Rem ran toward's the pet stall, Amaia following close behind in her crimson armor. The booth was framed by wooden beams and covered in a patched leather canvas on the top and sides, cages were stacked two rows high along its front. Behind the counter stood a demi-human shopkeeper, his ears pointed, with fur streaking across his jawline.
Rem's eyes swept the cages, moving past squeaking birds and small furred beasts until she saw them: three foxes. One white, thin and as pale as snow, its single tail curled up tightly. One red, as vibrant as flame, his eyes glowing faintly with fire. And the last fox was black one, that had shadows clinging to its fur as if the light bent away from it's Two tails as they swayed behind it.
Rem's eyes sparkled, her voice came out excited. "How much for all three foxes, Mr. Shopkeeper?"
The demi-human blinked at her, studying the strange woman before him. In her fine black blouse and blue trousers, she has an armored servant at her side this is not an ordinary traveler. His posture straightened up as his professional etiquette took hold of him. "I'm sorry, my lady, but the city allows only one purchase per customer. Darkgloom law regulates pet ownership strictly." He gestured to the first cage. "This white one is a White Vesper Fox from the northern snow lands. He is rare, hardy, and clever. The red one is a Flame Smolder Fox, born in the heart of a newborn volcano much less rare, they are formed when fire mingles with magic particles."
The man hesitated before pointing to the black fox. "As for the last one with two tails… it is a recent acquisition. To be honest, I don't know much about it. I was only told it is called a Shadow Fall Fox, but I cannot confirm the breeds' existence. Because of this, I put her on sale for cheaply only one silver crown. Most people believe black foxes bring bad luck, just like black cats. Don't tell any cat girls I said that though." The shopkeeper gave a nervous laugh. "But it is not only her color. Her true misfortune is the unknown breed. Nobody knows what this fox is, and that uncertainty makes it dangerous. Foxes are mischievous by nature. An unknown fox with two tails? It could be nothing or it could be a catastrophy."
Rem rolled her eyes, dismissing his words as nonsense. Rem looked at the three foxes again, but her gaze returned to the black one. Two tails is considered, strange and rare, this one is unique in a way that resonates with her looking at Amaia she said. "Amaia go ahead and pay for the Shadow Fall Fox," Rem said firmly. "But I won't accept discounted prices. Give the man a full gold crown. We hardly require money of all things."
Amaia stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly. She has already explained the currency here on Elsera to Rem: one gold crown equals a hundred silver crowns, and one silver crown equals a hundred copper crowns. Paying nearly a hundred times the asking price is excessive. She exhaled slowly, but she did not argue with her lady. Obedience comes first. Amaia reached into her coin pouch, and drew out a gold coin, setting it on the counter as they left.
The shopkeeper's eyes bulged. His hands shot forward rapidly, snatching up the gold crown. He bit down on its edge, leaving behind a toothmark, and then his face split into laughter. "Ha! Ha! It's real!" The man ran to the cage, lifted it up quickly, and pushed it towards Amaia.
Amaia unlatched the cage door with a smooth motion. As the black fox slipped into her arms for a heartbeat before she passed it to Rem.
Rem cradled the Shadow Fall Fox close to her chest. Its fur brushed against her skin, soft and impossibly plush, its two tails curling gently around her wrist. Rem's lips parted, as her eyes narrowed into slits of pure happiness. For a moment, everything else faded the noise of the street, the heavy sounds of Darkgloom. All that mattered was the warmth of fluff.
Amaia watched silently, the corners of her mouth tightening as she resolved herself. If her lady adores such things, she would keep her eyes open for more fluffy treasures to please her. But not another pet. One fox is enough.
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