the numbness will spread and change to a burning sensation as the nerves start to decay. Once it reaches your heart, you will die."

Nathanial looked at him in surprise and fear. "How did...? I give up. Can everyone read my mind, now?" He looked at the card, which said: Liam Smith: Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine. It gave an address for a small clinic near Dalhousie University, and stated he was registered with the national bodies governing those three practices. "If you are registered with these three agencies and have your own office, why're you in school?"

"I have not graduated high school. I am pushing it as fast as the school system will allow, but there are limits to what they will accept. It was a challenge to get them to allow me to skip grade nine. To bypass all of high school is not something they were willing to entertain."

Geoff walked up and sat in his chair, giving Nathanial a warm smile. "Hey pup." He turned to Liam. "Smith. I thought you looked young, Smith. How old are you?" Faelen sat between him and Liam.

"I turned fourteen yesterday." Nathanial almost spat out his milk, but managed to swallow before breaking out into a coughing fit.

Faelen's ears perked, and he said to Liam, "Hey, congratulations. I hope you had a good day, yesterday. You didn't say anything about it."

"To what end? I care naught for empty well-wishes. You do seem sincere in your hopes, though, thank you." Liam's voice and face softened when he thanked Faelen. The tips of the Wolf's ears turned pink as he met Liam's warm brown eyes. Liam turned back to Geoff and Nathanial. "Before you bother asking, I convinced them to allow me to take all of the grade nine exams, and if I scored over eighty percent on every one, they would allow me to skip the grade. I did."

Faelen looked impressed. "Wow. That's impressive. What was your average?"

"Ninety-nine-point-six. I am still disputing the question marked wrong." Liam didn't look like he was bragging. He said it with the same interest most people reserved for discussing the intricacies of the global grain markets. "Marks-san, I need your answer soon. I will require an adjustment of my schedule to fit you in after school. My time is highly sought after."

Faelen and Geoff looked at the two pups in confusion. Geoff spoke first. "Services? What are you talking about? Nathanial will be in the hospital after school, getting his arm looked at."

Nathanial looked at the card before stuffing it into his jacket pocket. "I request your aid, Smith-sensei. I'll need the bill sent to my father, though. I should probably phone him and let him know what's going on." He switched to the Japanese honourific his manga used for doctors, artists, and other professionals. He was pretty sure it meant 'master of a craft'. If his business card was right, Liam certainly deserved it.

Liam raised an eyebrow. "That would have been a prudent course of action, last night." He stressed emphasis on the last two words, turning them into a rebuke.

Nathanial felt his ears burn.

Geoff looked like he was going to burst. "What's going on? Nath--"

He was cut off by a loud and mocking voice -- Betty Chan had noticed them. "Ooh, look Mary! The big bad Wolves are eating lunch with their little puppies. Isn't that sweet? Perhaps the defenceless little pups feel that by offering their tails they will be kept safe from the real Furs in school?" The room fell quiet; only a few pockets of conversation kept going.

Liam got an odd and nasty expression on his face as he spoke loudly enough for his voice to carry across the room, "Ah, look, Faelen. It appears the homely Betsy is jealous that I got a Fur with a real package to please me with, when the best she has ever gotten was shaped more like a pencil stub than a proper dick. Her face and shrunken figure must scare off all but the most desperate. I almost pity her. She should sue her cosmetic surgeon for doing such a botch job, but I guess they can only do so much, given what they had to work with!"

A few laughs had started when he stood and slammed his palm on the table, the bang echo through the room. The table quivered and Nathanial heard the solid wood legs creak.

"As for needing protection?" Liam gave a short and mirthless laugh, an accent Nathanial couldn't place creeping into his voice. "Not one of your lapdogs could lay a paw on me. I need no one's protection. I'm the one who pounds the skulls of bullies in when they step out of line. Betsy Chin." His voice carried an obvious threat as he mangled Betty's name.

He sat down, the eyes of everyone in the room wide and fixed on him. Silence reigned. Even the servers in the kitchen had stopped moving.

