After what had just happened downstairs, nobody dared to break into Sienna's room to retrieve the fox pup. She was not crying for help anyway. None the less, they paced nervously outside, taking turns to check on the situation because Sienna was known for her long naps.
Four hours later, Sienna stirred in her sleep when she felt something warm and suspiciously wet pressed against her arm. She cracked one eye open. Sure enough, a little girl had sneaked into her bed like a thief in the night and drooled on her hand!
Instantly, she froze. What was the little one doing in her bedroom? Did anyone know that she was in here or were they looking for her in a panic?
Slowly, she tried to pull her hand back.
But, the little girl clung to it, snuggling even closer, seeking for the warmth around Sienna's chest. Her fox ears twitched adorably. Sienna's nervousness was overwhelmed by her obsessive love for soft ears, soft fur and soft tails.
"Well, since you delivered yourself to my bed, don't blame me." Sienna whispered. She reached out and fondled and fondled those soft, velvety white ears. They flicked like tiny fans, ticklish against her fingers.
Sienna how she could twist her body and rub her cheeks against the ears. "Aww, how adorable." she squealed.
Ali twitched, half-sleep, mumbling nonsense. "Mmm, no Eli, don't eat my meat."
Sienna smirked. "So this is what you dream about, little fox.?" She gave the ears another squeeze, enjoying their fluffiness. It was like petting a luxury pillow that occasionally talked and smelled like carrots!!
She took a closer whiff. Indeed, the girl smelled like carrots! Was it bathing soap, laundry detergent or did the fox pup eat carrots like a bunny?
Meanwhile, Ali also opened her eyes. She recalled where she was, how she had sneaked in and climbed into the bed willingly. Ever since she saw her mother smiling and talking to Kroton, she had been filled with a desire to get closer too.
She also wanted to see if her mom had any other toys in the bedroom. She never planned to fall asleep, or drool!
Ali started to panic. Her mother was touching her ears, was it because she was going to pinch them as a punishment for drooling?
She backed away quickly, falling to the ground. Her lips trembled, her ears drooped, and finally--the wail came. Tears burst forth like a broken dam.
"Wuuu....I didn't mean to drool. Don't pinch my ears."
Sienna panicked. "I am not going to pinch your ears, there is nothing wrong with a little drool. I also drool on the pillow."
Ali hiccuped between sobs. "Really?"
"Yes! I drool all the time...I even drooled on your father's arm once." Sienna lied.
Ali giggled.
"And I was not pinching your ears. I was just....testing the fur for durability. You passed with flying colors!"
Ali sniffed, suspicious. "Passed?"
Sienna nodded. "Of course. Your ears are the best. They are the prettiest fox ears I have ever seen. The fur is the softest. I will give you a toy as a reward for having nice ears."
At the mention of a toy, Ali's tears dried instantly. The fox ears perked back up, twitching excitedly.
Sienna sighed in relief. Crisis averted. "Come here," she gestured at Ali. "I told you, crying so much will make your eyes blind." Even as she said it, she did not think the little girl would be brave enough to return to the bed.
But it happened!
So, she tucked the little one under the blanket, patting her head. "Why do you smell like carrots anyway?"
Instead of replying, Ali turned red in the face, like she was embarrassed. "Mama, toy." she whispered.
Sienna scoffed softly. "You have revealed your true intentions at last. Fine. She reached under her pillow and withdrew a rope toy woven from strong fibers. You can bite it."
Ali's eyes lit up. She sat up, grabbed the toy with both hands, fox ears twitching in exciting. Immediately, she started gnawing on it with tiny determined teeth. The fibers squeaked but held firm.
Sienna leaned back and touched one fox ear. Her eyes sought for a tail that had yet to appear.
But just as the peace settled, the door slid open and in strolled Elias. He had changed into new clothes, but they were still black. His aura was unchanged, tall and imposing as usual. He took at Ali--tiny growls, teeth sunk into a rope and he froze.
His face drained of color. "WHAT...are you doing to her?!"
Sienna blinked. "What does it look like? She just woke up from a nap and I have given her a toy to sharpen her teeth."
"You are training her like a beast!" He thundered, horrified.
Sienna reached under her pillow and got another toy. It was a chew-resistant plasma bone. "What are you talking about? This is a toy that is perfect for fox pups with itchy teeth. Look at how happy she is." She waved the bone. "Look, I even got a gift for you to sharpen your teeth as well."
Elias pointed dramatically, as if accusing her of the worst crime in the galaxy. "I thought you had changed. You are just making my daughter barbaric instead."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "Again, Ali is loving this. You may be her father but you don't control her fun." She rubbed Ali's head. "Are you having fun?"
The girl tilted her head, ears twitching. "Papa, it's fun." She bit down again, producing a satisfying crunch.
Elias staggered back as if he had been betrayed. "You are corrupting her."
Sienna sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Corrupting? She is playing. Would you prefer it if she chew the furniture instead? Or your boots?"
At that, his eyes widened in horror.
Ali giggled, rope swinging from her mouth like a victory flag. "Papa, I will chew your boots next."
Elias nearly fainted. "What next, are you going to howl at the moon?"
Ali dropped the rope and the tail Sienna had been longing to see finally made an appearance. "Awooooo!" she howled playfully.
Sienna laughed. "I did not teach her to do that." She said. Standing slowly, her feet touched the floor. She walked towards Elias, bone toy in hand. Then, she pulled his arm and placed the bone in his hand. "Now play nice, okay? If you break it, mommy is not giving you another one."