Liam opened his thermos and poured a packet of powder he pulled from a pocket into the steaming liquid. Faelen's nose started twitching and his eyes watering. Liam sealed the thermos and shook it before reopening it and breathing in the steam. His paw shook slightly as he lifted the thermos and took a big gulp, but the paw remained steady as he lowered it back down.

His voice and tone returned to normal. "I will likely miss the next class, O'Conall, if you would be so kind as to inform the teacher. I will be in the nurse's office." He gulped the remainder of the hot liquid down, with Faelen wincing at the sight.

Nathanial looked at Faelen and back to Liam, puzzled. Liam stood, his legs shaking a little, and he steadied himself on his chair for a second.

Faelen looked like he wanted to ask something, but closed his mouth quickly. Geoff saw and asked, "Do you want us to go with you?"

"That will be unnecessary, O'Conall. Thank you for asking for him, McDougal. I will be able to make it on my own, now. I will see you at the bike rack we spoke at yesterday, Marks-san." He walked carefully out of the cafeteria, back stiff. Betty had a murderous expression on her face as she watched him.

Geoff looked at Nathanial, his expression carefully neutral, his tone dripping with sweetness. "What appointment? Why aren't you going to the hospital?"

Faelen was still watching the door Liam left through, his expression thoughtful.

"He was right, the hospital can't help me. Don't ask any more about it, please. I can't answer." Geoff rolled his eyes. "No, don't ask. What happened to him?"

Faelen was still watching the door, and said softly, "Whatever he drank was strong stuff. He was in a lot of pain. The drink seemed to help, but he still reeked of it. I would have collapsed screaming from it."

Nathanial was sure he wasn't supposed to hear him say that.

Faelen shook himself and looked at Geoff. "His accent was Celtic, but it sounded off, somehow. And how did he know how big my package is?" The last was said with a grin.

Nathanial blushed and looked at the table as he muttered, "It's hard to miss." The Wolves looked at him and burst out laughing, making him blush more.

Nathanial walked to the bike rack after school with Geoff and Faelen. He could hear them arguing quietly behind him as he waited there for Liam. Faelen ended it with a firm, "No, not even if you order me."

Geoff looked like he was going to carry it on, but stopped himself and said in a tight voice, "As you will."

Faelen's back stiffened, but he merely asked Nathanial, "You have let your brothers know you'll be late? What about your backpack?"

Nathanial looked at him suspiciously for a moment. "I let them know. Micah is upset about having to be alone with Nicholas for a couple of hours; he's still scared. Nicholas didn't seem to care. I will be taking my book bag with me, thank you." Faelen looked a little concerned at the mention of the Akita pups, but just smiled at Nathanial's suspicions of him.

"What of your parents?" Geoff seemed baffled by how distant the adult Markses kept from their pups. "Shouldn't your mom, at least, be home to watch them? When is your dad due back?"

A short, disdainful laugh was his answer to the second question. "Dad should be back on Thursday, if his schedule doesn't change. I guess that would be two days from today, now. Realistically, I expect him Saturday morning."

Liam seemed to appear at Nathanial's shoulder. "Konichiwa, Marks-san. O'Conall, McDougal. Marks-san, we should catch our bus."

Faelen jumped, his ears swivelling around, but Liam just looked at the coffee shop across the street. "Smith, I have to say you are one of the few people to ever sneak up on me like that," Faelen said in an almost awed tone.

"I have had a lot of practice." He was still watching the coffee shop. "Marks-san, the bus will be here in two minutes. We must hurry." Liam bowed to the Wolves before turning and striding off. "Good afternoon."

Nathanial gazed up into Geoff's eyes for a moment. "See you later?"

Geoff shook his head. "Grounded. Two Weeks. I'll meet you at your gates tomorrow and walk with you to school."

Nathanial nodded and hurried to catch up to Liam. Faelen and Geoff followed him out of the gates and then turned for home.

It took a transfer at the Mumford terminal, but it was still a fairly quick trip to Liam's office. It was a modified two storey house in an older and nicer area of the city. Trees lined the streets; the leaves hadn't changed colour yet and provided cool green shade. The clinic held two practices: an acupuncturist and a doctor specialising in traditional Chinese medicine. The sign was primarily written in Chinese. Liam's name was not on the board.

He briskly walked up the ramp to the door and opened it. "Mei Lin." The rest of what he said was in Chinese.

Nathanial filed it under the large 'Odd things about Liam' category. If this was a filing cabinet he'd have to dedicate an entire drawer to it. He was certain it would soon be an entire cabinet.

Liam said over his shoulder, "I will fetch you shortly, Marks-san, Mei Lin will help you fill out the proper forms. You may bring your book bag with you into my office when you come."

Mei Lin was a pretty young panda woman sitting at the receptionist's desk. She was dressed in a red shirt, in what Nathanial assumed was a traditional Chinese design. She smiled at him warmly and said in a thick Chinese accent, "Welcome, Mr. Marks, you have been shown a great honour by the Old Soul. He rarely takes patients, and never when he is due at the kwoon. You must be great friends for him to care so much about you."

"Kwoon? Old Soul? Honour?" Nathanial sighed. "My apologies, Ms. Mei. I just met Smith-sensei yesterday, but we do seem to get along. I think. What do you mean by 'Old Soul'?"

Mei Lin blushed. "Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Marks. It is a term of endearment we who know him in the Chinese community use. He does not like it when others use it. I should not have called him that to you. At times he acts like an honoured grandfather, and he is very wise. Please do not say I said that, though. And Mr. Marks, Mei Lin is my given name. My family name is Shaorun. If it pleases you, we should fill out these forms for Master Smith."

She spent the next few minutes asking questions and filling out the form in Chinese characters. Nathanial noticed almost all of the writing in the office was in Chinese. Once she was finished, Mei Lin offered him tea and refreshments. He accepted a little tea, and just finished it when Liam appeared at the door.

"Marks-san, I will see you now."

Nathanial thanked Mei Lin and handed her the cup with a small bow. She accepted it with a smile and return bow. Nathanial followed Liam up the stairs and into a small office at the back of the hall. The smell of herbs and other materials tickled his nose. He could detect the faint tingle of magic around him, but couldn't pin the source.

Maybe Liam could read his mind. "It is the medicines, Marks-san. The ingredients used in the proper manner, by a skilled practitioner, create natural magic. I am a skilled practitioner."

His office had an examining table, a set of scales, flasks, a mortar and pestle, and many other old-looking instruments. Two whole walls were occupied by small wooden drawers. Nathanial thought there must be over three hundred different drawers identified by tiny, precise characters. He bet that was Liam's writing.

"Remove your coat and shirt." Nathanial struggled with it a little before Liam helped him. He squirmed a little as his soft and immature torso was exposed. "Sit." Nathanial sat on the examining table. "Talk."

Nathanial was baffled. "Arf?" Liam shot him a dirty look and pointed at his bandaged arm. "I-I cut myself..."

Liam made a chopping motion with his paw. "I have taken you into my confidences, Marks-san, by bringing you here. It was a calculated risk on my part, but I believe I can trust you. Extend the same courtesy to me. I know that wound was caused by a Demon. Now, talk." Liam picked up a pair of scissors and walked over. "Arm."

Nathanial picked his right arm up by the paw with his left so Liam could cut the bandage off. Nathanial remained silent.

Liam ran his fingers over the cut, and then across Nathanial's forehead. "Demon, yes?" His voice was softer and kind. "Hmm? Yes, yes. Two Demons. One did the cutting and put in poison. One disrupted energy of mind, but just little, hmm. Guessing is bad when dealing with Demon wounds." Liam stood up and carefully walked over to the drawers and began measuring powders and cutting up roots. He picked up a cane leaning against the counter and leaned a little on it as he walked. "Now, my boy, tell me. What cut you?"

"It-It was a Demon, yes. Several, actually. They attacked me and my brothers last night." Liam merely smiled kindly and nodded. "It was Imps sir, and a Succubus. An Imp cut me." He wasn't sure what was troubling him more: actually talking about Hidden World stuff to someone outside of the family or Liam's...change. This wasn't the way Liam normally acted. Kinda like the way he'd changed at lunch. Was he crazy or was he some sort of Nightwalker, a magic creature that wasn't affiliated with any major organization? He seemed nice and he was right about everything so far. Nathanial decided to trust him, not that he felt he had much choice if he wanted to have his arm healed.

Liam tsked a few times and pulled out a dozen more objects from the drawers. "There, my boy, not so hard, was it? Is that why you carry Succubus grimoire with you? She came to retrieve it, yes? Like calls to like." He patted Nathanial on the knee as he walked by to grab the mortar and pestle.

"Y-Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir, it is almost a relief."

Liam merely gave a soft chuckle from his throat and motioned for him to continue. Nathanial related the salient points of the events the previous night, and ended with a sigh. "Now, after the dreams I had, and the way Nicholas is acting, I'm afraid to let the grimoire out of my sight. Even before that, actually. I had to sleep with it under my pillow last night." Liam smacked him across the back with his cane. "Ow!"

"Pillow?! You have fought Succubus and put book made from one under your pillow, hmm? Fool. Small wonder you slept poorly." He sighed heavily and lowered himself onto a chair by the examining table. "Your brother. Acting weird you said? He has been Tainted, then. Succubus has reached into his mind and influenced him. As you have closed portal, it will be small work to cleanse mind. But grimoire must be removed to stop corruption. You have closed portal, yes?"

He looked at Nathanial. Nathanial looked at the door in the other direction and gave a yelp as the cane poked him in the side.

"Foolish pup! Have you learned nothing of magic? Portal is still open, so Succubus can reach through at will, and book made from her sister draws her! Your brothers, you, are in danger! City is in danger! Succubus is looking to have pet Mage at her call, and book will help." He rubbed the bridge of his muzzle. "Difficult, this will be. But first your arm, hmm? Demon influence is strong, and now we are knowing why."

Liam stood and resumed work on three different recipes. As he worked, Nathanial felt small sparks of magic from the mixtures. "If you have not known, Mages make books from creatures of magic, to bind magic of their natures into pages. Their essence. As you are knowing, Succubae are very trustworthy, kind, and forthright Demons of spotless honour, yes?"

Nathanial started to nod, and changed it to a shake as Liam lifted his cane.

"No! No, no, no! Quite opposite. Your book has kept those qualities, and seeks your corruption. If cannot corrupt, will destroy. It has taken a liking to your Nicholas, it seems. Too pure, too sweet, too innocent you are, yes? Geoff, at least, would agree." Liam softly chuckled again. "Danger and strength the book is; you must use it with caution, and sparingly. Keep it warded and locked whenever possible. Be glad you have not called Arcane Society since. If hearing of your brother's corruption, he will be killed. As will you and Micah for potential corruption. There is saying with Mages, Knights, and Hunters: 'A tainted Mage is a dead Mage.' And they will ensure so. But can be saved. Will need help, but know who can help, yes? Hmm-hmm, yes indeed."

He added some water to one of the recipes and stirred, the magic in it settling. Liam wrapped his paws around the jar, and Nathanial felt a faint hum along his jawbone. It wasn't magic, but it was a power. Liam lifted the jar and blew across the surface, and Nathanial "saw" the magic flare in the paste. The tingle of magic became an itch in his mind.

Liam noticed and chuckled, smiling kindly. "Said I was skilled practitioner. Arm, my boy, let us work."

Nathanial lifted his arm, relieved that Liam put the cane down before he carefully walked over. The twinkle was back the Rottweiler's eyes.

He sat on the chair in front of Nathanial and scooped a glob of the grey paste up with a finger. "This may sting."

Nathanial had no time to react before Liam smeared it across the cut. It did not sting, it burned. Nathanial stifled a scream as tears ran from his eyes, but he could not stop the sharp whimpers.

"Penance. Think of this as penance for danger you placed Micah in. Nicholas in. Faelen in. Geoff in. Through carelessness, suspicion, ignorance, they may all be killed."

Nathanial did not feel any better, but he accepted the pain in silence. He thought of the pain and fear in Nicholas's eyes, and the unwanted lust, as the Succubus called to him.

Liam was not gentle as he worked the salve into the cut. He added more once the burning started to fade, and the burning increased. Liam wrapped his paws around Nathanial's upper arm, right at the edge of the numbness, and breathed deeply. Nathanial felt the hum in his jawbone as Liam slowly drew his paws down. The burning had subsided some, but increased again as if Liam was pushing more fuel into the fires. Liam worked his paws slowly down Nathanial's arm over several minutes, pausing occasionally to add more salve, until he reached the cut. The burning sensation flickered out, and Liam leaned back in his chair, panting. Nathanial's arm began to bleed and throb like a normal cut, and he tried wiggling his fingers. They wiggled. He could move his arm freely, even though it hurt.

"Thank you, sir."

Liam looked at him, face impassive. He nodded shortly. "You are welcome, Marks-san. The hard work is still ahead of us." He pushed himself to his feet and poured himself a cup of his 'tea.' "Second one today, and I'll likely need four or five more." He shook his head, inhaled some of the steam, and then drank deeply. He portioned out seven packets and placed them in his jacket. "Do not provide details of this visit to anyone, Marks-san. You may tell McDougal and O'Conall that I treated you with a salve, but not of the energies or magic you have felt, not until I give you leave. That is part of the price you owe. I will collect on the rest of your debt when needed, and your debt is large. I collect on such debts."

Nathanial was not sure he liked what he was getting into anymore, and he looked at Liam cautiously.

"Do not fear, your debt will likely take the form of saving my life, or the life of another. Now, let us bandage you up, and cleanse your mind." He poured another mug of hot water and added a measured amount of the third mix. He brought the mug and some bandages to Nathanial. "When I tell you, exhale as much as you can. I will count to three, and right after three I want you to draw a slow, deep breath. It will sting..." Nathanial looked horrified, and Liam gave a small smile. "...sting like winter air, not like the arm. You have paid your penance. Nicholas may find this more...unpleasant. Breathe as deep as you can. Now. Exhale."

Nathanial followed his directions, and on the inhale Liam lifted the mug of steaming liquid and blew the steam in his face. It was cold. His lungs itched from the chill, and he could feel it spread through his body, driving away all fatigue and confusion. Things that seemed muddled before became clear; he even remembered two spells he had learned long ago, but somehow had forgotten since. One was a simple Call/Recall spell where he could designate an object like a key and a location like a drawer. He could then Call the key from the drawer and return it as he wished. The second was a simple Ward spell that could protect him from weak mind influencing effects. He couldn't understand why he forgot those; they were very handy spells, and the Ward was one of the first spells his father taught him. Now he knew why.

He activated the Ward and his fear of losing the grimoire vanished. "Smith-sensei, why did I suddenly remember some things I had forgotten long ago?"

"Because, Marks-san, the grimoire wished you to forget. I removed most of its influences from you, as well as the Succubus's. Let us turn to more important matters before some other business. Mei Lin lives close to my house and is finished with work in a half-hour. She is willing to drive us there. Once there I will arrange to help your brothers. Now, in the interim, let us discuss you and McDougal."

Nathanial felt the beginnings of a blush form.

"You like him and he likes you. You are both very attracted to each other, and if my suspicions are correct, he is aware of how much you like him. Your 'interest' after lunch yesterday was quite clear to me, and from his grin as he entered the bathroom after you, Geoff could tell, too."

Nathanial remained silent, but blushed more, horribly embarrassed by the new topic.

The next thing Liam said threw him. "As your father appears distant, let me offer some advice on pleasing Geoff. The way he looks at your gluteus muscles indicates he is very keen to 'possess them,' as it were. Not that I can blame him."

Nathanial's jaw dropped, his ears flipped back, and his tail curled around him. 'Did I just hear what I think I heard?' Nathanial wasn't sure if he should be offended, pleased, or embarrassed.

"Geoff strikes me as a top, and certainly will be where you are concerned, at least for the first time. When you are preparing to be mounted the first time, you first will want to empty your bowels as much as possible and clean thoroughly. You may want to ask his help in scrubbing you in the shower. It is a sensual activity and will raise the arousal in both of you. If he is keen, some rimming, or licking your tail-hole, will provide some initial lubrication and will help relax your sphincter muscles. Have him lubricate his fingers and slowly work a finger into you at a time, stopping after each finger until he feels you relax. Ensure you have plenty of lubricant on paw; it will make the initial entry easier..."

Nathanial squirmed in embarrassment as Liam began to walk him through the steps, but he couldn't help feel his arousal grow at the thoughts of Geoff doing this to him. He paid close attention, committing it to memory.

A couple of interesting minutes later Liam asked, "Um, Nathanial-san...if I may call you by your first name?"

Nathanial was surprised by the request -- not that he minded, but it was Liam, in effect, saying that he was beginning to feel closer to him. Not friends, but not distant, either.

"Of course you may. I would be honoured if I could use your first name too, Liam-sensei." Nathanial still felt that he deserved the title of sensei.

"Yes, you may, Nathanial-san. Thank you. I noticed your arousal, and you are in danger of soaking your pants through. I recommend you remove them before that happens. Do not worry, the door is locked and no one would disturb me without prior permission."

Nathanial felt like sinking through the floor again.

"If you would be more at ease, I will strip down as well. I noticed you appear to be embarrassed by your fluff, but if you see that you are more mature than I, you may relax." Liam was putting word into action as he spoke, his jacket and shirt already off.

Nathanial was very impressed by the tan and black body before him. Liam was very lean, unlike the pictures of most of the Rottweilers he had seen, which were uniformly buff. Liam had a cut six-pack, developing pecs, and his arms showed firm muscles, but he was still too young to bulk up like those pictures of the adults. Nathanial was relieved to see he was still coated in fluff and not adult fur.

Liam's long undocked tail was lazily wagging, betraying the enjoyment he must be feeling at Nathanial's admiration. He removed his pants, showing a tent in his grey boxer-briefs, and firm muscular legs. He did not pause, but shucked his underwear too, revealing a pink penis poking partway out of his sheath. Nathanial could see the bulge of his knot starting to swell in the sheath, and a drop of precum form at the end of his penis.

He could feel more of his own precum soak into his underwear, and he knew that if he wanted to get more sex tips from Liam, he'd better comply or he'd stain his pants again. He wanted Geoff to really enjoy the first time they mated. Blushing, he climbed off the table and removed his pants and briefs. The briefs were already soaked through. He could feel Liam's admiring eyes on his dripping penis, but kept his own eyes downcast. His tail kept trying to cover him up, but he forced it back into its proper upward curl. He turned around and climbed back up on the step to sit on the exam table.

A low murr escaped from Liam as his butt came into view, and he figured his tail-hole must have been visible.

"Um, Liam-sensei, you were saying something about keeping my paws on his hip bones as I lower myself onto Geoff's penis? Why?" Nathanial thought Liam's suggestion that he have Geoff lay on his back for the initial penetration was smart. Geoff looked like he'd be frighteningly thick, and he was afraid that he'd get hurt if Geoff thrust in too fast.

"He is young and strong. He may involuntarily buck as he feels his penis sink into you. Keeping weight on his hips, stomach, or upper thighs will keep such thrusts to a minimum. Even when they do occur, the actual movement will be small." Liam resumed his instruction, and Nathanial resumed leaking precum, with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.

He didn't see the mischievous sparkle in Liam's eye.

"Now, Nathanial-san. We must meet Mei Lin in fifteen minutes, and you are quite aroused, as am I. As much as I would love to break in that tail of yours, I will leave it for McDougal. However, I would appreciate the services of your muzzle, and would return the favour, if you are willing. The exam table will hold us both, if I lay atop you. We are close enough in height that we will be able to pleasure and be pleasured at the same time."

Strings of precum ran down Liam's fully erect, 12 centimetre doghood. He had freed his swollen knot a few minutes ago, and it was a good size at just over six centimetres in diameter, over three centimetres thicker than his shaft. Nathanial was impressed; Liam was over a year younger than Nicholas, but he was already longer and thicker than the middle Marks brother. He even had a little adult fur around his sheath.

Nathanial sighed in longing. "Sure, I'd like that." 'It'll be good practice for when I try to suck Geoff off -- he's probably got a monster in there. It felt huge when he was pressing into me during our kiss.'

He lay back on the table, swinging his legs up, and Liam climbed up and swung his head down to Nathanial's groin as he lowered his penis to gently tap Nathanial on his nose. Nathanial inhaled the scent of the young Rottweiler and felt lightheaded for a moment.

He smelled great: faintly herby, his sheath slightly salty from sweat, the drop of precum that had stuck to Nathanial's nose was sweet and salty, and his musk smelled strong -- not in intensity but in quality. Liam would be dominant in almost any relationship; it would have to be a remarkable person for Liam to submit to him.

Nathanial felt he could never be that forceful.

Liam was lapping along Nathanial's shaft and balls, cleaning off the precum that had begun to pool during his impromptu episode of Sex Ed Class: Anal Sex Edition, when Nathanial felt Liam's penis jab him in the nose again, harder, telling him to get to work.

Nathanial began his own cleaning, pausing occasionally to inhale Liam's scent again. He gasped when Liam took his whole length into his short puppy muzzle; Nathanial was long enough that it wouldn't fit inside until Liam swallowed and took five centimetres into his throat. Liam's throat muscles rippled along the top of his penis, coaxing out a small spurt of precum, and Liam began to wrap his broad tongue around the remainder of him, massaging and teasing.

Nathanial's muzzle was long enough that as long as he left Liam's knot out, he could take it without trying to deep throat him. He wasn't sure if he could without gagging.

Liam, however, had no problems. He would suckle and bob on Nathanial for a while before swallowing him for thirty seconds or so. After the fourth time, Nathanial could feel his orgasm building. Liam had a paw wrapped around his balls and felt them draw up, so he exhaled, then inhaled, and opened his muzzle wide before pushing his head down. He swallowed seven or so centimetres of doghood as he wrapped his tongue around the base of Nathanial's knot. He closed his mouth, his teeth digging into his tongue and putting pressure on Nathanial like a firm tie. He began to rhythmically swallow, his muscles contracting and relaxing over most of Nathanial's penis.

Nathanial moaned and whimpered around his own muzzleful of cock as he began spurting into Liam's throat.

Liam kept the pressure and contractions going for a full minute and a half before lifting free, gasping for air. He suckled on the tip of the twitching penis beneath him, drawing out the last of the semen. He swirled it around his tongue, giving a low growl of pleasure at the taste. "I'm getting up, pup. Let go."

Nathanial stopped sucking, whimpering slightly in disappointment that he couldn't give Liam the same pleasure he'd received.

Liam climbed down and motioned Nathanial to do the same. Once Nathanial stood on the floor, ears back submissively, Liam climbed back onto the steps, half-sitting and half-leaning on the table so his tail-hole was accessible. "Come here." Nathanial stepped forward, and Liam put his paw on the back of Nathanial's head, gently pushing it so his muzzle was against Liam's twitching length. Nathanial resumed suckling, with both of Liam's paws wrapped around his ears, as Liam thrust into his muzzle.

After a minute, Liam took one of Nathanial's paws and raised it to his own muzzle and wetly sucked on Nathanial's index and middle finger. Once sufficiently wet, Liam brought them to his tail-hole and pushed them in. "Nathanial-san, turn your paw so it is pad-up, and curl your fingers up." A little growl of pleasure escaped from the Rottie as Nathanial did so. "Mmm, good. Now, do you feel that slightly spongy knob of tissue through my intestinal wall? Ah. Mmm, yes, there. Keep rubbing -- ah, gods, like that."

Nathanial had fingered himself before, but had never felt that area caused Liam to moan like that. He'd have to find it as soon as he could.

Liam had moved both paws back to his ears and resumed thrusting a bit harder and faster than before. He would occasionally give a louder gasp or growl, and Nathanial kept searching until he found the exact spot that caused that.

He pressed firmly on it, and Liam let go of his ears and leaned back. "Gods! Yes! Right there! Suck me off, pup." Liam emitted a continuous low growl of pleasure, like a purr, as Nathanial began bobbing his head and rubbing firmly around that one spot. Liam suddenly grabbed the base of his knot and squeezed, his left paw pushing Nathanial's head down firmly onto his penis as he began squirting into the Akita's eager mouth.

Once the Rottie's orgasm began to abate he gasped out as he made a few more short thrusts. "Mmph, don't swallow the, urgh, last of my cum, pup."

Nathanial let the last few dribbles of semen pool on his tongue. The thick liquid was mostly sweet-tasting, with just a little salty undertone.

Liam let go of his knot and grabbed onto Nathanial's wrist, keeping the larger dog's fingers inside him.

Nathanial let up on the pressure from his fingers and moved them lazily around in a larger circle. He saw Liam's slitted eyes close in pleasure again and the dominant dog sighed softly before those brown eyes opened back up slightly, still mere slits. He glanced down at Liam's retracting penis and saw a large drop of semen sitting on the end. He dipped his muzzle down to carefully lick up the drop. He didn't allow any of the semen already pooled on his tongue to spill or be swallowed.

Nathanial felt Liam's left paw begin scratching through the orange fur on top of his head, slowly working its way around his ear and into the white fur of his throat. Nathanial lifted his head submissively, granting Liam access to his neck, and the fingers scratched their way up to the bottom of his muzzle. Nathanial allowed himself to be brought to a standing position as Liam lifted gently.

He kept the fingers of his left paw stroking inside Liam's tail-hole and felt a glow of happiness each time he heard or saw Liam express his pleasure. Liam's brown eyes stayed almost closed, but Nathanial saw them twinkle contentedly, his muzzle painted with a pleased smile.

Liam's left paw slid gently back along Nathanial's neck to the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss. Liam's tongue pushed against his muzzle and he opened up to allow the intruder in. Liam's tongue wrapped around his own before exploring every crevice of the Akita's mouth, spreading his seed as it moved. Liam seemed to enjoy the taste of his own cock and semen. Those brown eyes remained barely open, but they remained fixed on the blue ones across the way.

Finally, Liam released Nathanial's wrist and muzzle, leaning back as he swallowed his own cum. "I am pleased; you have done well. We should prepare to go."

Liam gasped again as Nathanial withdrew his fingers, which made the latter blush and lower his head. The Rottie remained where he was as he watched Nathanial wash his paws and then bend to gather his clothes.

Suddenly, Nathanial felt Liam lean over his back, wrapping his left arm around Nathanial's chest and pulling him into a standing position. Liam bit onto the scruff of his neck in a mating bite and growled, the vibrations travelling through Nathanial's body. He felt himself relax back into Liam as Liam moved the tip of his penis with his right paw to press at the entrance to Nathanial. Liam pushed forward with just enough pressure to not force entry, but if Nathanial shifted his hips back slightly he knew he would allow Liam access. The growl behind him had his ears back in submission and his desire building, but he stayed still.

After another second Liam released his bite and stopped growling. "You have no idea how tempting the sight of your rump is, Nathanial-san." He gave a small chuckle. "Well, you may have an idea now. Unfortunately, that pleasure belongs to McDougal, and we do not have time, regardless." He sighed and stepped back, moving to gather his own clothes.

Nathanial remained still for a moment, stunned, before he turned to try look down at what seemed to be his most tempting feature. 'Looks like a butt, to me. I guess some Furs really like butts.' He got dressed, and together they met Mei Lin downstairs and drove over to Liam's home.